Rating: 
Summary: I knew I would like this, but didn't guess how much
Review: This may be a tale of grey skies, windswept castles that have seen better days, undeserved tragedy, and frequent violence, but those darker qualities are balanced by a lightning quick pace, likable traits in many of the characters (though precious few characters are all good or all bad), and even some humor. I started this series to kill time while waiting for the next "Wheel of Time" book by Robert Jordan, and was surprised by not only its quality, but its complete lack of "slow" parts (a facet of Jordan's writing one has to get used to). Also, though there's not a lot of "fantasy" per se in this first volume, wait 'til you see the final scene! On those last couple of pages, Martin certainly delivers a memorable scene of drama and enchantment to whet your appetite for volume two. Which I'm just about to start.
Rating: 
Summary: Those devilish details
Review: Martin himself quotes that "the devil is in the details", and he was not wrong for "A Game of Thrones" has devils aplenty. One of the main reasons I picked this book up was because it is dialogue driven. I later came to realise that each chapter, in fact, revolves around one of the many central characters to the book. The plot evolves from the point of view of each character, and the reader gets a nice, solid, all-round overview of what's going on.If only it were that easy. The plot, in fact, becomes almost over-developed, with so many little twists and turns, backing up on itself with the unexpected, that it almost leads to nowhere and leaves the reader insanely frustrated, reminding me distinctly of the Wheel of Time series. Is this yet another marketing ploy, where readers are held in jest, never getting anywhere, and forced to buy more and more books? I hope not. The details in this book are quite phenomenal, and vastly beyond my capacity. There are more "sers" and "houses" than I have cousins in real life - and if I can't even remember who all my cousins are, how on earth will I keep track of all the characters in this book? What holds the book together, thankfully, is the focus and development of a number of key characters that are particularly appealing, mostly the members of the Stark family, and let's not forget the parallel story of Dany, who's in another world entirely (for which we, sadly, have no map). Her world is stranger still, but there is a fate yet, for this blood-of-the-dragon girl. The first book focuses mostly on setting a background for following books, along with an entire history for the older characters. There is little magic, a lot of fighting and cruelty and killing, but also some love making which helps alleviate some of the darker tones of the plot. You know that the children of Stark will be important in all this, but after all, they are still just children, and limited by adults and their plots. The personalities are more than just a little appealing, and Martin seems to get the characters exactly right, with flaws and human limitations and all. For those that have a stomach for (physically) heavy books and the patience to read them and their details, I would strongly recommend this book. A Game of Thrones is a pleasure to read and a true fantasy masterpiece, right up there with the best of them. Why only 4 stars - well, I just wish Martin had held off on some of those devilish details and created a somewhat more angelic book to read.
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Rating:
Summary: Simply Fantastic!
Review: This is one of the best fantasy book series I have ever read! The story takes place in the imaginery (yet beautifully crafted) kingdom of Westeros, a world filled with battling knights, bloody wars, scheming lords, and strange mystical powers. Fifteen years have passed since King Robert Baratheon rebelled against the Targaryen Dynasty and took the Iron Throne. The story starts out peacefully, but chaos is stirring in the Seven Kingdoms. King Robert's loyal right hand suddenly dies of an unknown cause, and Lord Stark, Robert's childhood intimate and confident, journeys south to investigate the murder. As the plot thickens, so does Stark's perspective increase, and he soon finds out that reason behind the murder... (read the book!) court intrigue, treachery, plans, and strategems all interwoven into one element of conflict: the game of thrones. The book is fantastically written - unpredictable climaxes, breathtaking action, and awesome description! Told from many different characters, the book offers in-depth views of each person and plot. This fantasy series has many sequels, but I feel that I do not need to recommend them because after finishing this first book, you'd be starving for the final one!
Rating:
Summary: A+ (from one who almost gave up on fantasy...)
Review: I've already seen some of these other lengthy 5-star reviews and there's really nothing more for me to add. The bottom line is that this is--without a doubt--the best opening to a fantasy series that I have ever read. I probably wouldn't push it on my 10-year-old, as the content is clearly aimed at the adult fantasy market, but that doesn't take anything away from the quality of this work (indeed, it only adds to the depth in my opinion). This is a must-read for any avid or casual fantasy reader--hell, anybody that likes to read a great story.
Rating:
Summary: Get em' in hardback -you'll want to re-read this series
Review: I read this book in one sitting. Then read it aloud to my husband on a road trip. The characters are perfectly detailed, not too much or too little. The storyline keeps getting more interesting as you go, but you get hooked in the first few pages. What's great is that the next books are wonderful too. The series as a whole isn't downsliding! It's so refreshing to read a series that keeps going strong and moving forward. I even find myself switching allegiances with the characters as the books go on. Thanks George R.R. Martin!
Rating:
Summary: Why are you waiting?
Review: This series is one of the best written fantasy series now out. I have read three of the four books, and I have to make time to read the last one soon. I read book two in one straight reading binge, and considering it was summer, and I was in college... This book has plot development that tops even Jordan's early books. Martin is adept at keeping the story moving. Like other reviews I end up not knowing who to cheer for. Such books remind me of real life because at times I am not so sure if I cheer for myself or abhore myself. Great book!
Rating:
Summary: The beginning of the best
Review: A Game of Thrones is the first installement of the best fantasy series I've read so far. It is character driven fantasy at its best: all of the characters are unique, they grow and change, and, most importantly, they're believable. Indeed, this book reads more like a work of historical fiction than any other fantasy title I've read. It is Martin's daring choices throughout the novel that gives it its greatest strength. Unlike most other fantasy titles, magic and fantastic creatures have a very little part to play. There are no spell-slinging wizards, or magic swords, or goblins, or any of the other staple ingredients of most fantasy novels. The most fantastic part of this fantasy is the nature of the world's seasons. Summers and winters can last for years, even decades. And as those of House Stark say, winter is coming.... As remarkable as Martin's non-fantastic fantasy setting is, it is his deft control over the characters that is most worthy of praise. Every character, from Lord Eddard Stark to a random innkeeper, is interesting. They are, for lack of a better word, alive. Martin writes so wonderfully that it is hard not to think the characters are sitting nearby telling you this marvellous tale. Martin doesn't get too wrapped up in the well-being of those characters, however. Unlike most other fantasy authors, Martin is willing (and able) to kill off major characters. Indeed, it is a wonderful shock to see an author that celebrates his characters by proving once and again that they are mortal. He does not kill more than he needs to in order to tell the tale. Indeed, the best way I can put it is like this: There is no main protagonist, nor is there a promenent antagonist. The story, rather, is THE character of the novel. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic opening to a great series
Review: I picked up this book completely by accident, but could not put it down afterwards. The plot only gets better as the books go on, and unlike many other fantasy books, Martin keeps it interesting. Expect bizzare twists of fate and character assassinations of seemingly intergral people in the book; a great read.
Rating:
Summary: A never ending saga
Review: Talk about your never-ending stories. Having read the first three books, at over 700 pages apiece, I can say I haven't had as good a fantasy trip in a long while. The characters are human, sometimes depressingly so, the sub-plots are vicious and complex, and the plot is a twisty-turvy thing that never quite goes where you think it will. Don't get too attached to a character, they die with amazing regularity. I was amazed by their depth of development only to see them get hacked down five pages later. Always entertaining and hard to put down.
Rating:
Summary: The Best
Review: Not many people would dare say it, but this is better than Lord of the Rings (which I personally love). If you haven't read this series or Lord of the Rings, you can't say you're a fantasy reader yet.
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