Rating: 
Summary: Is this Fantasy?
Review: This was by far one of the best fantasy novels I have ever read. George Martin isn't afraid to say anything and it is very realistic. When I was reading it I was wondering if something like this really happened in our world and Martin retold it in a fantasy world. This novel has a very large cast, over thirty important characters and many others. It is very political. You will find that you hate some of the characters (Cersei Lannister for one) and some you love like Eddard Stark. The book does not have all good endings, some people you like do die, and Martin will .... you off at times but again you can't really hate anyone in the books. Martin doesn't name his chapters chap 1 chap 2 etc but instead each chapter is named by a certain character and is told in their point of view. A Game of Thrones is a large book but that shouldn't be an excuse of not buying it. It will go by quickly. It is extremely personal and you will be relunctant of putting it down each night. It is that good. I read this book in five days and I was angry every night when sleep took me and I couldnt read it. When I finished it I went to the book store the next day and bought the next book, A Clash of Kings. I'm reading it right now and it's just as good. I know I havent said much on the content of the book but you can see many reviews that tell on the content. If you don't believe me this book was rated Fantasy novel of the year in 1996. If you want a good Fantasy novel this is the best in the genre. But it's so realistic I asked myself when I was reading it, Is this real Fantasy? I'm still wondering...
Rating: 
Summary: This is what all the fuss was about?
Review: I chose to begin Martin's series with great expectations; after reading review after glorifying review of this work it didn't seem that investing in 'A Game of Thrones' could be much of a mistake. How wrong I was. Martin does not only seem incapable of weaving any kind of central plot convincingly, his characters never venture beyond the two-dimentional. Frankly, I came to feel I couldn't care less whether they lived or died; not a great incentive to buy the next book, really. Perhaps the author believed he was creating fascinatingly evil, scheming characters, but to tell the truth one ends up pitying these poor squabbling beings and their mean stabs in the back. Even an incestous relationship in unsuccessful in spicing the story up. And I failed to be impressed by an author whose idea of literary style seems to be using the self-consciously clever comparisons 'soft as sin'/'dark as sin' to describe a cloak (or whatever it was) twice in the first 50-odd pages of the novel. Moreover, the endless stream of adolescent 'wink-wink-nudge-nudge' jokes about whores and brothels are more frustrating than amusing when they happen to be in every other sentence of some characters. The only thing Martin does seem to manage with tolerable success is the description of gore. Well done. If I'd wanted only that I would have picked up a horror novel. I don't mind gore for the sake of realism, but with Martin one gets the uncomfortable feeling that he milks this ability to make up for his many lackings in plot and character construction. I will admit that I liked Tywin Lannister, and that Arya had a certain cliche charm about her (oooh, 'Tomboy princess'...now there's something we've never seen before in fantasy literature, eh?), but that alone will hardly make up for the sad failure of the rest of the novel to enthrall. Jordan has his faults, but I will confess that I intend to read his novels until the 'Wheel of Time' series finally closes, simply because I care about many of his characters. As for this author, I think I can garantee that I won't be buying his works ever again. Spare yourself the time and the money, because in all honesty I found nothing worthwhile in 'A Game of Thrones'.
Rating: 
Summary: Like a character run fantasy story? Look into this!
Review: After reading this book then his others (clash of kings and storm of swords) i really think martin is going places.If i could i'd give it 4 and a half stars. The first book is like a opening to the story and each chapter keeps you on edge woundering 'what is going to happen next?' but with the style he uses (each chapter revolves around a certain character) you have to wait your turn. The characters are belevable and likeable. the conflicts of the characters make it impossible to put the book down, and the story is gripping and real. Not your average fantasy. Im sure the other reviews are a lot more informative then mine but the main point is read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Plots Galore!
Review: Slow starting and with at least six plots at any one time, the urge to put the book down and start something else was a constant desire. But then as the writing style grows on you and the characters become more human and real, you find that you can't put the book down... and then it just stops leaving you to yearn for the next in the series. Great fiction, good storytelling, a bit slow to start but tough it out and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Epic Fantasy
Review: Altough I do not read a lot of fantasy this book was one of the best I've read. Like Lord of the Rings, Martin creates a world that seems real, peopling it with characters you want to know more about. Each chapter is told from another characters point of view. Just as you are completely involved in one storyline, the chapter ends, and you are brought into another, with the stories crossing paths throughout the book. Altough a huge book, I read it in less than a week and have the next book ready to go. I cannot wait to return to the Kings Road and see what is happening.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!!!
