Eddard Stark has agreed to become the Hand of the King, and taken his two daughters to the distant south with him. Jon Snow, Lord Stark's bastard son, has traveled to the wall far to the north to defend the lands against invasion. Catelyn Stark, Eddard's wife, has rushed to his aide, while her sons remain alone in their noble home of Winterfell. But forces work against all of them. Intrigue threatens to take down the king, and leave the kingdom in the hands of his eldest son and his power hungry wife.
Bitter rivalry breaks out amongst kingdoms and amongst advocates for the throne.
Eddard Stark finds himself alone among people he can no longer trust, fighting for his life and the lives of his family. Martin's book is spectacular. From the moment it begins to the moment it ends, he captures his reader and refuses to let them go. Learning secret about 2nd char. The Insectoids have destroyed most of the fleet in a cowardly sneak attack.