Rating: 
Summary: A realistic fantasy of the first order
Review: I was thoroughly impressed with G.R.R. Martin's first two books in the series and had to get this one through Amazon.co.uk before it came out in the U.S. Martin certainly pulls out all of the stops with his third book, with heroism of the first order, dastardly treachery, and the demise of some major characters that we have grown to care about in his previous books (not completely unexpected, as he seems to revel in the sudden turns of fortune for "the good guys"). I have two reasons for not giving it full marks. The first is that the individual plots for each character, and the scheming plans that underlie their motivations have become so complex that it makes it difficult to jump in after more than a year's absence. I'd hope to see at least a brief summary of what has gone before in his later books so we can help keep things straight. My second reason is that although I enjoy my sword and sorcery stories with a healthy dose of reality, the politics, backstabbing (quite literally!) and the gut-wrenching deaths of major characters certainly does take its toll. Readers should be warned that this book is much darker that his previous two novels, and by the end, he leaves few characters that we can wholeheartedly root for. Regardless of my reservations, I am still very impressed by Martin's storytelling and his ability to transport you to a real world full of magic, mystery, and danger. I will be eagerly awaiting his next book. I hope that publishers will take note of the "Harry Potter" release timing and get the book out on the same day on both continents...
Rating: 
Summary: This series is brilliant!
Review: I have been so bowled over by this book - and its two predecessors - that I can scarcely find the words to describe them. Yes, they are dark and grim, but also filled with fascinating characters and a gripping story. I can hardly wait for the next one - and it has been years since I've felt that way about any novel in this genre. George R.R. Martin has set new standards for fantasy novels - and any other type of fiction, for that matter.
Rating:
Summary: The best Song yet
Review: The is the best installment so far by George R. R. Martin. GRRM has brought realism and unpredictability to his books in a way that will grab you and keep you from cover to cover. This new novel is no exception. Good things happenand bad things happen as well as the things that you least expect to happen. you will love the "bad" and at times hate the "good". There are no clean lines. Each character is unique and has his/her own merits, motives and story. The world is rich in detail, the scenes are gritty and real, and the impact can be haunting. you will giggle, you may even cry, and you will cheer for and yell. Prepare to be pulled in and engrossed. If you read one fantasy novel this year, go into Song of Ice and Fire. Excellent work George.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't wait...
Review: I couldn't wait until Oct 2000 and ordered it off amazon.co.uk Incredible! The first fantasy series I've read that has gone UPhill! (Knock on wood that Book 4 is even better) Things will happen to make you laugh, get angry, and hurl the book across the room. Or not, because wow, those 1000-page hardcovers make a dent in the wall. This is truly the best book of the series, and the end rivals "Game of Thrones" to be the most satisfying I've ever read. Everything gets so twisted up that I had to keep reminding myself who the good and bad guys were, and the increasing prominence of a certain religion hinted at in Clash of Kings made me have to rationalize a few things. I am so in love with this series! (Oh, and do not begrudge me my screenname, but it is happy coincidence that the Lady Stark and I share a first name :o) How often does *that* happen?)
Rating:
Summary: GRRM has done it again
Review: The third installment of the Song of Ice and Fire series fully lives up to the prior two books. There is plently of violence, but none of it gratutitous. There are more surprises here than in the earlier volumes--deaths you would never expect and intrigues which make you want to scream. As always, the writing is first rate, the characters well-drawn and complex, and the story lines (of which there are many) flow without a wasted word. If you have not read any of this series, begin right now! You are in for over 2,500 thrilling pages.
Rating:
Summary: Why oh why must it be this good.
Review: I love the fire and ice trilogy. I personally think it is the best fantasy that has ever been written, and cannot conceive of anything that could possible be better. Characters that just feel real. Moments that literally take your heart and squeeze it, but it never feels like you are being manipulated. Action that is intense but not fake. My only advice is this, do not start this series if you are not ready for it.
Take everything that was good about Game of Thrones and Clash of Kings, multiply it by 5 and you have this book. It is a rollercoaster an this is the ride of your life. I read it in one longe session and then immediately started it again.
Rating:
Summary: Better and better...
Review: First time I read GAme of Thrones, I thought to myself, "That's a pretty good book!". I had kind of skimmed thru it, like I do so many sci-fi books (see Jordan, Salvatore, etc.). I read clash of kings, and storm of swords, and thought the same thing: "pretty good book!".
Then I read them again...and again...and again.
Now, I think this story is the greatest sci-fi story ever told. Every time I reread any one of the three, I'm delighted by something new; like some obscure little story suddenly provides insight into something unbelievable (like the story jojen told bran about his father and ned stark).
Now, all I can say is: Wow!!! Greatest story ever told (and it's not even halfway done yet!)
Rating:
Summary: wow
Review: i dont have a lot of time so this is just a short review: this book surpassed any expectations i had for it. even after the first two books I wasn't expecting a literary masterpiece such as this one. the book is so intricate, fascinating and well written it makes you wonder how Harry Potter got to be so famous with books like this one just lying on the shelves. I don' care who disagrees with me, I felt these books were on the same level with LOTR, easily. Never predictable, always exciting, at times I put the book down and just wondered how George RR Martin put all this together. The book is quite dirty though, which means dont give this book to your 13 year old. If you know anyone who reads-at all-get them this book. 5 STARS!
Rating:
Summary: Agenda, intrigue, honor, death .... life
Review: "A Song of Ice and Fire" did not strike the right cord with me right off the bat. But I came to admire the series after reading this book. I've been too much into reading fantasy by such authors as Jordan and Goodking. If you love those series, you may go through similar experiences as I did.
It took me almost 5 months to read this volume of the series. I often put it down and picked it up again. Finished it last night and almost could not sleep. A pot that has been boiling for a long time has finally burst.
Martin writes fantasy that portrays people very realistically. There is no such thing as absolute truth in these books. It really depends on who you ask. That constituted my biggest problem with the series at first. Every protagonist is pursuing their own dreams and agenda. Furthermore, there always seems to be a cause that triggers a particular reaction. Incredibly, this book had me realize that Martin set up many causes almost 2000 pages before they caused a reaction. In a series this complicated, that's just mind stopping. Also the series gives you an excellent mix of characters that are pure pragmatics, and those who are torn between emotions and pragmatism.
Prepare yourself to be amazed and outraged by the deaths of many a main protagonist. Such is life.
Rating:
Summary: Finally...
Review: I read through the first two books in this series, and was blown away. Both of them were incredible. But then I came here, and found myself forced to write 4-star reviews. The books were better than many that I've given 5-star reviews to, but they were so ambitious that even a minor flaw cost them a star.
Then came "A Storm of Swords." Plot webs continued to weave, battles were fought, and the story continued to draw me in. But for quite some time I felt that a new flaw had surfaced for this book: predictability. Jaime's friendship with Brienne, and Sandor's with Arya, it seemed Martin had lost his ability to surprise. But then within the last few hundred pages shocks began to reappear (no spoilers here), and I finally get the pleasure of writing a five-star review.
And to address the issue of "A Feast for Crows" taking too long, I don't care. I'm glad Martin is taking his time producing another masterpiece, instead of a work of pulp. Time is one major difference between the original, masterful "Dune" series, and the new, fun but pulpy, "Dune" prequels. If I have to wait fifty years to get AFFC, I will.
|
