Rating: 
Summary: Luscious High Fantasy
Review: I read all of the Song of Ice and Fire series before they were put into audio form and I was soooo excited to see that they were available in audio! The narrator Roy Dotrice does an astounding job, especially for such a massive work as A Song of Ice and Fire. He handles his characterizations steadily, he doesn't use ridiculous mincing voices for the female characters, and the more disgusting figures, ie Vargo Hoat, will make your skin crawl. The books are simply the best fantasy written in many many years. Incredibly rich and complicated storylines and character development. I love it that you never know who to trust. Martin will not let you get too comfortable with your favorite characters.
Rating:
Summary: Another thrilling tome
Review: To say "the plot thickens" doesn't do justice to this second volume of George R.R. Martin's massive fantasy epic. Everything explodes around the characters we were introduced to in "A Game of Thrones", and the whole landscape of the Seven Kingdoms (the fantasy land this series is set in) is thrust into chaos.Where "A Game of Thrones" set the roots for the enormous and interwoven conflict that takes place in "A Clash of Kings", this volume takes that conflict and drives it through so many twists and turns that, by the end, you can't imagine how the protagonists of the story are going to make it through. Every part of the plot is believable, as are the characters involved in them. And almost every part excites. Nevertheless, the flaws present in "A Game of Thrones" remain in "A Clash of Kings", albeit to a less exaggerated extent. Martin shifts to a completely different viewpoint with each and every chapter, and the shifts are jarring enough that it often makes you want to put down the book and take a break. And the pacing is, as before, slow. This makes reading the book a impressive undertaking in its own right, though the well-written prose and dialogue and the usually self-enclosed chapters help to ease this difficulty. And through all of this, the plot makes sense. It isn't hard to keep track of where everything stands. And in a work of this complexity, that shows remarkable skill on the part of the author. The world of "A Song of Ice and Fire" is compelling. Its characters are compelling. And even more so than in the first volume, "A Clash of Kings" has driving, powerful plot. It's a shame that this plot has to take place over six volumes of a thousand pages each, but it's well worth the reader's time and effort. Fantasy readers owe it to themselves to give "A Song of Ice and Fire" a look.
Rating: 
Summary: The descent into total war
Review: That's what this book is. After years of relative calm in Westeros, the entire continent explodes in turmoil. In the south, five kings fight for the Iron Throne, vengeance, and in some cases independence. In the north, wildlings have massed after a long time of nothing but raids, and there are hints of a more powerful, darker force stirring as well. A Clash of Kings, the second book in the series, is not quite as compelling as the original, as the characters are no longer fresh, and of the 3 books released so far, the action is rather forgettable. However, the introduction of characters like Davos is a treat, and minor ones such as Qhorin Halfhand are interesting. In all reality, A Clash of Kings is Martin's bridge from A Game of Thrones into everything the series has become. The next book's pace picks up tremendously, and shows no signs of abating. Not quite as satisfying, and certainly not a standalone book, but ACoK is still a worthwhile read, and will leave you thirsting for more.
Rating:
Summary: Be prepared for some late night reading!
Review: It just gets better and better. George RR Martin is easily the best epic fantasy writer since Tolkein. The series is long, complex and totally enthralling. Unlike too many other author's efforts, this epic nevers lets up. Just read Game of Thrones (Book 1 in the series) first. Then enjoy the action and surprises this book introduces. By the time you finish this book you'll be as addicted to this series as Martin's thousands of avid fans. Book three is even better and book four should be out this summer, so you'll still have lots to look forward to.
Rating:
Summary: Eh, pretty good
Review: This is certainly a well made book, the characters and the action are great. It all moves together quickly, never having the characters rest in one castle for too long. Thankfully it has expelled some of the brain damage caused by the Wheel of Time series (Jordan is a money grubbing banjo-hitter.) The problems; sometimes you want the Lannisters(generally more bad than good) to win, or you want the Starks (more good than bad) to win. ... Winter is coming.
Rating:
Summary: What a book!
Review: All I can say after reading the second book was "WOW!". The first one was fast-paced and entertaining. But the second really made me emotionally stirred. I felt more for the characters (My favorites being Arya Stark, Tyrion Lannister, and Jon Snow). Some parts made me mad, others made me happy, and the end made me cry tears of joy. This is not like any other still written fantasy series. I felt like I had to continue reading this to see what happened to characters who seem like real thinking people and not cutouts of typical fantasy characters. What Tolkien did with world-building, Martin does with his characters. I can't wait to start the third book!
