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Summary: Things slow down in Storm of Swords
Review: Though not cerebral fantasy, the Fire and Ice series is, nevertheless, the most exciting and well-written series I can remember. I can't remember ENJOYING fantasy this much, and it's my favorite genre.That said, if you have read the first two books, and are not enthralled and "sold" on the series, don't expect Storm of Swords to draw you back in. The least good of the three so far, Storm has a tendency -- not found in either of the first two-- to stall the characters in their tracks. While the first two books really flew, characters (I love) like Arya and Bran and Caetlin and Sansa (and the rest) tend in this book just to repeat their mantras, both in dialogue and in plot. Ten page chapters seem to exist to make one plot point. A new character, Dantos, gets his own chapters, which are all fairly boring and repetitive: he must be saved for some future plot twists. The character of Daenarys, who went through a fascinating coming-of-age-as-a-woman plot in the first book, is now incredibly tedious. Martin says in his dedication that his wife made him "put the dragons in" and I can only guess he doesn't have any ideas of what to do with them, at least in this installment. So if you're hooked like I am, enjoy the book and let's hope for a return to form in the 4th installment. If you're considering giving up after #2, then I expect Storm won't win you back.
Rating: 
Summary: Who's Left for Next Book?
Review: A Storm of Swords is an exciting read with some of my favorite characters in it. The cities are described in few words and which live in your mind as if you were there. However, it seems that everyone of importance has been killed off and I wonder who is left to write the next book about?
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Summary: Some real weaknesses---horrid book
Review: It is hard to convey the insanity of the praise for this book. This is NOT a good book. All the characters are asinine and or evil caught in a medieval world of Month Python without a shred of the humor. I am a lifelong fantasy fan and this is simply not a good book. It is NOT at the top of the genre like many people are making it out to be. That sentiment is laughable beyond measure. This book is just plain tedious at times and many of the minor characters are just fill-in fodder. And what have people been reading to praise the dialogue so? This is just plain, simple dialogue, which fits into the story but nothing great, nothing subtle, nothing witty, nothing out of the ordinary. Like the book ok lines once in a while but nothing more. There is not much of philosophy, or delving into the human condition that other fantasy can and does deliver. The world really isn't all that interesting and the lords and the banners and the plotting and honor of the houses, blah, blah after not too long. Yes I had read the first 2, yes I read this in less than 3 weeks, which is a good accomplishment, but I am giving up on the series, the book feels like that much of a betraying of the first 2 books. This is writing by connect the dots folks. There are a couple of interesting characters and a lot of mush. I really question anyone who praises this book, if they have read in the fantasy genre or much at all. Simply a fairly bad book which is a total shame after the first 2 books. Martin, quite simply, lost it. Also the plot rather then being intricate, interesting, and subtle, it is simply large, and pointless. The author clearly has no idea where he is going or why. Danerys and the dragons, the dialogue and characters surrounding it? Pointless, stupid, some of the worse writing you will ever encounter. This book would simply be another bad book, one of the worst I had ever encountered. Given what people think of it however, it is an abomination and almost grotesque given the marvelous fantasy that is out there that can give you insight into the human condition, help you find yourself, give you warmth, cheer, strength, and yes sadness as well. This book if you have any sense in your soul will simply give you a blankness and a sense of having wasted your time. The world has no resemblance to reality. Just as a world that is all lightness and goodness and laudy dah would make you want to gag and give you no insight. A world so blank and banal and mean and pointless where everyone walks around with his or her head cut off (literally and figuratively) is just as stupid and pointless to visit. If you have no insight or taste whatsoever you might think it passable or goodness forbid even good. I pity you.
Rating:
Summary: Another masterpiece!
Review: George RR Martin has done it again in A STORM OF SWORDS. Here we have yet another brilliant addition to the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. Everything present in "A Game of Thrones" and "A Clash of Kings" once again makes a showing. The characters continue to develop new dimensions and the plot twists and turns and results in unexpected but still logical conclusions. Martin's direct and hold-nothing-back style of writing remains just as moving and effective as in the first two books. If you have read "A Game of Thrones" and "A Clash of Kings" already, then I probably don't even need to tell you to buy this. Do so. You will not be disappointed a bit. That is, at least until the part where you have to put A STORM OF SWORDS down...
