Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Beginning
Review: I got off to a slow start with this book, but then I am used to the epics by Terry Goodkind or Robert Jordan. I trudged through this book, and started to realy enjoy myself after about 100 pages. This author is extremely thurough in approaching a political conflict between powerful families, and just as insightful when writing the conflicting emotions every person feels when faced with decisions that can have a life and realm altering affect. The next book in this series get even better... and this is one author out of all that I have read that truley understands the concept of a series. The first book, setting the scene, the second pulling you into the story, and choosing side ... the the third almost peaking to the climax of the story. Almost like a good song. If you are a fan of epic fantsy, then Martin is a 'must buy'
Rating: 
Summary: This one will keep you up nights
Review: Like everyone else, this is undoubtedly one of the best fantasy series--SO FAR--I have ever read. Many people are comparing Mr. Martin to Mr. Jordan. This story is comparable to Mr. Jordan only in the epic nature and size (read number of pages) of the fantasy presented here. I really enjoy a well told story and Mr. Jordan does that very well. Unfortunately, he is not, what I would call, a good writer. A good writer is someone that can craft a sentence to say precisely what it should with no more or less than is needed to convey a mental picture, to advance plot or provide characterization. Mr. Martin on the other hand is a great writer. He provides exactly the right amount of detail, wit and characterization to convey exactly what the reader needs. Add to that the ability to tell a story that grabs you and doesn't let go and you have a book that is rare in the fantasy genre.
Now, I will not summarize the plot or give spoilers but I will say that the books so far are VERY fantasy light. What I mean is there is little in the way of overt magical use and/or supernatural occurances. It is also important to note that SO FAR, the books are completely unpredictable. This is not to say the plot-twists are overdone, inconsistent or unbelievable. Actually, they fit in extremely well. It is simply that so few authors can develop a plot this sophisticated and characters so distinct that it is different from the vast majority of books out there. Finally, at least SO FAR, don't expect the old, tired good v. evil confrontation. All the characters have shades of grey. Some you will like and some you will hate but there are good and bad qualities in each character which makes them that much more alive and believable. I hope you pick up the series and I hope Mr. Martin can continue the level of quality set forth to date. Enjoy the read.
Rating:
Summary: A work of stunning beauty
Review: I'm an avid reader of fantasy, but this series surpasses everything I've read before. Many readers have compared this series to Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" or Robert Jordon's "Wheel of Time" series, but "A Song of Ice and Fire" is far better than Jordon's work and of a totally different narrative style from Tolkien. The prologue of "A Game of Thrones" sets up the important conflict of the story, then the first chapter of the book (Bran's chapter) builds a fascinating world at a fast pace. The action is well-paced and character development is so good that I found myself in tears or laughing out loud or stunned into silence. These people are a mix of good and bad, though the line between the two is not always clear. This book is not for the faint-hearted, however, and not for children. There are graphic depictions of war and violence, but these do not detract from the beauty of the book. Every chapter starts with a different point of view but this does not cause the plot to seem fragmented. Rather, it advances the story much faster if you understand where Martin's plot is headed. Just keep in mind the events of the first chapter and it's not hard to see where everything is going, though the journey in between is fascinating, surprising, always keeps me guessing! The only bad thing about the book is getting to the end and having to wait for the next one to be published.
Rating:
Summary: A great fantasy novel for non-fans
Review: I typically do not like fantasy/science fiction novels, but I really enjoyed this one! The characters are fascinating, and you must...keep...reading in order to find out what happens. The only frustrating thing is getting to the end and finding out you have to read the next one to get some satisfaction. The first 50 pages are somewhat male-oriented, but stick with it and you'll be glad you did.
Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece!
Review: This was a book I borrowed from my boyfriends large collection of fantasy novels. I was worried that it would have a male dominated theme, but boy was I wrong...this book is excellent! His writting style is wonderful and his characters are very real. I would never hesitate to recommend this book to anyone. There are wonderful (and tragic) twists to the plot and all the characters are nearly equally good and evil, and that makes it so believable. The story is so gripping that I have trouble putting it down to eat. The only bad thing about this book is that book 3 is STILL only in hardcover and I heard 2004 for book 4...I don't know if I can wait.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: My favorite fantasy series. Martin writes his characters so well that you can't help but love them, good or bad.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST HAVE FOR FANTASY READERS
Review: This is a great first book of a wonderful series still in progress. George RR Martin displays talent and inventiveness in this fantasy masterpiece. It is at the same level of writing as favored fantasy writers such as Robert Jordan. One interesting characteristic of the A Song of Ice and Fire series is the focus and importance of religion in the books. Whereas other books have one monotonous religion, Game of Thrones, and further books in the series, utilize the importance of beliefs and religions which adds a sense of intrigue and mystery to the story. The versatility of Martin's writing and the twists thrown in fit perfectly and will addict you from the start. It is well worth it to purchase this book and all others in the series. Each is a great read that will have you craving the next.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Stunning!
Review: There are some other nice reviews written above, but I wanted to add a few words. This series is definitely the best series I've read in the 17 years I've been reading fantasy. Martin has bumped Jordan as my favorite. Super story! Books 2 and 3 get better and better...
Rating:
Summary: Superb writing for any genre
Review: For once a fantastic plot doesn't overshadow because of the fantastic writing. A blend of technique, artistry and old fashioned story telling come together to a wonderfully written book with a plot that is solid and complex. This book can stand up to book in any genre, which can't be said many times with fantasy.
Rating:
Summary: A great read well worth it....
Review: A Game of Thrones is the first piece of what definitely will amount to one of the greatest fantasies of all time. Now, when you read that kind of statement you assume that it's just some crazy fan plugging his author, and I wonder because every review I've seen has been similar. However, every reviewer is listing the same reasons why they love it so much, and most of them concur with my own. So my conclusion is that I am actually on to something here, and this really is one of the greatest series' of all time. Game is the tale of the Stark family being hurled from seclusion in their northern realm into the midst of the torrential polital storm that is King's Landing. Against his will Ned Stark must play the game of thrones, and the opponents aren't playing for fun. While all this scheming and counterplotting is going on, a great enemy is preparing to descend upon the land of Westeros. Filled with intesely deep characters, swirling plots and masterful realism and color, A Game of Thrones is in position to claim the fantasy throne.
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