BookMarks #51: The Sworn Sword

Title: The Sworn Sword 

Author: George RR Martin 

Genre: Fantasy, Graphic Novel 

Setting: Fictional continents of Westeros and Essos in the medieval times 

Published: 2003 

Summary 

The story is one of the many adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall, a hedge knight, and his 10-year old squire Egg, who is in reality, Aegon Targaryen, the prince of Westeros. 

Ser Duncan is in service of Ser Eustace, who faces a water dispute with his neighboring lands, which is ruled by Lady Rohanne, the red widow. Dunk attempts peaceful solution for the problem, but in the end, amidst charges and counter-charges and raising of the past bad blood between the parties, the resolution is through a trial by combat. And in the end, a disappointed Ser Duncan and Egg move on to travel to the Wall. 

BookMarks 

The second part of the series “The Tales of Dunk & Egg”, the graphic novel provides a background tale to George RR Martin’s universe of “A Song of Ice and Fire”. Egg moves on to become King Aegon, the ruler of Westeros while Dunk becomes the Lord Commander of his Kingsguard. 

Water disputes between neighbouring lands. Well haven’t we heard that before and are still hearing! 

Even though its just a graphic novel, it does provide a good commentary on the feudal system of the medieval times. Loyalties are switched around at the drop of a coin. Survival is the major aim of life, while belief in superstition is rampant. 

The novel through its flashbacks also reinforces that history is a winners’ tale. Which side is right and which one is wrong, is just a matter of perspective till the actual result of the war. Only the winner gets to decide right and wrong! 

Previously on BookMarks: The Displaced http://nishantzworld.blogspot.com/2019/03/bookmarks-50-displaced.html

2017: The Year Gone By

How do you remember the year gone by? Especially a year like 2017 which was an amalgamation of events with “fake news” and “alternate facts”! So as we step into 2018, why not take a look back at some of the happenings & non-happenings to remember the year gone by

1. News Grabber-in-Chief of the Year 

The one and only Donald Trump who declared war on basically everyone (except his trusted friend Vladimir Putin). He was always in headlines, as befits his position as POTUS, but almost always for the wrong reasons – began by quoting Bane in his inaugural speech, calling Meryl Streep (an 18 time Oscar nominee) an over-rated actor, fighting with the news broadcasters, having skirmishes with nearly all government agencies, engaging in Twitter battles, and a war of words with Kim Jong Un (where barbs included “madman”, “dotage”, responding with “fire & fury” etc.). There was no way, you could keep him out of the news.

2. New Arrival of the Year

Zealandia - the 8th Continent: We always thought New Zealand was a bit different, with more sheep than humans. Also probably why Peter Jackson, chose that country as the setting for Middle Earth. Now we got confirmation that it is indeed a separate continent altogether. Well, schoolkids will now have to remember one more name in their geography classes.

3. The Comeback Kids

Both maybe on the wrong side of 30 and recovering from multiple aches and pains but Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal shared all the 4 Grand Slams in the year, while their rivals lost their way. No one seemed a bit unhappy about it though (maybe except the male singles Tennis players). And if the average fan was happy seeing them together on the court facing each other, Imagine the happiness when they played doubles together! (video). May they take the rivalry to new heights in 2018 as well. And just for fun, a video of them reciting Kipling’s If.

4. Word of the Year 

We have two contenders: Covfefe - an accident by Trump and Farrago – a rant from an irate Shashi Tharoor. Both trended and generated lots of memes. Personally I prefer farrago as it is a very good example of a rodomontade. 

5. Self-goal of the Year

There was an epic secrecy exercise carried by HBO to prevent spoilers and leakages of its “piece de resistance” – Game of Thrones. But hackers still managed to get some access and threatened to leak scripts and scenes of unreleased episodes. Till.... HBO accidentally leaked one of the episodes prior to telecast! 

6. The Indestructible

To the list of indestructible items we have a new addition - Salvador Dali’s moustache. The artist’s body was exhumed for a DNA test and after 28 years of being buried, the famous Dali moustache was still intact!

