a game of thrones.

This week, I've been reading the first book in the A Game of Thrones series, A Song of Ice and Fire Book 1 (yup, that show on HBO with McHottie Sean Bean) written by George R. R. Martin. 

Here is a review off of Amazon:

Readers of epic fantasy series are: (1) patient--they are left in suspense between each volume, (2) persistent--they reread or at least review the previous book(s) when a new installment comes out, (3) strong--these 700-page doorstoppers are heavy, and (4) mentally agile--they follow a host of characters through a myriad of subplots. In A Game of Thrones, the first book of a projected six, George R.R. Martin rewards readers with a vividly real world, well-drawn characters, complex but coherent plotting, and beautifully constructed prose, which Locus called "well above the norms of the genre."

Martin's Seven Kingdoms resemble England during the Wars of the Roses, with the Stark and Lannister families standing in for the Yorks and Lancasters. The story of these two families and their struggle to control the Iron Throne dominates the foreground; in the background is a huge, ancient wall marking the northern border, beyond which barbarians, ice vampires, and direwolves menace the south as years-long winter advances. Abroad, a dragon princess lives among horse nomads and dreams of fiery reconquest.

There is much bloodshed, cruelty, and death, but A Game of Thrones is nevertheless compelling; it garnered a Nebula nomination and won the 1996 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. 

It's really good stuff, y'all. I started watching the show, Game of Thrones, first. I become so enthralled with it that I just had to the start reading the book to find out what happened next - and let me tell you! I am incredibly pleased with how close the show sticks to the novels. It is literally word-for-word copied and pasted into the dialogue of the show - which is excellent considering it is some excellent prose as it is.

I highly recommend it. Now onto Book 2!