Rating: 
Summary: An eye opener
Review: I thought The Wheel of Time was sophisticated Fantasy. Then I read this book. It took me a while to get accustomed to the style but this sets a new standard for realism and analysis. An interesting world of ruthless killers and honor under assault.
Rating:
Summary: At last an Epic worthy of the name
Review: Having toiled through countless unimaginative imitators of Tolkein, I had despaired of ever reading heroic fantasy again, that might capture some breath of the heroic, or of the fantastic. George R.R. Martin does so, and he does so wonderfully. Each character is masterfully wrought, so that even unsympathetic villains are sympathetically portrayed: their follies and virtues are just like life. The supernatural elements in the early part of the tale are few, as they should be, but eerie, as they should be: the grandeur of the icy Wall that stretches across the dark wilderness of the North, beyond which inhuman Others, ice-bears, brigands, savage wolves, and unclean spirits dwell is not easily forgotten. But even in lesser scenes, where, for example, Jon Snow, the bastard son of Lord Stark, finds the orphaned pups of dire wolves, are richly redolent of myth. The reward of mercy is that the great wolves act, more than once, as protectors of the children who raised them.
Having toiled also through tales pretending to tell of court intrigue and do not, I rejoice that George R.R. Martin does for true what other books only play at. The intrigue here is knotted as a labyrinth, done as it should be, with real stakes in the wager, and real blood shed.
I have toiled also through tales pretending to be set in the ancient world, or in fairyland, and finding the inhabitance of those fair and far and mythic places no different (and no more interesting) than Southern Californians, complete with modern concerns, cant, and slogans: feminists in fairyland, democrats in the dark ages. Say what you will, but bastards and cripples were not treated kindly in the ruder ages of the world, and it refreshing to see a portrayal of the cruel days when men lived by swordplay not prettified by modern pieties.
I am a lawyer by trade, so when a medieval Lord, when declaring a knight traitor, "attaints" his blood, I know then that the author has done his homework, and knows something of the period in which he sets his tale.
Vividly drawn, intricate, and compelling are all words too weak to praise this book properly. All I can say, after so many dreadful "epics", is that at last here is one worthy of the name: at last! At last! At last!
Rating:
Summary: Martin is the real deal.
Review: This book has reaffirmed my faith in new fantasy. After subjecting myself to the garbage that Goodkind is cranking out (only for 2 1/2 books, though), Martin's stuff is like water in a desert.This book has it all: realistic battles, fully developed characters, multiple point-of-view, crazy surprises, flawed heroes, despicable villians, and an ever-changing battle for the throne that will keep you glued to the pages. It's great to read fantasy that wasn't written for thirteen year-old gamers. This book holds up against any new fiction being written today. Comparing it to other "fantasy" series isn't even a contest. One word of warning: If you're used to books where the "hero" overcomes all odds again and again, you're in for some surprises here. Martin's world is crueller by far than most others and, at least in the short-term, good does not always triumph over evil. Some of the surprises in the series will shock you.
Rating:
Summary: just brilliant
Review: I received the Song of Ice and Fire series as a gift. I love fantasy books and it is main type I read, but at first glance I wasn't really interested in reading A Game of Thrones. In my spare time I needed a book to read so I just thought, "what the hell, I'll read the first couple of chapters to see how I like it". To my surprise, I didn't put the series down until I completed all three books, and the books became several of my favorites. The characters are all unique and all equally interesting. The twists and turns made it unpredictable and kept me captivated. I can hardly wait for A Feast for Crows.
Rating:
Summary: A Game of Thrones
Review: While I was waiting for the lastest installment of The Wheel of Time, I was reading some reviews for Robert Jordan's series here on Amazon and I couldn't help but notice how many people were recommending the series A Song of Fire and Ice by George R. R. Martin. So I got A GAME OF THRONES. And was hooked. I probably don't read as much fantasy as the average person writing reviews here, but I would have to say that this is probably the most "realistic" fantasy series that I've ever come across. The characters are just so...real. Yeah, Ned Stark is an extraordinarily good man, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't make mistakes, as Jon's existence proves. Cersei Lannister is introduced as an antagonist, but is she evil? She loves her children and their welfare is one of her paramount concerns. Most of her actions can be traced back to that simple premise, and how does that make her different from a typical mother? And Martin has no problem killing off important characters at anytime, which leads to a definite air of unpredictability. The plot and the setting is also handled expertly by Martin; its reminiscent of medieval Europe. The magic is tastefully done. The best part is that (in this first book at least) its very subtle. Martin doesn't throw it in your face. At times the reader may even wonder if magic truly exists in this world, and you get the idea that many of the characters harbor similar thoughts. In fact at the end of this book, when a very clear showcase of magic is presented, you may wonder if it is "really" happening or if somehow it may be revealed to be something else entirely. The very best part is that Martin seems to have a clear destination in mind. While we may not know exactly where he's going, he does.
