Rating: 
Summary: Yet another five star review.
Review: Everyone who has given this book 4 or five stars has already said it all. Martin is one of those, "once in a blue moon" authors who comes along and drags the Fantasy genre out of the depths of cliche and rehashed garbage that you see more and more of everyday. Those of us who are SciFi/Fantasy veterans and have been reading for awhile, I'm sure will agree that this book belongs "up there" with the greats. If you don't agree, just try to convince me otherwise.It really irks me when I see the crap that is published in the guise of fantasy,(getting a bit preachy here, but I don't care)such as dimestore romance novels with a "Sword" or "Dragon" thrown in the title. Those authors who may be reading this review know who you are. Take a lesson from Mr. Martin and see how a REAL writer gets it together baby!
Rating:
Summary: Incredible, a mature treatment of the fantasy genre.
Review: I'd stopped reading fantasy, for the most part. Having made a concerted effort in past years to find as much good reading in the the genre as possible, I eventually exhausted what I consider the cannon of the fantasy medium, and was becoming largely disgruntled with the dearth of good writing in the field. The framework for fantasy--the essential ground level--has been laid, but few people in the past few years have really taken advantage of the medium, especially in the mature reader format. George R.R. Martin is one of the few exceptions. His prose is captivating, and his plots fresh. His characters and content launch essentially from the fairy-tale roots of Tolkien, etc., but he clearly writes for a more sophisticated and adult audience. He is at times macabre, sometimes sentimental, but he has an incredible gift for characterization surpassed only by his riveting storytelling ability. I am absolutely, completely raving about the book, buying extra copies to l! oan to my friends. If you love fantasy, read this book. If you only read one book a year, make this one it. Sincerely, Kas DeCarvalho (Providence, RI)
Rating:
Summary: Move over, Robert Jordan.
Review: As a fantasy reader of somewhat high standards, I have always had a proclivity for "epic" fantasy. Nothing else really satisfies my desire for an absorbing story. George R.R. Martin has, with this book, taken the field dominated by such giants as Jordan, Williams, and Kay and blown a great big gust of fresh air into it. Not only does this book have the complicated plot and intricate character development that is common to these three talented authors, but it has a certain brutal realism to it. Granted, we're talking about an invented realm, but never before in all the books that I have read has any author taken his portrayal of all the brutality of human nature to this level. Part of what makes Jordan, Williams, and Kay so brilliant is that they write *human* characters, and good and bad are rarely well delineated. What sets Martin apart is his sheer, brutal, mind-numbing honesty. He doesn't pull any punches, and neither do any of his characters. This ! is life, in all its pain and glory. Honor is not as important as we would like it to be, and things do not all go well as long as we wish for it hard enough. Here, there is no destructive force stronger than the power of men. There is no evil greather than that in the hearts of men. And there is no power, once man has decided to destroy, that can stop him. This novel is a masterpiece; beautifully crafted, shockingly realistic, and a joy to read. However, don't expect to come out of reading this with your ideals intact.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, with a few flaws
Review: Martin makes a strong and refreshing entry into the tired, glutted field of epic fantasy. This book is a "realistic" fantasy, meaning that, given the parameters of a mythical world (pseudo-medevial with european flavor), how would real human beings actually act? The answer, and one that is portrayed very well, is "not pretty." Martin shows every bit of the vile and disgusting side of humanity, and a small amount of the more noble side as well. The book is full of politics and warring houses and all the ins and outs thereof. Each chapter focuses on a different character, which some reviewers found distracting. I liked it though -- it allowed for the characters to be developed a lot faster, and left you with some pretty good cliffhangers at certain chapters. As far as the flaws, there are two that bugged me: First, some of the events were "out-of-genre" for a realistic fantasy. The prime example is the discovery of the dead direwolf in the early part of the novel, which coincidentally had the exact same number of pups as Lord Stark (whose sigil is the direwolf) had children. If this was a more myth-oriented style of book, or if there was an element of prophecy in the story to justify this, then it would have been good, but without it the coincidence comes across as cheesy. Secondly, the use of symbolism was a little heavy-handed. Perhaps Martin isn't good at reading symbolic elements in stories himself, or perhaps he doesn't expect his readers to get less-than-obvious symbolism (which may be a fair expectation, actually), but at times you feel like saying, okay, enough already, I get the point, now let's get on with the story. Thirdly (I can't count, apparently), Martin tried a little too hard to make an "adult" novel, in that he describes a lot of things and scenes that don't really improve the novel, such as the numerous rapes and explicit descriptions of violence. Scenes like this don't make a novel "adult" -- how many ! of the great works of literature do this kind of thing -- they merely make it graphic. And even this is lost, because after reading 500 or so pages, you're so desensitized to the violence and sex that it doesn't matter anymore. "*yawn* another brutal raping of a captured prostitute. Wow." Also, Martin uses a smattering of 20th-century obscenities that come across as merely silly. Anyway, aside for these things, the book is great and very entertaining. Definately the best fantasy written in the past five years (that I've read, anyway). If you're a fan of the genre, and are fed up with the march of the clones, do yourself a favor and pick this up. You'll soon be waiting for the next book in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!!!!!!!!
