A Song of Ice and Fire
It's no surprise that George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" has been making an impact ever since the publication of the first volume in August 1996. However, how did "A Song of Ice and Fire" earn such a reputation? How does it become the most critically acclaimed fantasy epics of all time?
As it seems, the answer lies not in how imaginative the world-building is, but in how genuine it seems to be. The society in this book is a reflection of our own circumstances in many aspects.
In many cases, other fantasy books create people that are much too perfect. Meanwhile, the whole fantastical setting of A Song of Ice and Fire is employed to underscore the fundamental notion that humans are humans regardless of their origins. Martin creates flawed and imperfect characters, just like us. They possess terror, ambition, lusts, and bravery. That is what draws readers to the story, and why some fans even named their kids after a handful of characters. It is because they see themselves reflected in this masterpiece.
Author: George R.R. Martin
Goodread ratings: 4.54/5 (from 708,783 users)