I've recently started reading the third book the "Game of Thrones" series, "A Storm of Swords." It seems that every summer I read a book from the "Game of Thrones" series and because of the sheer size of these books, it takes me all summer.
Some people call me crazy for reading these huge books with multiple different story lines. I admit, I am crazy. The books are crazy, the storyline is crazy, and everything author George R.R. Martin writes is simply crazy, but downright amazing.
While I read these books many people ask me what the book is about. That's a difficult question to answer because there are so many storylines, with odd names and a sci-fi/fantasy twist. I always mention that the title, the "Game of Thrones" is exactly what it is. Multiple families and people are fighting for the throne. A very powerful throne that will allow a King and Queen to be ever-powerful in the land.
But it is hard for me to explain every aspect of the story. Heck, it's even hard for me to understand it sometimes. But I think it's about time to write a quick guide to the Game, the families and what they are truly battling for.
Plot: The plot of these books is actually quite simple, despite how drawn-out the books (as well as the HBO series) have become. It simply tells the story of multiple families as well as free men and the Sworn Men of the Nigh Watch trying to fight for the Iron Throne in order to rule over the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Many of the families have joined together to fight with either North led by the Stark family or the Lannister family. Others, such as the free men, are not joined to any family but are simply fighting for freedom.
The amount of families and alliances throughout the multiple books is hard to keep track of. Not only are they families but they join together to fight and one wrong move can lead to death. Literally, there are so many killings in the books alone that I would need multiple hands and feet to count. But the families are very important because they form the plot, the action and the popularity of this series. Currently, the Iron Throne is taken by Joffrey Baratheon, House of Lannister. He's a young kid and is painted as a prissy teenager who has no idea what he's doing. There are also rumors that he is the product of incest, of his mother Cersei and uncle Jaime.
The King of The North/The King of the Trident: This is Robb Stark from the House of Winterfell. After his father was murdered he was the next in line. He is young but seems to be fighting a good war. His main purpose is to not only to be the King of the Iron Throne but to battle House of Lannister and to avenge his father's death.
The Queen Across the Water: One of the lone women in charge of a house; Daenerys Targaryen is the Mother of Dragons. She possesses three of the only living dragons in the kingdom. Throughout the book, many of the Houses don't mention Daenerys in their dialogue, nor does it seem like they see her as a threat, however, she is on a mission to claim the Iron Throne.
House Lannister: This is where the King of the Iron Throne lies. He is young and his grandfather and mother make most of the decisions. Often times the decisions are not for the better but for themselves. House Lannister is hands down one of the weirdest families you will ever witness.
There are many families and alliances in the Game of Thrones, however, there are really only two main contenders for the Iron Throne and they will join anyone and make anyone join them in order to win that Throne and overthrow the Lannister house and their corrupt ways.
