Rating: 
Summary: Exceeded my wildest expectations...and I expect a *lot*.
Review: I see where a reviewer below faulted A GAME OF THRONES for being so chock-full of "tragedy, bloodshed, cruelty, death, rape, incest, drunkeness, murder, (and) infanticide."Heh. Where I come from, that's a five-star recommendation. Glibness aside, the person has a point. A GAME OF THRONES is indeed a graphic, viciously unsentimental novel. It features all the offenses listed above and more besides. It revels in them. Can't you people see? That's the *point.* The writers of heroic fantasy like to write about huge and epic struggles between capital-letter Good and Evil. Yet over and over again they demonstrate only the most puerile understanding of what good and evil actually are. In their blinkered, constrained little worlds, "evil" consists of sitting in a dank tower all day sending orcs or demons or what-have-you after the Crampon of Justice or some similarly-named hogwash artifact. Not even the darkest of their generic Dark Lords would be caught boffing his own sister or murdering a child (much less get away with it), and in that fundamentally nonsensical bit of characterization lies the crux of their problem: by sticking horns and a lightning staff onto a one-dimensional pulp villain and calling it Ultimate Evil, they cheapen and debase *real* good and evil. I'm sure most of these writers realize this perfectly well; the problem is that they're writing to one of the most idiotically attenuated audiences on the face of the planet, people who really want to read the same book over and over ad infinitum with just enough variation from the template to create the illusion of difference. It's a sad state of affairs when we consider that fantasy, which should rightly be the domain of myth, wonder, and what Warren Ellis calls "mad, beautiful ideas," is the second most rigidly unimaginative genre out there (right behind romance, with whom it shares more than a few readers and tropes). The "Song of Ice and Fire" series is a show-stopping six volume call to arms against this nonsense. Readers who come to the novels expecting another eminently predictable generic quest might be lulled to quiescence in the first few innocuous chapters, but will awake - sooner or later - to the unsettling realization that they're playing George R.R. Martin's game now. In A GAME OF THRONES, he systematically slaughters every sacred cow of "heroic fantasy" and, in so doing, injects a vigor and a zest for life and the written word into the genre that hasn't been seen since the beautiful insanity of Tolkien. Heroes die and villains turn out to be not so bad after all. Magic appears only very rarely, making it infinitely more interesting. The plot steadfastly refuses to go where you'd expect. And lest you purists think that Martin holds fantasy in contempt, consider this: unlike practically every other fantasy writer out there, he's gone to the trouble of writing this novel as if it were the most serious literature: his characters and their motivations are fully fleshed out (Eddard Stark and Tyrion Lannister are especially well-done), his prose is exciting and full of witty and lovely turns of phrase, and his themes are complex and multilayered. In other words, he's actually assumed that his readership is *intelligent.* After reading this and China Meiville's PERDIDO STREET STATION, I have renewed hope for the future of fantasy. Works like these deserve to be read, reread, and passed to friends; they yank the genre - and its readers - out of bed and lead it blinking and cursing into the light of genuine literary merit.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantasy Without the Loss of Self-Respect!
