Game of Thrones has become such a big thing recently. With the intricate twists and turns of the story, the number of fans to the said masterpiece has increase significantly. The said book series can be attributed to its author, George R. R. Martin.
Author Profile
Full Name: George Raymond Martin Birth Date: September 20, 1948 Birthplace: Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S. Pen Names: George R.R. Martin Occupation: Novelist short story writer screenwriter Genre: Science fiction, horror & fantasy No. of books written: At least 27
Interesting Facts
Unknown to many, George R.R. Martin is an avid comic book fan. He grew up with a particular fondness for Marvel stories such as the Fantastic Four and the Avengers. He currently has a large collection of comic books and is still a heavy reader to this day.
George R. R. Martin has always had deep philosophical problems with war. He avoided the Vietnam War draft as a conscientious objector. Instead, he served in a 2-year alternative service with the Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation from 1973 to 1976. He opposes the idea of glorifying war and deliberately depicts the harsh realities of warfare in his novels.
Long before Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin was an award-winning sci-fi and horror novelist. The unexpected and commercial failure of his fourth book, The Armageddon Rag (1983), “…essentially destroyed my career as a novelist at the time,” Martin recalled. The Armageddon Rag is a mystery-fantasy novel that was co-published in 1983 by both Poseidon Press and The Nemo Press and reprinted numerous times.
Even though the book was nominated for the Locus and World Fantasy awards, it was a complete commercial disaster. It was one of those projects that were near and dear to Martin’s heart. He was so distraught at the commercial failure of one of his favorite novels, that he wrote less and ultimately went into writing for television. Even worse, he did so to stay afloat artistically and financially.
Featured Books
Notable Characters Created
+ Jon Snow
Also known as: Aegon Targaryen, Lord Snow, The Bastard of Winterfell Titles: Warden of the North, King in the North, Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch Status: Alive (Resurrected) Mother: Lyanna Stark Father: Rhaegar Targaryen Birthplace: Tower of Joy Allegiance: House Stark Culture: Northmen Religion: The Old Gods of the Forest Weapon: Longclaw Lovers: Daenerys Targaryen, Ygritte (Deceased)
Jon Snow, born Aegon Targaryen, is the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, the late Prince of Dragonstone.
From infancy, Jon is presented as the bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark, Lyanna’s brother, and raised by Eddard alongside his lawful children at Winterfell but his true parentage is kept secret from everyone, including Jon himself.
In order to escape his bastard status, Jon joins the Night’s Watch and is eventually chosen as Lord Commander. However, he is later murdered in a mutiny and resurrected by the Red Priestess Melisandre.
Freed from his Night’s Watch vows, Jon joins his cousin, Sansa Stark, in building an army and together they retake Winterfell from House Bolton, restoring House Stark’s dominion over the North with Jon being declared the new King in the North.
However, after successfully capturing a wight and presenting it to the Lannisters as proof that the Army of the Dead is real, Jon pledges himself and his army to Daenerys Targaryen, Rhaegar’s sister, and steps down as King of the North.
+ Daenerys Targaryen
Also known as: Daenerys of the House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, Daenerys Stormborn, Dany, The Unburnt, The Breaker of Chains, The Mother of Dragons, The Dragon Queen. Titles: Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms,
Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Lady of Dragonstone, Queen of Meereen Status: Alive Mother: Rhaella Targaryen Father: Aerys Targaryen II Siblings: Rhaegar Targaryen, Viserys Targaryen Allegiance: House Targaryen Culture: Valyrian Weapons: 3 Dragons, Unsullied army, All known existing Dothraki Khalasars, Second Sons Lovers: Daario Naharis (formerly), Jon Snow
Daenerys is the only daughter and youngest child of King Aerys Targaryen II, the “Mad King”, and his sister-wife, Rhaella. Her father died during the Sack of King’s Landing, before she was even born. The usurper Robert Baratheon installed himself as king, having defeated Aerys in the conquest known as Robert’s Rebellion. Her pregnant mother and brother Viserys, fled to the island of Dragonstone, the ancestral home of House Targaryen, to escape Robert. Daenerys’s brother Rhaegar Targaryen was killed in the war by Robert. The forces of House Lannister murdered Rhaegar’s wife, Elia Martell, and their children, Rhaenys and Aegon, during the Sack of King’s Landing.
+ Tyrion Lannister
Also known as: The Imp, The Little Lion, The Demon Monkey, The Dwarf of Casterly Rock Titles: Lord of Casterly Rock (disputed), Acting Hand of the King (formerly; to Joffrey I), Hand of the Queen (claimant, to Daenerys I) Status: Alive Mother: Joanna Lannister Father: Tywin Lannister Birthplace: Casterly Rock Siblings: Cersei Lannister, Jaime Lannister Allegiance: House Lannister (by birth), House Targaryen (by pledge) Culture: Andal Religion: Faith of the Seven Lovers: Shae (Deceased)
Lord Tyrion Lannister is the youngest child of Lord Tywin Lannister and younger brother of Cersei and Jaime Lannister. A dwarf, he uses his wit and intellect to overcome the prejudice he faces.
His abduction by Catelyn Stark for a crime he did not commit serves as one of the catalysts of the War of the Five Kings. After escaping his captors, Tyrion is appointed by his father as acting Hand of the King to Joffrey Baratheon and successfully defends King’s Landing against Stannis Baratheon at the Battle of the Blackwater, after which he is stripped of his power, demoted to Master of Coin and eventually framed for Joffrey’s murder. After his champion, Oberyn Martell, dies in Tyrion’s trial by combat, Tyrion flees to Essos with help from Jaime and Varys after murdering his father.
