Rating: 
Summary: Fresh, but still a let-down
Review: George R.R. Marin is one of the finest and innovative authors to enter the sibling genres of science-fiction and fantasy in the last thirty years. As rumors of his return from televistion writing blossomed into rumors of an epic high-fantasy series I became extremely excited. If anyone, I thought, can revitalize this ailing genre it would be George R.R. Martin. Although this series has indeed turned out to be a fresh look at the genre, true revitalization is still far away.Martin does bring some adult sophistication to the genre. His characters are not one-dimensional, and are not "good" or "evil." Unfortunately, he has difficulty sustaining this. There are characters that we are supposed to like, and characters that we are supposed to dislike. To create this Martin has slumped to the classic high-fantasy trick of giving us "good guys" who "really care about the little people," whom we never really see, and are never cared about as a whole (e.g. "I'm not going to tax them as much this year), but only as individuals. The "bad guys" are all sharp-witted and care only about themselves, and somehow have managed to concoct far-fetched ideas of how to better their personal situation. Although, each character appears to be a unique and complex individual at the beginning, by the half-way point they have become formulaic. Every character has only one way of speaking, and only one topic to talk about, and it becomes tiresome and boring quickly. These critical comments should, however, be put into perspective. While Martin's series cannot stand out among good literature, it definitely can -- and does -- stand out among good high-fantasy literature. So, if you have not yet become disillusioned about the genre, you may find this new series worth your time. I still think, though, that you will find it difficult to make it all the way through the six proposed volumes before becoming tired of the series -- and the genre.
Rating: 
Summary: High quality fantasy!
Review: Tired of the same old genre, try GRRM. Well written, action-packed, twists and turns.
Rating:
Summary: Hands down; best book I've read in quite some time
Review: First of all, I have read many fantasy books over the years. I almost stopped reading fantasy when book 8 of Jordan's series came out. But then a friend showed me this book by an author i've never heard of. As it turns out it was Martin, and boy was it good! I dunno how many times ive reread this masterpiece... I couldnt just leave it in the book shelf. When i saw it there I had the urge to pick it up again, and again, and again... It was that good. This is the only fantasy novel ive read that focuses not only on one character but almost everyone in the book. This way i was able to understand the different points of view of everyone instead of just a single character. The plot was vivid and kept me captivated the whole time. I couldnt seem to put it down! Also, this book doesnt focus too much on magic and sorcery, and for that i am very thankful. I've had enough of Jordan's One Power and Goodkind's Han... it gets too tedious to read. Magic is boring to me. Finally, I recommend you buy this book. Not for the kids, but superb nonetheless. Good work Martin.
Rating:
Summary: READ THIS BOOK!
Review: This entire series rocks! It shocks, electrifies, thrills and leaves you wanting more. Seeing is believing.
Rating:
Summary: Absoluty fantastic
Review: This is one of the best Fantasy novels I have ever read. There are so many good...no great things about this book that it would be impossible to relay them here with out giving away this wonderful story. George R.R. Martin is a master storyteller. From the first page of this book you get sucked in and feel like a part of the rich, detailed world that GRRM has created. I guarantee that you will not be sorry if you pick this book up. GRRM has a suburb way of telling his story with out falling into familiar clichés that you see in Fantasy. The characters are totally 3 dimensional. The have their good sides and their dark sides. Which is so refreshing. It's nice to have characters that have real qualities about them instead of being either so good it makes you want to puke or so evil that it's just not even believable. And another great thing about GRRM's style, no body is safe. And I mean no body. Some characters that you are certain will be alive to the end of the book.....think again. Every body is at risk, and you never know who's going to get it next. I love it. If you are a true fan of Fantasy, you will love this book, and the series that follows, "A Song of Fire & Ice". I am anxiously awaiting the 4th installment, "A Feast for Crows".
Rating:
Summary: Superb book with its low points
Review: This book started out perfectly, and it continued that trend throughout most of the book. It was exceptional in most every category, excluding the ending. I thought the ending had a lot to be desired, personally, but the beginning of the book was worth the reading. Martin is descriptive, metaphorical, and downright brilliant. I recommend this book highly to anyone that likes fantasy. I'd say this series is second only to Tolkien, and perhaps one other series. Highly recommended--clever novel, excellent read.
Rating:
Summary: A good read, but horrible ending...
Review: A good read, but horrible ending... The Fire and Ice series as a good fantasy epic. Interesting world building and characters that you love and some that you hate. Always interesting when most of the "good guys" die. All in all, these were bigs books with plenty of originality to keep a epic fantasy lover happy, but... The series just ends after the third book with no resolution! At lease with the wheel of time we get a new book every few years. I don't know if Martin plans on finishing this series, but if he doesn't, well get ready to be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Where's the magic?
Review: The first book in George Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire is a true example of "political fantasy", much like the Daughter of the Empire trilogy.
While this book begins quite dull, the plot turns in many surprising ways. Martin is not afraid of using very, let's say, unconventional grips to make the story advance. The plot is nevertheless, or perhaps because of that, more plausible than the mentioned trilogy.
The only thing that can be held against this collosal epic is the lack of magic and other elements of fantasy. Most of the time it feels like medival-story with a new map, save from a few direwolves. Only at the end does a few things show up, but Martin does not integrate them as well as Robert Jordan.
Rating:
Summary: Game of Thrones
Review: ... We now have a book with an author that know exactly what he wants to do in his story, and knows exactly how he is going to get there. And I love that in this series there is no clear boundary between good and evil(a few exceptions). For instance, a bad guy like The Hound, or Bronn the sellsword, can actually become likeable characters later on. The story focuses on two families, The Starks(likeable) the Lannisters(spoiled rich little punks) and the tidings of war. These families better get their acts together or their they will lose more than their honor when the Others cross the wall.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Fantastical
Review: One day I stumbled upon A GAME OF THRONES while browsing through the library. I am forever grateful. George R.R. Martin has written an epic masterpiece that is intelligent, gripping, and reflective of the very best qualities of fiction (not just fantasy). A GAME OF THRONES is a sweeping tale of the continent of Westeros, a land torn asunder by political intrigues. In King's Landing, capitol of the Seven Kingdoms, the mysterious death of the King's Hand sets into motion power plays and political games. Eddard Stark, a northern lord as hard as winter, is chosen by King Robert Baratheon as the new King's Hand. Stark is drawn into a game for which he has no taste, forced to leave his children and wife, yet duty-bound to discover the causes for the death of his friend Jon Arryn, the old King's Hand. But Stark finds that honor has no place in King's Landing, where the truth is a matter of deadly danger. A GAME OF THRONES, through the use of multiple perspectives and masterful writing, is a powerful and unforgettable story about the shattered Seven Kingdoms. Pure good and pure evil holds no place in Martin's writing. We come to know every person as an individual, each with unique ambitions and dreams. Their reactions are realistic and human. Our ideas of an event are twisted and turned as we see it through the eyes of different characters, each of which have remained in my memory long after I have turned the last page. I highly recommend A GAME OF THRONES, and moreover the entire "A Song of Ice and Fire" series to anyone who is patient and enjoys reading. I promise that if you have these two qualities, you will not be disappointed.
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