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Summary: The best fantasy series, IMHO, since Memory Sorrow and Thorn
Review: Martin has a potential Jordan-killer with this series. Engrossing, relentlessly realistic and fun as hell to read, A Game of Thrones is one of the best "swords and Dragons" fantasies I have ever read.Martin's storylines are epic and engrossing... and sometimes as excruciating as Stephen R. Donaldson's Thomas Covenant series. Martin is not shy about having his characters and peoples behave as they would in our world - something that many fantasy authors steer shy of. This results in a more mature story, which in turn makes the reader feel that they are not being condescended to (something many fantasy authors are guilty of to some degree). All I can say is... when do we get Book 3?
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Summary: A Real Story with Real Characters in a Fantasy Setting...
Review: The best comment that I can make is that the setting for this story is exactly that, the setting. Often times in fantasy novels the setting, or the magic amulet, or the orphan heir to the throne are the entire story. Fantasy authors too often depend on creating unique twists to the same tired old formulas that plague this genre. Martin manages to quickly suspend your disbelief and you find yourself really identifying with these characters, even the antagonists. I hope he writes another twenty.
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Summary: A Game of Thrones (Song of Ice and Fire, Vol 1)
Review: This book is incredible, and I must thank all of those that reviewed the book so well here on Amazon.com. I had no idea what book I wanted to read next, and saw quite a few great reviews of this one, and let me tell you, I haven't read a fantasy book this good in so long. Its Fantasy, yes, yet it remainsvery realistic, with incredibly realistic characters and situations. The plots, subplots, betrayals, and hidden alliances in this book just blew my mind away. I am ANXIOUSLY looking forward to the next one. Kudos to George R. R. Martin!
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Summary: Realism
Review: As a major in Western European history, I was surprised at how close to a real fuedal situation you can find in the The Game of Thrones. Martin is one of the premier writers in Fantasy, and if you are tired of predicatable good guys always trumhant, you will like this book. As a matter of fact as you make it through the series you will find that while there are protagonists and antagonists, this game of thrones has so many players that there are a lot of grey areas. Martin shows that stories are not entirely created by the characters, stories are rounded out by them. Martin's situations, obstacles and resolutions are what make him stand out. He has written a very original history of his world, although there is perhaps too much mystery of the rest of globe, realistically there should be more knowledge carrying from one continent to another. He makes it seem like spies are the only way to find out any information. I personally don't like his use of contemporary explitives as well, it takes away from the over all effect in my opinion. His use of Dragons was interesting; however, not at all like how most authors portray them, they are not central to the plot they are accentuating. Which probably describes the whole book. Almost every part of this book is intrinsic to the success of the plot structure. Not like most authors who have a central core and then build around it. Highly recommended as intelligent fantasy.
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Summary: The Best!
Review: One of the best books I have ever read! I have read things like The DragonLance chronicals (all four of them) All of the Drizzt Do'Urden books by R.A. Salvator and all of David Eddings books and I find this set of books the best so far!
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Summary: Plots, Thoughts, and Intrigues
Review: I came across this book while in search of a new series to take the place of the as-yet-unfinnished Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. I have to put certain restrictions to the books I buy or else I simply could not choose. This book did not fall into it, but the fact that Robert Jordan thought it brilliant made me consider it. I am glad I bought it. This is a very good replacement, but ynfortunately it did not release the frustration of awaiting sequals. This book is thick with plots, and new ways of thinking. This has been the only book I have ever read that has a link to reality that surpasses that of Jordan and all other authors whose wook I have read. I find myself at times understanding the bad guy, and even at times, rarely, liking them. The good guys, at times I just cannot stand their choices, and also make me annoyed, but all in all when added together it makes a story so real that it seems that you could be viewing it from a few feet away. Each scream and strike of metal on metal come alive in Martin's writing
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Summary: absorbing!
Review: I just finished reading this book. It was a total fluke the way I came across it. I was in the library on my way over to the poetry section to pick up a volume by W.H. Auden. I have part of one of his poems on my wall and was desperate to get the rest. I just sort of bumped into this book on my quest. Boy, am I glad I did! This is a totally engrossing tale. It was tough to put down. The characters are interesting, multi-dimensional beings, no one is completely evil or good and just like real people, some of them drive you crazy! The plot is complex and detailed and often surprising. The world Martin has created is so rich, he could write a ton of stories. I often wonder why film makers don't consider volumes like this one. PS: I found the Auden poem.
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Summary: excellent classical fantasy
Review: One of the best all time fantasies read. Don't read as much now (age 34) as I did when I was younger - it takes an exceptional book to capture my attention with all the demands of family, business & life - and this one did. Can't wait to read the next (and this is now rare). Excellent characterization with a breadth of personalities, complex multi-level imaginative plot.
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Summary: The Best Book I've Read In Years
Review: George R.R. Martin weaves a gritty realistic world wherein characters and events take on a vivid life in the readers imagination. I espescially love the way Martin continually surprises me. All too often I read supposedly acclaimed novels wherein the author keeps telegraphing the unfolding of the plot to the reader. Not so, Martin! Time and again I was shocked by the fate Martin had in store for characters he made me care about. This is truly a novel to get lost in.... you won't want to put it down. One walk through the eery crypts under Winterfell, or perhaps a drink with a certain cunning yet misshapen dwarf, and you will be hooked on this series.
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Summary: Superb fantasy - akin to the Wheel of Time
Review: There are those who find Robert Jordan's writing less than stellar. I don't count myself among their ranks. What Jordan's books do well (rather, more than well) is tell an evocative story that draws us into another world. George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire does the same. His characters (and there are many) are drawn in deep relief, even the best is a deeply flawed (and hence, fundamentally human) individual. The story arc concerns an island kingdom, with thousands of years of feudal history. The book teems with clansmen, leigelords, vassals, and slaves - alliances are formed and shattered. Ultimately, if you are looking for a good read, you could do far, far worse.
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