Rating: 
Summary: Flawed but readable
Review: A Game of Thrones has its share of flaws -- multiple, shifting viewpoints that sap the narrative's strength, a non-existent conclusion and occasionally irritating repetitive expressions. The constant jumping from one character to another made me first read the Daenerys' sections of the story, then the rest. The author could have made an effort to provide at least a provisional conclusion. He goes into considerable, often flavorful detail, but sometimes this becomes annoyingly repetitive. How many times do the readers need to hear that people are given "milk of the poppy" against pain? The predominance of teens and pre-teens who are saving the world is reminiscient of Ender's Game, but even less believable. Daenerys, for example, should be at least 16-17 to be believable. All in all, it is a work head and shoulders above the verbose and badly plotted drivel of Robert Jordan or the infantile Eddings and Brooks. Martin's storyline is quite compelling, the world is well drawn and most of the characters are quite interesting. I will buy the next book.
Rating: 
Summary: If you are a fan of Jordan's Wheel of Time, this is a must!!
Review: I have recomended this book to all who have asked. The sheer number of characters and the depth of each one's development makes this appear as a daunting task to read. It is NOT. One does not have to read this book as much as they have to just absorb it. It is extremely well organized and flows very well. I am somewhat dissolusioned that the next book is not yet out. Any person who enjoyed Edding's Belgariad and Mallorean epics or Jordan's Wheel of time will devour this book. I believe Martin surpasses Eddings and is VERY CLOSE to Jordan. This is a pleasure to read from start to finish (no Jordan low points). I hope all enjoy this book as much as I have.
Rating:
Summary: FAR OUT!!!!
Review: Although I love fantasy, I could never get into a Fantasy novel; until A Game of Thrones. A deep story with an excellent writing style, Martin shows that a good fantasy doesn't have to have a magical box of death or a dragon around every corner (but the dragon's at the end were cool). Instead, the plot revolves around the characters and their inner conflicts and comings of age. Sure it may have been a little explicit, but if you can sit through Brave New World, A Game of thrones is cheesecake with strawberries on top. 5+ stars all the way.
Rating:
Summary: the BEST fantasy book ever, read it if you haven't already.
Review: Of all the fantasy books i have read (and i have read A LOT of fantasy books) this one is the absolute best. I loved it, it wasn't like most books where the good guys live and the bad guys die, the heroes are perfect and cannot make mistakes, it wasn't like that at all. It has a very involved plot that a person can get lost in. Mr. Martin wrote an excellant book. It has emotional parts both happy and sad, i am eagerly, hungrily awaiting his next book. And to think, he's writing 4 of them... i've read it twice already, plus individual parts way much more. there are other books i would have given a '10' to, but "a game of thrones has raised the scale. Now those books would get between 7-9, but 10 is reserved for Mr Martin. an extremely well writen book.
Rating:
Summary: The Story's the Thing!
Review: Some reviews of this book criticize Martin for recycling tried-and-true fantasy elements. But tell me this? Is there another novel in which four main characters are killed off? Every fantasy novel is going to have certain features that readers of this genre have come to expect (dragons, swords, barbarians, etc.) But folks, that's epic fantasy! Martin's novel is so good it's unreal. Radical experimentalism is not what fantasy readers want. THE STORY IS WHAT MATTERS, NOTHING ELSE! When I say 'story', I am referring to plot and characterization. And Martin is without rival in both of these aspects. Jordan used to be my fave, and he still could score with THE PATH OF DAGGERS, but Martin's story is less bogged down and more action-packed. Besides, A CLASH OF KINGS will settle the debate once and for all. If you want something different and radical, read AMERICAN PSYCHO. What I want is great storytelling, and Martin comes through with flying colors.
Rating:
Summary: The best book I have ever read, could not put down.
Review: This book was very hard to put down, from the moment I open the front cover. The story lines are very interesting and "real". The characters are very life-like and the story flows really well. I can't wait for his sequel to come out! I have read this book 3 times and starting on my forth reading. I can't help but say again, that this book was awesome!
Rating:
Summary: It sucked me in
Review: I started this book over three months ago, picking it up and putting it down every twenty pages or so every few days. It was slow to start and didn't really grab me. Finally by about page 150 I was hooked and read straight through to the end. A refreshing non-linear plot, with ample yet logical twists and characters that stay in character. Wow. I've seen readers complain of the rape -n- pillage -n- obsenity as a detractor. Well, welcome to the middle ages. Unlike Goodkinds books the unsavory aspects in the book have a logical place and are not merely cheap shock ploys on the part of the author.Martin has just climbed to the top of my favorites list.
Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: An excellent read, I recommend it to anyone. Although I still feel Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time is superior, many others do not, and to each thier own, I recommend reading both these series:)
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: When a friend gave me this book, I thought yeah, yeah just another fantasy novel. Well did I eat my words. In fact, it is hard to find the words to describe how GOOD this novel is. All I can simply say is READ IT NOW.
Rating:
Summary: OHMIGOSH!!!
Review: Contrary to some people, if this book uses any true cliches, they are revamped totally. It's not a cliche, its a good plot. This book parallels the ancient world with exactness, is descriptive, is long (which I like, as I tend to go through 350 pagers in 2-3 days) but not so long as to bore, and actually has a plot that requires brain power!!! I recommend this to anyone
|
