A Game Of Thrones George RR Martin, 1996

When the first novel in the Song Of Ice And Fire sequence hit bookstores, it was George RR Martin’s first full- length novel for 13 years. This gap was a reflection of the way Martin’s career had faltered in the wake of the failure of The Armageddon Rag ( 1983). Riffing off the Wars of the Roses, Martin hooked readers via brilliant characters and complex storylines, and re- energised epic fantasy too.

When will we get to the end of the saga? “And this one’s in Near Mint condition!”