Review: I've been hooked on the fantasy genre since about 3rd grade (that was a LONG time ago), and I've often suffered from pangs of guilt because of it; my conscience rarely fails to remind me that I should grow up and read Newsweek instead. Face it - most fantasy is fluffy and formulaic: The bad guys are irredeemably evil, the good guys are unbelievably noble, and the hero is impossibly, frustratingly, maniacally blockheaded in his refusal to believe, despite the warnings of friends, mentors, and prophets, that he really is “The Chose One.” Worst of all, he’s indestructible. You know the routine: The entire planet violently explodes, but the hero miraculously survives by holding his breath and clinging to a convenient chunk of flying debris. Well, this book has gone a long way toward reassuring me that it's ok to be over 13 and still enjoy fantasy novels. There is a well-developed plot, the characters come in more than two flavors, and there is a refreshingly innovative commitment to the concept that being nice should not preclude a character’s suffering misfortune, or even death. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy stories, or thinks he might, with only a couple of caveats: 1) There is some sexual content.... The sexual passages in this book are somewhat graphic, but they’re also frank, well written, and most important, they’re there because they ought to be. The author writes about sex with the same maturity as the rest of the novel – I didn’t get the sense that he was embarrassed, so I wasn’t either. Adults should be able to read this without cringing, but should exercise caution before approving this book for younger readers.... 2) There's plenty of derring-do, but if you're a glutton for hack-and-slash action, you might get a little bored with the intrigues and manipulations that make up the bulk of the story. On a similar note, fans of magical fireworks displays should be warned that, so far at least, while magic exists in this universe, it’s very low-key. This is the best fantasy book I’ve read in a long time, and I’m about to purchase the second in the series. SPECIAL NOTE to Robert Jordan fans: This is better! =)
Rating:
Summary: A Great Story and an Excellent Read
Review: After a steady diet of Jordan, Feist, Eddings and a host of others, A _Game of Thrones_ is an exciting change. This is my first book by Martin and I was very pleased. The book contains excellent writing and a griping story. I could not put the book down. Every chapter is a treat. What Martin does is change the point of view with each chapter. He tells you who narrating the story by titling each chapter with the characters name. The delightful part is each chapter is practically a short story. I looked forward to each chapter because you knew it will be something new and exciting. The thing I should note is the lack of fantasy. Truly, the only science fiction/fantasy you get is a few pages near the end of the book. So if you are looking for a magical story with lots of fairytale endings don't look here. Instead what you get is a great story with believable characters. You get a sense that these are real people reacting to harsh situations. The female characters especially shine. You believe that they are real people and their actions are realistic. Some of the other reviewers claim that the book is depressing and the setting is dismal. It is true that some of the major characters die and the quote "Winter is Coming" is practically the theme. However, the reader receives the feeling that tough times call for tough characters. The only caution I can give, is this book is for adults. There are adult situations and language used throughout the book. I can hardly wait to start the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: I have read alot of fantasy, from Feist's Krondor books to Jordan's wheel of time. But this is the best, most realistic book avalible. Unlike Jordans books, things happen, and the charicters are real, you can think that they are there, and can be real. The battles are large and complex and are like real middle ages battles, but are told like Tolkens battles, from ground level, by someone with no power, besides fighting, but don't take that this is anything like Tolken, it isn't, in fact it reminds me more of the middles ages historical novels. There is war, but not between orcs (which there are none of), instead between human armies, there is alot of politics, and surprises, but it all feels real. I highly suggest reading this if Jordan is starting to sicken you, or if you are getting bored of Terry Goodkind's books which are good but get boreing, not as bad as Jordans books though. If you want something without a hundred things seen before, buy this and read it.
Rating:
Summary: i just couldn't put it down
Review: the way this book was put together was just amazing. you almost get to feel like you know the charachters. always takes turs into unexpected places.
Rating:
Summary: Medieval games of power with a smattering of sorcery
Review: I've already ordered George Martin's "A Clash of Kings" and "A Storm of Swords," even though the mighty, multi-volume, multiple-viewpoint, medieval-war epic is a genre I usually avoid. I'll continue to read Martin's epic because I'm obsessed with his characters and their stories. Of course, I would rather have fallen in love with his characters (love lasts longer than obsession), but that's hard to do when the author alternates his chapters between eight different points-of-view (not counting the Prologue). In spite of his discontinuous narrative, Martin has done a masterful job of orchestrating his characters' fates. He sweeps his readers up into the lives (one chapter at a time, anyway) of the deposed heirs of the Old Dragon-blood Dynasty, the usurping kings of House Baratheon, and the Northern King-makers of the House Stark. Six Starks dominate the narrative: Lord Eddard of Winterfell, his wife Catelyn, and three of their legitimate children, plus Eddard's bastard son, Jon. Another narrator is Daenerys, daughter of the last Dragon-blood king. Daenerys manages to escape the destruction of her family, only to be sold into marriage with a character who could pass for Attila the Hun. She has the most surprising tale to tell, and she is also the character who has to do the most growing and changing in "A Game of Thrones." If this were her story alone, Daenerys would be very easy to love, even though she has been given the book's tritest lines: "My lord," she said softly. "Drogo. My sun-and-stars," or "I am no child, she told him fiercely." The final story-teller of the game of thrones is my favorite: Tyrion Lannister, the current Queen's dwarf brother (that's 'dwarf' as in 'short human', not 'dwarf' as in cute, hairy Vernor's gnome). Tyrion's warrior-brother and sister-Queen are beautiful, golden-haired twins who must have been hell to grow up with, because his verbal sallies and counter-punches are easily the sharpest dialogue in the book. I always looked forward to reading Tyrion's chapters, and I bet the author enjoyed writing them too. Tyrion is also the book's most complex character. The adult Starks are very honorable, duty-driven types---easy to admire but a little hard to like. The numerous child-narrators are likeable, but a bit unformed. However Tyrion comes across to the reader as a full-grown human being: witty; dangerous; loving; full of life and curiosity about life; and even a little honorable. I hope Martin features him prominently through all of his sequels. Another major character in "A Game of Thrones" has no narrative duties. It is the gigantic wall of ice that has guarded humanity since the last great winter, eight millennia past. Unfortunately, it was built so long ago that most people have forgotten what it is protecting them from. The Black Brotherhood stands guard at the Wall, but it has fallen onto hard times. Its only recruits are felons and knights under threat of dire punishment. The Brotherhood's rangers start to disappear north of the Wall. Winter is coming. Let "The Game of Thrones" begin!
