Rating: 
Summary: Truly Ice and Fire
Review: Strongly reccomended for any fan of the sci-fi/fantasy genre, and leaps and bounds ahead of the norm. In this, the first novel of "A Song of Ice and Fire", he first introduces the Starks and Lannisters, and sets in motion the events that will radically alter the face of a kingdom, destroying and renewing the lives of the participants.Bold in its style, Martin is not afraid to develop his characters, and unlike many fantasy authors, he's equally unafraid of having them meet a violent end. This adds a definite realness to his writing that many contemporary fantasy series lack. His honest writing style actually pulls you into the conflict, and you can almost see yourself in the midst of a battlefield, holding your breath for what might happen next. Although a relatively new author, I believe that George R.R. Martin is destined to leave his mark upon this genre, and I predict that in time, this series will take it's place next to "The Wheel of Time" and (well, slightly below) "The Lord of the Rings" as pillars of fantasy literature.
Rating:
Summary: Such a good series
Review: I just loved this book so much, as soon as I finished it I went out and bought the next one in the series (and then the third, but still waiting on the fourth to be published.) Well written and interesting characters. I've read other fantasy fiction series such as Wheel of Time and several David Eddings series but this one is SO much better. Often compared to Lord of the Rings because of the well described adventure and epic story. My 13 year old son likes the books too!
Rating:
Summary: Great writing
Review: I would actually give this book 4.5 stars but rounded up. The writing is wonderful. I've rarely seen as well developed and thought out characters in any literature, let alone fantasy. His style of writing is phenomenal and doesn't bore you to death with descriptions like Jordan or meaningless hundreds of pages. Every chapter has action and a climax. Every word is meaningful. The only knock I have is lack of fantasy elements. No magic and very few fantasy/mythical creatures for an 800 page novel. This book is more a medieval mystery/intrigue. Every character has his own UNIQUE personality and even a different way to think. The bad guys aren't cliche black and white. The action continues with every chapter. What more can I say other than this is not just fantasy drivel but serious literary text.
Rating: 
Summary: Far Too Long
Review: Martin's writing is excellent, as are his characters. But I just can't get into a book with all the padding a lengthy series requires. Some people just eat it up, though. So, if really long series are your thing, then this is probably right up your alley. But if you prefer book size books, then there's nothing here with enough originality to really suck you in.
Rating:
Summary: Possibly the best of Fantasy in the last 20 years
Review: I spent quite a while staring at the blank screen in front of me to come up with a fitting description of A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin. Should I compare it to the classic Lord of the Rings for its impressively epic scope? Would it be best to focus on the honest, often painful humanity of the many characters - so rare in a fantasy novel - that personalizes each point of view? Perhaps I could impress other customers here with the sheer brilliance of a plot that weaves so many seemingly disparate stories together to form a believable alternate universe in which not only politics, intrigue, war, adventure and romance can coexist plausibly, but magic as well. How could I do such a work justice? I might as well get this part out of the way first. Obligatory Synopsis: in a fantasy continent that bears a familiarity to Middle Ages England, Winter is coming. Winter in this world means a sort of mini ice age that will last for seven years before receding. In the always-frosty Northern area, the races of nonhuman beings are gathering to advance with the snows; there are hints that there is an ancient, evil power behind their forces. At the same time in the South, political infighting for the Throne has begun. Overseas, the daughter of the dispossessed former King is maneuvering forces of her own for a bid for the throne. All this is told through the various stories of both "good guys" and not-so-good guys. For starters, AGOT can't be accurately compared to any other book or series in the Fantasy genre (not without insulting it). The nearest thing of its type is the laborious Wheel of Time series by Jordan - see what I mean? And yet this first in the Song of Ice and Fire series is fathoms above that aimless, droning style. Martin has perfected what Jordan had arguably introduced; the multiple characters' points of view telling the vast saga on an intimate, up-close scale. Never did I feel that I was being strung along, but rather lead by increments toward an incredible revelation somewhere up ahead. Martin builds the suspense masterfully in each book. But by far the most striking thing about the Song of Ice and Fire is the "rules" that the author breaks. Martin is not afraid to tell the tale from the point of view of some very unlikable, even immoral characters. He is bold about revealing facts from a character's past that challenge one's impressions and assumptions about their ethics. He does not lay all his cards on the table up front, but rather unexpectedly reveals details that later change the whole picture and twist the plot admirably. And his most unusual move: this author even allows "favorites" to die occasionally (no names here...)! These risks pay off well to serve the story as a whole, bring a sense of true humanity to the people of this world and drive the reader on to the next series installment. It's just too bad that I can't magically transplant my sense of admiration for AGOT onto this page. Hopefully, you are intrigued enough to give it a try; it would be a shame to miss what IMHO could be the best series of the decade.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle
Rating:
Summary: Worth the time to read it!
