A Game of Thrones

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Summary: Martin makes them real
Review: What makes this book so special is Martin's ability to make us care about each and every character. The story, while complex and fascinating, is secondary to the character development. The author juggles this complex tale with spectacular skill, never allowing us to forget that what really matters in fiction is what we feel about the people involved. This book should be a model for all who write in the genre.Even in fantasy, the characters must be real individuals who make us care

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Summary: A definate for those who appreciate good reading
Review: This is one of the best books I have read in a long time!!When you read this book, at first you are not to sure who to like who to hate or who to pity. It is a great combo of medieval fantasy, politics, and war. Daenerys Targaryen the Starks and the Lannisters, are almost the perfect vision of biggotry, incest, and triumph. One minute you are feeling sorry for the imp the next minute you hate him. Martin is a genius in how he depicts this whole story. I only give it a 9 because I can't wait to picture the Targaryen empire awake the dragons on the kingdom and reclaim the territory that was theirs to begin with. Thank you for the ultimate reading pleasure. Erica-Lynn R.I

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Summary: Feel the pain -- Experience the joy!
Review: A fantastic first novel for a series. I was immediately swept into Martin's complex world of politics, intrique and mystery. My heart beat faster during the combat portions of the book. I claimed "it can't be true" as the headman's axe decended upon one of the main characters. I cheered for the good guys; I booed the bad guys -- at least at the start. But as in politics, Martin proves that just because you appear to be the bad guy doesn't mean you are; just because you're on the good guy's side doesn't mean you'll stay there! I was swept away -- I can't wait for the next installment

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Summary: A Unique and Classic Fantasy
Review: GRRM's newest novel, A GAME OF THRONES, is one of the best fantasies I've read in decades. Based firmly in the high-fantasy genre of Tolkien, it combines High Magic with SF elements, and gorgeous prose writing with strong characters and plot elements often overlooked in generic Fantasy writing. I loved and hated these characters, sometimes at the same moment! There are strong themes and echos of our our own history - specifically the War of the Roses - and fantastic creations that I think even CGA specialists would have a hard time envisioning for the screen. It's been almost a year since I was lucky enough to snag a copy of this book at the ABA, and I'm getting very impatient for book two, A CLASH OF KINGS. It is my understanding that his novellla taken from AGoT, THE BLOOD OF THE DRAGON, was a finalist for this year's Nebula award, and is also a finalist for this year's World Science Fiction Awwards (aka the Hugos) at this years Worldcon in San Antonio. His work is well worth any awards! The only reason I gave this book a nine is because I'm expecting a whole lot out of Books Two and Three. I'm wondering what's going to happen with Arya, and Tyrion, and if the Dothraki are headed their way. I'm yearning to go back to Winterfell and talk to the Ravens with Bran, and to the godswood, and find out what lays behind the Wall...

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Summary: A Great Fantasy Epic, Subtle and Full of Passion
Review: Mr. Martin has written a great book and a worthy beginning to what will be an epic fantasy series 'A Song of Ice and Fire'. The characters come alive, causing love(the Stark's) and hate(the Lannister's) of them for the reader. The authors heroes are heroic and the villains are vile. The political intrigue makes for great reading and adds depth to a genre that, in some cases, can quickly become trite and predictable. Mr Martin's use of third person perspective for each of his major characters coupled with plots, histories and folklore brings a believability to the story reminiscent of Edgar Rice Burroughs. The anticipated summer 97 release of the next book of the series "A Dance with Dragons" has this reader looking in all the right places

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Summary: Forget the Genre, read this book !
Review: If someone told me ahead of time that this was a "Fantasy" novel, I probably would not have bothered. But this book reads like what a King Arthur type novel at it's best would be. Every character is real, and whether they are good or bad, you can't stop caring about what will happen to them. PLEASE don't let this book be a one-hit wonder. If the rest of the books in the series are this good, we are in for the best reading pleasure anyone could hope for. A great, great nove

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Summary: Better than Lord of the Rings, and 3 more yet to come!
Review: If you liked Tolkein's Lord of the Rings, get set to enter a world even more engaging! George R. R. Martin has set us upon a journey following the House Stark of Winterfell and their quest of peace for their family in a land where it is denied them at every turn. I don't know when I've ever read a book as captivating as this one is. This is the first volume of four (the second, due in the summer of '97) and as much as I wish all were available right now, the time lag here will give me time to re-read A Game of Thrones another time or two before the second is released. If you like to get so wrapped up in a book that you can't wait to get back home to read some more, this is the one you need to get into. Every time you think you've figured out what the next turn of fate will bring the members of the Stark family, George Martin snatches the rug out from under you as you pour into the next chapter. This is the finest writing I've found in the last two decades!

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Summary: The sweep of historical fiction deftly mixed with fantasy.
Review: George RR Martin's first in a quartet of thrilling books, A Game of Thrones(Song of Ice and Fire), sweeps you headlong into his imaginary island kingdom where the children of the long summer must play out their destinies as the dark winter years approach. The children of the Ice--the Stark's --are introduced along with their bonded-for-life direwolves and their royal opposite--a princess of the fire who commands dragons. Each young Stark, whether knight, warrior monk, prisoner bride, escaped wild-child, crippled seer, or innocent toddler must confront a future filled with bone- chilling cold and the rise of the fire-dragon dynasty once more...not to mention the Others and Wildings who wait for prey just beyond The Wall. These are characters worth knowing and adventures worth having...my only problem is waiting for the sequel!! Bravo, George!!

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Summary: Excellent; top story; top characters
Review: This is among the best books I've read in recent times; both within and outside the genre. The characters are believable and multi-dimensional. The plot develops at a spanking pace with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I await the second volume with great anticipation. This is up there with Jordan's Wheel of Time series.

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Summary: The winter is coming .
Review: These are the words of the House Stark , Warden of the North where in the far reaches the Wall has been raised centuries ago . Beyond the Wall , unknown bone chilling waste of ice and snow where the Others silently roam and kill . Almost forgotten during the years of Summer , their numbers shrinking , the Black Brothers of the Night's Watch still walk the Wall and feel the storm building . In the 7 Kingdoms the King Robert now sits on the Iron Throne , surrounded by the conflicting ambitions of the court ,of the Knights and of the Queen from the House Lannister . His friend Ned Stark would like to stay in his beloved North but Robert needs him on the court so , unwilling , he comes . Across the sea , 2 children , last of the Targaryen Dragon Kings dream dark dreams of fire and revenge . They barely escaped as their family was butchered when Robert won the throne . You will be spell-bound by this reading . You will know hope and you will know sorrow . You will even love the direwolves and hate the men . Oh yes , the winter is coming !