Rating:
Summary: Martin is the undisputed King of Fantasy
Review: Everything you've ever heard about Martin is true. He's crafted, hands down, the best modern fantasy series ever. There's really no one even close. He is the heir apparent to Tolkien, and surpassing him in my opinion. There are not words enough to describe how much Martin has completely redefined everything that exists about Fantasy and in fact Fiction, period. Read the rave reviews, read all the critical acclaim from critics who are as blown away as the fans are. There are reviews here that can explain things better than I, I simply needed to add another rave for this incredible work of art know as A Song of Ice and Fire. What's great about the series? Wow, what's not. Martin has by far the best characters, best plot, best dialogue. Above all, his ablilty to be incredibly unpredicable and original is his greatest strength. You will NEVER know where he's going. He NEVER does what you expect. He follows no rules. The good guys don't win, the bad guys usually do. Your favorite characters, and I'm talking MAIN characters will die, with their murderers never being brought to justice. He portrays a frustrating, yet realistic brilliance that will drive you mad, yet at the same time totally consume you. This series is very adult, and very dark... and I mean dark. The suffering and violence and injustice and sadness that takes place in this book is truely heart wrenching. The pure emotional intensity pushes your very threshold of what you can possibly endure as a reader. No other fanasy book will envoke the emotions you will feel during the course of this masterwork of a series. As a word of caution, this series is also extremely graphic sexually and language wise, but not to the point of being gratuitous. It's just a realistic portrayal, and it's not always pretty or fair. More often than not it isn't. This book, A game of Thrones is where it all begins. All of his books so far have a different feel and different driving theme, yet are still very connected obviously. This one is sort of a "mystery" book, as the main plot really revolves around solving a political murder. Let me descibe one thing about Martin's writing style that makes it interesting. Every chapter is told through the point of view of one his chosen "point of view characters". For instance in this book there are something like 15. Each chapter will say "Jon" at the beginning, or "Daenarys", or "Tyrion". What this does is allow you to see an event through one person's eyes, form your opinions and judgements, then see things through the other person's eyes in the next chapter and totally crush the opionins and judgments you just formed. Really brilliant stuff. You'll never know who is the good guy and who is the bad.. because they don't really exist. Everyone is flawed. One of the hooks is Martin adds and subtracts POV (point of view) characters each book. It's always exiciting to know who you're going to have the opportunity to look into their core being and see their actual feelings and motivations. This book isn't just reccommended, it's required reading. Don't even think, just buy it. I can only congratulate you at the same time as apologize. You will feel the joy, laughter, and horric agony of the 7 Kingdoms. You'll want to write a raving review just like everyone else. I apologize because you will have to wait in agony like other readers as we wait for Martin to write the next installment. He's almost done with book 4 of this 6 book series. It has taken him over 3 years to write book 4. Waiting 3 years+ for the next installment really is torture, which is why I can only offer my apologies in that regard. The time it takes to write his books gives you an idea of the depth and complexity.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much, Too Fast
Review: I did not love A Game of Thrones, but by the time it ended, I felt like I needed to find out what more happened...So, I picked up the next book, and now I'm HOOKED! HOw many books are going to be in this series? I can't have another Wheel of TIme on my hands. I hope it gets wrapped up, so I don't have to wonder for the rest of my life how it ends or wait for a new book every two or three years...
Rating:
Summary: An excellent read
Review: I've just been rereading A Game of Thrones, partly as an antidote to having read Crossroads of Twilight. This reading has confirmed to me the excellence of the book. Things that I really like about it are: The realism of the medieval setting. The low amount of magic denies the characters easy outs from difficult situations, The wide variety of characters. All of them flawed in their different ways, each has their noble characteristics. Each character has a reasonably distinctive voice when the story is told from their point of view. Some of the characters are rather unsympathetic, but they all behave in line with their character. The unpredictability of the story. No character is safe. It is not clear who are the long term heroes. I have to say that the first time I read it I assumed for a long time that Eddard Stark was the hero. The pace of events. Some reviewers on these pages reckon nothing happens, but characters change, die, treachery and betrayal, wars start, alliances shift. Many issues get resolved (unlike CoT for example). I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the Read
Review: Although there are reviews apon reviews for this fascinating novel. I feel compelled to put in my two cents. This novel was long, no doubt. People wrote how they couldn't put it down; I did not find that true. I felt I HAD to put it down, but I also felt that I HAD to pick it up. I read a 800 page book in less than a week, so it did draw my attention, but I did not find it a page-turner. Nevertheless the characters are extremely real and interesting. The way in which the novel is written (with different chapters in a different person's point of view) gives one a thorough understanding of what is happening and adds suspense. How is it all going to tie together? The only problem with the different chapters is that if you don't like some of the characters you really don't want their story to interrupt the interesting stuff. The plot is fantastic, the world breathtaking and the adventure definitely WORTH THE READ!
Rating:
Summary: Bold and Sweeping, Characters are Alive!
Review: Not often these days does one find a series that jumps out in living, breathing characterization. The players in this epic are believable, the dialog staggering in its realism. Martin has grasped the concept of point and counterpoint between characters so well that I was convinced right away. Martin seems to have actually LIVED these dozens of lives himself. A must read for fantasy fans.
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