Review: To put it simply, I loved this book. In terms of favorite books, this on is at least 3rd(AT LEAST) on my list. In terms of series, There is no way to say, Jordan (although lacking a spot on favorite book) is still king of that (although Gene Wolffe's "Book of the New Sun" is Emperor) There is no way to judge this as a series, there is only one book, but the rest is promising. this has so many differrent fantasy elements in it is is unbelievable. Dark (mainly Snow) Fantasy, War, War, and then some more war for just a bit of spice. Sex (GASP) and not just so and so rollicked in the hay with lady blah blah. Political Intrigue galore. And a MONGOL type PEOPLE!!!! (I personally find Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire to be the most fascinating period of Earth History, so this was a treat!) Although there were a few pretty gross parts (Mentions of incest among a royal family {Shudder}) it was still a beautiful read and totally worth the time spent reading it. Although i must agree, you might be better of waiting to start it, Martin seems to have the same disease Jordan has when it comes to prompt releasing of books.(Path of Daggers, now a 2 year wait since Crown of Swords). Ah well, you will enjoy this book unless you are a stuck up, 'Tolkien will never be dethroned from being the Best' Type person.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: I picked this book up because of the art on the cover and was a bit hesitant. A Game of Thrones is wonderful and one of the best fantasy novels I have ever read. It has many intersting sub-plots not to mention developed characters without the constant use of magic that many fantasy books seem to rely on. George R. R. Martin has written a masterpiece that should be a must read for anybody who likes a good mystery, intrigue,interesting characters (Jon) and "direwolfs", and yes magic. Should be placed right next to the works by Tolkien, Williams, and Donaldson on all bookshelves.! Have high hopes for " A Clash of Kings".
Rating:
Summary: Wow! HIGHLY recommended!!
Review: AGOT is adult fantasy at its best. It's a strong and well-written story with a wide range of characters, many of whom you care deeply about. Many years ago, I had read Tolkien and Brooks, but had long since stepped away from fantasy. I now realize that I stepped away because most of it lacked a mature theme and there was a bit too much hocus-pocus. Last year, the cover of AGOT just caught my eye for some reason, and I figured what the heck. Wow! I got hooked! Now I'm looking for more, only it's darn hard to find anything that comes close to measuring up. Tad Williams' classic series has come the closest so far - but nothing else. I have now joined the ranks of those who wait not so patiently for A Clash of Kings to hit the bookstands. I HIGHLY recommend AGOT!
Rating:
Summary: MARTIN KICKS JORDAN'S BUTT!
Review: I've noticed whilst reading through the fantasy reviews on Amazon that every new fantasy book that comes out ends up being compared to Jordan. The new book is shot down in flames, whilst Jordan is held up to be the greatest writer to have ever graced the Earth. Well, let me tell you: JORDAN COULDN'T TOUCH MARTIN WITH A VERY LONG STICK! Martin's world is better thought out and actually contains some female characters who aren't screaming harridans (shocked gasps from Jordan fans) and some men who, wait for it, aren't soppy, wet gits (more gasps, demands for the reviewer's head). Martin's characters are more plausible, their relationships better constructed, and their motives more considered. More, Martin uses some irony (truly astounding for an American). His weaving of the several different plots, some worthy of Malchiavelli himself, works amazingly well. Jordan often wanders off into distant fairy lands, but Martin firmly says no to this, and each chapter evolves one or more of the plots. Some say that "epic fantasy" these days merely consists of writing very long books which have lots of nonsence in them. Not so here: no page is wasted, no word spared in making you believe and care about these people. "A Game of Thrones" is both highly original (I won't ruin it by telling you how) and also has the old favourites: the anti-hero (Tyrion Lannister), the man with a mysterious past (Jon Snow and the truth of his birth), and the plotters in the shadows. The only quibble I have with this excellant book is that it has taken so long for its sequel to be published: its not out till '99! Otherwise, this is the best fantasy book to had at the moment. The cover of my book claims Martin is Tolkien's heir; this is not true, for Tolkein's writing was never like this - blood, war, sex, blood, more war, blood, some more sex, and even more blood (and some very nasty people creeping around in the dark killing people)! I bet Minas Tirith never l! ooked like this!
Rating:
Summary: Beware - This is Only Volume One!
Review: This book is a must-read for anyone that enjoys logical / self-consistent Fantasy novels, BUT...it is only "Vol 1" and much is left unresolved at the end of the book (although what IS resolved is very satisfying) so don't jump in unless you're confident that you can stand to wait for the second volume to continue this excellent tale.
Rating:
Summary: A remarkable piece of work!
Review: A truely magnificant novel. Nothing more needs to be said.
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