A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

I read this book in anticipation of the HBO series coming up this April. It took a while for me to figure out who everyone was and what the recent past history was (Robert Baratheon took the throne from the Targaryan kings and now is supported by two rival houses, the Starks of the North--who are led by the king's best friend, Eddard, and the Lannisters--one of whose daughters the king has wed). I found the politics and intrigue of the book very satisfying, and the stakes quite high--I was constantly surprised by the plot--but not disappointed. I look forward to the next several books.