7. A New Citizenship Category

Saudi Arabia now has a robot citizen – by the name Sophia. It was a year in which Saudis were in the news for unusual reasons – the Vision 2030 document, women being allowed to drive, permitted to enter stadiums, reopening of theaters etc. But giving citizenship to a robot certainly takes the cake.

8. Whats in a Name?

Ask the World Taekwondo Federation who changed their name to World Taekwondo. Reason to ensure that there are no negative connotations with its initials which matched with one of the most popular slang expressions of modern times!

9. Battle of the Year

Soldiers of two most populous countries of the world locked in a standoff in a cold terrain, both countries loaded with nuclear weapons. And the soldiers engage in a fistfight and throwing stones at each other! We might be in the 21st century A.D., but thankfully the armies brawled like they were in 21st century B.C.!

10.Viral Song of the Year

Despacito – which took over as the most played video on YouTube. Have no clue of the lyrics (remember Gangnam Style), but the music is fun

So that was 2017. Wishing all readers a very Happy 2018!

BookMarks #30: A Dance With Dragons

Title: A Dance With Dragons
Author: George RR Martin
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Setting: Fictional continents of Westeros and Essos in the medieval times
Published: 2011

Summary

Tyrion is taken by Varys to Pentos, where he is put up with Magister Illyrio who suggests to join up the cause of Daenerys Targayren to which Tyrion agrees. During the journey, Tyrion discovers that Rhaegar’s son, Aegon is alive and had been kept hidden by Jon Connington who is plotting to place him back on the Iron Throne. On the way, Tyrion is kidnapped by Ser Jorah, who had been exiled by Daenerys. Jorah intends to win back Daenerys’s favor by presenting Tyrion to her. They are accompanied by a dwarf girl Penny. During the journey they are taken by slavers and sold as slaves to the Yunkai. Tyrion, Penny & Jorah escape and join the free company of Captain Ben Plumm, who had earlier deserted Daenerys.

Aegon is taken to the Golden Company, who swear allegiance to him to win back the Iron Throne. Jon Connington takes back his home lands to prepare it as a platform for Aegon’s return to power. However, he has suffered from the deadly greyscale which he keeps hiddene.

In Mereen, Daenerys faces multiple troubles from former slave-owners, the sons of Harpy and her growing dragons who have taken to hunting down sheep and cattle and even children. Daenerys is forced to keep her dragons under leash. However, Drogon, the biggest of the three makes his escape. Daenerys marries Hizdar Loraq in a bid to bring peace to Mereen. As the fighting pits are opened, Drogon arrives creating havoc all around. Daenerys tries to stop him and is carried away to the Dothraki Sea where she is found by Khal Jhaqo, another Dothraki Lord. In Daenery’s absence, Ser Barristan Slemy takes Hizdhar in his custody and attempts to govern the city.

At the Wall, Jon Snow tries to fit into his new role as the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. He has to fend off Stannis, who wants them to join his cause. Jon brokers peace with Tormund and the other wildlings, giving them passage through the Wall, attempts to settle them in nearby lands, forges a marriage pact with Northern Houses and brokers a deal with the Iron Bank. However his attempts do not find favour within the Watch and he is stabbed multiple times by his Brothers.

Stannis executes Mance Rayder, the king-beyond-the-wall, before going on an expedition to get more men and take over Winterfell from the Boltons. However, the party is caught up in a snowstorm. However, Mance had been switched with another wildling by Melisandre. Based on Melisandre’s prophecies Jon sends Mance to Winterfell. 

Beyond the Wall, Bran and his companions Meera, Jojen and Hodor are able to reach the Three-eyed-raven aided by the mysterious Coldhands and the Children of the Forest. The Three-Eyed-Crow teaches Bran how to become a seer. Bran communicates to Theon in Winterfell using his new abilities.

Ser Davos journeys across Westeros in a bid to gain allies for Stannis. The Manderlys offer Stannis allegiance in return of Davos being able to rescue one of the Stark boys who was presumed dead.

