Rating: 
Summary: v. strange book
Review: If you're gonna read this book be prepared for reality. This is not the usual fantasy story where the good guy beats all odds to win. Many of the good guys are actually killed during the story (which I found a little strange. George builds up characters for 1000+ pages then KILLS them... i suppose that's reality though). And the ending? Also a little strange. I confess, I thought it kicked ... how some characters got revenge but still, none of the situations are really tied up at the end of the trilogy.
If you like kings, queens and knights read this book but don't set yourself up to be completely happy with the ending.
Rating: 
Summary: Martin Owns The Throne
Review: 1) This is, BY FAR, the best fantasy I have ever read. Ever. Better than Donaldson, Jordan, Goodkind, Brooks, better than everyone.2)This is, BY FAR, the best characterization I've ever come across in the fantasy genre. Never in my life have I at so many different times over the course of the three books written been so amazed (Daenerys from the fire, obtaining the Unsullied, choosing between the {better?} of two betrayels) stunned (Catelyn, Ser Barristan Selmy) grief-stricken (from deaths of beloved characters, of course only to realize by the end of the next chapter there are so many fantastic characters left). And of course these are just a few examples, there are so many more but don't want to mention at the risk of spoiling new readers. Yes -- amazed, stunned, saddened. I spontaneously and literally yelled, gasped, cried, and cheered while reading these books. Never have I been so emotionally invested in such a large cast of characters. Memories of these books bring forth emotion in me even now, a month after I read this, his latest book. 3)Fabulously intricate plotting. I find it interesting that a common thread in the slightly more negative reviews of this book find Martin a bit ponderous -- that there's so much writing with not alot of action. This couldn't be further from the truth! Yes, this is high, epic, cruel fantasy of the tallest order. Yes, this is a tall read for younger readers, or those weaned on Jordan, Goodkind, Brooks, etc. But there literally isn't a SINGLE CHAPTER in any of his books where some part of the plot isn't advanced in some way -- spanning over 2000 pages of hardcover text. That's how good the writing is. 4)Deftly understated magic. I remember reading the first book thinking to myself, 'where's the magic? isn't this supposed to be fantasy?' And I kept reading, still finding almost no magic. The only real magic from the first book I can remember bookends the first book. I will never forget the birth of the Unburnt at the very end of the first novel. I'm gasping right now as I recall it. Such a POWERFUL moment. And there was some magic there. And the fact that my senses hadn't been already been dulled by the overdone, contrived use of magic found in so many other fantasy novels allowed me to feel the real impact of what Dany accomplished at the end of that first novel. Magic means so much more in these novels because at least over these the first three books, there is so little to be found. 5)Spectacular dialogue. This is the best dialogue I've ever read. Razorsharp wit, acid tongues, stoic nobility, prideful revenge, hungry vengeance, soul-baring sadness, and so many other wonderful emotions conveyed by superior dialogue. If this review weren't so long, I'd quote a few passages. I just remember reading some of those Lannister exchanges saying to myself 'you go! oh yeah! perfect!" I remember laughing out loud at some of the things said, not so much because they were humorous (although some of them were) but because so often the pointed words exchanged felt more like the point of a rapier twisting through the ribcage into the recipient's heart. It's just that good. So consistently good. 6)Anyone remember Thomas Covenant? One of the great anti-heroes in fantasy. You rooted for him and hated him. You knew he was the good guy, but you were never quite comfortable enough with who he was to cheer him on without reservation. Well, many characters like him, not just one, populate Martin's books. As soon as you think you've found the bad guy, you begin to root for him as well. And you wonder, as you go from chapter to chapter, how you can find yourself rooting for almost every character in the book? Well, that's just one of the many great things about Martin's books. Practically every character is an anti-heroe and how a book can be so riveting with (at this point) no clear villain is a testimonial for the great characterization in these books. People, I'm not kidding. This is the best out there. If Martin pulls off this series it will far and away be the best epic fantasy ever written. It already is, I'm just praying it's sustained. Yes, it's better than Tolkien, but only in the way that The Godfather was better than the old great silent pictures of the early 20th century. I regard Tolkien's work with great reverance, and it's wonderful to see the foundations of the fantasy genre brought to the big screen, but Martin is taking the genre to new heights. He truly is. For me, I knew at least the first book was special early on. If you can... sense something... if yours eyes open just a bit, if your curiosity is peaked... if you're thinking 'hmmm'.... as the first chapter closes with the discovery of the Direwolves, then you'll be tasting just a hint of the wonderment Martin's books can give you. Just try not to be too sad when you've finished and realize there may not be anything this good for a long, long time to come.