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Summary: It's All True...
Review: I have to be honest. When I picked up these books a mere two months ago I was thinking, "Yeah, right". A co-worker and fellow reader had avidly (or should I say "rabidly"?) extolled the virtues of this series, and, trusting her advice, I plunked down my gas money and bought all three. That evening I sat gingerly turning the first volume in my hand, what with it's perfunctory fantasy-type illustration gracing its front and the less than informative teaser on the back. Figuring that I should not let my investment go to waste (and partly thinking that I would just return them for the cash) I began to read. Six hours later, I finally finished "A Game of Thrones", scarcely stopping to breathe. These books are by far the best written fantasy novels I have read (with the possible exception of Tolkein's, whom I cannot betray based on my long standing endearment to his work). These stories have it all. Murder, intrigue, sex, dragons, wargs, wights, and war; and as each chapter looks from a different point of veiw, we are invited to glimpse the inner workings of each man and woman caught up in this life and death struggle for power. Martin pulls no punches in this tale; there are consequences for every action and no one is spared. These become real people to the reader, and we are drawn in because we see ourselves in its pages, fantasy though the setting be. An opus of strength and will which evokes a visceral response in the reader! Sublime. This is a series to stock extra copies for freinds.
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Summary: Better but hard to wait for
Review: Yes! I agree ASoIaF is better than The Lord of the Rings. I've read LoR and ASoIaF twice each. Martin has created a detailed, rich world full of history and tradition that rivals the LoR. And what I like best is that he does not make his characters invincible and is not afraid to let them die. The only problem is that I can't wait for the next book and all others pale in comparison.
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Summary: The Fearless Author
Review: I couldn't give any of the books in this trilogy less than 5 stars. I was introduced into the world of fantasy by Wheel of Time, but after reading R.R. Martin's books I don't think I could return to such one-dimensional characters. George handles his characters with such great detail that each and every one of them (even the bad guys) is a rounded human being in your eyes. He also weaves magic into his world so subtly it becomes perfectly plausible as reality. I can't wait for the fourth book!
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Summary: A manifestation of the best characters, history, etc.
Review: Martin's style of writing and descriptivness make you feel as if you're in the book beside the characters. He makes you love the caharacters and care for them, or hate them bitterly. Definetly one of the best. Words can not form the anticipation of the fourth installment, A Feast for crows.
Being merely 13 years of age it was hard to keep up with the wide quantity and style of characters... surely my elders faced the same difficulty.. but it adds to the effectiveness. This story is based on a history so rich and people so different it almost seems that Westeros (the main land in the A song of Ice and Fire series) is an actual peice of land on Earth.
I'd have to say I like the characters Sansa, Arya, Sandor and Brienne... mostly because they're having conflicts with themselves and the outcome is so inevitable and fruitful you'll cheer for them or even cry. Some aren't so positive about Sansa and ponder if she'll ever become wise but I like her because I pity her yet am like her... she is interesting and probably Martin's formation of the "average, fairy-tale blinded little girl" but his addition of a charater of such being was a wise choice. Then there's Arya, the rebel who shows a side of compassion.. she in that way is like me as well.. I'd say I'm composed of the parts of Sansa and Arya who are so different yet alike... And then there's Brienne of Tarth who's ending may be what she least expects.. And my all-time favourite male Sandor Clegane AKA the hound. Nobody understands him and underneath his cover he wants the same as every decent person; to be loved.
I highly recommend this book to any fantasy-lover like myself... the tragedies and commotions are the perfect ingredients that conjur up a romance/adventure/action book that sits atop the high shelf of the greatest fantasy books....
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: The Book A Storm of Swords from A Song of Ice and Fire series is a masterpiece. It pulls all of the human charateristics good and bad to form complex characters and an exciting story that rivals the Tolien Trilogy. In my mind it is one of the best books anyone could buy or read.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Stories, but annoying style
Review: I really love the stories and Martin's prose is smooth and evocative. However, he jumps from one character's story to another each chapter, so the book never developes a flow or rhythm. I wish he would have structured the book such that he told each character's story more completely rather than jumping around chapter to chapter. I find the style very disruptive.
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