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Summary: The Best Fantasy Novel Ever?
Review: A Storm of Swords is easily the best fantasy novel of 2000 and, quite possibly, the best fantasy novel EVER written. The first two in the series, A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings, were both excellent but A Storm of Swords takes the series and the whole fantasy genre to the next level.I don't know whether to love or hate Martin for this amazing novel. Should I love him for his brilliant writing or hate him for making me wait another 12+ months for A Dance with Dragons to figure out is going to happen next? As a fellow writer, I am in awe of Martin's deep, alomost convoluted, plots and twists. I am certain that A Storm of Swords will make my next novel that much better for having read it. Either that or I'll quit writing out of frustration... Kenneth A. Baumbach Author, The Heretics' Power
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Summary: OH MY GOD
Review: I'll keep this short and simple. If you liked the first two books, you'll love the third. If you didn't like the first two books, you'll love the third. My god, I was starting to think series only got worse with each book (Like with Robert Jordan), but with Martin, it's only getting better. I never know what's going to happen next. Well of course I'll THINK i know what'll happen next, but...Wow. That's the best way to sum up this book and this series. Wow.
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Summary: Darn good, but............
Review: Martin writes brilliantly, and I actually broke down and bought the hardback, but I have a couple of concerns. (1) Is this going to be an interminable type series? It is superb, but if it drags on to a dozen books, that is really too much. 5 would be OK, 4 ideal, to my mind. (2) I can't see any rhyme or reason to which character will die each chapter, or which will be miraculously brought back to life. I supect that Martin rolls dice to decide it, and then writes the story to fit. However, Martin writes so well, and brings the characters to life so magnificently, that I certainly suggest you read it. I look forward to the next installment, but I'll buy it in paperback or share the hardback cost with friends.
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Summary: The NEW Master of Fantasy
Review: GRRM has set THE NEW BENCHMARK by which any and all other fantasy books must strive to attain. After reading these books, no longer will the consumate fantasy reader have to endure another "downtrodden boy discovers magic powers and must go north to defeat the evil lord" (aka Shannara) or "downtrodden boy discovers magic power and becomes near-godlike, but must still travel north and defeat evil lord" (aka Wheel of Time and Sword of Truth). Fantasy authors will now HAVE to change that tried and true formula that Tolkien began oh so many years ago. GRRM has breathed total and absolute new life into our stagnant genre. NOTHING I have read before has even come close in terms of character development, intricate storytelling, and ultimately, grand scope and plotting of his mythical world. Just by reading the first book, you KNOW that GRRM has every detail of his story planned out waaaay ahead of time - things vaguely mentioned in Book 1, become suddenly clear in Book 3. Unlike the pitiful Wheel of Time series where you can tell jordan has absolutely NO idea where he is going (at least, that's the impression I still get reading the reviews. I personally quit WoT at book 5 - reading 1000 page tomes where nothing happens annoys me.) But jordan is content to keep on rambling as long as maroons keep putting his books at #1. Why people? But believe me, it really won't be long before GRRM usurps and takes his rightful place at the TOP where he truly belongs! I treasure these books - I just ordered A Game of Thrones in hardback from the man himself, (signing included) and have also ordered Books 2 & 3 in hardback as well. AND these books are so good, I am now reading Book 1 out loud every evening to my wife during our newly discovered "storytime" - she loves for me to read it to her, and I love reading it again so I can soak up all the minute details and apply them to my better understanding of this unspeakably intricate plot. I can't wait for us to get to Book 3 and read "The Red Wedding" scene. Anybody who has read these books should understand my utter reverance for them, and if you haven't read them, soak your jordan & goodkind books in lighter fluid, start a big bonfire in the dark of night, and dance around it naked while you revel in the ectasy that is A Song of Ice & Fire.
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Summary: Wow. One of the best books of the year.
Review: If you have read the first two books of this series, then do not hesitate to read this book. If you are new to the series, make sure you read the first two before picking this one up. Martin delivers big-time with Storm of Swords. His clear style is easy to follow and the twists and turns of the politics in his world are truly first rate. Descriptions of places and people are vivid enough to allow the reader to picture the description, but are short enough not to distract from the ongoing story. But the most gratifying aspect of this series is that Martin clearly has not fallen in love with any particular characters. To say more would spoil some well-earned surprises in the story. Because so much of today's fantasy consists of archetypical characters or plots, it is truly a pleasure to read an author with an original and refreshing story to tell.
