A Storm of Swords Part1: Steel and Snow by George R R Martin Aka Game of Thrones

Where do you start reviewing the epically popular Game of Thrones? This was part one of the third book that I decided to read as an inbetweeny before our Book of the Month, A Dark Dark Wood by Ruth Ware. Yes I know it was an epic ask given the fact it's about 600 pages but I read DDW in record time (pretty much 24 hours) so thought if I was going to squeeze this one in at any point this was it.

Series 6 is currently showing on TV so my timing was perfect to help me with placing the various names to faces. It actually helped my understanding of the current series as when Lord Beric suddenly appeared I was able to recount to my husband exactly what had gone on between him and the Hound as I had just read it.

I really enjoyed the book and surprised myself by how quickly I read it, so much that I actually got to start another inbetweeny! (The Penguin Book of Classical Myths by Jenny March but more on that in another post once read). I do think the watching and reading at same time helped and I enjoyed revisiting the characters. I found myself arguing with Robb about the Frey’s and arranging the infamous 'Red Wedding' and willing Sansa to like Tyrion. I was surprised at how knowing what happens didn’t spoil my enjoyment in the slightest.

Overall I enjoyed being in a little Game of Thrones bubble and will carry on reading the series. Although I may give my arm a break from lugging about the doorstops that are Martins books (no before you say it I don’t need a Kindle!)

PS I don’t normally recommend things other than books but if you are familiar with Game of Thrones head over to YouTube and search for Game of Thrones The Musical. I first watched it probably a year ago now and it remains the favourite thing I have ever seen on social media.

Comments

Mount by Jilly Cooper #inbetweeny

I'll start this blog with a warning, this post does contain spoilers. So if you haven't read the book then please don't read this blog, yet. Of course you should read this post just wait a little while until you've read the latest installment of Rupert Campbell Black (RCB). Warnings out of the way I'll begin. I was massively looking forward to reading this book having hugely enjoyed the previous ones. RCB is my (not so) secret trashy pleasure and has been for many years. This book had all the ingredients of a classic, pages of wonderfully named characters, a few tortured souls and of course RCB with all his horses, dogs and now grandchildren. The book got off to a good start full of characters from old but also plenty of new ones to mix it up a bit. The horse's really played a starring role in this book but I also really loved Gav and at first Gala. Yep only at first as she went strongly down hill and I bet you can guess why. RCB. Here is where I fell o...

After The Party by Cressida Connolly

After The Party was May's book of the month. “Had it not been for my weakness, someone who is now dead could still be alive. That is what I believed and consequently lived with every day in prison.’ It is the summer of 1938 and Phyllis Forrester has returned to England after years abroad. Moving into her sister’s grand country house, she soon finds herself entangled in a new world of idealistic beliefs and seemingly innocent friendships. Fevered talk of another war infiltrates their small, privileged circle, giving way to a thrilling solution: a great and charismatic leader, who will restore England to its former glory. At a party hosted by her new friends, Phyllis lets down her guard for a single moment, with devastating consequences. Years later, Phyllis, alone and embittered, recounts the dramatic events which led to her imprisonment and changed the course of her life forever.” We were very confused initially as to which party the book was referring to. We all thought it...

Wedlock by Wendy Moore

Is a book good if you all liked it but can't find much to say about it? That was the case with Wedlock . A true story about Mary Eleanor Bowes ' marriage to Captain Stoney , the violence she suffered at his hand and her subsequent struggle to obtain a divorce in the 1700's. We started off fine, enthusing about how much we all liked it until suddenly we were talking about X Factor. Ahem. This is a serious book club don't you know Ok so lets have a serious conversation about all the local history the book contained. Oh yes we loved the fact that it was all about Newcastle. Didn't it make you want to visit Gibside Hall that is so close to us but that we've never been to. And Bowes Museum, we should have a field trip. Now Peshwari Naan Bread is far superior to Garlic...how did that creep in?! A Chicken Chaat discussion later and we managed to discuss how easy the book was to read. Despite it being a period book there was no archaic language making it very acce...

Cramlington Book Club

Search This Blog