THE BOOK BEHIND THE THIRD SEASON OF GAME OF THRONES, AN ORIGINAL SERIES NOW ON HBO.Here is the third volume in George R. R. Martin’s magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill … intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hailed as a classic, George R. R. Martin’s stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.
A STORM OF SWORDS
Of the five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and still the wars rage as violently as ever, as alliances are made and broken. Joffrey, of House Lannister, sits on the Iron Throne, the uneasy ruler of the land of the Seven Kingdoms. His most bitter rival, Lord Stannis, stands defeated and disgraced, the victim of the jealous sorceress who holds him in her evil thrall. But young Robb, of House Stark, still rules the North from the fortress of Riverrun. Robb plots against his despised Lannister enemies, even as they hold his sister hostage at King’s Landing, the seat of the Iron Throne. Meanwhile, making her way across a blood-drenched continent is the exiled queen, Daenerys, mistress of the only three dragons still left in the world. . . .
But as opposing forces maneuver for the final titanic showdown, an army of barbaric wildlings arrives from the outermost line of civilization. In their vanguard is a horde of mythical Others–a supernatural army of the living dead whose animated corpses are unstoppable. As the future of the land hangs in the balance, no one will rest until the Seven Kingdoms have exploded in a veritable storm of swords. . . .
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This was undoubtedly the most exciting book in this series thus far. The various weddings, deaths, murders, surprises, and twists made this a veritable unputdownable read, despite its hulking length.
I can’t say exactly why, but despite all the excitement of A Storm of Swords, [book:null] is still my favorite ASoIaF book so far.
My absolute favorite of the A Song of Ice and Fire series. ASOIAF is a linear story so you’ll want to read all of them, but this is the highlight of the series. So much happens in this book. The plots are exciting and dramatic, the characters are interesting. You reach the end of each chapter and want to know what happens next, but then you pick up the thread of somebody else’s story and get lost in it.
Minor differences from the show bravo. Loving these books as much as I did the show!
Loved the series.
Great series
Probably my favorite ASOIAF book
George RR Martin is the master of the cliff hanger! You will finish this book and will immediately want to start on the next one! His characters are unique and his imagination is phenomenal!
So great can read it over and over
In A STORM OF SWORDS George Martin shows how ruthless a truly great author has to be, for in this volume we come across the infamous Red Wedding. Those of you who have seen the HBO series or read the book, know what I mean. For the rest of you, I will say no more so as not to spoil the experience.
The saga continues, with King Robb battling to save the North, with Jon Snow returning from his stint of spying amongst the Wildings with his heart torn, with KIng Stannis in the grip of an evil sorceress, with Queen Daenerys learning her craft of Queenship as this 14-year-old begins to show the makings of a truly great monarch, and with cruel King Joffrey growing even crueler, so that even his Lannister relatives (apart from his doting mother) become uneasy.
There are many wonderful moments as new characters are introduced. How I loved Lord Tywin Lannister, the cold patriarch of the family. He is so typical of a high-born medieval lord. How I loved meeting Lady Margaery and her family, especially her lively grandmother. These ladies seem so sweet, but they are cunning and ruthless in their ways too. My favorite part of the novel is the way in which Lady Margaery’s grandmother, Lady Olenna, outwits Cersei and saves the day…for her grand-daughter at least.
But you will have to read this volume to see what I mean. Five stars.
Things start to get dark and ugly for the residents of Westeros. I have to admit, it was a hard read for me because of everything that happens to the characters. Things start to shift in the show from the book here but it’s still well-worth the read.
I’ve enjoyed all the books in the GOT saga, but this one is my favorite. After all, it includes the Red Wedding AND the Purple Wedding.
I don’t even know where to being! I loved it all! I especially love the George R.R. Martin writes the Fire and Ice series! You got from one character to the next. It’s great!
This is the continuing saga where the 5 contenders of power have become 4. Joffrey – of house Lannister – is the king of King’s Landing and sits on the Iron Throne. He is a boy of 13, but is vicious and mean. He was engaged to Sansa Stark to unite the north and the south, but after Eddard Stark is considered a traitor and is killed, the engagement is broken off. Joffrey becomes engaged to Margery of house Tyrell from High Garden. Lord Stannis has been defeated. King Robb of Winterfell and house Stark holds the north and is winning all his battles. Daenerys of house Targareyn is making her way across the continent with her three dragons.
In the mist of the battles, another rages beyond the wall. Jon Snow and the Black have found the king beyond the wall, the wildings, and the Others. The Others are the living dead who seem to be unstoppable. King Robb and Catelyn must attend a wedding at the Freys to make amends when Robb marries someone other than who he is told to. Arya is trying to make her way back home, but she continues to be captured. Jaime Lannister is being taken back to King’s Landing in exchange for the safe return of Sansa to Winterfell.
Who will be left standing?
I loved this book. It was action packed. Death everywhere. Two more kings will fall. Alliances are forged. John Snow is no longer just the Bastard of Winterfell, but the head commander of the Wall. Even though it was 1100 pages, there were days I would read over 100 because the sequence was just too good to stop.
If you love the TV series, you will love the books even more.
Great book but he won’t finish series!!!
One of the most enjoyable “middle” novels I’ve ever read in a fantasy series.
Profoundly entertaining. Immersive world. Rich characters. Masterpiece!
Very good read except George Martin sometimes goes into too much detail !
Another one of the Ice & Fire books.
ANY of the Series of BOOKS of Game of Thrones by R.R. Martin is the absolute creme of creme that any book lover could ever read, regardless which book in this AMAZING series is being read…. my advice is to make SURE you read them from 1st book to end book for understanding and pleasures – it’s not “easy to read”, but it’s “magical” to read. Struggle after surprising struggle; the Detail of plot and beauties to behold in the mind’s eye; and bloodshed for the sake of every crown taken, or lost… It is the best I’ve EVER read (and the TV series could Never do Martin, justice!) A timeless Classic Triumph !