Ramsay tortures his captive Theon, who now calls himself Reek. With Reek’s help, they secure the castle of Moat Cailin from the Iron men. Ramsay’s father, Roose Bolton arrives with Jeyne Poole, who is pretending to be Arya Stark. Ramsay married Jeyne, believing her to be Arya. After continuous torture from Ramsay and guided by Bran’s messages, Theon with the help of wildlings sent by Jon escapes with Jeyne and reaches Stannis’s army, which had been snowed in on its march to Winterfell and meets his sister Asha, who is a prisoner.

At King’s Landing, Cersei confesses to some of her sins. As part of her atonement she is made to walk naked through the town. At the Castle, Qyburn introduces her to his creation Ser Robert Strong, a newly appointed member of the Kingsguard.

In Dorne, Prince Doran prepares his own plans to counter Cersei, who has sent him the promised head of the Mountain. He also sends his son Quentyn to marry Daenerys, but is too late, as Daenerys is married to Hizdhar. In a bid to win Daenerys' favor, Quentyn tries to free the dragons but is burnt to death in the attempt.

The real Arya Stark continues training at the Temple of the Many-faced God in Braavos after getting her vision back.

In the Epilogue, Varys returns to Kings Landing and kills Grand Master Pycelle and Kevan Lannister. 

And there are white ravens signifying “Winter has come”.

BookMarks

This is the 5th book in the series, A Song of Ice and Fire. The story runs in parallel to A feast for Crows, focusing mainly on characters missing in the previous book. 

The book seems like reading a collection of parallel stories in the same universe, rather than one big novel, and the story meanders a lot, specially in comparison to the TV series. Even our comic book serials have more linkages between characters.

The show and the series now have seemingly no relation. Many dead are living and vice versa. Many characters do not exist and many are in a different place altogether. Many endings are uncertain as well. But it adds to the charm of reading even after having seen the entire series! And even for those who read the books previously, the show is a different beast altogether, having skipped and moved ahead in many parts.

Previously on BookMarks: Catch-22

BookMarks #28: A feast For Crows

Title: A Feast For Crows

Author: George RR Martin

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Setting: Fictional Continents of Westeros & Essos, in medieval times

Published: 2005

Summary

At the Citadel in Oldtown, the maesters hear rumors of Denerys and her dragons. One of the apprentices is duped into giving off the archmaester’s key to a stranger.

At the Iron Islands, Balon Greyjoy dies and his throne is claimed by his brother Euron and daughter Asha. Euron takes over the throne ahead of his brothers and starts harassing the rest of Westeros. 

In Dorne, the Sand Snakes, daughters of Prince Oberyn seek vengeance for his death. Oberyn’s brother Duran thinking of their potential rebellion puts them in custody. Duran’s daughter Arianne wants Princess Myrcella to be crowned as the sovereign. However, her plans are thwarted by Duran and Arianne is imprisoned while Myrcella is injured.

Post the murder of Lord Tywin. Cersei and Jaime discover Tyrion and Varys have disappeared from the King’s Landing. Cersei tries to fill her loyalists in King Tommen’s council. Margery Tyrell and Prince Tommen are married. Cersei brokers peace with the sect of Sparrows and the High Septon by agreeing to let them raise an army of Faith Militant. Cersei tries to implicate Margery for adultery. However, her plan backfires and she is imprisoned. 

Jaime is despatched to take over the Riverlands from Brynden Tully, taking Ilyn Payne & Addam Marbrand as his companions. On the way, Jaime learns that Lancel has become a member of the Sparrows faith. Jaime reaches Riverrun and attempts to negotiate with the Brynden. He learns about Edmure Tully being kept hostage and having a child on the way. He releases Edmure and in persuades him to give up Riverrun in exchange. Meanwhile Brynden manages to escape during the handover. 

Sam is sent by Jon to the Citadel to become a Maester, alongwith Gilly, her son and maester Aemon and Dareon. On the journey, Sam learns that Jon had swapped Gilly’s son with Mance Rayder’s. Along the way, Aemon passes away. Sam reaches Oldtown and tells the stories of the Wall to the Maesters. 

