Rating: 
Summary: Easily Equaling Tolkien
Review: George R. R. Martin scares me. Ever time I read his books I am sure there is no possible way for a human being to have written them. They have too many subplots, but yet stay focused, too many characters, but doesn't stray. All in all, it seems to real to be true. I read the first book and thought, 'This certainly can't continue at this level.' I was right, each consecutive novel has surpassed the other, amazingly enough. My words may seem a bit strong, perhaps exaggerated, but they aren't, you must read it to be able to understand.
Rating: 
Summary: Baffled
Review: I can't believe I forced myself through these 3 god awful books. I cound't stand it. I put the books on my list because of recommendations here and I honestly cannot understand why anyone would like it. It was painful to read. The characters are cutouts, the plot is completely derivative. A HUGE disappointment and I cannot believe all the praise for these books is real.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book, but not for everybody.
Review: I have read many fantasy novels, and I'll admit some are pretty good. You see, I am not a die-hard fantasy reader, but Martin's books became an exception. Compared to other novels by other big name writers such as Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series that lost it's edge after the first two books, or Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" series which got too lame and corny as it progresses; Martin's books has it's way of grabbing your attention page by page. And while other books stick to the classic "good guy, bad guy" theme, Martin's books gives life and growth to his characters so you will end up liking a bad guy, but hating a good guy. Another attribute his characters seem to have (and it's contagious!) is backstabbing. And of all three books, "A Storm of Swords" had the record of most backstabbings.
But as I said, it is not for everybody. Those die-hard fantasy fans looking for magic will be somewhat disappointed. The books contains scenes of magic, dragons, the undead, and others but not much. Another thing that people may not like is the violence. Those readers not into blood, guts, and gore may not like it much, but it doesn't bother me a bit.
So how does Martin do it? Is it the characters? The violence? The intrigue? I think it is the combination of all three plus more I didn't mention. I can't wait for the "Feast".
Rating: 
Summary: Finally, the series gets somewhere!!
Review: This was easily the best book of this series. After forcing my way throught the second book, I was convinced that Martin was really Robert Jordan in disguise, but after reading the third installment of this slow to publish series I felt much better. It appears that Martin is only getting ADVICE from Jordan, rather then actually being Jordan. The plot moved along very well in this book, the new character viewpoints were interesting and made the book all the better and best of all, almost everyone named "Stark" gets killed off or at the very least, develops a personality. In all seriousness, while there are many characters in this book, the only interesting ones are Tyrion, Jon Snow and Danaerys. I hope the fourth book is just about them or at the very least, omits all references to women named Stark. Unfortunately, in order to read the interesting, we also read the dull. I expect that the fourth book may come out while I am still young enough to have the use of my eyes, but I won't count on it. While I did enjoy the book, I will enjoy them all the more as soon as it becomes apparent that there is an end in sight. While authors and publishers may think that they are getting their money's worth from hacks like Jordan, Goodkind and dare I include you in this category Mr Martin, these never ending long running series will only hurt the genre in the long run. As editors are constantly forced to pore through endless and mindless tomes of repetitive fantasy text, the one or two authors with actual original ideas will most likely get left out in the cold. Read this book. It's fun, but don't expect too much from the future.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Ever
Review: The Ice and Fire books are by far the best books Ive ever read I love the way the story flows togeather and the story itself never gets lost. everytime you turn the page you just can't wait for more. Its a read all night book thats for sure!!!
Rating:
Summary: Its simply perfect
Review: After reading the first 2 books I had come to a few conclusions about the series and about George R.R. Martin's writting. First I realized that NO ONE was sacred, and anyone could suffer a horrible, screaming, ill-deserved fate. Second I realized that the man can write, and write well, unlike so many writters in this Genre (I really think Martin should be his own genre) He doesn't write repetitive, dry, and cliche phrases, sentences, or chapters. Third I realized that a WHOLE LOT of stuff happens, as opposed to so many fantasy books and series where the "great cliche hero" goes on his "great cliche quest" and nothing of importance happens for anywhere from 100 pages to 6 books. Fourth I knew, with absolute Certainty that though everyone was "Shades of Gray" in his world, there was at least 1 evil, foul character, and his name was Jaime Lanister. Then I read A Storm of Swords. Never again will I presume to doubt the master.
To say that this is "gritty Fantasy" would be a severe understatement. If you would like a book where good and evil are clearly defined, the good guys always win and the bad guys always loose and nothing really bad happens to the good guys, don't read this book; pick up david eddings of something. If you want believeable (yes believable),emotionally engaging, intelligent, literature, then read G.R.R.M.
