Rating: 
Summary: Lost Story with No Direction
Review: When I first read the reviews for this series, I was in hopes of finding another epic series like "The Lord of the Rings, "Wheel of Time", and "The Sword of Truth". Martin has a mixed writing style compared to many of the masters of fantasy, He follows in the foot steps of Jordan and Goodkind, evolving multiple semi-complex plots and characters across an entire fantasy realm.As a reader of fantasy novels, I understand that all writers have their own unique styles, but one thing that has always stood out was the main character(s) and purpose. With the three books in, "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, I am still lost to both. In the first book, the apparent main character was killed, then a second minor character took his place. Halfway through book two, he's gone from the story line and five other characters are now bidding for the main character position in books two and three. The purpose of each main character is different, some looking for justice, some for wealth and power, and other characters disapear from the story line all together then re-appear to have some major impact of the story line. One other item that tends to pull me away from this series, is the lack of magic. There is a small hint to it, but nothing as profound as the other series listed above. I would place this series more in the like of King Author and Round Table, than Middle Earth and the Midlands. All in all, I will probably continue to follow this series, but it lacks all the things I feel are necessary to be an epic fantasy series.
Rating: 
Summary: Read it on my Dell Axim
Review: I won't waste your time telling you how great this series is (IT REALLY IS GREAT THOUGH) instead I thought I would mention how GOOD the electronic version of this title is. I downloaded it onto my Dell Axim and had no problems reading it from there. The download was smooth, uploading it onto the handheld was smooth and reading it was a blast. E-books like this are the real reason for buying a PDA!
Rating:
Summary: Blowing the star ceiling
Review: What is it worth ?
5 ? 10 ? 20 stars ?
I posess among others over 300 fantasy books in 5 languages and I have read much more .
Although I like this genre still , it is often "been there , done that" . G.R.R Martin has blown everything I know .
Even good writers like Donaldson , Williams , Wurtz , excellent S.Erikson , Hobb are below this level - I won't include Tolkien because as the founding father he's somewhat untouchable .
Well actually Erikson is not very far .
Let's not mention the Brooks , Eddings , Goodkinds and Jordans , this last with the exception of the first 4 volumes . Why is Martin so good ?
Because his work is like Dante's Hell with the inscription "You who enter here , abandon all hope ."
He introduces us to the smaller personnal hells we all know - the greed , the cruelty , the indifference , the violence , the despair , the betrayal .
He introduces us also to the bigger and more abstract Hell , this which lies beyond the Wall .
But as the Hell doesn't exist without its counterpart , the Good subtly insinuates itself within the characters so that you can have compassion or understanding even for some of the "dark" souls .
Thus you can look at Thyrion in both ways , good or evil and conclude that he's simply human - neither one nor the other . An example how Martin handles the symbolism with mastery and puts the reader systematically off balance is the Wall .
It's there to protect the Kingdom from unspeakable evil but at the same time , like Peake's Gormenghast , it's crumbling and inadequately manned .
Those who man it are the Black Brothers .
They are clad in black (not white !) and recruited among criminals , bastards , outcast and deserters - hardly the profile of shining heroes who selflessly serve and rescue princesses at the peril of their lives .
Yet they are brothers and that hints at a care for the family which might redeem their souls .
They are also called the Crows .
The crow , a carrion eater and a bird of ill omens .
But it's also near to a raven , bearer of mystery and symbol of the Wikings .
And is it not possible that in a dark , hopeless world when the winter is coming the last who represent hope would be the Black Brothers ? The writing is brilliant , the plot is outstanding (as a side note only - I can't get the feel for Daenerys and her usefulness for the story but perhaps it's only me) and the characters are as real as they can get . A must read .
Rating:
Summary: Waiting for book 4 is going to drive me crazy!
Review: I absolutely love this series! The story is intricate and well-written, the characters are great, and you really never know what might happen next. Don't assume anything when reading these books. You are bound to be surpised. I do have to say that what I like best about these books are the characters. Just as in real life, the characters aren't 100% good or 100% bad - they are very complex, and you just may find yourself really caring about one of the "bad" guys. Each new book will introduce at least one new point of view, and you really get to see many facets of each character. George RR Martin does not scimp on words - these are all hefty novels, but in my opinion well worth it. I could not put them down (in fact my husband was relieved when he found out that the 4th one was not out yet, because he could not get me off of the couch while I was reading the first 3). And that brings me to the worst part of the whole thing - we have to wait until June 2004 for the next book. Every book I have picked up since I finished 'Storm of Swords' has paled by comparison. I have not found anything that even comes close. So if you are starting this series, be warned: the wait for the 4th book could very well make you crazy. I guess it's time to start reading the first book again!