Arya reaches Braavos and finds her way to the House of Black and White, a temple of the many-faced God. She serves in the temple and learns selling oysters in the city. All the while trying to become no one in the company of the waif and an old man. On her trips outside she runs into Sam and Dareon. On finding that Dareon has deserted the others, she kills him. Next day, she wakes up blind. 

Brienne continues on her quest for Sansa Stark. On the way she is joined by Podrick Payne, who was earlier Tyrion‘s squire. Brienne and Pod are captured by the Brotherhood Without Banners, where they are presented to Lady Stoneheart (Catelyn Stark brought back to life) for sentencing. 

At the Vale, investigations into the death of Lysa Arryn are carried out. Lord Baelish passes on the blame to Marilion, which is accepted by the Knights of the Vale. Baelish plans to marry off Sansa (known as Alayne) to gain control of the Vale. 

BookMarks 

4th Book in the series “A Song of Ice and Fire” following A Storm of Swords. Also provides the basis for 5th and 6th season of the shows. Although, now the stories seem to have almost nothing in common except the names of the characters.

Funnily it covers only half of the lead characters of the series. We don't see Jon or Daenerys or Tyrion. However we are introduced to Dorne and the Greyjoy wars. 

Onwards to A Dance of Dragons now 

Previously on BookMarks: Angels and Demons 

BookMarks #26: A Storm of Swords

BookMarks: A Storm of Swords

Title: A Storm of Swords

Author: Geroge RR Martin

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Setting: Fictional Continents of Westeros & Essos, in medieval times

Published: 2000

Summary

“You know nothing Jon Snow”

After the Battle of Blackwater, Ser Davos is appointed by Stannis as his Hand. Melisandre convinces Stannis to sacrifice Edric Storm, one of Robert’s bastards, but Davos smuggles him out and also manages to convince Stannis to head to the Wall to defend it from the Wildings.

Beyond the Wall, the White Walkers attack the Night’s Watch. The survivors flee with Sam managing to kill a White Walker with dragonglass. They arrive at Craster’s place where a mutiny breaks out in which Lord Commander Mormont & Craster are killed. Sam escapes with Gilly and her newborn son and heads back to Castle Black.

Jon meets Mance Rayder, the King-beyond-the-wall, who questions him about his breaking the vow. There he meets Tormund, Ygritte alongwith giants and mammoths. Jon falls in love with Ygritte. Mance decides to attack the Wall. Jon and Ygritte along with other wildlings climb over the Wall. Across the Wall, they catch an old man and ask Jon to kill him. Jon refuses and breaks away from the Wildlings to head to Castle Black and warns them about the impeding attack. The Wildings attack the Castle, which the pre-warned Brothers successfully defend against. Ygritte is killed during the attack. Mance attacks the Wall from the North, while Jon and others defend it. Just in time, Stannis arrives to destroy the wildling army. Jon is elected as the new Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch.

Jaime Lannister is freed by Catelyn Stark and sent along with Brienne with a promise to return the Stark girls, Sansa and Arya. Her son, Robb, returns with his new wife Jeyne Westerling, breaking the promise made to Walder Frey. After Lord Hoster Tully’s death, Edmure takes over as Lord of Riverrun. The Freys agree to accept Robb’s apology on condition of Edmure marrying Walder Frey’s daughter Roslin. At the wedding, Walder Frey and Roose Bolton betray them and kill Robb, Catelyn, Robb’s direwolf and most of the Northern Army.

Jaime and Brienne are taken captive by Roose Bolton’s men. Jaime’s right hand is cut off. His captors take him to Harrenhal. Roose Bolton releases Jaime and heads for the Twins. Jaime returns to take Brienne along with him. 

Arya escapes from Harrenhal, alongwith Gendry and Hot Pie, and attempts to reach Riverrun. On the way, they run into soldiers of the Brotherhood without Banners, one of whom recognizes her as Arya Stark of Winterfell. Bedric Dondarrion, the Leader of the Brotherhood, plans to ransom her to Robb. The Brotherhood captures the Hound and condemns him to trial by combat. The Hound kills Bedric who is brought back to life and the Hound is pardoned. Arya is kidnapped by the Hound, who wants to ransom her himself. But just as they reach the Twins, they witness the murders of Robb and Catelyn. Later they run into other Lannister soliders, whom they kill but the Hound is badly wounded. Arya gets back Needle, her sword. Arya leaves the Hound and finds a ship to Bravos with the help of the coin given to her by Jaqen H’gar.

