George R.R. Martin

A Storm of Swords

by George R.R. Martin

Hardcover

There are some books that can't be praised highly enough. This is one of them. If you've read the first two books in this series, you know what a mesmerizing saga this is; Martin is writing the greatest epic fantasy since Tolkien, bar none. (And, if you haven't read the earlier books, do you have a treat in store!) Long ago, when great dragons and wolves roamed the land, the seasons were thrown out of balance, creating a world where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime. In the cold, vast forests of the North, where even summer brings snow, live the Starks of Winterfell, a family as unyielding as the land they were born to, and as fierce as the direwolf which graces their coat of arms. As winter descends upon the realm, the Starks are swept up in a blizzard of mystery and tragedy, intrigue and adventure, as they and their rivals play the oldest game of all--the game of thrones. One of the things I love best about these books is the breadth of Martin's vision; we see this world through the eyes of at least a dozen brilliantly-alive people, all with their own views, schemes and goals. This time, our eyes belong to: * Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer and secret father to a king, travelling through the war-torn midlands as a ransomed prisoner. * Arya Stark, the younger daughter of the dead Eddard, fleeing to the imagined safety of her brother, King Robb. * Tyrion Lannister, Jaime's dwarfish brother, discovering that his own unexpected marriage is imminent. * Jon Snow, Eddard's bastard son, trapped beyond the vast northern Wall among a horde of kingless Wildlings. * Catelyn Stark, Eddard's widow, trying to keep her son's kingdom together despite treachery and his own foolishness. * Daenerys Targaryen, last of the line deposed a generation before, gathering power and watching her dragons grow. * Sansa Stark, Arya's older sister, hostage to the schemes of others at the poisoned court of the boy-king Joffrey * and a few others who I'll leave as surprises. This is a novel as grand and intricate as real life itself, but never less than totally involving. It's the only thousand-page book that I can remember wishing was longer. If you read any fantasy at all, you need to read this series. It's simply the best; nothing else out there can compare.--Andrew Wheeler, Editor Jacket art by Stephen Youll. Warning: explicit violence. more...

A Clash of Kings

by George R.R. Martin

Hardcover

King Robert Baratheon and Lord Eddard Stark are dead, victims of royal treachery. And now, from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding walls of Winterfell, chaos reigns as pretenders to the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms prepare to stake their claims. Jacket art by Stephen Youll. (760 pp.) more...

A Game of Thrones

by George R.R. Martin

Hardcover

In wintry world, a family loyal to the king is faced with tragedy as rivals plot to steal the throne. (736 pp.) 1996.