So I haven’t done a read-a-thon in probably over a year at this point. I usually participate in Tome Topple but I’ve missed the last two events due to being busy or on vacation during those times. Which is why I was just super excited when I saw a brand new read-a-thon being hosted by Aimal @ Bookshelves and Paperbacks, based around Game of Thrones and focuses on reading adult fantasy novels… I mean, how freaking cool is that?! Also, I can always appreciate fairly chill reading challenges where I don’t feel super pressured.
Details
- Dates: July 1st through July 31st
- Participation Rules:
- must post an announcement/TBR post somewhere online (Twitter, Instagram, blog, etc.)
- must link back to the original announcement post on Aimal’s blog
- Points System and Prompts:
- The number of pages per book will equal the amount of points you receive for completing it. Example: 330 page book will equal 330 points.
- All graphic novels will equal 100 points each.
- Participation in the @IronTomeAThon Twitter chat on July 28th will automatically receive 300 points.
- The number of pages per book will equal the amount of points you receive for completing it. Example: 330 page book will equal 330 points.
- Prizes: Two winners will receive a book of their choice worth less than $20 from Book Depository. There are two separate chances to win – one for just filling out the participation form and another for completing the most points winner form. Winners will be announced at the end of the first week in August to provide time to complete wrap-up posts.
- House Options: Each participant may choose one of five Houses to represent and earn points for during the read-a-thon. One House will be announced the winner of the Iron Throne at the end of the challenge.
- House Stark
- House Targaryen
- House Lannister
- House Martell
- House Baratheon
Reading Prompts
Please note that all reading prompts are only meant for fun and participation in them is not required for the read-a-thon. You can still win the prizes and collect points without doing a single prompt!
Castle Black
Castle Black is the main stronghold of the Night’s Watch, seat to their Lord Commander, and sits at the center of the Wall. The Night’s Watch is a military order tasked with protecting the Seven Realms from what lies beyond the Wall: old, evil supernatural forces and invading armies. The Night’s Watch’s men give up all titles, lands, honors and previous families when they join the order; their only brothers are each other, and they must rely on their own order to protect the realms of men.
You must read the group book, The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang.
Winterfell
Winterfell is the ancestral castle and home to one of the Great Houses of Westeros: House Stark. Built by Brandon the Builder with the help of giants after the Long Night, Winterfell is considered the capitol of the North and sits atop hot springs to keep it warm from the oft-brutal winters.
You must read a book set (partially or fully) in a cold environment.
King’s Landing
King’s Landing is the capitol of Westeros, located on its east coast. Built by Aegon the Conqueror 300 years prior to the events of A Song of Ice & Fire, King’s Landing is the home of the Iron Throne and the Red Keep. It is a study of contrasts: where kings and queens leisure in the castle walls, the city’s poor starve and die in the streets below. Home to the High Septon and the dragon pit, King’s Landing is wondrous and terrible at the same time.
You must read a book about or involving royalty, politics or government.
Sunspear
Sunspear is the capitol of the South, and is the seat of another of the Great Houses of Westeros: House Martell. During Aegon’s conquest, Princess Meria Martell defied the Targeryan invasion and House Martell became the only House to resist Targeryan conquest. Due to immigration from the Rhoynar, the Dornish peoples differ culturally and ethnically from the rest of Westeros.
You must read a fantasy book inspired by a non-Western setting, or read a book by an author of color or an indigenous author.
Oldtown
Old Town is one of the oldest cities in Westeros, said to be constructed by the First Men. It is home to the Citadel – a place where people all over the world come to train to be maesters: an order of healers, scholars, scientists and messengers. Oldtown is also home to the Starry Sept, which is historically the seat of the High Septon.
You must read a book about or involving an institution of knowledge or training.
Valyria
Valyria, also called Old Valyria, is a ruined city in Essos. Once home to the dragonlords, Valyaria is a long-dead city that was the capital of the Valyrian Freehold. Valyria was the center to much innovation, both good and evil – the dragonlords practiced magic that led to the development of wonders such as dragonglass and Valyrian steel, but also to abominations such as half-beast, half-human chimera borne of blood magic. It is the ancestral home of House Targaryan.
You must read a book about or involving dragons.
Asshai
Asshai is a mysterious port city located at the southernmost edge of the Shadow Lands. The buildings and streets are constructed of black, oily stone that absorb all light and make the city look dark and dreary. Despite its appearance, Asshai is a popular destination for trading ships, trading in goods such as dragonglass, gemstones, gold and amber. There are no children in Asshai and the people wear veils and masks. Bloodmagic, necromancy and all such depravities are practiced openly in Asshai – no practice is forbidden.
You must read a dark/grimdark fantasy or read an urban fantasy.
My House Targaryen TBR
- City of Lies (Poison Wars, #1) by Sam Hawk – King’s Landing
- The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1) by R.F. Kuang – Castle Black, Sunspear
- Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor, #1) by Mark Lawrence – Oldtown
- The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy, #1) by Katherine Arden – Winterfell
- The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon – Valyria
- Kings of the Wyld (The Band, #1) by Nicholas Eames – Asshai
- Foundryside (Founders, #1) by Robert Jackson Bennett
- The Savior’s Champion (The Savior’s Series, #1) by Jenna Moreci
Will you be participating in Iron Tome-A-Thon? If so, which House will you represent? Do you enjoy reading adult fiction? What are some of your favorite adult fantasy novels?
Wonderfilled Reads 