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable
Review: I just finished "A Storm of Swords" and was impressed. This is the first book that absolutely pissed me off in terms of what the author was doing and yet kept me reading all the same. Bad things happen and Martin sure doesn't mind letting it happen to good characters.
Martin has an excellent writing style and his vision of his world and the plot he has created is amazing. While I won't go into any Tolkien comparisons, I will say this is the best series I have read in years.
It does not follow the standard fantasy plot that find in most books. What it does is create a history that is actually realistic and shows the good and bad in life with ALL his characters. There are no "undefeatable" characters. And don't get close to any of them either cause Martin has no problem killing them off if it furthers his story.
I couldn't put this book down. It was amazing and I can't wait for the next book. I just hate the fact that there is a 2 year time span between each book.
Rating:
Summary: Better than Lord of The Rings
Review: This book is my favorite book of all time. And yes it is way better than anything Tolkien ever wrote. While it is true that Tolkien was the founding father of good epic fantasy, he still pales in comparison to the genius of this series. Saying that Tolkien is better is like saying that the lightbulb is a more complex invention than the personal computer simply because it was created first. All things must evolve and this is the best that the evolution of fantasy has to offer. One of my favorite parts of this book was deffinatly the last few chapters. The sudden betrayal and the cliffhanger ending made me frustated that the next book wasn't out yet but that's the way I expect to feel after a good book. A side note that I would like to add is that this series is not for you if you don't like it when bad things happen to charectors you love(to the point that it makes you want to stop reading the book). I myself don't like to have my favorite charectors die but I think that it adds to the realism of the book. (I happen to also be a fan of a good sad story, so if you only want happy endings then read something else)
Rating:
Summary: melancholy
Review: After the first part of the first book very little good happens
to anyone. It is unrelentingly dark and perhaps
depressing. It is wonderfully written. It is well told.
It is interesting and engaging. Just be prepared to read
thousands of pages where hope remains hidden.
Rating:
Summary: The plot thickens
Review: In book three, the series takes a dark turn. It borders on depressing for the heroes lose so much and the villians seem to be doing irreperable harm to the world. When you finish reading it, you find yourself almost desperate to read the next book, just because things have to get better.
This is not a complaint about the writing, it is a wonderful as ever, but the grand adventure is going sour and forces of good seem nearly beaten. This effects a rather dark mood.
Rating:
Summary: Long Winded
Review: I have just finished this book and am still in a daze. Actually I read all three of the "Song of Fire and Ice" books, one right after another and my eyeballs are ready to fall out. These are VERY long books! Not that I at all mind long, thick books. And let me say that there is something about the way that George R.R. Martin writes that is addictive. Despite my growing frustration with this series, I could not put any of the books down and walk away. He pulled me into whatever is going on at the time -- and often there isn't MUCH going on -- even if it is from the POV of one of my not-so-favorite characters. At first I resented the back-and-forth of the book. One chapter was about the Wall, the next was about Dany and her dragons... I was tempted to read all the "Jon" chapters, for instance, all at once and go back and read all the "Tryrion" chapters etc. Except that it became obvious that somehow they are all tied together and that skipping back and forth wouldn't work... After praising Martin's writing abilities, I have to say that the overall series is a big disappointment. Some reviewers insist it's "better than Tolkien". Not even close. The first book, "A Game of Thrones" started off the series in good shape. But by the second book, "A Clash of Kings" it was flagging badly. This book confirms what I dreaded -- Martin is really Robert Jordan and will never end this story. Jordon's never ending "Wheel of Time" series is on it's 10th 1000 page book. I read the reviews for those books and many recommended Martin's series instead. But what is the difference? Other than the fact that Martin is a better writer, that is. This series has bogged down. How can you not advance the plot in 3000+ pages?? Sure we saw some major characters get removed. But the plot itself -- i.e. who gets the iron throne -- is as far from resolved as it was in book #1. There are a couple fewer king wannabes running around but still no real king in sight. The remaining major characters go from one crises to another but never solve their own individual problems. And from the trends in book #3, they aren't likely to do so any time soon. I see there is a 4th book coming out (in hardcover, of course). I would be very surprised if this was the final book of the series. Why do these authors milk their cash cow to death? Jordan is still going strong and it looks like Martin is following in his 10+ book footsteps. When the 4th book comes out I'll get it from the library, if I read it at all. By the time it's published I'll forget who is on what side (not that that is clear anyway) and what "ser" has which sigil. Oh well. Another promising author lost to the money god...
Rating:
Summary: Keep them coming.
Review: The best fantasy novel I have ever read. This book brings the characters to life and makes them a real as any one I know. I have read the first three books and have hooked most of my family and half my friends on the series. We are all eagerly awaiting the publishing of A Feast for Crows. Whenever I talk with my family we can't help to have a discussion about these books or speculate on what Mr. Martin has in store for us all.
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