A Song of Ice and Fire Series A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons (Song of Ice & Fire)

حماسه‌ی «ترانه یخ و آتش» در قالب یک مجموعه‌ی پنج‌گانه، دریچه‌ای است به دنیایی که در آن تابستان‌ها می‌توانند یک نسل به طول انجامند و زمستان‌ها، وعده‌ی مرگ را بر لب دارند. جورج آر. آر. مارتین با این پنج کتاب، نه فقط یک داستان فانتزی، بلکه تاریخ‌نگاری از قدرت، خیانت و بقا را رقم زده است که الهام‌بخش خلق یکی از تأثیرگذارترین سریال‌های تلویزیونی تاریخ شد.

دربارهٔ کتاب — سفری به اعماق وستروس

این مجموعه‌ی ارزشمند، پنج جلد نخست از حماسه‌ی بزرگ «ترانه یخ و آتش» (A Song of Ice and Fire) را در بر می‌گیرد. این پنج‌گانه با عناوین «بازی تاج‌وتخت»، «نبرد پادشاهان»، «طوفان شمشیرها»، «ضیافتی برای کلاغ‌ها» و «رقصی با اژدهایان»، خواننده را به قلمروی خیالی وستروس می‌برد؛ سرزمینی که در آن، تخت آهنین نماد قدرت مطلق است و هفت پادشاهی برای رسیدن به آن، درگیر دسیسه‌هایی مرگبار می‌شوند. در این میان، خاندان‌های بزرگ و کهنی همچون استارک‌های شمال، لنیسترهای ثروتمند جنوب و تارگرین‌های تبعیدی، هر یک با نقشه‌ها و انگیزه‌های خود، بر سرنوشت این جهان تأثیر می‌گذارند و در پس‌زمینه‌ی این نبردهای سیاسی، تهدیدی باستانی و فراطبیعی از آن سوی دیوار بزرگ در حال نزدیک‌تر شدن است. مارتین با نثری رئالیستی و گاه بی‌رحمانه، سبکی نوین در ژانر فانتزی حماسی پدید آورده است. او با بهره‌گیری از راویان متعدد، ابعاد گوناگون این جهان پهناور را از نگاه شخصیت‌هایی با پیچیدگی‌های اخلاقی منحصربه‌فرد روایت می‌کند. از اد استارک، فرمانروای شرافتمندی که درگیر توطئه‌های پایتخت می‌شود، تا دنریس تارگرین، وارث تبعیدی خاندان اژدها که در آن سوی دریای باریک به دنبال بازپس‌گیری تاج‌وتخت است، همه و همه در شرایطی قرار می‌گیرند که هیچ‌کس در امان نیست و مرگ، یکی از اصلی‌ترین بازیگران این صحنه‌ی سیاست و جنگ است. فضا و سبک نوشتار مارتین، با تکیه بر جزئیات عمیق و روایت‌های غیرخطی، تصویری پیچیده و فریبنده از دنیایی ارائه می‌دهد که در آن، زمستان در راه است و سرنوشت‌ها در هاله‌ای از ابهام فرو رفته‌اند.

دربارهٔ نویسنده

جورج آر. آر. مارتین (George R. R. Martin)، متولد ۲۰ سپتامبر ۱۹۴۸ در نیوجرسی، نویسنده‌ی آمریکایی و خالق دنیای وستروس است. او پیش از شهرت جهانی به‌عنوان خالق «ترانه یخ و آتش»، فعالیت حرفه‌ای خود را با نوشتن داستان‌های علمی-تخیلی آغاز کرد و در سال ۱۹۷۱ اولین اثرش را به فروش رساند. مارتین در طول دوران حرفه‌ای خود جوایز معتبری همچون هوگو، نبیولا، برام استوکر و لوكاس را برای آثار گوناگون خود کسب کرده است. مجله‌ی تایم (Time) در سال ۲۰۰۵، او را به دلیل رویکرد بالغ و واقع‌گرایانه‌اش به فانتزی، «تالکین آمریکایی» (the American Tolkien) نامید. وی در سانتافه، نیومکزیکو زندگی می‌کند و سابقه‌ی فعالیت در تلویزیون را نیز در کارنامه دارد.

