At a glance
LuvemBooks Verdict
Best for
Dedicated fans of A Song of Ice and Fire — or viewers of the HBO series seeking a definitive physical edition — who want a commemorative collector's hardcover combining the complete, unabridged text with John Picacio's full-page chapter illustrations.
Worth it if
You value the novel's landmark place in modern fantasy history and want a shelf-worthy anniversary edition, particularly if a signed copy bearing both Martin's and Picacio's signatures appeals as a collector's item.
Skip if
You're looking for a lightweight read, a full-colour illustrated treatment, or simply a first affordable paperback introduction to the series — this 880-page hardcover is designed as a collector's and gift edition, not a casual entry point.
What readers & critics say
Kirkus Reviews, in its original 1996 appraisal, described Martin as returning after a long silence with the first of a fantasy series set in the Seven Kingdoms, following honourable Ned Stark into the treacherous politics of Robert Baratheon's court. Wikipedia notes that A Song of Ice and Fire depicts a violent world dominated by political realism, with moral ambiguity pervading the books and storylines repeatedly raising questions about loyalty, pride, human sexuality, piety, and the morality of violence.
“The author of the cult novel The Armageddon Rag returns with the first of a fantasy series — honorable Ned Stark reluctantly heads south, mistrusting the treacherous Lannisters.”
— Kirkus ReviewsAsk LuvemBooks
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- Is it worth reading?
- For fans of the series or the HBO adaptation who want a definitive physical edition, the 20th Anniversary Illustrated Edition offers a compelling case: the complete, unabridged text of a 1997 Locus Award winner accompanied by John Picacio's full-page illustrations in every chapter, available in signed copies bearing both Martin's and Picacio's signatures. Its place in modern fantasy history is well documented — more than 100 million copies sold across the series in 47 languages — and the visual dimension Picacio adds gives longtime readers a fresh reason to revisit the text. Those buying purely for reading convenience should note the 880-page hardcover format is substantial, and readers hoping for full-colour artwork should know the illustrations are rendered in black and white.
- Similar books
- Readers drawn to A Game of Thrones' blend of political intrigue, morally complex characters, and vast world-building have several strong options to explore. A Game of Thrones: The Illustrated Edition by George R.R. Martin is closely related — another illustrated treatment of the same foundational text. For epic fantasy with comparable scope and meticulous world-building, Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive) and Patrick Rothfuss's The Name of the Wind are frequently cited alongside Martin's work. Joe Abercrombie's The Blade Itself offers a similarly gritty, morally ambiguous take on epic fantasy, while Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth appeals to readers who responded to Martin's medieval realism and multi-perspective political drama.
- Who should read this?
- The 20th Anniversary Illustrated Edition is best suited to two audiences: long-standing fans of A Song of Ice and Fire seeking a commemorative collector's volume, and viewers of the 2011–2019 HBO television adaptation who want a definitive physical edition of the source material. Gift-buyers looking for a meaningful, shelf-worthy present for a dedicated Martin fan — particularly those who can access the signed copies bearing both Martin's and Picacio's signatures — will also find this edition well matched to that purpose. Readers who are entirely new to the series and primarily seeking a convenient reading experience are better served by a standard edition before investing in this hardcover format.
- About George R.R. Martin
- George Raymond Richard Martin, also known by the initials GRRM, is an American author, screenwriter, and television producer.
- Tell me about the adaptation
- Game of Thrones, the HBO television adaptation of the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, ran from 2011 to 2019 and dramatically amplified readership of the books — transforming the first novel from a word-of-mouth success (its original 1996 printing sold only a few thousand copies) into a sustained bestseller. The adaptation covered the events of the published novels across its eight seasons, though the later seasons moved beyond the existing source material. The show's reach helped drive the series to more than 100 million copies sold across 47 languages.
- What do the illustrations add?
- John Picacio contributes one full-page illustration per chapter throughout the 880-page volume, giving the edition a significant visual dimension absent from standard printings of the novel. The publisher describes the edition as 'lavishly illustrated' and positions Picacio's work as a revitalisation of the text for both longtime readers and new ones. The key detail to note is that the illustrations are rendered in black and white rather than colour — reader responses have flagged this as a disappointment for those expecting a fully painted, full-colour treatment.
- What are the main themes?
- Wikipedia and scholars have characterised A Song of Ice and Fire as pervaded by moral ambiguity, with storylines that repeatedly interrogate loyalty, pride, piety, human sexuality, and the morality of violence. The novel subverts established fantasy tropes — no character's survival is guaranteed, and the multi-POV structure means every narrator's account is potentially limited or unreliable. Academics have also explored the text's engagement with medieval conventions including chivalry, as well as its treatment of gender, motherhood, and sexual violence. The supernatural remains confined to the margins; the dominant mode is political realism, with clear echoes of real medieval history — including Hadrian's Wall as a documented inspiration for the novel's great ice barrier.
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Age & Reading Level
Recommended age
Ages 16+
Reading level
Adult
Content to know about
Best for: Adults / mature 16+ — pervasive moral ambiguity, sexual violence, graphic depictions of war, and politically driven cruelty throughout.
Skip if you prefer clear-cut heroes and villains, hopeful fantasy, or a story where main characters are safe from sudden, permanent consequences.
Editorial Review
George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones — the 1996 epic fantasy novel that launched the A Song of Ice and Fire series and ultimately sold more than 100 million copies across the full series — returns in this 2016 HarperCollins hardcover edition featuring full-page illustrations by artist John Picacio in every chapter, issued in commemoration of the novel's twentieth anniversary.
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