Rating:
Summary: Almost sorry I started this series
Review: I started this series two months ago and I burned through the first three. I'm now waiting anxiously for the fourth, but there is almost a four year gap between 3 and 4. It is going to be extremely difficult to wait 8 years for the final installment if Martin keeps to that schedule. However, that aside, this was my first foray into fantasy novels after many disillusioned years away. I'm hooked again. There are very few books or authors that could keep me enthralled through 2100 pages, but Martin has done it. He's renewed my faith in Fantasy and proved that it can be much more than formulaic drivel.
Rating: 
Summary: Stumbling
Review: This is a great story with very interesting characters and a plot like no other fantasy novel I've read, but this is no masterpiece. How the story is being told will literally build you up to a climax and then just leave you there for a few chapters while it discusses some other characters. Sometimes these other characters add to the main plot but all too often you will find yourself wondering if they really added anything to the story or if they just tripped up the tempo. Since the chapters are dealing with different characters I often found myself half heartedly skimming through some of the chapters that are not actually affecting the outcome of the central plot I'm also confused why Robb gets so few (if any, not going to check now)chapters even Davos and Danerys (however you spell it) get more and their chapters could be omitted from the book with no great loss to the story. The story is great though and will drag you through the slow parts and it is definitely not your standard plotline. If it wasn't for the unnecessary chapters interfering with the main plot this book would definitely rate higher.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Epic Fantasy Series Out There!!
Review: This is the best epic serious fantasy series out there by far. Gets away from the cookie-cutter books of Brooks, Eddings and Goodkind, which are quick fun reads. Martin keeps your intrest unlike the endless Jordan Wheel of Time series, which I have temporarily given up on. This series is very original. And each book is better than the last. Lots of political intrique where the magic is very little at first, increasing as the books go on. Great characters and multi-storylines merging into one big showdown. Only problem is the series is not comlete. Only 3 of 6 are written, book 4 A Feast For Crows constantly being delayed. Mr. Martins website does update and has a sample Arya chapter from book 4. READ IT. In the meantime if you want a series that is complete and very good. I reccomend Memory Sorrw and Thorn trilogy by Tad Williams. Book one being The DragonBone Chair. Not quite on par with Martin. But very enjoyable none the less. Martin is gritty, graphic and realistic.Major characters do die! You will loathe villains in one chapter and be cheering for them in the next. I.E Tyrion and Jamie. Two of my favorites. Please read you will love!
Rating:
Summary: Historical fiction?
Review: All these books are great. Never read anything near so believable or real-worldy descriptive.. they are full of life, of eating & drinking & fighting & wenching.. I could easily be one of these sellswords or lords and that's what makes you get into a story, is its believability and identifiablity on the part of the reader. It is like Braveheart & LOTR mixed together. Characters act like real people in these books. They all (well most all) have a conscience, they have fears and hates and lusts just like you & I. On a whim (not much of a fiction reader) I borrowed the 1st from a coworker and quickly read thru the series, not realizing there have been yearlong or more waits between each of these books, so I am left sitting here like a fantastic movie has just quit playing before the finish, leaving me hanging & wanting more. C'mon, make with Book Four already, I'm dyin here. I'm not going to mention any overt spoilers about this book, but there are some elements that had me feeling deja vu until I realized these things in the story had occurred in real life. The seige of King's Landing is basically the real-world yearlong seige of Constantinople by Muslims in 717, from the great chain idea to the napalm-like wildfire (Greek fire historically) flung from missile engines (Martin's Three .....) in frangible clay pots. Swollen refugee population in King's Landing = swollen refugee population in Constantinople as people fled before the invasion. Religious fanatics under King Stannis = Religious fanatics under Maslama & other muslim caliphs. Both suffered heavy desertions in the battle, while starvation to the point of cannibalism is in there too. When you realize the similarities, what seemed like such great originality and creative strategic battle sequences turns out to just be lifted from the history books. This is not to discount Martin as all his characters, their interplay, their dialogue, all is from him and nothing is to be faulted. I actually enjoyed having to look up some of his olde words, it proves he does his research and only helps add to the realism and timeliness of the world he's created. The only recurring sidestory in all the books I personally didn't care a whole lot for was the Daenerys thread.. it was hard to care about her and believe her wise actions seeing as she was a meek 14yr old who suddenly, inexplicably started acting twice her age. Rereading the series I skipped past these passages. The immense forces of Dothraki horselords are basically Huns or Mongol hordes, living & dying on thier horses, eating horseflesh & drinking mare's milk, living a life of complete savagery and constant hardship. But just when you think the story is only a fictional Middle-Ages Earth with different names, all the true fantasy stuff comes in and makes it engrossing all over again. The things happing up North are awesome and I can't wait to see what happens in Book Four. Do yourself a favor and read this story. Long live Tyrion!
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