Introductions
Compare your book series into what you look for in a companion, like a partner or loved one. A story, in my opinion, is something that should never leave your mind, even when your eyes are not on it physically. One should constantly have “what if” on their minds when referring to the series. I’ve been researching about this in a different class, but a story is something that should provide mystery, make the reader wonder who the impending villain is, or who the REAL bad guy is, what’s going to happen next. One of my favorite book series displays a perfect example of this; A Song of Ice and Fire, better known as “Game of Thrones.”
A Summary
This book, at first glance and first read, seems to simply be about a quest for power, taking place in medieval times, where kingdoms ruled and kings and queens conquered, and bastard sons were expelled and explorers roamed the lands. However, a common phrase continues to pop up, one that nips in the back of the reader’s mind, showing its face right when the reader least expects it. “WINTER IS COMING.” For those who don’t know, Winterfell is the main location of the first part of the story, and “Winter is coming” is the main phrase that the residents, specifically the Starks, who are royalty. For the entirety of the book series, and for quite a bit of the show, one wonders “What is winter?” “Why is everyone so fearful of them?”
Winter is faceless, winter is essentially God. I think this is what attracts me to the series so much, and what keeps me returning even after reading every book left in the series. Everyone knows about it, and everyone knows that it is inevitable. It causes characters to commit actions that no other series has done. Killing off one of the characters, Eddard (or Ned) Stark was the first sign to me that this series is like no other. Ned Stark was an important character, and his legacy arguably caused a shockwave of events to occur for the rest of the series. This is a unique feature that I have not seen much of in the years that I have been reading literature. This is truly what makes me feel that this series is one of the most beautiful works of art I have ever seen.
How did bro find this?
When I was younger, I was quite the troublemaker and would constantly be grounded. My parents tried punishing me in the standard ways (you know, time outs, ass beatings, the usual), which had no effect. I would still continue my normal shenanigans. One day, instead of taking out the belt from the closet, which I dreaded, she took out… a book. A little blue thick book. She sat me down and told me that I would be grounded, and I couldn’t play with my friends, cousins, watch T.V, or anything of the sort until I finished the book and could tell her what happened in it. I genuinely hated it at first, but I’ll be damned if I didn’t muscle through the series so I could play with my friends again.
I finished the book, and I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen next. I saw blood and tears, I saw companionship, I saw the birth and death of powerful leaders, I saw revenge, I saw mercy. This one book was a catalyst, and it did what no book had ever done, something that scratched a secret itch deep down inside of me. I needed to see a story where the main character doesn’t always win. It’s one hell of a book, an experience that everyone deserves, and one that everyone should address.
What the book series does
I don’t think it’s just the first book that has me rooting so hard for people to enjoy it as well. One of the biggest features of this series that only made me want to read it more would have to be the fourth and fifth books. These books are A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons. The last book that technically adds to the series as of right now is A Storm of Swords, the third book in the series. The fourth and fifth take place at the same time, on opposing sides of the war and the world. George wrote it in this manner to ensure that the entire story was told, with each character receiving the arc that they deserve, and each and every change to the world being documented with little to no plot holes at all. The series continues it’s unpredictability and it’s no-rush style of storytelling. It’s amazing.
How do I feel when reading?
I feel a lot. I feel feelings of horror, disgust, and bewilderment. I also feel satisfaction, such as when a character I hated, Tyrell Lannister, ends up dying at the hands of one of my favorite characters, Tyrion Lannister. I also feel enjoyment and excitement, like I’m actually immersed in the story. It fills my mind with wonders, and makes one long to live in such a world where dragons, magic, and kingdoms rule the land. Reality is pretty dull, and I like to think that I’m traveling alongside each character, and seeing what they are seeing through their eyes.
It’s a really nice distraction when I need to step away from everything that is happening in my personal life.
