“A Song of Ice and Fire” – How the Song is Still Singing

Fifteen years ago, readers of the Fantasy genre were introduced to a wondrously addictive new world. Notable Science Fiction author and producer George R. R. Martin entered the genre swinging and delivered the masterpiece known as “A Song of Ice and Fire”. The HBO series “A Game of Thrones” brought the world of Westeros to a whole different audience. Martin’s book series has revitalized Medieval style Fantasy and not only returned it to the inner circle of die-hard fantasy fans, but has made it a worldwide phenomenon.

This is not, however, your mother’s Arthurian lore, where clearly defined archetypes of good and evil exist. With “A Song of Ice and Fire” (ASOIAF) one is never sure of any character’s motives; one minute you are cheering a favorite character for taking heroic action, the next you are pulling your hair out and near tears when another is killed, cursing when the bad guys (who may actually be the good guys at some point) fail to get their just deserts, and lamenting when yet another finds herself alone and the future seems desperately unsure. Martin skillfully transitions the moral compasses of his characters so that both genuine goodness and genuine evil can come from the actions of the same person. We see redemption from the most unlikeliest of people, and the falling of grace from those who swear they act with the most noble of intentions. Five novels into the expected seven of the series, Martin has brilliantly masked the identity of the winner of The Game of Thrones.

Anyone’s guess is as good as mine of who will find themselves seated on the Iron Throne. Although I get the feeling that’s the grand- master plan of navigator George R.R. Martin, as he steers us through the uncharted waters of this brilliant world. Fans won’t know who will win the Iron Throne until the very end, however unlikely it may seem now. Although there has been criticism of the long time gaps between novels, one thing that cannot be denied is that with each novel’s release Martin has definitely brought his A-game to the round table.


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