Rating: 
Summary: Better than Tolkien
Review: Yes, you read right--George R. R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice is BETTER than Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Why is everyone afraid to admit this? Yes, Tolkien is a genius--the fantasy genre wouldn't exist without him, and no doubt, A Song of Fire of Ice couldn't have been written. But ... each of Martin's books are more entertaining than Tolkien's trilogy. I get bored at times reading The Lord of the Rings; I barely sleep when I read each of the 700+ page Martin books. Am I alone?
Rating:
Summary: AN AWESOME BOOK!
Review: This third book finally starts to bring in the more magical aspects of the universe with subtlety and then smacks you over the head with a couple of stunning twists. The great thing is that the magic doesn't overshadow the deadly court intrigue and human wars, but mingles with it so perfectly that it seems very natural for it to be included. The Characters are so believable in their creation with a heavy dose of flaws and range of emotion. The look at the world as a whole and lands outside of the main continent are terrific giving the whole tale a mighty scope that only whets your appetite for more. The book has a complex weave of fantasy and reality, George Martin continues to write this stunning series with an amount of depth and attention to character that I can't remember seeing recently in any high fantasy series. He continues on with his brutal look at a realistic world where no man or woman is spared from the bad things in life. I HIGHLY RECOMEND The Price of Immortality by C.M. Whitlock The book has a complex weave of fantasy and reality that you that will enthrall you
Rating:
Summary: G.R.R. Martin Rules the Fantasy Universe !!!!!
Review: This book, as well as the ALL the others in this series (even the ones not yet written), is the most captivating fantasy literature I have EVER read. Martin has Perfected the art of putting you in the world he has created. He paints and engraves an extremely vivid picture of what he wants you to see and understand. His descriptions of people, places, and events are so acute that one has no choice but to see everything in their minds eye. The vision then stays put as you climb the walls in bated anticipation of his next masterpiece. His characters are intensely written and the events have the Perfect mixture of political imbroglio, intrigue, passion, lust, sin, violance, cunning, irony, pcychology, humor, paranormal, evil, honor, and high adventure. This stuff is most definitely not for the youthful. With Martin, any and all characters are fair game. No one escapes the grip of tragedy. The realism is superb, right down to the way they speak. The plots hit you with the boldness of a great axe yet inspire thought with the skillful delicacy of a sharp razor. If you haven't read George R.R. Martin yet, get ready to be ruined for life because, after this, nothing else will compare. Martin sets the standard for superior quality fantasy. JUST GET ALL THE BOOKS...
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best fantasy epic ever...
Review: A series has arrived which stands head and shoulders above the rest. I received my copy of A Storm of Swords the day before Thanksgiving and didn't put it down until I was done. From Wednesday evening to Friday afternoon I was completely entranced and nothing could pry me away. I have not had such a wonderful reading experience since I picked up my first copy of Dune many years ago. Martin has given us a realistic and spellbinding tale which will draw you right into the thick of every battle and plot. The characters are richly developed, and the fact that anyone can lose their head just adds more excitement to every page. If there is anyone you know who likes to read but has never read fantasy fiction, this series will solve that problem. Both of my sisters are avid fans of romance, true crime and mystery, but tend to avoid fantasy and sci-fi. When I presented them each with a copy of A Game of Thrones (Book 1 in this series) their initial reaction was doubtful. Two days later, my oldest sister had bought A Clash of Kings and had pre-ordered A Storm of Swords from Amazon.com. Sadly enough, she even received her copy of A Storm of Swords before I did. The sheer scope of this epic is breathtaking and the plot is more than sufficiently surprising. If you have any doubts about whether you should start reading this series, then lay them to rest. I would hate for anyone to miss out on simply the best fantasy epic ever.
Rating:
Summary: Please Mr Martin, write faster!
Review: More, give me more...I've read all three of these books twice in hopes that by the time I've completed "A Storm of Swords" again the fourth installment would be out. I generally dislike getting involved with series for the very reason that you have to wait for each one, but this is such a magnificent story that I'm willing to forego my usual inclination for instant gratification. Be warned though, this isn't the usual spunsugar fantasy, these are "real" people that inhabit these book. The plot lines are fascinating, but the real draw for me is the cast of characters that I feel I know so well...give me more Sandor Clegane please, he's a tragic hero in the making if I ever saw one. I highly recommend this series. Oh yeah, one more selling point...these books will help build upper body strength, they're HUGE!
Rating:
Summary: Please Mr Martin, write faster!
Review: More, give me more...I've read all three of these books twice in hopes that by the time I've completed "A Storm of Swords" again the fourth installment would be out. I generally dislike getting involved with series for the very reason that you have to wait for each one, but this is such a magnificent story that I'm willing to forego my usual inclination for instant gratification. Be warned though, this isn't the usual spunsugar fantasy, these are "real" people that inhabit these book. The plot lines are fascinating, but the real draw for me is the cast of characters that I feel I know so well...give me more Sandor Clegane please, he's a tragic hero in the making if I ever saw one. I highly recommend this series. Oh yeah, one more selling point...these books will help build upper body strength, they're HUGE!
