Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely the best fantasy series!
Review: The Song of Ice and Fire series is by far the most complex and intriguing fantasy series since Tolkien's LOTR and Zimmer-Bradley's Mists of Avalon series. Martin's plots and subplots entertwine masterfully and unfold unpredictably in the rare format that keeps the reader clueless as to resolution and yet unbearably curious. Martin's multi-faceted characters are definately one of the strong points of his writing. Unlike the typical format of the fantasy epic--most particularly Goodkind's SoT series, constant at best if not monotonous, in which the characters are single faceted, predictable and purely black and white, good and evil--Martin's characters are unpredictably facecious. Even the Starks, whom most would probably concede to be the protagonists, for the first two books at any rate, have been known to be cruel and capricious quite often, and the previously wicked Jaime Lannister is seen in the third book to have a greater depth as the story is told through his perspective. Another common folly of the fantasy novelist,i.e...Kate Elliott, Jordan, Goodkind, is to write a string of self sufficient novels which could well stand alone, containing a exposition, climax, and resolution, tack on an ending which leads into the next novel and call it a series. I cannot get over the disappointment of finding myself in the middle of a series with no end in sight and coming to the conclusion that every book hertofore has essentially been a retelling of the same plot with different names, locations and details added into the mix. Perhaps the most refreshing quality of Martin's work is that in the true Tolkienian sence of the fantasy epic his series is just that: a series, rather than a series of separate novels in which the same characters play a starring role. One final reccommending factor of Martin's work is that the plot is as deceitful as the characters. Halfway through each book the reader will discover that every circumstance he has counted on as a given is really yet another clever misdirection. With all the expertise of the master magician Martin displays through this series that all is not as it appears and that those characters whom we count on as heros...or villains if you like may be precisely the opposite of what we have surmised. or perhaps it is simply that in a story such as this; one true to life, there are no heros or villains, only people who taken as a whole will protect the intrests of themselves and their loved ones without pausing to worry what kind of light this sheds on them. Martin is truly a master story weaver and I eagerly anticipate the next install ment of this masterful saga. My only regret in regard to Ice and Fire is that I didn't stumble upon it at a later date, when I might not have to wait so long for the next book!
Rating:
Summary: Humanistic fantasy of epic proportions
Review: Just finished the 3rd installment of Martin's Song of Fire and Ice series and I must say that it is a must. I suppose if you looking into purchasing this book then you have already read the first two and thus dont need encouragement to undertake the reading of this vast novel. I dont want to give anything away but the reason that Martin is so wonderful is that he spends so much time on character development yet isn't afraid to kill them off when the plot requires. There is one particular point in the book where four of the main characters die (or do they) within about 100 pages of text. I have e-mailed Mr. Martin and thanked him for the stories and characters and told him that I was going through withdrawl. When he wrote back he said the true withdrawl wouldn't set in until I realized that the next book wouldn't be out until 2002, and he is right. This book has only a few slow spots and you dont mind those so much because you know he will pick up the pace very shortly. His characters are superb. My favorites are Tyrion and Stannis. He hasn't given away his plot so we are left hanging until the next book which is great. I can wait for Jordan's next installment, but this one is going to be hard to wait for. I would definitely try to collect the first editions of these books as they should definitely sit on your shelf as part of a true collection of fantasy. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - DONT MISS
Rating:
Summary: Surprises on every page
Review: I like very much the development of the plot in the book. It is superb - everything happens unexpectedly and no-one of the main characters is protected from dying. That is just great - I can't stand stupid books where we all have to suffer for 10 books each 1000 pages long for the good to prevail the evil - it is so boring and easy to predict what will happen. Martin is a different sort of author - he surprises the reader in every page of the book and makes the plot more and more interesting - almost no character is all good or bad. All characters are just people and mortals. Read the books - you will utterly enjoy them
Rating: 
Summary: ok, the kingdom's war-torn but
Review: i believe, and agree with those reviewers who have already noted, that the carnage of major characters is excessive and frustrating. by the same token, i disagree with many reviewers who claims that the slow pace was geared towards 'character development'. how far can you develop a character when he/she's been killed? at the same time, Martin's starting to include new characters, that i suppose, are waiting to die. IMO, the wholesale slaughter of major characters, especially in this third book, is really disruptive. i have a tough time getting involved with the story simply because i couldn't identify any of the characters. the book really doesn't allow for it with its myriad of 'dead'ends and it jumps way too quickly from one character to the next. by the middle of the aSoS, it no longer shocked me who died as i expect the majority of them not to survive. the foil of the Knight of Flowers to Jaime could be interesting but i'm sure one of them will die in the next book (and it wouldn't be Jaime). i also disagree about the intricate plot -- as you read or after having read through this, think of all the subplots that were basically meaningless (except perhaps for 'character development' purposes like vast portions of the Arya and even Brandon arcs). Daenerys' was about the only plotline that went anywhere. granted that this story is set in a major time of unrest with warring states vieing for dominance but this was frustrating to read when you are forced to be detached. if i wanted to read about political intrigue and war tactics, there are more interesting books from historical accounts -- even these would have you identifying with the major characters. i agree that Martin is meticulous about detailing the history and therefore the myth of this series (perhaps beyond meticulous); this is notable and shows his care for his 'world' and i appreciate this focus on the environs... but after three books, surprising little's been accomplished with the direction of the characters. i hope this doesn't become like Jordan's books where it'll be another 4 years when, by book 6 or 7, Martin finally starts to unwind his meandering plot. yeah, i know Martin fans are devout and a 3-star rating (average) would probably be viewed the same as 1-star but i honestly don't believe this book came close to the promise of A Game of Thrones.