چرا باید مجموعه‌ی «ترانه یخ و آتش» را بخوانید؟

• جهان‌سازی عمیق و باورپذیر: مارتین با وسواسی مثال‌زدنی، جهانی خلق کرده که از تاریخ، اسطوره‌ها، جغرافیا و فرهنگ‌های گوناگون برخوردار است. هر خاندان، شعار، تاریخچه و اهداف خاص خود را دارد که به عمق روایت می‌افزاید.
• درهم‌تنیدگی سیاست و دسیسه‌های درباری: «بازی تاج‌وتخت» چیزی فراتر از نبرد میان خیر و شر است؛ این مجموعه روایتی است از سیاست‌بازی، اتحادها، خیانت‌ها و مبارزه‌ی هوشمندانه برای قدرت که هر صفحه‌ی آن، طرحی تازه را آشکار می‌سازد.
• شخصیت‌هایی واقع‌گرایانه و چندبعدی: قهرمانان این داستان، ابرقهرمانانی بی‌نقص نیستند؛ آنها دارای نقاط ضعف، تناقض‌های اخلاقی و سرنوشت‌هایی غیرقابل‌پیش‌بینی هستند. همین ویژگی، آنها را برای خواننده ملموس و به‌یادماندنی می‌سازد.
• آمیختگی فانتزی با عناصر فراطبیعی: در پس‌زمینه‌ی نبردهای سیاسی، موجودات افسانه‌ای، جادوی کهن و تهدیدهایی از دل تاریخ به‌تدریج پا به عرصه می‌گذارند که توجه هر علاقه‌مندی به فانتزی حماسی را جلب می‌کند.
• روایتی غیرخطی و غافلگیرکننده: مارتین با استفاده از دیدگاه‌های مختلف، داستانی را روایت می‌کند که از زوایای گوناگون قابل بررسی است و با وقوع رویدادهای غافلگیرکننده، مخاطب را تا پایان با خود همراه می‌سازد.

این کتاب برای چه کسانی مناسب است؟

این مجموعه‌ی پنج‌گانه، مقصدی ایده‌آل برای خوانندگانی است که به داستان‌های فانتزی حماسی با رویکردی بالغ و واقع‌گرایانه علاقه دارند. اگر از جهان‌های تک‌بعدی و پیش‌بینی‌پذیر خسته شده‌اید و به دنبال روایتی هستید که در آن شخصیت‌ها و سرنوشت‌ها در هاله‌ای از ابهام قرار دارند، «ترانه یخ و آتش» شما را مجذوب خود خواهد کرد. این اثر برای دوستداران تاریخ، سیاست و داستان‌های چندشخصیتی نیز سفری عمیق و هیجان‌انگیز در دنیایی پهناور به ارمغان می‌آورد. به دلیل حجم بالا و پیچیدگی روایت، این مجموعه برای خوانندگانی که به دنبال اثری بلندمدت و غنی هستند، انتخابی ایده‌آل محسوب می‌شود.

سوالات متداول

آیا این مجموعه تنها شامل یک داستان واحد است یا چندین روایت جداگانه را دنبال می‌کند؟

این مجموعه روایتی واحد اما چندلایه است که از دید شخصیت‌های مختلف در نقاط گوناگون قلمرو دنبال می‌شود. هر کتاب، ادامه‌ی مستقیم کتاب قبلی است و داستان کلی «بازی تاج‌وتخت» را جلو می‌برد، هرچند که تمرکز بر خاندان‌ها و وقایع خاصی ممکن است در هر جلد تغییر کند.

