I picked up a copy of the Game of Thrones book, fully prepared to face the notorious sex, violence, and immoral acts that he allegedly had. Therefore, I did not think about the unfaithful wife, the incest or the child thrown from a tower. I have read much worse things in historical and contemporary fiction. However, when I came to the inevitable death of an innocent golden-eyed wolf cub at the hands of his master’s father, I reluctantly felt a tug on my heart. It was then that I realized that George RR Martin can spin a good thread, one that entangles you in its fine threads before you even realize what is happening.

If you are expecting a hardcore fantasy epic, you will sadly find the Game of Thrones book to be lacking. There is nothing that Westeros and its Seven Kingdoms have to offer that you cannot find in any other medieval setting, save for the seasons that last for years and the mysterious beings called ‘Others’ that lurk under the Great Wall in the north. Instead, Martin offers a different kind of fantasy, one that focuses more on the human aspect of the story. Take off the dragons and magic and you’ll find that stark human nature is still there, fueling the main plot of political intrigue, conflict, and ambition that compels a person to commit acts of murder, rape, or worse.

Still, it has enough fantastic elements in the form of knights, dragons, kings and queens, princes and princesses, and the whispers of magic working behind the scenes. It is the War of the Roses in a fantasy world. For someone who enjoys reading both fantasy and historical fiction, Martin’s masterpiece is a godsend.

I admit that about 800 pages is quite digestible, even for the most avid readers. Fortunately, Martin’s talent is producing words that provide enough information, but not be tedious. While Martin won’t win awards for his beautiful prose, his writing keeps the reader engaged. The book never feels dragged and I appreciate a writer who can hold my attention to the end more than one who turns lyrical.

The best and most frustrating thing about the book is that the story is told from eight different perspectives, with each perspective within a chapter. Just when you start to relate to a character and are eager to see what happens to him (or her), you find yourself confused by several chapters. However, Martin’s character development is also what makes the books so enjoyable to read. His way of creating three-dimensional characters with a lot of depth, feeling and background is what keeps readers from getting bored. The determination of Dany, a 13-year-old exiled princess and her girl-girlfriend; the sad coming-of-age story of the bastard, Jon Snow, at the North Wall; the raw emotions of young tomboy Arya in King’s Landing; Eddard Stark’s noble intentions in the midst of a court of pampering; and the sarcastic wit of the rogue Tyrion Lannister are just a few of the varied players you’ll find yourself supporting in this bloody Game of Thrones.