Rating: 
Summary: pleasantly surprised
Review: As many fantasy series trudge through the middle books they get bogged down with "filler" plots and random information. Luckily this book remains lively and full of surprising twists. One of the most enjoyable and unique elements is the humanity of the characters. No one is flawless or bound to some miraculous destiny. A nice change from the other fantasy series.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant !...
Review: Really liked all 3 books - read them back to back ! Great gripping Fantasy with plenty of suprises and you're never quite sure how each chapter is going to end !
Rating:
Summary: "Storm"-y Weather
Review: I admit it--I'm hooked. Three books into George R.R. Martin's "Song of Ice and Fire" series, and I can't wait for the next one. A word to all publishers, though: You would sell more hardcover copies if you'd consider lowering the price. I had to wait a year until I could spare the [money] for a chunk of paper and cardboard. That aside . . . Martin writes the grittiest fantasy I've read that doesn't turn me off the characters completely. Then again, his characters are human despite their flaws--they strike a chord of recognition, a wish to know them or a prayer that they'll get what they deserve. The situation is also quite realistic--the devastation of war and the intrigues for power are well done, and Martin's quick, to-the-mark prose doesn't hurt at all. Yes, the book is long; yes, it'll take time to get through it (six hours for me). It's also another transitionary book. But with the scope Martin's planning, with as many characters as he has, "Storm" has to be a transition. And it's fantastic. While Catelyn and Robb meet a fate no one could have predicted, Arya becomes as hardened and cruel as the monsters she escaped (I hope this poor child will have someone to ~talk~ to in the end); Jon Snow's time among the wildlings is heartbreaking, but in the end he confronts himself and his place in the world. Joffrey and Stannis take different directions in the success of their reigns. And Daenerys . . . ah, Daenerys. My favorite female character in the series, Dany exhibits a compassion at odds with an ability to use people like no other. If you aren't cheering after the scene in the Place of Punishment, you haven't been paying much attention. I wanted to give this three stars because it's tragic and I honestly felt ready for Prozac when I was finished. Then I tried going to sleep after finishing what has to be the creepiest epilogue in modern fantasy. Do yourself a favor. Before finishing "Storm", make sure it's daylight. And read something else to keep from remembering the book's final page.
Rating: 
Summary: Unreadable...Beware
Review: I read this because of the glowing reviews. It took me 3 months to get through this garbage mascarading as book. Not because it's 1,000 pages but because of mindnumbingly boring. In hands of a real writer this would have been 500 page book and possible good. As written it isn't even readable. Nothing happens for hundreds of pages. The only thing to keep you turning pages is the thought something must happen. Characters like Eddard Stark are so one sided they are a joke. Everything that happens is forced. Characters are never rational. Most of the scenes are contrived. The whole off with his head thing is so pathetic. Then I am left wondering what third grader edited the book. Does Martin know how to say anything without thirty layers of nonsense surrounding it? Doubtful...No, oops that's he said doubtfully, anxiously, darkly...Oops no, I meant he spit or should I have said. No Martin wouldn't have. His characters don't say. They swear, admit, spit, snort, echo but they do it quietly, bitterly, sourly, softly, respectfully, happily, breathlessly, calmly, and that's only in the first few pages. Imagines the joyfully, tearfully, fitfully wondrous things to come.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: After reading this series George R Martin became my favorite author.this is really an inteligent work,Much better than Brooks,Goodkind,Jordan or lawhead and a lot of authors that only write the same all the time.I really recomend this series
Rating:
Summary: A Storm of Swords
Review: Enjoyed it very much. Loved the interplay of characters and attention to detail. Waiting for next book
Rating:
Summary: Need something new a refreshing in the Fantasy Genre
Review: Absolutely the best series I have read in the last ten years, I can only remember that far back. Intelligent and plenty of rich and complicated characters, without being so overly congested as to lose the reader. I see plenty of surprises in the future. Buy all three and you won't put them down until all are finished!
Rating:
Summary: Best One Yet!
Review: I really enjoyed the first book, A Game of Thrones, and the second one, A Clash of Kings, was even better... then A Storm of Swords topped even that! A great read! Can't wait for the forth book to come out!
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