Rating: 
Summary: Nothing predictable here!
Review: It's unusual to read a series where you really never know what's going to happen next. The heroes are just as vulnerable as the villians, and you can't always tell which is which! This series is very disturbing but you can't help coming back for more...
Rating: 
Summary: A HUGE LETDOWN
Review: The first two volumes of Martin's "Song of Fire and Ice" were GREAT. Book 3 is a horrible disappointment. Can you say "Filler?" Literally hundreds of pages pass where absolutely NOTHING happens. Martin is on the money train now, the one being run by Robert Jordan and Terry Goodkind and their clones. And Martin has his characters start doing stupid, totally out-of-character things just to shock the reader. It felt contrived, shallow, and, well, dumb. The few significant scenes in this book take up less than a hundred total pages. But you have to slog through a whole lotta to get to them. I know you'll read it, no matter what the reviews say. But you'll be profoundly disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: It just keeps coming.....
Review: I'm on page 609 right now. As far as I can tell, the only character who's had a good day in the course of these 600 pages is the one who's a continent away from the rest of the storyline. Calling these characters tortured is like calling fish wet.It's a very well-written, engaging book that's made me so depressed I'm not sure if I'm going to finish it.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: This book picks you up and drags you through an amazing emotional ride not for the feint of heart. Try not to get to attached to any of Martin's amazing characters because no one is safe, if you thought the other books had a high death toll then look out because this book has one high enough to make Pol Pot blush;) Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: If you love the hero's journey then this is the series for you! George RR Martin gives you several heroes and anti-heroes or lets you decide who is what. You are sure to find something you can relate to with all of them. In this third installment of A Song of Ice and Fire, GRRM has done it again, but even better! The scope and majesty of his writing as well as the unexpected twists in the storylines kept this book at my side until I completed it. Old prophesies are fulfilled and more prophesies are told as our favorite characters continue their respective journeys. The book begins a bit slow, but I believe that couldn't be helped as I needed that time to set the stage to remind me where the story has been. The action takes off and kept me running through to the end as I nervously kept track of how many chapters I had left until it was over. My only complaint is having to wait until the next book is published.
Rating:
Summary: the best series EVER!
Review: By the third book of the series, a lot of characters have died. It is hard to tell good from evil, and you might find yourself changing opinions about many of the characters that survive so far. Take the Kingslayer for instance. In this book is explained WHY Jaime slew Aerys. Placed in his position, I would have done the same thing. Stark assumed to judge Jaime for what he had done without knowing the real story... I really pity Lannister for the reputation he got, underservedly. Also, you see that the characters evolve during this book, under the stress of the events. Or maybe I should say, you start to understand them better, like Jaime. For the most part while reading the book I felt a sadness for all of the people who were squabbling and killing and ...and dying, while unbeknownst to them, the darkness encroached. Soon every man will have to choose whether to follow the Road of Darkness, or the Path of Light... Maybe THAT is what's happeing to all the characters.. they are choosing....
Rating:
Summary: An exceptionally good book
Review: I enjoy this book very much. It was one of the very first fantasy series I read. It has so much depth and keeps you within its grasp all the way to the end. I'll have a hard time waiting for the next book.
Rating:
Summary: best in series (so far)
Review: Like some other fantasy epic's (Jordon/Goodkind ??), I expected this series to start fast and become predictable by book three. This is not the case. This book is full of surprises. I especially enjoy how he manipulates your point of view by introducing one of the bad guys as a narrater in this book. After hating this character in books 1&2, I found myself cheering for him in book 3. This book was a wild ride and I never expected things to end as they did. I am anxiously awaiting book 4.
Rating:
Summary: Damn fine read!
Review: There is something absolutely refreshing in a series that does not guarantee that the author has a favorite character or group of characters that is indestructible. Martin punishes his characters realistically, making it difficult to know who is next to suffer their fate. This not knowing brings about a kind of suspenceful waiting that leaves you on the edge of your seat and walking the literary high-wire without a net. Just when you think you know who is going to be the ultimate protagonist, amazing and tragic circumstances explode with the force of a bullet. This is a masterfully done piece of work that is undeniably the best fantasy read I've had in a long, long time. -Edrondol
Rating:
Summary: Most Colorful Fantasy Saga of All
Review: If truth be told, Tolkien's Lord of the Ring is never as exciting (or gruesome for that matter). Martin's Song of Ice and Fire is so rich in content that, it makes the reader wonder why he or she isn't reading 10 novels at the same time. Indeed, it would probably be fairer to review A Storm of Swords in 10 distinct sections. 1) Catelyn's outing turns out to be tragic and heart-rending, in Stark contrast (pun intended) to the triumphant conclusion to Book 1: A Game of Thrones. A glimpse of hope is all that remains in the epilogue. 2) Tyrion's intrigue is wry and bitter as ever. All the same, the unexpected trial by combat towards the end is a shattering experience. 3) Daenerys's campaign in the east is easily the most exotic part of the book, as well as the bloodiest. 4) Samwell's ordeal in the snow is so painful in the beginning that the reader would naturally wish it to end as soon as possible. Of course, Sam, reminiscent of his namesake in Lord of the Ring, would turn out to be influential in his own way. 5) Bran's quest is relatively subdued, after the narrow escape in Book 2: A Clash of Kings (which must rank as one of the finest hours in the entire series). By the way, where is little brother Rickon? 6) Sansa's tale starts out at a leisurely pace. The adventure quickens up little by little, until it is rushing through so fast that one may fine it hard to grasp what is happening in the closing chapters. 7) Jon is the reluctant hero who is driven along by momentous events. His achievements are perhaps a little bit over-dramatic. 8) Davos is another hapless fellow. It just makes you feel sad to be the good guy. 9) Jaime no longer acts as the arrogant anti-hero in the limelight. These days he appears to move around in the background, playing a supporting role to the main storyline. 10) Arya's aimless wandering across the countryside is still the weakest link in the series. Who knows, perhaps there are great things to come in future instalments... Admittedly, it is difficult to rate a series objectively. (Those who don't enjoy the topic must have already dropped out in Book 1. Only loyal fans will likely read and rate a sequel, so a somewhat exaggerated rating is to be expected.) If one is to find faults in the book, there are indeed a number of criticisms which can be readily made: A) There is the glaring problem of the majority of the cast being murdered over a short span of time. (Okay, the interesting question has arisen: who will be the last one left standing? I can see the fans already putting their bets on Jon and Daenerys. Hopefully, the treacherous villains will also meet their ends soon enough, notably the Freys and Boltons.) B) The sub-plots are becoming so complex that the author needs to tie up many loose ends in a rather abrupt manner. (There is just not enough time and space to cover the Greyjoys, for instance). C) The main characters are beginning to show conflicts in their personality traits. For example, the impulsive Jaime has become quite thoughtful, whereas the normally crafty Tyrion is going to take some rash action. Daenerys is now kind but cruel. And Arya, well, is as inconsistent as ever. Nonetheless, the above imperfections will not distract from the fact that the Song of Ice and Fire is the most enthralling fantasy series to appear in recent years.
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