At King’s Landing, Lord Tywin takes over as the King’s Hand. Sansa Stark is questioned about Joffery's nature by Margery and her grandmother Olenna Sansa hesitatingly tells them the truth Olenna offers Sansa to be married to her grandson Willas. Hearing of this, Tywin marries off Tyrion to Sansa and proposes Cersei to be married to Willas leaving both the siblings quite unhappy.

At the wedding, Joffery is killed after drinking poisoned wine. Tyrion is accused by Cersei of murdering Joffery. In the confusion, Sansa makes her escape from King’s Landing aided by Lord Petyr Baelish. Baelish informs Sansa that Joffery was poisoned by Olenna.

Tyrion demands a trial by combat with Prince Oberyn of Dorne offering to be his champion. Oberyn gets killed by the Mountain, although the Mountain is also seriously injured. Tyrion is sentenced to death. However, Jaime and Varys rescue him. Before leaving, Tyrion kills his father, Tywin.

Baelish marries Lysa Arryn, Sansa’s aunt. Sansa is introduced as his daughter Alayne. At the Eyrie, Lysa is killed by Baelish, but the blame is passed onto the singer. Lysa had earlier poisoned her husband, Jon Arryn at Petyr’s behest, thus setting in motion the entire story.

Jaime returns to Winterfell to resume a Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. He releases Brienne and tells her to find and protect Sansa Stark. The Lannisters send a Northern girl pretending to be Arya Stark to be wed to Roose Bolton's son Ramsay.

Daenerys and her followers head towards Westeros in a ship. Ser Jorah convinces her to change course to Slaver’s Bay to buy out an Army. With the help of her dragons, she defeats the Slavers of Astapor, and takes over the army of the Unsullied alongwith the translator, Missandei. Grey Worm is selected as Commander of the Unsullied Army. After Astapor, they take over Yunkai, where more freed slaves, and others led by Daario Nahaaris join them. At Mereen, Danerys learns off the true identity of Arstan Whitebeard as Ser Barristan Selmy. She also learns that Jorah Mormont had been an informer for Late King Robert. She banishes Jorah, while appointing Ser Barristan as her Queensguard.

After escaping from Winterfell, Bran alongwith the Reed Siblings heads Beyond-the-Wall to meet the three-eyed-raven. 

Meanwhile, the Brotherhood Without Banners finds the body of Catelyn Stark and brings it back to life, although she is mute now. 

BookMarks 

Sequel to A Clash of Kings

3rd book in the Series “A Song of Ice and Fire” and provides the basis for the 3rd and 4th seasons of the TV Series “A Game of Thrones”. Looking more divergent from the TV Show now, where it seems many characters have been merged into single entity. E.g. Edric Storm and Gendry; the Tyrell Brothers etc. 

There is the “Red Wedding”. Having watched the series, knew it was coming and yet it was still numbing to read. The many treacherous plots and sub-plots going on in Westeros are mind-numbing to say the least. 

Onwards to A Feast of Crows now.

Previously on BookMarks: Sapiens

BookMarks #23: A Clash of Kings

Title: A Clash of Kings

Author: George RR Martin

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Setting: Fictional Continent of Westeros, in medieval times

Published: 1998

Summary

Sequel to "A Game of Thrones"

Post the events in "A Game of Thrones", the Stark family has been scattered far and wide. Meanwhile King Robert Baratheon's death has given rise to multiple claimants for the crown. Alliances are being forged and re-forged as the games continue. Treachery and dark magic are as fair in this game as bravery on the battle-field. All this while mysterious forces are awakening beyond the Wall.

Joffery Baratheon is the king in King's Landing. However, his brutality makes him unpopular with the populace. His rule is supported by his mother, Cersei, the Queen Regent,and his uncle Tyrion, the King's Hand, both of whom are frequently at odds with each other, carrying out their own plots.