Rating: 
Summary: Sick subject matter
Review: The writing quality is excellent, however the subject matter is bleak and sickening. Tradegy, bloodshed, cruelty, death, rape, incest, drunkeness, murder, infanticide, and numerous other human atrocities and perversities abound in this tale about a world with sparse good qualities to provide solace or balance. Admittedly, I did not read the entire book, however the final straw was sex involving a child. Unacceptable in any world. Too bad such good writing skills are wasted on such perverse subject matter.
Rating:
Summary: Well plotted and paced; excellent, fresh fantasy tale
Review: First off, I'm a heavy duty fan of GRRM. I've read over a 100 different fantasy authors in my time (started at 12; I'm now 32). Took about 5 years off from the genre b/c I felt it was all getting too formulaic and cliched. So, when I came back to fantasy at the end of 1999, I read the usual: Goodkind, Jordan, etc. and then someone told me about GRRM and man, that was the kicker! Here are the reasons to choose GRRM. I've also listed the reasons not to choose him to make it fair b/c I know their are certain personalities who won't like this series: WHY TO READ GRRM (1) YOU ARE TIRED OF FORMULAIC FANTASY: good lad beats the dark lord against impossible odds; boy is the epitome of good; he and all his friends never die even though they go through great dangers . . . the good and noble king; the beautiful princess who falls in love with the commoner boy even though their stations are drastically different . . . you get the idea. After reading this over and over, it gets old. (2) YOU ARE TIRED OF ALL THE HEROES STAYING ALIVE EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE UNDER CONSTANT DANGER: this gets even worse where the author kills a main hero off but that person comes back later in the story. Or, a hero does die but magic brings him back. This sometimes carries to minor characters where even they may not die, but most fantasy authors like to kill them off to show that some risked the adventure and perished. (3) YOU ARE A MEDIEVAL HISTORY BUFF: this story was influenced by the WARS OF THE ROSES and THE HUNDRED YEARS WAR. (4) YOU LOVE SERIOUS INTRIGUE WITHOUT STUPID OPPONENTS: lots of layering; lots of intrigue; lots of clever players in the game of thrones. Unlike other fantasy novels, one side, usually the villain, is stupid or not too bright. (5) YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BIASED OPINIONS AND DIFFERENT TRUTHS: GRRM has set this up where each chapter has the title of one character and the whole chapter is through their viewpoint. Interesting tidbit is that you get their perception of events or truths. But, if you pay attention, someone else will mention a different angle of truth in the story that we rarely see in other novels. Lastly and most importantly, GRRM doesn't try to tell us which person is right in their perception. He purposelly leaves it vague so that we are kept guessing. (6) LEGENDS: some of the most interesting characters are those who are long gone or dead. We never get the entire story but only bits and pieces; something that other fantasy authors could learn from to heighten suspense. Additionally, b/c the points of views are not congruent, we sometimes get different opinions. (7) WORDPLAY: if you're big on metaphors and description, GRRM is your guy. Almost flawless flow. (8) LOTS OF CONFLICT: all types, too; not just fighting but between characters through threats and intrigue. (9) MULTILAYERED PLOTTING; SUB PLOTS GALORE: each character has their own separate storyline; especially as the story continues and everyone gets scattered. This is one of the reasons why each novel is between 700-900 pages. (10) SUPERLATIVE VARIED CHARACTERS: not the typical archetypes that we are used to in most fantasy; some are gritty; few are totally evil or good; GRRM does a great job of changing our opinions of characters as the series progress. This is especially true of Jaime in book three. (11) REALISTIC MEDIEVAL DIALOGUE: not to the point that we can't understand it but well done. (12) HEAPS OF SYMOBLISM AND PROPHECY: if you're big on that. (13) EXCELLENT MYSTERIES: very hard to figure out the culprits; GRRM must have read a lot of mystery novels. (14) RICHLY TEXTURED FEMALE CHARACTERS: best male author on female characters