Review: This is a thick book, but it was not filled with unnecessary parts. What I loved about it is that unlike some authors, Martin knows how to keep you from predicting what's going to happen next, and he doesn't bore you with descriptions for every little thing. He makes the characters seem real and you can identify with some but a warning should be made: You'll feel terrified for the characters themselves because there is constant danger and something "convenient" doesn't always come to rescue them. Martin is really ahead of the game in this genre.
Rating:
Summary: Being different, ace.
Review: Quite frankly I don't understand how people could not like this book. The mind boggles. Too truly enjoy this book yes you need to be patient. But it's worth it. It's completely worth it.
I received this book as a Christmas gift last year. It took me six months to finally get around and read it as I had to expend every other source of the printed word I owned. I was very dubious. After finishing this book, I was incredibly thankful that I had also been given the second. Which I began to devour. Too many people seem to want to fall into standard fantasy patterns, especially when regarding this book. Because quite frankly there aren't "good guys" and after getting to know the "bad guys" you realize that they're not so bad after all. Now that's good writing. The theme of people saying this book or series "drags" seem to thoroughly enjoy Jordan's Wheel of Tedium...I mean Time. Wheel of Time. Well allow me to say that more relevant plot points occurs in the course of one Song of Ice and Fire book than does in three of Jordan's book. Not to give anything away, but more than once in this book I was absolutely shocked at the unfolding of events. This book is a trek, to the top of a mountain. It takes time, but the sights you see on the way their and the view from the top, make it all worth while.
Rating: 
Summary: Well-written, but where's the epic storyline?
Review: The book is very well-written in an engrossing style, but it does not present an epic storyline that really connects it with the rest of the books. It is still too early to tell,(the series isn't through). For the most part is simply a bunch of different characters (some die off) going through individual stories with very little interaction with each others storylines.
In Lord of the Rings there was always the story, in Dune there was always the story behind all the writing. In this there does seem to be anything so far, but hints of a possible story. And to me that is not really worthwhile to me to even try to read a multi-book series that might possibly have a story behind it. I found this book very boring because I felt like I was reading a soap-opera (a well-written one) more than a fantasy story. Some reviewers suggest that the story is about a battle for the Iron throne between competing factions or a murder mystery. That's nice, but when you don't make it clear who the real main character is (and by that I mean that if you kill off a character midway in the series than they are clearly not the main character)than it makes this struggle for the throne or solving the mystery less worthwhile.
This book itself concerns several characters and there individual storylines. And though the characters are well-drawn, there is no main storyline (so far) that really binds their storylines together except in very indirect ways. It is as some reviewers put it, exactly like a soap-opera for the fantasy genre. A well-built world full of characters with no story. (Atleast that's been presented yet). If you like soap-operas you'll love this book, if you read an epic fantasy novel for both a world and a story than this may not be the book for you. I personally am going to wait until the series is over before I read any more of these books, and if at the end he does reveal a main storyline binding all these otherwise pointless details and storylines than I may change my tune about this book and the series itself.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!!!
Review: This is probably the best fantasy work I've read after Tolkien. It's a real page-turner, whose enchanting setting, rich characters and complex plot structures construct a powerful and intense reading you just can't put away until you've read every single word of it. Martin creates a world utterly believable with characters so complex and yet so understandable, so the audience can easily relate to them. The unusual structure the author has chosen only enhances the complexity and increases the appeal of the book. With each chapter being told from a different point of view, the reader is given an opportunity to explore the main characters and reach into their deepest feelings, thoughts, desires, the goals they have and the decisions they make. The imaginary world is masterfully developed, with magic and magical creatures being alloted just the right amount of space to keep the flame of anxiety burning. Yet, it is the characters and their actions that account for most of the suspence in this book. In an complex blend of mystery, plots and counterplots, passions and cruelty, honor and betrayal, battles and intrugues, the fates of three noble families are intricately interwooven and the prospects are utterly bleak. A deeply compelling and extremely readable work, _A Game of Thrones_ will most likely leave you confused, perhaps because it doens't have the convenitonal ending. In fact, it doesn't seem to have an ending at all, only an open epic struggle against everythung and everybody. I can't promise you'll like this book; what I can promise, though, is that it'll leave you with an avalanche of powerful emotions. You can love, hate, cry or reason with the characters, be devastated, disappointed and secretly gloat, but one thing is sure: you will not be left indifferent. I will definitely, definitely read the sequels. Great work!
Rating:
Summary: A Constant Thrill Ride That Only Gets Better
Review: Each page brings something new and unexpected. Unlike the L.O.T.R. you can't predict what is going to happen next. Each charater had more depth and personallity to them than most fantasy characters have. I was anxious and annoyed at myself for reading to slow because wait to see what happen next. I haven't even finished reading it yet and already can't wait to read A Clash of Kings...
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