تفاوت این مجموعه‌ی کتاب با سریال «بازی تاج‌وتخت» در چیست؟

سریال تلویزیونی، برداشتی از این مجموعه‌ی پنج‌گانه است، اما کتاب‌ها شامل جزئیات بسیار بیشتری از دنیا، تاریخچه‌ی خاندان‌ها و خطوط داستانی فرعی هستند که در سریال به آنها پرداخته نشده است. روایت کتاب با عمق و وسعت بیشتری به انگیزه‌ها و افکار درونی شخصیت‌ها می‌پردازد و تجربه‌ای غنی‌تر را برای خواننده به ارمغان می‌آورد.

آیا این مجموعه به پایان رسیده است؟

مجموعه‌ی «ترانه یخ و آتش» در ابتدا به‌عنوان یک سه‌گانه برنامه‌ریزی شده بود، اما به هفت جلد گسترش یافت. جلد ششم و هفتم این مجموعه هنوز منتشر نشده‌اند و طرفداران در سراسر جهان در انتظار پایان‌بندی این حماسه‌ی بزرگ هستند.

For the first time, all five novels in the epic fantasy series that inspired HBO’s Game of Thrones are together in one eBook bundle. An immersive entertainment experience unlike any other, A Song of Ice and Fire has earned George R. R. Martin—dubbed “the American Tolkien” by Time magazine—international acclaim and millions of loyal readers. Now this bundle collects the entire monumental cycle in the most convenient format available: A GAME OF THRONES A CLASH OF KINGS A STORM OF SWORDS A FEAST FOR CROWS A DANCE WITH DRAGONS “One of the best series in the history of fantasy.”—Los Angeles Times Winter is coming. Such is the stern motto of House Stark, the northernmost of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon in far-off King’s Landing. There Eddard Stark of Winterfell rules in Robert’s name. There his family dwells in peace and comfort: his proud wife, Catelyn; his sons Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; his daughters Sansa and Arya; and his bastard son, Jon Snow. Far to the north, behind the towering Wall, lie savage Wildings and worse—unnatural things relegated to myth during the centuries-long summer, but proving all too real and all too deadly in the turning of the season. Yet a more immediate threat lurks to the south, where Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, has died under mysterious circumstances. Now Robert is riding north to Winterfell, bringing his queen, the lovely but cold Cersei, his son, the cruel, vainglorious Prince Joffrey, and the queen’s brothers Jaime and Tyrion of the powerful and wealthy House Lannister—the first a swordsman without equal, the second a dwarf whose stunted stature belies a brilliant mind. All are heading for Winterfell and a fateful encounter that will change the course of kingdoms. Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Prince Viserys, heir of the fallen House Targaryen, which once ruled all of Westeros, schemes to reclaim the throne with an army of barbarian Dothraki—whose loyalty he will purchase in the only coin left to him: his beautiful yet innocent sister, Daenerys. “Long live George Martin . . . a literary dervish, enthralled by complicated characters and vivid language, and bursting with the wild vision of the very best tale tellers.”—The New York Times ***A Game of Thrones*** is the inaugural novel in ***A Song of Ice and Fire***, an epic series of fantasy novels crafted by the American author **George R. R. Martin**. Published on August 1, 1996, this novel introduces readers to the richly detailed world of Westeros and Essos, where political intrigue, power struggles, and magical elements intertwine. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, each chapter focusing on a different character, allowing readers to experience the narrative from various angles. This complex structure has become a hallmark of Martin's storytelling, immersing readers in the lives and motivations of a diverse cast. ### Plot Summary Set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, the narrative revolves around the power struggles among noble families vying for the Iron Throne, the seat of power in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. The story is rich with political intrigue, betrayal, and epic battles, as well as a deep exploration of themes such as loyalty, honor, and the consequences of power. ### Themes The novel explores themes of power, loyalty, and the moral complexities of leadership. It delves into the consequences of ambition and the struggle between personal honor and political necessity. The richly detailed world-building and intricate character development make ***A Game of Thrones*** a compelling and immersive read. ### Key Characters - **Eddard "Ned" Stark**: The honorable Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, known for his unwavering honor and sense of duty. - **Catelyn Stark**: The devoted wife of Eddard Stark, whose strength and wisdom guide her family through challenging times. - **Robert Baratheon**: The King of the Seven Kingdoms, who won the throne through rebellion. His reign is marked by political intrigue and personal struggles, reflecting the broader conflicts of the realm. - **Cersei Lannister**: The ambitious and cunning Queen of Westeros, whose political acumen and determination