This series, and especially this book, are simply incredible, reading it will affect you, it will engage you, and it will surprise you. If you read only one fantasy series in your life Read this one, If you read 2, pick up Tolkien.
Rating:
Summary: I did it to myself again
Review: After I began reading the Robert Jordan Series I swore I would never begin reading a series of books that had not been finished again. I was weak and this time it really cost me. Fortunately, the Jordan series became weaker and weaker with each book and therefor the waiting was quite tolerable. This is not the case with George R.R. Martins epic "A Song of Fire and Ice" series. These books are beyond excellent from cover to cover. Depth of character, interesting story lines, and what I like best: Martin does not rely on characters with super magic powers that are completely undefeatable to guide the current of the story. I will suffer the next 10 months awaiting the next novel but, if it is of as high of quality as the preceeding 3 books the wait for the 5th book may be quite intolerable. My recommendation: Wait until Martin finishes the series until you start!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Lost Story with No Direction
Review: When I first read the reviews for this series, I was in hopes of finding another epic series like "The Lord of the Rings, "Wheel of Time", and "The Sword of Truth". Martin has a mixed writing style compared to many of the masters of fantasy, He follows in the foot steps of Jordan and Goodkind, evolving multiple semi-complex plots and characters across an entire fantasy realm. As a reader of fantasy novels, I understand that all writers have their own unique styles, but one thing that has always stood out was the main character(s) and purpose. With the three books in, "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, I am still lost to both. In the first book, the apparent main character was killed, then a second minor character took his place. Halfway through book two, he's gone from the story line and five other characters are now bidding for the main character position in books two and three. The purpose of each main character is different, some looking for justice, some for wealth and power, and other characters disapear from the story line all together then re-appear to have some major impact of the story line. One other item that tends to pull me away from this series, is the lack of magic. There is a small hint to it, but nothing as profound as the other series listed above. I would place this series more in the like of King Author and Round Table, than Middle Earth and the Midlands. All in all, I will probably continue to follow this series, but it lacks all the things I feel are necessary to be an epic fantasy series.
Rating:
Summary: Read it on my Dell Axim
Review: I won't waste your time telling you how great this series is (IT REALLY IS GREAT THOUGH) instead I thought I would mention how GOOD the electronic version of this title is. I downloaded it onto my Dell Axim and had no problems reading it from there. The download was smooth, uploading it onto the handheld was smooth and reading it was a blast. E-books like this are the real reason for buying a PDA!
Rating:
Summary: Blowing the star ceiling
Review: What is it worth ?
5 ? 10 ? 20 stars ?
I posess among others over 300 fantasy books in 5 languages and I have read much more .
Although I like this genre still , it is often "been there , done that" . G.R.R Martin has blown everything I know .
Even good writers like Donaldson , Williams , Wurtz , excellent S.Erikson , Hobb are below this level - I won't include Tolkien because as the founding father he's somewhat untouchable .
Well actually Erikson is not very far .
Let's not mention the Brooks , Eddings , Goodkinds and Jordans , this last with the exception of the first 4 volumes . Why is Martin so good ?
Because his work is like Dante's Hell with the inscription "You who enter here , abandon all hope ."
He introduces us to the smaller personnal hells we all know - the greed , the cruelty , the indifference , the violence , the despair , the betrayal .
He introduces us also to the bigger and more abstract Hell , this which lies beyond the Wall .
But as the Hell doesn't exist without its counterpart , the Good subtly insinuates itself within the characters so that you can have compassion or understanding even for some of the "dark" souls .
Thus you can look at Thyrion in both ways , good or evil and conclude that he's simply human - neither one nor the other . An example how Martin handles the symbolism with mastery and puts the reader systematically off balance is the Wall .
It's there to protect the Kingdom from unspeakable evil but at the same time , like Peake's Gormenghast , it's crumbling and inadequately manned .
Those who man it are the Black Brothers .
They are clad in black (not white !) and recruited among criminals , bastards , outcast and deserters - hardly the profile of shining heroes who selflessly serve and rescue princesses at the peril of their lives .
Yet they are brothers and that hints at a care for the family which might redeem their souls .
They are also called the Crows .
The crow , a carrion eater and a bird of ill omens .
But it's also near to a raven , bearer of mystery and symbol of the Wikings .
And is it not possible that in a dark , hopeless world when the winter is coming the last who represent hope would be the Black Brothers ? The writing is brilliant , the plot is outstanding (as a side note only - I can't get the feel for Daenerys and her usefulness for the story but perhaps it's only me) and the characters are as real as they can get . A must read .
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