A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones  is the first of seven planned novels in  A Song of Ice and Fire , an epic fantasy series by American author George R. R. Martin.  It was first published in August 1996. The novel won the 1997 Locus Award and was nominated for both the 1998 Nebula Award and 1997 World Fantasy Award. The novella,  Blood of the Dragon , comprising the Daenerys Targaryen chapters from the novel won the 1997 Hugo Award for Best Novella. In January 2011 the novel became a New York Times bestseller and reached #1 on the list in July 2011.  The first five books of the seven-book series have been published as of 2018: A Game of Thrones A Clash of Kings A Storm of Swords A Feast of Crows A Dance with Dragons The sixth book –  The Winds of Winter , is still being written and has been rumored to be released every year since 2018. The success (and mixed feelings over the ending) of the HBO adaptation has increased the popularity of the series and sharpened the anticipation for Martin's own ending to the tale. “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."

Read More: Identifying first editions of A Game of Thrones

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