I have read; realistic on how women think, too. (15) LOW MAGIC WORLD: magic is low key; not over the top so heroes can't get out of jams with it. REASON TO NOT READ GRRM (1) YOU LIKE YOUR MAIN CHARACTERS: GRRM does a good job of creating more likeable characters after a few die. But, if that isn't your style, you shouldn't be reading it. He kills off several, not just one, so be warned. (2) DO NOT CARE FOR GRITTY GRAY CHARACTERS: if you like more white and gray characters, this may unsettle you. I suggest Feist or Goodkind or Dragonlance if you want a more straight forward story with strong archetypes. (3) MULTIPLE POINTS OF VIEWS TURN YOU OFF: if you prefer that the POVS only go to a few characters, this might be confusing for you. (4) SWEARING, SEX: there's a lot of it in this book just as there is in real life. (5) YOU DEMAND CLOSURE AT THE END OF EVERY BOOK: this isn't the case for all stories in the series. Some are still going on; some have been resolved; others have been created and are moving on. (6) IF YOU WANT A TARGET OR SOMEONE TO BLAME: this can be done to some extent but not as much. This is b/c he doesn't try to make anyone necessarily good or evil. (7) ARCHETYPES: some readers like archetypal characters because it's comfortable; we like the good young hero (sort of like Pug in Feist's THE RIFTWAR SAGA); it's familiar and we sometimes like to pretend we're this upcoming, great hero. You wont' get much of this in GRRM with the exception of one or two characters. (8) LENGTH: you don't want to get into a long fantasy epic series. In that case, look for shorters works as this is biiig. (9) PATRIARCHY: men are most of the main characters with lots of power (one female exception). ....
Rating:
Summary: Better Than Anything by Eddings, Jordan, Goodkind, Tolkien
Review: This is, quite simply, the best fantasy novel I have ever read. All the hype, all the claims of greatness (mine included) are completely justified. This is the fantasy novel you have been waiting for, if like me, you are tired of the clichés, hackneyed plots and ripped off characters abundant in so much of the fantasy published these days. Martin's novel is better than anything by Eddings or Jordan or Goodkind or Tolkien, for that matter. 'A Game of Thrones' is for adults. The language is strong and violent like just about every character. Martin never shies away from showing the gruesome details - whether it's on the battle field or in the bedroom. Yes, this is another novel about Kings and Knights, Dragons and magic but Martin manages to take these tropes, turn them on their heads, and make them uniquely his own. The cast is huge, as is the setting. Martin takes the massive canvass he has created and makes it intimate by allowing the reader to get to know his characters thoroughly. You'll find yourself wondering which side in the game of thrones you should be on because Martin himself doesn't seem to make any judgments about his own creations. I only finished reading this first volume of 'A Song of Ice and Fire' mere minutes ago and already I miss the characters and the intrigue. How long has been since you have said that about a fantasy novel?
Rating:
Summary: One of the best.
Review: First, why 4 and not 5 stars? In my opinion there are only are very few true 5 star books out there, so 4 stars is about as good as it gets for me.There are enough reviews here praising the book, so I will not rehash, I will however try to rebut some of the negative comments posted. This book has some harsh realities in it: graphic violence, rape, incest, sex, torture, slavery, etc. I am not going to deny it, so if you cannot handle this type of a book, get Harry Potter. Anyone here who thinks that Martin is sick, or twisted for including this type of stuff in his book, needs to check out their history and realize the reality of what feudal life was, and the reality of what close quarters, medi-evil combat was like. These are real characters, acting the way real characters act. This book is a breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre, where others have fallen back to rewriting the basic plot of "Big,Bad,Evil God vs. good guy, underdog/peasent, boy/girl". Martin; from the word go tells you this is not going to be like any fantasy series you have read before.
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