A Game of Thrones - Book Read - Week 1 (July 1-8)
00 - Prologue
The intrigue and danger of The Others along with the prospect of magic which in subsequent chapters is assumed by the whole of Westeros to no longer exist captured me. When I first saw the show I thought this scene was written for the show to give us a taste of what was to come but I was pleasantly surprised to find it in the book.
01 - Bran
"Can a man still be brave if he is afraid?" - Bran
"That is the only time a man can be brave." - Eddard
I like Bran contemplating the hard reality. Since this is the beginning, I think its safe to say our beloved characters will experience trials that will produce fear and test their bravery.
"If you would take a man's life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words. And if you cannot bear to do that, then perhaps the man does not deserve to die."
This is pretty much Eddard's life philosophy in a nutshell. Especially after witnessing his role as executioner, I find it comforting that he is not at ease with this role but rather duty bound. While he is willing to kill for justice, he is also willing not to kill out of compassion.
This is the opposite of Theon Greyjoy whom already seems to like killing things without a second thought. He laughed at the execution and was quick to draw his sword at the first suggestion of killing the direwolf pups. Whereas the other boys were all excited about possibility of keeping the pups.
Love that Jon omits himself to tell their father that his children were MEANT to to have the pups and then gets one himself in the end.
Likes:
~ The Sword of the North being named Ice.
~ Jon calling Theon Greyjoy an "ass" under his breath at Theon's delight in the execution.
~ Jon and Robb's banter, race through the woods and Robb's laughter.
02 - Catelyn
Cat thinks the main reason Ned doesn't like the Lannisters is that they came late to Robert's aid but I think that is only a fraction of the real reason.
Likes:
~ The Stark words: "Winter is Coming".
~ Ned calling The Queen "the Lannister woman".
QUESTION:
~ Where was the old kingdom of Valyria located? It seems to get mentioned alot.
03 - Daenerys
'Her brother Rhaegar battling the Usurper in the bloody waters of the Trident and dying for the woman he loved.'
This is the first mention of the fall of the Targaryen reign. I have so many unanswered questions. Certain facts are known such as who was in the fight and where important people died and the outcome of the victors but the rest is muddled. Why these events at the Trident and King's Landing took place at all seems to be the central mystery of the series.
First mention of water never being too hot for a Targaryen. And Viserys generally creeping me out.
Likes:
~ Dany not feeling like she was ever a princess. Such a sweet, humble admission to herself.
~ Dany immediately wanting to meet Ser Jorah Mormont, a knight from her own country.
04 - Eddard
Remembering his sister Lyanna's death: 'in a room that smelled of blood and roses. Promise me, Ned. The fever had taken her strength and her voice had been faint as a whisper, but when he gave her his word, the fear had gone out of his sister's eyes. Ned remembered the way she had smiled then, how tightly her fingers had clutched his as she gave up her hold on life.'
Likes:
The Oath: "May The Others take [insert person/place/thing here]."
05 - Jon
x-posted @ game_thrones Week 1 Post
reading schedule
The intrigue and danger of The Others along with the prospect of magic which in subsequent chapters is assumed by the whole of Westeros to no longer exist captured me. When I first saw the show I thought this scene was written for the show to give us a taste of what was to come but I was pleasantly surprised to find it in the book.
01 - Bran
"Can a man still be brave if he is afraid?" - Bran
"That is the only time a man can be brave." - Eddard
I like Bran contemplating the hard reality. Since this is the beginning, I think its safe to say our beloved characters will experience trials that will produce fear and test their bravery.
"If you would take a man's life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words. And if you cannot bear to do that, then perhaps the man does not deserve to die."
This is pretty much Eddard's life philosophy in a nutshell. Especially after witnessing his role as executioner, I find it comforting that he is not at ease with this role but rather duty bound. While he is willing to kill for justice, he is also willing not to kill out of compassion.
This is the opposite of Theon Greyjoy whom already seems to like killing things without a second thought. He laughed at the execution and was quick to draw his sword at the first suggestion of killing the direwolf pups. Whereas the other boys were all excited about possibility of keeping the pups.
Love that Jon omits himself to tell their father that his children were MEANT to to have the pups and then gets one himself in the end.
Likes:
~ The Sword of the North being named Ice.
~ Jon calling Theon Greyjoy an "ass" under his breath at Theon's delight in the execution.
~ Jon and Robb's banter, race through the woods and Robb's laughter.
02 - Catelyn
Cat thinks the main reason Ned doesn't like the Lannisters is that they came late to Robert's aid but I think that is only a fraction of the real reason.
Likes:
~ The Stark words: "Winter is Coming".
~ Ned calling The Queen "the Lannister woman".
QUESTION:
~ Where was the old kingdom of Valyria located? It seems to get mentioned alot.
03 - Daenerys
'Her brother Rhaegar battling the Usurper in the bloody waters of the Trident and dying for the woman he loved.'
This is the first mention of the fall of the Targaryen reign. I have so many unanswered questions. Certain facts are known such as who was in the fight and where important people died and the outcome of the victors but the rest is muddled. Why these events at the Trident and King's Landing took place at all seems to be the central mystery of the series.
First mention of water never being too hot for a Targaryen. And Viserys generally creeping me out.
Likes:
~ Dany not feeling like she was ever a princess. Such a sweet, humble admission to herself.
~ Dany immediately wanting to meet Ser Jorah Mormont, a knight from her own country.
04 - Eddard
Remembering his sister Lyanna's death: 'in a room that smelled of blood and roses. Promise me, Ned. The fever had taken her strength and her voice had been faint as a whisper, but when he gave her his word, the fear had gone out of his sister's eyes. Ned remembered the way she had smiled then, how tightly her fingers had clutched his as she gave up her hold on life.'
Likes:
The Oath: "May The Others take [insert person/place/thing here]."
05 - Jon
x-posted @ game_thrones Week 1 Post
reading schedule