A World Not Unlike Our Own

This book is undeniably one of the most impressive and astute historical fiction novels out there. Yes, it is shelved in the Sci Fi/Fantasy Section, it takes place in a made-up world, there are dragons and other supernatural beasties wandering around, and it has fantasy written all over it ... but it is, nonetheless, a story of our world and humanity. Martin has intertwined the fundamentals of society - politics, family values, social mores, economics, warfare, etc. - and thrown in valid examples of human history to create a world which is fantastical, and yet completely realistic and recognizable at the same time. As a history fanatic I LOVE it, and as a human being I am both fascinated and appalled.

The way Martin has set up the story so that each chapter takes place in a different part of the world and is told by a different character has been criticized. It can be difficult to wrench yourself away from a character whose thoughts and impressions have drawn you in to move onto another point-of-view. There were times when I got frustrated because I wanted to keep going with Arya's perspective or enjoy more of Tyrion's impudent one-liners, but the format allowed the story to encompass all of the interested parties, rather than focusing on a single character and the limitations of their knowledge and bias. It keeps the pace swift and forces us to stay on our toes knowing that what our favorite character may think is the truth may well be false due to the limitations of their circumstances, age, gender, outlook, etc. I really enjoyed going from Ned's honorable grimness to Sansa's dreamy naivete, and from Arya's brashness to Jon's lonely quest to find his place in the world. I admit that I wasn't fond of either Catelyn or Daenerys, but their perspectives were vital to the progress of the story.

The world, the characters, the drama and passion of Martin's work is truly astounding. We meet people who would have identified with the Borgias, experience a political and militant atmosphere reminiscent of Medieval and Early-Modern Europe, and fall in or out of love with characters who come right out of the annals of our own world's history. It is a hard story, often brutal, but so rich and eloquently described that the pages practically turn themselves. Bravo!

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For fans of the HBO show Game of Thrones, let the countdown to the season premier begin!

4 DAYS...