Winning the Game of Thrones: The Host of Characters and their Agendas by Valerie Estelle Frankel

Winning the Game of Thrones: The Host of Characters and their Agendas Reviews

• 
  Ana Campanha

  I couldn't imagine myself reading a book like that AND enjoying it. I usually don't like books that surf on another author's success but I have to admit that this one did a good job in explaining/analysing "A Song of Ice and Fire"! I've seen people saying that they didn't like it because it was boring.... well, this was just supposed to be a helper to people who already know the books (and maybe the show) and it delivered what it promised. Valerie Estelle Frankel put all the facts and history together, gathered different stories and mythology to explain symbols and events, reminded us of relevant details. Yes, it was a nice read especially because I don't intend by any means to re-read all the books before the next one (and I didn't remember much of the previous story...).
• 
  Nermin

  Couldn't finish this. I never thought anything related to ASOIAF series could irritate and annoy me so much. Admittedly, I didn't start this book expecting to find out anything new, I thought the author was going to discuss some popular fan theories, at least that's what the chapter titles suggested. Well, she actually does discuss the theories and tries to figure out different characters' motivations and agendas. But her incoherent and disconnected writing and ideas make the whole reading experience a torture.
  
  I have read all 5 books in GRRM's ASOIAF series, I have read Dunk and Egg series and many other ASOIAF related books. But I have no idea what this author is trying to say or on what she is basing her theories.
  
  I only read a few pages and they all were full of spelling errors and tense forms incorrectly used.
  
  My only consolation is that I didn't waste any money on this bullshit.
• 
  Loreto Castillo

  La naturaleza de este libro es completamente distinta a los otros que he leído. Como fanática de “The Game of Thrones” un amigo me lo regaló hace unos años para satisfacer mis dudas acerca de esta saga.
  
  La autora se ha documentado bastante para traernos esta recopilación de hechos, caracterización de caracteres y sacar a relucir los intereses escondidos de los personajes. También cita en numerosas ocasiones al autor de esta maravillosa saga, George R. R. Martin, para otorgar más substancia a sus interpretaciones, dado a que no es oficial.
  
  Es un libro recomendado para los fans, ese es su objetivo y lo cumple con creces. Empieza con los Targarians con la pérdida de Valiria, mientras expone sus argumentos intercala frases como “Tyrion Lannister lee en sus libros que en un solo día…” de esta forma Frankel nos engancha con el resto de la historia, al mencionar a uno de los personajes más emblemáticos y mi favorito 😊
  
  “La destrucción de Valiria puede haber sido causada por un exceso de fuego y magia de dragones. Ahora el mundo está amenazado por el hielo. Puede ser el balance necesario para salvar al mundo de una destrucción mayor”. Concuerdo con algunas cosas de las expuestas en este libro, otras me parecen poco creíbles y prefiero mi propia interpretación. Lo calificó con un 4/5.
  
• 
  Emily

  This book was helpful in summarizing what happened in the books/TV show thus far. I did think the mentions of the differences between the two formats should have been pointed out as the story lines were explained. The author did that at times, but not every time which also could cause the reader as much confusion as the books themselves.
  
  In terms of the symbolism in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, as well as other fantasy books that provided inspiration, I learned some new things. I wish though that all that research would have provided some more insight into what lies ahead for the readers in books 6 & 7. Some might argue that not everyone reading this book has read all of the A Song of Ice and Fire books, just watched the HBO series. But the title of this books is: Winning the Game of Thrones: The Host of Characters and their Agendas! I felt gypped. I wanted to read more speculation on who might be Jon Snow's mother, etc. Instead we just got a recap of what happened mostly in the 3 seasons of the show which isn't ALL of the 3 books. Rarely did she delve further than what viewers have seen on TV.
  
  I don't think I will be reading any more volumes of this. Instead I am just going wait for good ol' George to finish writing his epic tale of A Song of Ice and Fire and get my answers from him.
• 
  Juliana

  Meh
  
  If you have or are reading the books or watching the TV series the book is full of info you already know. The final section is just a list of characters, their houses, and the geography of Martin's world. If you aren't reading the books or watching the series this isn't a Cliff Notes cheat sheet. I really didn't get anything useful from the psycho-babble about the "journeys" the heroes must take.
• 
  Darlene

  If I weren't interested in all things Game of Thrones, I might have let this book go by the wayside. There were grammar, spelling and formatting issues throughout. It was the content that kept me interested. Ms. Frankel gave me insights to the character and world of Ice and Fire that I might not have run across otherwise.
• 
  Angie

  This was quite a lengthy read, but a very interesting one at that. I definitely discovered a few tidbits in here I didn’t pick up in the books or tv series. I won’t recommend this to anyone who hasn’t read the books yet, or at least the first three books in the series as most references are made to those. I downloaded this as a free read from Amazon for my kindle.
• 
  David J Miserak II

  Cliff notes alternative
  
  As of this writing cliff notes for game of thrones is not available. This is a wonderful book for those who want a deeper understanding as they read the books or watch the show. It gives plenty of background and fan theory so you can impress your friends and family with your knowledge of this wildly popular series.
• 
  Shirley M Smith

  Finalized
  
  That is almost.
  Brought us through the major battles, deaths failures and successes But did not reveal much of the book or television program.
  The list she provides of major and minor characters is eye opening. My gosh, where did the store them plus, the extras?
  A long read, but a good one.
• 
  Amanda Herrington

  Confirmed some of the theories which are basically handed to you on a plate, if you read the series closely enough. Most of this book seemed to be based on speculation and makes for hard work in following. I
  In short, I would avoid.
• 
  Debbie Ledesma

  This is a very interesting and informative book about the "Game of Thrones" TV series and books.