I have always said Game of Thrones is too violent for me. I don't appreciate violence toward women especially. And yet.. in my research and now finally reading the book, I'm still drawn to the story. George R.R. Martin is a fantastic storyteller. His writing got clunky and heavy on the descriptions (800 pages!), but the split narratives helped me keep everything straight, and despite the density, I feel I have a good understanding of the characters and the world.

This book stands apart because Martin has chosen to tell the story from male and female perspectives, all who live out differing values. There are men and women are thirsty for the throne (a stereotypical male motive as evidenced in Tywin and Daenarys); there are men and women want nothing but peace (Sansa, Samwell); and then there are the characters who accept what they must do in war (Catelyn, Tyrion). And of course there are the baddies (Joffrey). Yes, women are horribly mistreated in this world, probably due to its medieval-like setting where women were traditionally marginalized, and where physical power determined who would rule. Those mores aren't going anywhere. But there are also strong women who lead and fight. There are women (and men) who use the power they have to elevate their status, maybe not with physical strength but with mental fortitude. These varying degrees of ruthlessness, determination, and even resignation, all in the name of claiming the throne, are interesting played against each other. And so the characters will keep me going, at least as long as they're written as complex people. While the world is typical of a fantasy novel, the characters are not.