Rating:
Summary: A Storm of Swords
Review: Gripping fast paced storylines that take hold and wont let go. George Martin has let his imagination run-away in an orderly and fascinating fashion. I hope with all sincerity that his story, imagination, and committment to the task have the staying power necessary to take me to the last page with the same intensity.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Series
Review: This is by far the best series I have ever read. The characters are so complex and so full that that could easily be real. I even skipped work when the third book came out just so I could sit and read all day.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best!
Review: This book, and the previous two accomplish something I have long waited for in the fantasy genre; they bring realism to the story. The characters are simply fantastic. The story is absolutely plausible in every aspect (given the rules the author has set up). Unlike most fantasy books, no character in these books are simply black or white, good or evil. They behave as you would expect a flawed human being to behave; well within the grey areas. Besides the wonderful characterization of people in the book, the story is willing to take chances. Characters are killed off. This helps to create drama and suspense that doesn't really exist in other books, because no one here is really safe. The uncertain fate of each character is bolstered by the fact that no character is a primary protagonist. Martin lets the reader decide who to like. Finally, Martin is a skilled writer. I've read books with fine story lines, but with less accomplished writers. The result is an interesting story that is painful to read. Such is not the case here. You will fly through the thousand pages of each book. Beware however, because no other fantasy book that I have found yet can live up to the gold standard that Martin has set. Nonetheless, its worth the disappointment in others to experience the greatness here.
Rating: 
Summary: Marriages not made in Heaven
Review: "A Storm of Swords" is the third book of George R.R. Martin's six-volume epic, "A Song of Ice and Fire." His characters continue to be unlucky in love, and not all of the four kings who were still alive at the end of volume II, make it through volume III. If I were a king in one of Martin's fantasies and someone suggested it was high time I married, I'd jump on my destrier and gallop like hell for the nearest monastery. It would be safer to enlist in the Night Watch and fight animated corpses beyond the Wall of Ice than it would be to take a bride. Speaking of which, the Night Watch and its enemies beyond the Wall come into much sharper focus in volume III. Barbaric tribes of Wildlings begin to fight their way over the Wall, driven by the supernatural Others and their own living dead. Most of the battle scenes take place at or near the Wall in "A Storm of Swords," although the Queen across the Water, Daenerys Targaryen fights a few of her own while freeing slaves and raising her three dragons. Martin doesn't spare his reader the gory details of medieval warfare or courtly love, which is why I don't think he should be compared to T. H. White ("The Once and Future King"). Martin harkens back to the older, medieval legends of Arthur (e.g. Mallory's "Morte d'Arthur") where the knights were a much bloodier, bawdier lot---not the types that Disney would want to immortalize. T. H. White's advice on the battles and tournaments, "Let's skip the parts where Sir Somebody smote somebody...," was definitely not taken to heart by Martin. In his first three volumes, knights routinely whack off each other's collops, codpieces, and assorted body parts. Four of the narrators in "A Storm of Swords" are mutilated---a nose, a hand, and four finger joints go missing; the young boy-narrator, Brandon Stark was thrown from a window (in volume I) and paralyzed. There are a couple of regicides, a patricide (or an attempted patricide), and a wife murder in volume III, plus other killings too numerous to mention. The two Stark daughters, Princess Sanya (age 12) and Princess Arya (age 10) continue their narratives in "A Storm of Swords." Sanya is bent on escaping from the Lannisters who rule in the name of Joffrey, the boy king. Arya, who has already escaped is bent on avenging the death of her father. Every night before she falls asleep, she recites the names of the people she wants to kill. She is an innocent yet repellent little girl who bullies her friends and kills people in order to survive. Her sister Sanya is much more passive. She still believes that someday a noble prince will show up and ride off into the sunset with her. However, she is now certain that her noble prince is not a Lannister. Martin has created a harsh, yet dazzling world where even children have to kill or be killed.
Rating:
Summary: A clash of kings
Review: I think it it the best book about monsters , kings, and knights. Its close up to the hobbit and i think it should be made in a movie!
Rating:
Summary: I can see both points of view (but the book is still great!)
Review: Interesting reviews by the readers! .... I can see both points of view, if you like clean, traditional fantasy this is not for you. And, I can see some folks seeing it as dragging on forever without much resolution. Certainly if you read fantasy for the cool spells and huge magics, this isn't for you. If, however, you enjoy characters who will surprise you and a wildly complicated plot, then this is your series. Particularly noteworthy in the third book is the development of characters who have been on the perifery to this point. Especially Jaime Lannister, Brienne of Tarth, and Sandor Clegane each of whom plays a much larger role than in previous volumes. While I would agree that portions of A Storm of Swords dragged on a bit too much, the overall pace was great and the surprises kept on coming. ....
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