A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) - In the first book of the A Song of Ice and Fire series, in the land of the Seven Kingdoms, summer, which has lasted for several years, is giving over to winter.  At Winterfell, King Robert Baratheon calls Lord Eddard Stark as his Hand.  Stark’s sons are to go with him to King’s Landing except his bastard son, Jon, who will take the black and serve on the Wall.

Meanwhile, the King’s wife’s family, the Lannisters, is plotting behind his back to take over the kingdom.  The previous Hand has died, and the Starks suspect murder.  Bran, one of Stark’s sons stumbles onto one of their plots and has suffered because of it.  Stark’s wife, learns that Tyrion Lannister’s knife was used in the attempt on Bran’s life and takes him hostage.  Furthermore, when the King dies, Stark is named a traitor.  War breaks out.

Furthermore, the last two members of the old reigning family, the Targaryens are in exile across the sea. Viserys, insisting he is the true king, forces his sister, Daenerys, to marry Khal Drogo, in effect selling her to gain an army to win back his kingdom.