The late king Robert's brothers Stannis and Renly have both staked their claims for King's Landing due to Joffery being Cersei's son from her relations with her brother Jaime Lannister, who is being held captive by Robb Stark's forces. Robb has been declared the King in the North. While we hardly see him in action, throughout the book comes stories of his victories against the Lannister forces. Renly is killed by a mysterious shadow, the product of the red woman Melisandre's dark magic for Stannis. Stannis proceeds to attack Winterfell. However his plans are thwarted by the use of wildfire by Tyrion and the timely arrival of Lord Tywin Lannister along with the forces of Lords Tyrell. Lord Tyrell's daughter Margery, who was previously married to Renly is offered as bride to Joffery. Joffery accepts the offer, ending his betrothal with Sansa Stark who is kept as hostage in King's Landing. Meanwhile, Tyrion is badly injured in the battle at the hands of his own forces.

Arya Stark continues her journey with towards Winterfell, in the company of Yoren, Gendry, Hot Pie and others headed towards the Wall. However their party is attacked by Lannister forces who are out in hunt for Gendry. Yoren is killed and Arya is taken captive to Harrenhal. However, she manages to free the mysterious Jaqen H'gar and his two companions. In return, Jaqen gives her three lifes. However Arya manages to convince Jaqen to help free Harrenhal. Before leaving Jaqen gives her a small iron coin. Arya, Gendry and Hot Pie plan to escape from their new ruler, Roose Bolton.

Balon Greyjoy declares himself the King of Iron Islands. His son, Theon, in an effort to prove his worth in his father's esteem captures Winterfell with a small force, where he had lived most of his life as Ned Stark's ward. He pretends to kill off the remaining Stark boys Bran and Rickon. His reign is short-lived as Roose Bolton's bastard son Ramsay brutally takes over Winterfell, killing Theon's forces.

Bran Stark alongwith his companions the Reed siblings Jojen and Meera leave Winterfell in search for answers to his mysterious dreams. While sending his younger brother Rickon off with Osha to the a safe location.

Across the Wall, the Night's Watch is hunting for Mance Rayder, a former member of the Watch and now the self-styled King-Beyond-the-Wall who has been gathering wildlings under his command. While they are captured, Jon Snow kills Qhorin Halfhand (at Qhorin's instructions) in a bid to join up with the Wildling forces and find out more about Mance's plans.

Catelyn Stark seeks out Renly for an alliance with Robb. But is witness to Renly's murder alongwith Brienne. Brienne swears herself to Catelyn's command as they both reach Riverrun. There they get the news of the fall of Winterfell and the false news of the deaths of her sons Bran and Rickon. Adding to her grief is her father Hoster Tully being on death-bed. Catelyn sets up a meeting with the captive Jaime.

Meanwhile across the seas, Daenerys and her group reaches the city of Qarth, where her dragons are a major source of attention. Daenerys keeps up her efforts to build an army to take on her rightful Iron Throne aided by Ser Jorah Mormont and her Dothraki followers.

BookMarks

The second book in the series " A Song of Ice and Fire". It carries forward the events of "A Game of Thrones". While it forms the basis for the second season of the TV series, many events have started showing divergence from the show.

The plots and sub-plots of treachery continue unabated as the battles for the Iron Throne hots up. Its a no-holds barred approach from all parties. Saner counsel is shrugged off and hotter heads prevails. Each player plays their own games carefully building alliances, buying loyalties but never sure when someone would turn their back onto them. It is an intriguing tale.

Previously on BookMarks - My Brewing Romance with Cricket

BookMarks #16: A Game of Thrones

Title: A Game of Thrones

Author: George R R Martin

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Setting: Fictional continent of Westeros, in medieval times

Published: 1996

Summary

“In the Game of Thrones, you win or you die”

That’s the central theme of this epic plot set in the fictional continent of Westeros. It is a tale of seeking power, in the background of political intrigue and conspiracies, with alliances being forged and broken, sworn duty and deaths (lots of them). Multiple plots are in progress across the seven kingdoms of Westeros in a gigantic chess board where each player plays his/her own game. 