make her a formidable presence in the court. - **Jaime Lannister**: A skilled swordsman and member of the Kingsguard, known for his prowess in battle and complex loyalties. - **Tyrion Lannister**: The witty and resourceful dwarf, known for his sharp mind and cunning, navigating the treacherous politics of the realm. - **Daenerys Targaryen**: An exiled princess of House Targaryen, seeking to reclaim her birthright and restore her family's dynasty. - **Jon Snow**: The bastard son of Eddard Stark, who joins the Night's Watch and faces unique challenges in the far north. - **Sansa Stark**: The eldest daughter of Eddard Stark, initially known for her naivety and romantic ideals, who learns to navigate the complexities of court life. - **Arya Stark**: The youngest daughter of Eddard Stark, known for her spirited and adventurous nature, seeking her own path in the world. - **Bran Stark**: The second son of Eddard Stark, whose life takes a dramatic turn. ### Awards and Recognition - Winner of the 1997 Locus Award - Nominated for the 1997 Nebula Award - Nominated for the 1997 World Fantasy Award - Winner of the 1997 Hugo Award for Best Novella for "Blood of the Dragon," which includes the Daenerys Targaryen chapters from the novel - Became a New York Times Bestseller in January 2011 and reached No. 1 on the list in July 2011 Followed by: [***A Clash of Kings***][1] [1]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL257939W NOW THE ACCLAIMED HBO SERIES GAME OF THRONES Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read From a master of contemporary fantasy comes the first novel of a landmark series unlike any you’ve ever read before. With A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin has launched a genuine masterpiece, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill the pages of this magnificent saga, the first volume in an epic series sure to delight fantasy fans everywhere. A GAME OF THRONES A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE: BOOK ONE Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. To the south, the king’s powers are failing—his most trusted adviser dead under mysterious circumstances and his enemies emerging from the shadows of the throne. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the frozen land they were born to. Now Lord Eddard Stark is reluctantly summoned to serve as the king’s new Hand, an appointment that threatens to sunder not only his family but the kingdom itself. Sweeping from a harsh land of cold to a summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, A Game of Thrones tells a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens. Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; a child is lost in the twilight between life and death; and a determined woman undertakes a treacherous journey to protect all she holds dear. Amid plots and counter-plots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, allies and enemies, the fate of the Starks hangs perilously in the balance, as each side endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones. Unparalleled in scope and execution, A Game of Thrones is one of those rare reading experiences that catch you up from the opening pages, won’t let you go until the end, and leave you yearning for more. Source: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/108336/a-game-of-thrones-hbo-tie-in-edition-by-george-r-r-martin/9780553897845/ For the first time, all five novels in the epic fantasy series that inspired HBO’s Game of Thrones are together in one eBook bundle. An immersive entertainment experience unlike any other, A Song of Ice and Fire has earned George R. R. Martin—dubbed “the American Tolkien” by Time magazine—international acclaim and millions of loyal readers. Now this bundle collects the entire monumental cycle in the most convenient format available: A GAME OF THRONES A CLASH OF KINGS A STORM OF SWORDS A FEAST FOR CROWS A DANCE WITH DRAGONS “One of the best series in the history of fantasy.”— Los Angeles Times Winter is coming. Such is the stern motto of House Stark, the northernmost of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon in far-off King’s Landing. There Eddard Stark of Winterfell rules in Robert’s name. There his family dwells in peace and comfort: his proud wife, Catelyn; his sons Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; his daughters Sansa and Arya; and his bastard son, Jon Snow. Far to the north, behind the towering Wall, lie savage Wildings and worse—unnatural things relegated to myth during the centuries-long summer, but proving all too real and all too deadly in the turning of the season. Yet a more immediate threat lurks to the south, where Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, has died under mysterious circumstances. Now Robert is riding north to Winterfell, bringing his queen, the lovely but cold Cersei, his son, the cruel, vainglorious Prince Joffrey, and the queen’s brothers Jaime and Tyrion of the powerful and wealthy House Lannister—the first a swordsman without equal, the second a dwarf whose stunted stature belies a brilliant mind. All are heading for Winterfell and a fateful encounter that will change the course of kingdoms. Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Prince Viserys, heir of the fallen House Targaryen, which once ruled all of Westeros, schemes to reclaim the throne with an army of barbarian Dothraki—whose loyalty he will purchase in the only coin left to him: his beautiful yet innocent sister, Daenerys. “Long live George Martin . . . a literary dervish, enthralled by complicated characters and vivid language, and bursting with the wild vision of the very best tale tellers.” —The New York Times For the first time, all five novels in the epic fantasy series that inspired HBO's Game of Thrones are together in one eBook bundle. An immersive entertainment experience unlike any other, A Song of Ice and Fire has earned George R.R. Martin--dubbed "the American Tolkien" by Time magazine--international acclaim and millions of loyal readers. Now this bundle collects the entire monumental cycle in the most convenient format available: A GAME OF THRONES A CLASH OF KINGS A STORM OF SWORDS A FEAST OF CROWS A DANCE WITH DRAGONS "One of the best series in the history of fantasy."--Los Angeles Times Winter is coming. Such is the stern motto of House Stark, the northernmost of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon in far-off King's Landing. There Eddard Stark of Winterfell rules in Robert's name. There his family dwells in peace and comfort: his proud wife, Catelyn; his sons Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; his daughters Sansa and Arya; and his bastard son, Jon Snow. Far to the north, behind the towering Wall, lie savage Wildings and worse--unnatural things relegated to myth during the centuries-long summer, but proving all too real and all too deadly in the turning of the season. Yet a more immediate threat lurks to the south, where Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, has died under mysterious circumstances. Now Robert is riding north to Winterfell, bringing his queen, the lovely but cold Cersei, his son, the cruel, vainglorious Prince Joffrey, and the queen's brothers Jaime and Tyrion of the powerful and wealthy House Lannister--the first a swordsman without equal, the second a dwarf whose stunted stature belies a brilliant mind. All are heading for Winterfell and a fateful encounter that will change the course of kingdoms. Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Prince Viserys, heir of the fallen House Targaryen, which once ruled all of Westeros, schemes to reclaim the throne with an army of barbarian Dothraki--whose loyalty he will purchase in the only coin left to him: his beautiful yet innocent sister, Daenerys. "Long live George Martin ... a literary dervish, enthralled by complicated characters and vivid language, and bursting with the wild vision of the very best tale tellers."--The New York Times From a master of contemporary fantasy comes the first novel of a landmark series unlike any you’ve ever read before. With A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin has launched a genuine masterpiece, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill the pages of this magnificent saga, the first volume in an epic series sure to delight fantasy fans everywhere. A GAME OF THRONES A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE: BOOK ONE Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. To the south, the king’s powers are failing—his most trusted adviser dead under mysterious circumstances and his enemies emerging from the shadows of the throne. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the frozen land they were born to. Now Lord Eddard Stark is reluctantly summoned to serve as the king’s new Hand, an appointment that threatens to sunder not only his family but the kingdom itself. Sweeping from a harsh land of cold to a summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, A Game of Thrones tells a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens. Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; a child is lost in the twilight between life and death; and a determined woman undertakes a treacherous journey to protect all she holds dear. Amid plots and counter-plots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, allies and enemies, the fate of the Starks hangs perilously in the balance, as each side endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones. Unparalleled in scope and execution, A Game of Thrones is one of those rare reading experiences that catch you up from the opening pages, won’t let you go until the end, and leave you yearning for more. --randomhousebooks.com NOW THE ACCLAIMED HBO SERIES GAME OF THRONES—THE MASTERPIECE THAT BECAME A CULTURAL