Rating: 
Summary: A Good Beginning
Review: I knew that the somewhat cryptic prologue would be related to the story. It also helped me read through roughly the first 100 pages until I came across that sardonic Lannister dwarf Tyrion who, along with John (Snow) and Arya Stark, more than tweaked my interest. The story does pick up to a dramatic end, by then I identified and was able to fully distinguish each of the characters.I quickly purchased the next in the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Beginning
Review: Mr. Martin has changed the face of the fantasy genre, and in my opinion, much for the better. What do I base that opinion on? This book, the first in his SONG OF ICE AND FIRE series. This is the first fantasy I have read where magic is relegated to a minor sphere. It is the people, Noble and peasant, all of whom are a mixture of good and evil, who take center stage in a world where one season can go on for years; where men of honor die by the machinations of those much more clever than they; where a young girl, desendant of High Kings, finds herself married to a barbarian warlord with little interest in the world outside his Sea of Grass ; and where the coming of the long years of Winter and the demonic Others is guarded by former criminals and bastard sons which make up the lonely Night Watch. This is a book worth reading, and sets the stage for the next books, which for the most part get better and better. That said, it will not be for everyone. A word of warning: if you are looking for a fantasy with a sweeping love story, or flashingly powerful magic, or the characters you love to remain alive and finally succede through all their adversity, this book is not for you. This is gritty, dark, by turns hilariously irreverant and shockingly heartrending. Don't allow yourself to much stake in a particular character...chances are, you are backing the wrong "player" in this Game of Thrones.
Rating:
Summary: the balance between escapism and realism
Review: A fantasy writer must balance between giving his readers enjoyment to escape the mundanities of daily life and giving them realism. If he errs too far in one direction, you have stories where smart, strong, resourceful heroes easily crush dull-witted, weak, unimaginative villians. If he goes too far into the other direction the heroes may lose. George Martin mixes the two sides beautifully, but he undeniably leans in the latter direction. Although one of the main families is named "Stark," the line between good and evil is anything but clear. The reader becomes immersed in the vivid experiences of people so real you think you could touch them. You want to cry as you watch them get hurt and you hate their enemies almost as passionately as they do. The people who have written negative reviews dislike the book (the series) for that very reason. You will not find light-hearted adventure and chivalry here. If that kind of harsh setting is not to your liking, seek entertainment elsewhere. But for the rest of us, the grim reality portrayed only strengthens the amazing catharsis we receive on those rare moments when justice is served. For many fantasy writers, the defeat of foes leaves the reader dissatisfied because of the heroes' tremendous advantage. With Martin, each minor obstacle overcome by one of the overmatched protagonists makes you want to dance. I rank him the best fantasy writer alive today. I recommend you read his works and make your own decision. Lastly, I am sick of the comparisons between these works and the much venerated Lord of the Rings. This is not Tolkien. The writing styles are completely different. Don't waste time comparing them.
Rating:
Summary: Feels historical with shades of fantasy
Review: I bought this book after reading some of the reviews. I was not familiar with the series, but thought I’d give it a shot. I’m glad I did. I started reading this on the third day of vacation and finished it 4 days later (800 pages). A Game of Thrones is somewhere between the historical fiction of Dunnett’s Lymond Chronicles and Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. It is largely about political intrigue and battle in a human medieval setting (fictional lands), but with some supernatural parts too. In this first book of the series, the supernatural is not the main player, but there are hints of future events. If you like Dunnett and Tolkien you will like this book. It’s a good, captivating read. BTW, if you buy this book, make sure you put a bookmark in the appendix, where all the characters and their lineages are listed. I did not realize it was there until I finished the book. It would have helped.
Rating:
Summary: Not A Fanatasy Fanatic
Review: I am not much of a fantasy fan, but wow! This guy weaves an engrossing tale. I was warned by a friend who gave me the first book not to get attached to any of the characters. He was right as Martin has no qualms about killing them off. A previous reader gave this one star and I would dearly love to know his favorites because I have never read anything better.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Fantasy!
Review: Actually, I wish I could give this 4 1/2 stars...not quite 5, but certainly worth more than 4. Anyway, I've never read a book quite like this. The way that each chapter details what is happening to (and from the perspective of) each of the major characters is very, very well done. Even the "villains" are given a chance to relate their side of the various plot threads. Perhaps the best recommendation I can give is that this is not a page turner, it is a chapter turner. Night after night I would say to myself: "I'll just read one or two chapters before bed and then lights out." Yah, right! Instead, I would finally look at the clock to discover I had been reading for hours. Not only was it almost impossible to put down, but I found any excuse to "take a break" and picking it up to read it.
Rating:
Summary: If you only buy one fantasy book this year...
Review: This should be it. Enthralling, fast moving, absolutely fabulous writing by a new name to the genre. If you are tired of series that go no where, then Martin is your man. Aside from the fast-pace, Martin has done his research on the middle ages, and his writing reflects his vast background in heraldry and the realities of a nation at war.
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Summary: Step One Of An Epic Journey...And WHAT A STEP it is!
Review: From page one I could NOT put this down. Classified as fantasy this reads like a Medieval history novel as much as fantasy but that is a great thing here. Romance, political intrigue, action and humor do a wonderful dance here. The world and characters are 100% believable and engaging. They feel like neighbors that become good friends that stay in your mind and heart. Do you like Medieval Fantasy? Than pick this up and take the journey into the Seven Kingdoms. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Your spouse, children, and boss will PANIC...
Review: when you pick up this book. I found it fascinating,delectable and mostly riveting! Martin kept my attention the whole book and I had to force myself to put it down. It is well conceived and written. This one will keep up at night. ....The down side if there is one, is the number of characters. There is an Appendix that has the different Lords houses listed and who is related to whom. That is very helpful.
Rating:
Summary: phenomenal
Review: This book is awesome. Simply put, there are very few books I have ever read that are better than this. Having only read the first book in the series, it may be too soon to compare it to Tolkien, but it definetly seems poised to reach that level. Martin writes his characters incredibily realistically, they act and behave just as they should. One of my main complaints against a series such as Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" is the fact that he never seems to take any risks, I was never shocked in the least, because he made it clear early on that nothing was going to happen to his precious characters. Martin writes smart, his characters lie, betray, murder, as many would in the positions they are placed in. I loved the character Tyrion, of the house Lannister (AKA the imp). Hated by his father for being misfigured, and having a soft spot in his heart for those similar to him, always speaking what comes into his incredibly sharp mind; im still not sure which side he's on. I also liked how Martin chose to not have just one pov, he switches between characters (and thus pov) every chapter, similar to what Jordan does, but slightly different. It keeps things fresh, and moving. In doing this he is able to skip the "down time" that isn't worth writing about. In the end, anyone who loves fantasy, nay anyone who loves good literature will love this book. Don't be scared off by the fact that it's labeled fantasy (for those of you that dislike fantasy), because while it has many fantasy elements it's something much more than that. Martin has succeded in what I fell is quite possibly the hardest task for an author, creating a living, breathing world. If you can tell me his world is not alive, I will tell you that you have never read this book. with richly detailed characters, an extensive back history, and the inevitibility of the fact that "winter is coming" make this a phenomenal read, and i would tell anybody that. Very Highly Recommended
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