We follow the tale of Eddard ‘Ned’ Stark and his family as they are torn apart having been caught in the eye of a raging political storm. King Robert Baratheon and his family arrive in Winterfell to offer Ned the position of the Hand of the King thereby setting up a series of tragic events for the Stark family, which culminate in Ned getting beheaded for treason post King Robert’s death, his son Bran crippled, his daughter Sansa kept near-hostage as new King Joffery’s bethrothed, while younger daughter Arya goes missing. Meanwhile his wife Catleyn and eldest son Robb seek revenge. The book concludes with Robb being appointed as the new “King in the North” by his fellow northern Lords. 

Ned Stark discovers the incestuous relationship of Queen Cersei Lannister and her twin Jaime. He also learns that Robert had not fathered any of Cersei’s children, thus the rightful heir to Robert's throne would be his brother Stannis. But he is betrayed by Petyr Baelish leading to his arrest for treason and later beheading on the orders of new King Joffery, Cersei's son.

Meanwhile, Ned’s bastard son Jon Snow, becomes a sworn brother of the Night’s Watch, at the Wall, which protects the realm from wildlings and mystical creatures. The Wall has its own troubles with frequent disappearances of their rangers, the appearances of undead creatures and the wildling army being raised by Mance Rayder, a former member of the Night’s Watch. Jon’s loyalty to his oath is tested when he hears of Ned’s beheading and Robb’s battles. Jon is also troubled by the disappearance of his uncle Benjen, who had gone beyond the Wall and not returned.

Catelyn captures Tyrion, the younger Lannister brother, the dwarf, accusing him of attacking Bran. This leads to Tywin Lannister unleashing his forces on Catelyn’s family. Tyrion is released with the aid of a sellsword Bronn and joins his father’s forces. During the battles, Jaime gets captured by Robb’s army. Robert Baratheon’s brothers Stannis and Renly also stake their own claim for the Iron throne.

There are multiple references to the events of fifteen years before which led to Robert Baratheon taking over the throne from the “mad” King Aerys Targaryen, with the aid of Ned Stark and Jon Arryn and other Lords. During the rebellion, Aerys Targaryen was killed by his own Kingsguard Jaime Lannister, thus earning him the derogatory title of kingslayer. 

Meanwhile Aerys’s son Viserys is plotting to take back his “rightful” throne. He marries off his sister Daenerys to a tribal warlord Khal Drogo in hopes of gaining control of the Dothraki warriors to mount a challenge for the throne. But his over-eagerness leads to his death at the hands of Drogo. Later when King Robert attempts to kill Daenerys, Drogo is ready to take on the Iron Throne for Daenerys and his unborn child. During a raid, Drogo gets wounded and is attended to by a healer who sacrifices his unborn child for Drogo’s life. But Drogo is left in a vegetative state which lead to Daenerys killing him out of mercy. Drogo’s funeral pyre is lit. Daenerys walks into it clutching the three dragon egg which were her wedding gift. When the pyre burns off, Daenerys is seen with three baby dragons while all remaining Dothraki and Ser Jorah Mormont swear allegiance to her.

BookMarks

This is the first book in the series “A Song of Fire And Ice” and also the basis for the megahit TV show – “Game of Thrones”.

The book is filled with a huge number of characters, too many to fit in such a short summary. Each chapter is told from a central character’s perspective (known as point of view character).

I started reading the books after having seen all the six seasons of the TV series. And also knowing about how the story unfolds makes the reading even more interesting. I could enjoy the details without losing grip of the tale. 

The storyline of the book and the first season are broadly matching. Although the books present a more vivid picture. The biggest difference is that the characters are much younger in the book than in the TV adaptation. Thankfully the TV Show-runners decided to age the characters, otherwise it would have been a show all about teenagers doing adult stuff (which would have been very weird to watch)

Although set as a fantasy in a fictional realm, the storyline has quite a few parallels to the history of Britain. 

Previously on BookMarks – Infinite Sacrifice