Rating: 
Summary: Original and unexpected
Review: Let me start by saying that a fantasy story set in a land with a perpetual or very long winter has always appealed to me.
That was the first reason I bought this one. That said, the book exceeded my expectations. All too often great fantasy stories follow a set plot: Little boy or girl, gets chased around,pursued by the evil one, develops his/her magic power/fighting prowess, comes back kills the evil one and gets the girl/boy as the case may be.
This is not that kind of story. After completing the book, I am still not sure who the villain is. (Except for the evil queen) Or even if there is a villain. All the characters'actions follow their motives and personalities, in a coherent fashion. The plot twists and turns, and keeps you guessing. After a while you realize that you really do not know how it will end. The story just absorbs you.
There is lust, violence and subtle eroticism; incest, treason, nobility and heroism. All the ingredients are there for a great series, and Martin weaves the characters and their motivations in a complex tapestry that really moves the story along.
A word about technique, each chapter is written from the point of view of one of the characters, and the chapter is named after the character, which helps keep you oriented.
A useful appendix is present at the end, which would be very useful had I read it before the story. Alas I had only the PDA download, so I did not know it. Also, if you get the PDA download, the maps are so small as to be useless.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read
Review: Grabs a hold and pulls you in. Martin has created a world so vast and vivid that you completely immerse yourself. Characters are phenominal and a great read. Pick it up!
Rating:
Summary: Better than Wheel of time!!!!!
Review: A few facts why it is BETTER(when i say better,i mean MUCH,MUCH BETTER than the wheel of time series!!!!!!!)
1.The heroes are not crazy(i mean CRAAAAAAZZZZZZY)like Rand the insane , the so called hero of Wheel of time.
2.The heroes in this book are more likeable unlike the female characters of the WOT most of all Nyea....(i forgot how to spell her name)
3.George R.R Martin is more straight to the point unlike Robert Jordon who likes to make the book so DAAAAARN LONG!!!!!
4.At least the characters do not betray their friends like Mat of WOT!!!
5. The friendship in this series is strong n lasting, unlike Mat, Perrin and Rand, who aren't good friends.
6.I could go on and on and on and keep listing why this book is MUCH MUCH MUCH BETTER than the WOT series.
7.BOTTOMLINE,this book is DEFINITELY THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: This is for real!
Review: If you're looking at this, you've probably heard something about this series, and I just wanted to say that all the hype is for real. This is the BEST fantasy series to come along in decades. You will be taken for an unforgetable ride when you open this book. I'd say more, but there are already enough reviews to give you the idea. If you like this brand of fantasy, you'll love all the books in A Song of Ice and Fire.
Rating:
Summary: Must have addition to your library
Review: You will love the fact how Martin brings you into the minds of all the charectors. Its a brilliant work. I cant wait for book 4 to come out.I rarely spend the time writting reviews. I am short of words other than you will not regret owning this book. It will bring you much enjoyment. I totally agree with other people. He is much better than Tolkein.
Rating: 
Summary: Mother of Folly
Review: Never before have I read a fantasy book where so many of the main characters are such complete idiots. Case in point, Catelyn Stark. As the wife of Lord Eddard Stark and mother to Robert, Brandon, Rickon, Sansa and Arya Stark, you would think it would be some outsider who destroys her family, yet she is the principal instrument of their downfall. Lady Stark (Catelyn) convinces her husband (Eddard) to take the position of King's Hand against his better judgement. She then abandone her children Brandon and Rickon to pursue an act of vendetta. In the course of her pursuit of revenge, she kidnaps the son of the most powerful family in the seven kingdom, thus igniting a civil war. (Her family, the Starks are the wardens of the North; the Lannisters, are the wardens of the West.) She then undermines the chances of her family's success in the civil war by precipitious acts that ensure their downfall. The most pitious thing is that she makes her decisions with her heart, instead of thinking with her head. She continues to think that her actions will help her family, never considering the outcome of her previous acts. As such, I can only pity the character of Catelyn Stark and be thankful she was not my mother.
Rating:
Summary: Epic of Frozen Lands and Fiery People
Review: A bit jumpy at the beginning this book smooths out quickly and gives the reader the suspense and action that he/she craves. Unlike many authors, Martin does not fall so in love with his characters that they must become godlike in their abilities. If you have ever found yourself chearing for the bad guy in desperation (see The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, kill someone already!) or if you have ever been so sick of heros that never die and are basically perfect (see The Earth's Children by Jean Auel, throw a tantrum will ya!) then this is a series for you. The action is great and the plot keeps you guessing. In this book and series you will never be sure what will happen next. All of the characters are gritty and real. Best of all good and evil, young and old, guilty and innocent; they all have and equal chance of making mistakes and of dying. Martin proves that heros can be killed and yet the story goes on. At a time when many authors aspire to write epic journeys that we can fall in love with, Martin has found the secret that so many have missed. We loved Tolkien because his fantasy characters where so humanly fallible. Tolkien understood that there is no character good or evil so complete that you cannot love them or kill them. Martin takes you through an incredible journey of kingdoms and generations, killing off one and seamlessly replacing it with the next. In a world of long summers and longer winters the people are harsh and the land is cruel. The decisions are hard and final. No room for mistakes or sympathy. No man, woman, or child escapes the trials of a frozen world. Each decision leads closer to the brink. Every choice pits the demands of family, honor, and life at odds. No matter what something has to lose out to something else. The only question is which characters will make the right choices and which will bring down disaster on their world. Read this book and all of the ones that follow! You will not be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: A sword and sorcery book without sorcery. Excellent historical fiction with just a hint of magic. I've just strated the third book and a fourth is yet to come. Martin holds you hard with his palace intrigue, bloody battles and deceit masked by chivalry. Good stuff, highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Finally, post-modern fantasy
Review: I am not about to call this the best series ever. Too many people did that with Jordan's 'Wheel of Time,' and are embarrassed about it now. I will say that this is the most 'post-modern' work of the fantasy genre. Sci-Fi looked like it was running away with it (don't believe me? read Ursula Leguin's preface to 'The Left Hand of Darkness.'
Heroes that begin to take on mythic proportions are not guaranteed to make it to the end of the book. Villains that have every possible vice are not necessarily beyond redemption as the story goes on. Remind you of any large western hemisphere nation since the Kennedy assassination?
Martin scrupulously avoids 'deus ex machina' cheats to keep his plot-line going.
I'm witholding judgment on the entire series until it's completed, but I IMPLORE Martin not to follow the example of Robert Jordan. Finish this project soon, and then create another (pre-quels, fine; same world, different time period with new characters, fine), but don't bolt this one down to the " 'Rack' of Time."
Read it, enjoy it, and take a breath of fresh-air. This one is worth the time spent.
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: This book, while a little dull for the 1st few 100 pages, is amazing. I loved it. Better than any other Fantasy series out there.
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