PHENOMENON Winter is coming. Such is the stern motto of House Stark, the northernmost of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon in far-off King’s Landing. There Eddard Stark of Winterfell rules in Robert’s name. There his family dwells in peace and comfort: his proud wife, Catelyn; his sons Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; his daughters Sansa and Arya; and his bastard son, Jon Snow. Far to the north, behind the towering Wall, lie savage Wildings and worse—unnatural things relegated to myth during the centuries-long summer, but proving all too real and all too deadly in the turning of the season. Yet a more immediate threat lurks to the south, where Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, has died under mysterious circumstances. Now Robert is riding north to Winterfell, bringing his queen, the lovely but cold Cersei, his son, the cruel, vainglorious Prince Joffrey, and the queen’s brothers Jaime and Tyrion of the powerful and wealthy House Lannister—the first a swordsman without equal, the second a dwarf whose stunted stature belies a brilliant mind. All are heading for Winterfell and a fateful encounter that will change the course of kingdoms. Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Prince Viserys, heir of the fallen House Targaryen, which once ruled all of Westeros, schemes to reclaim the throne with an army of barbarian Dothraki—whose loyalty he will purchase in the only coin left to him: his beautiful yet innocent sister, Daenerys. NOW THE ACCLAIMED HBO SERIES GAME OF THRONES —THE MASTERPIECE THAT BECAME A CULTURAL PHENOMENON Winter is coming. Such is the stern motto of House Stark, the northernmost of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon in far-off King’s Landing. There Eddard Stark of Winterfell rules in Robert’s name. There his family dwells in peace and comfort: his proud wife, Catelyn; his sons Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; his daughters Sansa and Arya; and his bastard son, Jon Snow. Far to the north, behind the towering Wall, lie savage Wildings and worse—unnatural things relegated to myth during the centuries-long summer, but proving all too real and all too deadly in the turning of the season. Yet a more immediate threat lurks to the south, where Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, has died under mysterious circumstances. Now Robert is riding north to Winterfell, bringing his queen, the lovely but cold Cersei, his son, the cruel, vainglorious Prince Joffrey, and the queen’s brothers Jaime and Tyrion of the powerful and wealthy House Lannister—the first a swordsman without equal, the second a dwarf whose stunted stature belies a brilliant mind. All are heading for Winterfell and a fateful encounter that will change the course of kingdoms. Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Prince Viserys, heir of the fallen House Targaryen, which once ruled all of Westeros, schemes to reclaim the throne with an army of barbarian Dothraki—whose loyalty he will purchase in the only coin left to him: his beautiful yet innocent sister, Daenerys. "Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom's protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens. Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of throne"--Provided by publisher NOW THE ACCLAIMED HBO SERIES GAME OF THRONES—THE MASTERPIECE THAT BECAME A CULTURAL PHENOMENON Here is the first book in the landmark series that has redefined imaginative fiction and become a modern masterpiece. A GAME OF THRONES In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the North of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom's protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones. A GAME OF THRONES • A CLASH OF KINGS • A STORM OF SWORDS • A FEAST FOR CROWS • A DANCE WITH DRAGONS A tale of court intrigues in the land of Seven Kingdoms, a country "blessed by golden summers that go on for years, and cursed by cruel winters that can last a generation". The cold is returning to Winterfell, where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime. A time of conflict has arisen in the Stark family, as they are pulled from the safety of their home into a whirlpool of tradedy, betrayal, assassination plots and counterplots. Each decision and action carries with it the potential for conflict as several prominent families, comprised of lords, ladies, soldiers, sorcerers, assassins and bastards, are pulled together in the most deadly game of all, the game of thrones The kingdom of the royal Stark family faces its ultimate challenge in the onset of a generation-long winter, the poisonous plots of the rival Lannisters, the emergence of the White Walkers, and the arrival of barbarian hordes Contains: [A Game of Thrones](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL1955941W/A_Game_of_Thrones) A Clash of Kings A Storm of Swords A Feast for Crows A Dance with Dragons