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Summary: WOW! Stunning and draining
Review: One of the best books I have read, and I am an avid reader of fantasy, sci-fi and other genres. This series is definitely at the pinnacle of the fantasy world right now, far surpassing the epics by Jordan and Goodkind, though neither of those is bad. I was completely stunned by some of the plot twists which I will not give away. I would get so into each character and each chapter, that I would literally be drained from staying up to 4 AM to try and find out what happens next. The series keeps getting better, but this one will be very hard to top. Despite a huge cast, all the characters are very memorable and recognizable. Start with the first book of the series, though. Thank you Mr. Martin!
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Summary: An Exciting Epic, Rich in Emotion and Imagination
Review: True, enrapturing fantasy at its best requires a complex amalgam of brutally realistic prospects and highly imaginative, improbable characters, settings and plots. George R. R. Martin combines the two ingredients masterfully in the latest installment of his epic saga "A Song of Ice and Fire." His characters are as improbable as they are realistic, while the interwoven subplots of the novel are passionate and unpredictable. Martin's story-telling genius keeps the reader enthralled with every development in the storyline while he artfully weaves a plausible and magnificent social and cultural setting for his plot. Nevertheless, what makes this and Martin's first two novels so memorable is the carefree way in which he keeps the reader eager and hopeful even as he introduces us intimately to characters with whom we fall in love only to see them come to tragic ends. A fantasy novel that can keep readers hopeful of a galant resolution to the plot, while maitaining an everpresent thread of sorrow and realism is truly a memorable literary work. Demanding fantasy readers will relish this book and wish there were more writers like Martin in the genre.
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Summary: George Martin is incredible...
Review: I LOVE THIS SERIES! I am so impressed with everything George R.R. Martin has done so far with this series. The characters are incredibly compelling and the plot is deliciously thick. There are so many twists and turns in this book that you have to brace yourself for the constantly new developments! But I love it. This book made me laugh out loud, made me cry, made me angry, made me nervous...you name it. A fantastic triumph in fantasy writing! I can't wait for the next one! If you are reading this review than you've probably already read the first two...don't worry. You won't be disappointed!
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Summary: Simply Amazing
Review: This book is simply amazing, as is the whole series. If you've read the first two, you know this is a must-have. If you haven't, you need to read those, and then get this one. Many may see this as a good thing, but sometimes it's annoying how easily the author just *yoink* yanks one of the main characters out of the picture! I keep having to pick a new favorite every time my old favorite dies! But the way in which there is no clear good or evil is superb, and I often find myself cheering for one of the "bad guys". A fantastic read, one you will lose sleep over!
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Summary: Martin rolls, this book ROCKS.
Review: I've run out of superlatives to describe this series. All I can do is tell you why I love it, and why you should read it. This book is dark, darker than the first two combined, and pushes the story of the Starks vs. the Lannisters to new highs and lows. I can't tell you much of what happens, because it seems that a new dramatic development happens with every chapter ending. Martin has mastered the art of the middle book, in that things keep happening, certain issues are resolved, while more are created and central mysteries remain for future books. BTW, you may hate me for revealing this much, but I guarantee that at least one of your favorite characters will either die or be maimed in this book. Most fantasy authors are too chicken to kill characters. Martin, despite having created the most dynamic, multi-layered and interesting characters I have ever read, has no qualms about doing horrible things to them. Stephen King wrote recently that timidity can hamper a writer's prose. Martin displays no such timidity, and A Song of Ice and Fire has been stronger for it. I love the way Martin treats magic in this series. In the first book, there are hints of long-gone magic (the dragons, Valyrian steel, the Others, etc) that are all treated reverentially but consigned to history. Book 2 turns all of these up a notch, hinting that they may not be so far gone after all. In addition, a strange and dangerous priestess enters the picture, a woman who is able to know and do many things that are terrifying and powerful to others in the Seven Kingdoms. In A Storm of Swords, one gains a sense that the lifeblood of Magic is surging back into the world again. Martin's fantasy has it all. There is betrayal and politics. We see battles, journeys, tragedy and beauty. Through it all, Martin's elegant and simple words lead us, and by the end of this novel we are treated to bigger cliffhangers than we saw at the end of "Clash." I dream of Book 4. I don't care how long the books are; more pages means more story. I love the style Martin uses; changing perspectives allows you to learn more about each character. I have read many criticisms of this series, none of which I can agree with. If you don't like this series, fine, but if you love fantasy and you haven't read it, you OWE it to yourself to start. Trust me.
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