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Summary: What a long, strange trip it's been...
Review: The main problems I had with this fascinating and disturbing book is that, first, the series must be read in order, for it to make any sense, and second, they don't end, they just STOP. A glossary would help, too. Just what is a "hedge knight", anyway?Roy Neal
Rating: 
Summary: It just gets better and better
Review: This is one sequel where all of the books are as enthralling as the first. Martins ability to surprise the reader with the unexpected keeps you guessing at every page if what you think will happen will really happen - more often than not I was wrong - finally a fantasy series that is NOT predictable. The character development is unbelievable. The reader finds themselves sympathizing with the 'villains' as well as the good guys. I've read all 3 books and CAN'T WAIT until number 4 comes out (supposedly the Fall of 2002).
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Summary: Realistic fantasy, excellent storyline, few flaws
Review: I have to say that I was more impressed wih this novel than the first of the series. The characters are equally believable and the plots have definitely thickened into a nice stew. Tyrion is a wonderful character and the lines between men and women are more realistic for the time period than many other period pieces. I will agree that Martin does have a thing for being descriptive with sex and that it really doesn't add a whole lot to the story. I mean it's one thing to bring incest into the story, but another to graphically describe it. I also still hold to my thought that he uses language that does not sound like it was part of that period. i can't repeat the words here but they just dont fit in the story and when you come across them they stall the story a bit in my opinion. I still think this book belongs a part of your Fantasy Masterpieces collection.
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Summary: All Too Rare
Review: I find excellently written books all too rare in the Fantasy Genre. This one and the entire series so far by Martin are wonderful exceptions. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Epic fantasy soap opera
Review: I was quite keen to get started with this series, after reading some of the reviews on this site. Now after finishing this second book, I am not so keen any longer. George Martins choice of telling the story through 10+ different characters tend to make for a shallow story telling. There is little variation on the written style in between the different characters, which seems distanced and very neutral in the first place. Many of the emotions the characters are supposedly experiencing, are usually being explained beforehand, to color the otherwise weak dialogue between characters. I would have preferred more emphasis on the dialogue itself by far. A good example of a book series using several main characters to tell a storyline, with varied language style to tell the characters apart is the Hyperion series by Dan Simmons. Another thing which makes A Song og Ice and Fire a bit more difficult to swallow, is the speech and thoughts used in the first person perspective of the young children. Bran is 7, Arya 9, and Sansa 11 in the beginning of the book series, and at the end of book 2, 2 years have passed. But one ought to believe they were 40+ years old from the language and trains of thought they go on. There is quite many details on the sigils of the different houses, many details and descriptions of the different interrelations of the many nobles, however I find it a bit overdone, especially when George Martin spends half a page describing/listing names of nobles in a newly arrived party, just to have the names show up again as an anecdote in a later chapter, where it is learned that such and such a person died in some battle. I have spent the time reading the books, and will probably finish the rest of the series when it comes out, however I must say that mostly I felt as if I was sitting with some sort of soap opera of epic fantasy, and this series will go on for a looong time without really hinting why or for what.
Rating: 
Summary: A Compelling Story From a Perverse Mind
Review: The author has an unbelievable ability to craft complex and believable characters. Moreover he can really make you hate the bad guys and love the good guys in this book, while making you worried about the fate of the good guys. There are even fascinating grey characters who are quite likeable, such as Tyrion. They are plenty of plot twists here, with major characters getting killed, changing the landscape of the story. The story appears to be building to some great climax that makes you want to read more. I would have given this book 5 stars, but I have one serious gripe. The author is perversely obsessed with sex. He feels compelled to describe various illicit sexual situations in many chapters in great detail, adding nothing of value to the story in my opinion. There is also unnecessary foul language. It's a shame because I'm still looking for good novels that I can allow my 10 year old son to read. This isn't one of them.
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Summary: Thrilling!!!!!
Review: I was just dying for the sequel the moment i finished a Game of Thrones. I didn't know this would be even better!!! it is extremely well written and i was never bored for a second. It's hard to stand the suspense between chapters!! it's high paced, exiting action. the characters and setting are developed so well it's hard to beleive it's fantasy. the plot is nearly perfect; everything fits together and moves so fluently.i haven't read many fantasy books, but this is definitely the best of them all.
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Summary: another good epic
Review: This is the second book in the series 'a song of fire and ice'. It is an epic fantasy similar in genre to Robert Jordan books. However, it does not drag in places as the Jordan books tend to. In addition, Martin is a gutsy writer who has no fear in killing off main characters. If you like long involved books with lots of characters and plots, then buy this one and you'll be happy you did. Make sure to read book one first. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Captivating
Review: How can I say this? George R.R. Martin is the grand master of fantasy fiction, although there is only three novels so far; which could span more than that of Robert Jordans, The Wheel Of Time; I have never been more captivated in my whole entire lifetime!
Reading this book in just two short days, thats right, its so good! I have been left dumbfounded by how well Martin can write a hefty book such as this, and keep one reading eagerly from page to page, without feeling lost. Now, just starting the third, "A Storm of Swords" I am completely convinced that this series will seriously take over this genre that we call fantasy! I reccomend this to even those who vow to never read fantasy! You will see the world in a total differen't light! Read it and ENJOY!!!
Rating:
Summary: ...and 1/2. Good stuff.
Review: Dense with plot and characters. Well written. Vivid. Consistent. Bloody. Involving. Entertaining. Sorrowful. Smart. These books are poised to become fiction/fantasy classics. I picked up the first on a whim (because I don't normally read this genre), and quickly moved through the second, then bought the third. Very well done.
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