Rating:
Summary: There is a reason the average review is 5 stars!
Review: I have met and spent time with the man, but this review is not influenced by that, considering this series won me over back in 1996 with A Game of Thrones. A Storm of Swords continues Martin's brilliant work, resolving mysteries, sub-plots and lives (literally). A Storm of Swords is as good as the other two in the series, which are all brilliant in my mind. Not since Leiber's Fafhrd and the Mouser has there been better dialogue with adult themes. This series is weaved with a perfect blend of intricacy, depth, character development, pace, dialogue, realism, fantasy and theme. Whereas Tolkien opened the flood gates for "evil takes over the world, good battles to defeat it" with the LoTR, Martin has become a true innovator and catalyst for what will be a barrage of copycats to come. This is a book where every chapter is a rich meal, where 900 pages can seem like 20, and for as much complexity that is introduced, it is a perfectly developed and paced story. It is a complicated story that is not complicated to read. Because Martin writes strictly from the first person viewpoint, the reader is privy to inner thoughts of characters. Martin does not have to write a story to have to come up with ways for a character to tell the reader about something...the character whispers it to themselves, alone in a dark cell - to themselves and to the reader, the only ones there. This style, mixed with tremendously developed characters (all of which we can identify with in one way or another) creates a deeper bond between the reader, the characters, and the story - Martin's ability is unique. A Storm of Swords is another rare book (but ordinary for this series in its greatness) that causes you to throw the book down in despair, perhaps cry, or get goosebumps from events that may shock or excite you. Because each chapter is written in the POV of a different character, and Martin skips around a lot, it is impossible to get bored with the story...to make a base analogy...it would be like eating a bowl of strawberry ice cream, then part way through it is taken away to be replaced by a bowl of chocolate ice cream, then to a bowl of cookies and cream, then the strawberry comes back for a couple of bites...not only do you not get the least bit bored or sick of the story, but when you see the next chapter with that character you remember, you want to continue to find out more of the story. It is fresh in the way it works within Martin's tale. The story progresses very well, rich in descriptions, dialogue, sub plot, themes and writing above all else. I cannot recommend this series or this novel enough - it is truly the best work I have ever read, and EPIC! You will see this series pick up pace more and more as it snowballs with popularity, and for good reason. As more and more are introduced, more and more will recommend...and as more and more Jordanites get a taste of Martin, their thirsts will be quenched and they will know salvation.
Rating:
Summary: A Storm of Swords
Review: The Song Of Ice and Fire series has been the best one of it's genre I've ever read (bar the sword of truth series maybe). A storm of swords, parts one and two, compliment the first two superbly and I can't wait for the fourth to be released.
Rating: 
Summary: Great series...so far.
Review: I loved the first two books and forgive the occasional cliche scenes and support characters because of the pace and atmosphere he keeps up.
But...in this latest book, too many (potential hero) characters are not in control of their own destinies for far too long, drifting with the tide of events and losing all my interest as they do so.
It seems like he is padding out many of the key players because he isnt ready for them to make their mark till later in the series, probably after the Dragons return to the mainland.
There is still time to pull it back but I am waiting for the next book with uneasy anticipation, fingers crossed.
Rating:
Summary: Good book but waning a bit.
Review: The first 2 books I loved and read them almost nonstop. However in this the 3rd book some of the things are getting old. Dany is boring, Cat is getting boring same things over and over. However I think the book was good and I would not stop to recommend it to anyone. One of the biggest problems with the book is that I want some "good guys" to have a little better outcome. I do not know how to explain it really it is just reality of the world of the 7 Kingdoms seems way to much "Earth reality"... I do not know it is like the Starks started out as the center point and they would bring about a heroic and masterful success in the realm. We had good guys and bad guys and guys in the middle. I like Tyrion very much and have a strange respect with the Kingslayer. However my favorites keep getting stamped out and the others that are very interesting are not getting enough time. Jon for instance, Jon and his adventures and misadventures could be a standalone book without any of the rest. I know this is a hard review to read it is hard to explain how I feel about the book. It is for sure that you must read it there is no doubting that. I just sometimes feel depressed after reading parts of it! There is not White and Black in this series only shades and shadows of good and evil which is spread a little thicker here and there and neutral with other characters. Too much like the real world? 3 or 4 stars I will go for 3 just because I am not having a good time reading anymore. Is like reading about history in this world and I read fantasy to get away from here. Even so Martin is one of the finest if not the finest storytellers I have read. I just wish for little less depression and mental let down once I connect with a character. Sometimes I just expect Jon to fall off the wall or get stepped on by a Mammoth... yes I want a hero that lives long enough to do something. And like a Timex watch the bad guys just keep on ticking.
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