Review: George Martin absolutely blew me away with this novel. This has to be one of the best books I've ever read. The author weaves an intricate, dark plot, the result of which saw me reading the book from start to finish in one sitting. In fact, all I can do is wax lyrical about this book (which I subsequently crammed down all my friends' collective throats)!!It's hard to analyse the elements that make 'A Game of Thrones' a winner... but here goes! George Martin's writing style is emotive, and immediately draws the reader deeply into the complex plot. The political intrigue is merely an echo of the chaos and upheaval that will soon affect the world, and one almost feels sucked into the inevitable vortex that starts spinning faster and faster. Any sci-fi / fantasy afficionado must read this novel...
Rating:
Summary: Best Fantasy since Tolkien
Review: I've waited decades for a Fantasy series that pulled me into another world the way Tolkien did. George R.R. Martin has done it with "A Song of Ice and Fire". Not that SoIaF is anything like the Lord of Rings - they are VERY different - but they are similar in the authors ability to develop a WORLD as well as major characters. I have read all three books in the series. I NEVER buy full-priced hard cover - but I couldn't wait any longer for book three. I am already having withdrawal waiting for book 4 to come out! These are by far the best books I've read in years. One more note - where Tolkien is great for young adults as well as adults - Martin is best for adult audiences. The book is very complex, the violence and sex are vivid. ENJOY!!
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent beginning...
Review: I picked up this series out of the strength of the reccommendations on Amazon, and because I have enjoyed most of Robert Jordan's books, as well as loving Tolkein Stephen R. Donaldson. I tend to be picky when it comes to the fantasy I read, and I'm always eager to find someone new. Well, this book (and the one that follows it) delivers. It's grim, vulgar, violent, and occasionally shocking; it's also one of the best fantasy series I've ever read. The characters are realistically drawn and (unlike Jordan, who has gotten a bit repetitive in his "types" as of late) distinctly unique. The plot moves along at a brisk pace, and one of the most amazing things is Martin doesn't tip his hand at any point to the central story-line- he just pulls you long moment by moment, through a strong identification and admiration for the characters. There are a few hints that of something darker below the surface, but not many. Unlike most fantasy series, there is no clear "villain"; there are people you love to hate, but no overwhelming dark force like Sauron, or Lord Foul. I just finished the second book of the series ("A Clash of Kings"), and I can't wait to read the third. This is good stuff. Give it a chance.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: I read a lot in a lot of different genres, and the "Song of Ice & Fire" series is a bright star in today's books lists. Martin has spun a great yarn that is compelling from the first chapter. The book must be classified as fantasy but it reads like historical fiction and never is Martin's world less than real. He spins many plot threads with many characters jumping from chapter to chapter leaving the reader "breathless." Martin is not afraid to kill major characters and doesn't bog down his story with anything that isn't essential keeping his epic tale big, but not overwhelming or unweildy. The only real negative for me, is that after reading Martin's tale and seeing is word skill on display, everything else I pick is lacking.
Rating:
Summary: *APPLAUSE!*
Review: I am not an avid reader of fantasy. However, this series of books has been recommended to me so many times that I finally had to give it a try. Minus the appendix, this paperback is about 806 pages long. I was absolutely riveted throughout every single page! I devoured this story and quickly ordered A CLASH OF KINGS in order to find out what happens to all of these fascinating characters.
Martin has created a storyline that is bold, heart-wrenching and breathtaking. His words weave vivid mind pictures, and reading this book is almost like watching a movie---I felt that I could actually see the scenes taking place throughout the novel. Eddard, Arya, Jon, Daenerys, Viserys, Khal Drogo, Bran, Old Nan, Sansa, Tyrion, Catelyn, Jaime, Cersei---and I could go on! All these characters are fascinating. The story focuses on political deceit, murder, quests for power, magical spells, ancient warnings, intrigue. There are sword fights, plunderings, all-knowing wolves, and cold, dead things that walk in the night. I can't wait to sink my teeth into the next installment of this series. How will Jon fare on the Wall? What happens to Arya? Will Sansa be wed to Prince Joffrey or will she find the strength to fight against his black heart? What will happen to Robb? I need to know!
I can't say enough good things about this novel. If Martin can maintain this type of storytelling, then he has one more loyal fan to add to his list. This is definitely a must for fantasy fans. Actually...this is a great novel for anyone who loves to read a good story.
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