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Summary: Frustrating as hell...
Review: George R.R. Martin's first book frustrated me to no end. He killed the "good" guys, made you cheer for the "bad" guys, and then killed them too! I couldn't stop reading it! This latest installment is even better than the first. Martin's no-holds-barred writing is pure...humanity. He doesn't shimmy around all the dark issues. As a matter of fact he embraces the dark issues and makes them his own. If you like happy endings and "true knights" frolicking through the battles then this is not the book for you. If, however, you enjoyed the first book of the series and the author's realistic manner of writing then you will love this book. The plot is even thicker than before, with all the plotting and conspiring and killing that you came to love in the first book. If anything, it's even darker and more brutal. This guy is writing some great stuff!
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Summary: If you read only one series IN YOUR LIFE, make it this one.
Review: Excellent. Even better than the first, if you can believe it. Martin makes you feel like the different characters are all living inside of you, fighting to dominate, each one taking you for a furious spin into their world from which you come up for air in short gasps of real life, only to dive back in again with the next character... There are only two reasons I can think of for people who would not want to read this. First, if you are too lazy or slow to follow the intricate plots and characters. I had to reread a few parts to actually understand all that was going on... and it only gets more complex as it progresses... Second reason not to read this book: if you have sexual hangups... Yes, some parts are disgusting. but you know what?? ITS SUPPOSED TO BE THAT WAY...Stuff like that is just generally a part of the world, and it is treated as such. If you cant take it, thats too bad. So anyway, if you dont fall into one of these two categories, pick these books up, youll be glad you did!
Rating: 
Summary: Great follow up to A Game of Thrones
Review: This is undoubtedly the best fantasy series to emerge in many years. The depth of characterisation, the scope of the tale, the range of peoples, houses and alliances all make for a complex and thrilling read. This book develops more in the region of sorcery than the original. Old magics are awakening, and I just hope that they don't grow to dominate the series. I prefer the Sword to the Sorcery in these stories. If there was any other disappointment for me it was in the failure of grand battles to materialise. I don't think Martin has the knack of being able to describe the grand movements of military hosts. His largest canvas was a huge naval battle, and it quickly became a confusing parade of ships names and uncertain outcomes. Disappointments aside, the plot continues to thicken nicely and I will buy the third installment. However, I do not want to see another Robert Jordan series (wheel of time is into book what?....9 or 10?). I do not intend to pay for Mr Martins retirement, so if conclusions are not being alluded to by book three I may take my custom elsewhere.
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Summary: True magic: a sequel as good as the original
Review: Please do read the first book, A Game of Thrones, if you haven't already; it's wonderful. For those who have read it or for those still not sure whether to invest their time with this series, good news: the second book is every bit as good as the first. Given that A Game of Thrones left many plot lines completely unresolved, A Clash of Kings reads less like the second novel in a series and more like the next chapters in a much greater work. It continues the stories of all our favorite (surviving) characters, as well as adding two more. George Martin thus continues to work his magic, telling his story from the perspective of characters from no fewer than five factions vying for control of the Seven Kingdoms. Part of his gift is the ability to craft so many wonderful characters: many members of his supporting cast seem strong enough to be viewpoint characters in their own right (Sandor Clegane, Brienne, Osha, Jorah Mormont, Cersei). If this novel has any blemish, it's the pacing, which seems definitely slower than in A Game of Thrones. Some plot lines do not seem to develop as much as they should in this volume. In particular, the story of Daenerys, which takes place half a world away from the rest of the action, seems somewhat tacked on. Also noteworthy is the growing influence of magic in the saga. Part of the great appeal of A Game of Thrones was its deft mixing of an epic fantasy style with a realistic world where magic seemed on the wane. With the rebirth of dragons, magic now seems about to return with a vengeance. However, George Martin so far has handled this reawakening skillfully, and given the quality with which he has imbued every other aspect of these books, I am not worried. Simply put, A Clash of Kings proves that George Martin is for real. I can now say with confidence that A Song of Ice and Fire is the best fantasy currently being written, period.
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Summary: A Visit To Old Friends, That You Will Be Glad You Made! :)
Review: Welcome back the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Here the action, humor, romance, and suspense of A GAME OF THRONES all return in spades and build expertly, like gathering storm clouds. New characters are met and old ones explored more deeply. They all make you want to get to know them better, as they are compellingly written, fleshed out and brought to life vividly. Sometimes you wish you could leap into Westeros yourself and rescue your "friends" from danger and grab the "enemies" by the throat. But both friendly and enemy characters are easily understandable as to why they act the way they do and tha makes them "real" and sympathetic even if you do not like them all. (ie: Cersei, Joffrey) All in all a great read. Prepare to continue dancing to a great tune...Dance, to the Song Of Ice And Fire.
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Summary: The magic is slow to build
Review: "A Clash of Kings" got me through two long airplane trips in steerage class, plus several sleepless nights when I was trapped in a noisy Roman hotel with sixty Episcopalian choir boys. For that I am grateful. I won't admit to being addicted to Martin's epic medieval war fantasy, but I've already started Volume III,"A Storm of Swords," from his projected six-volume series, "A Song of Ice and Fire." After finishing "A Game of Thrones (Volume I)," I wasn't sure how the author was going to extend his story to six, thousand-page volumes. However "A Clash of Kings" opens up many possible plot lines---there are five kings in Volume II as opposed to one king in Volume I, and they spend this book warring against each other. If you like to read about trebuchets that "turned living men into bone and pulp and gristle," and you know the difference between a mace and a morning-star, then you'll probably enjoy the battle scenes more than I did. Martin did his research on medieval weaponry and tactics, and his action scenes are totally riveting, even though ripped entrails, ichorous fluids, spastic colons, and roasting flesh are prominently featured. I guess you can't scramble for thrones without breaking a few yokels. Martin splits his narrative between ten different characters, eight of them continuing their stories from volume I: · The Starks of Winterfell--- Lord Eddard of Winterfell's widow Catelyn, her daughters Sansa and Arya, her son Bran, plus Eddard's son, Jon. Catelyn's son Robb is crowned King of the North and spends much of volume II defeating the various armies fielded by Joffrey Baratheon's royal relatives. · Daenerys Targaryen, daughter of the last Dragon-blood king and referred to as the 'Queen across the Water.' She spends volume II raising her three young dragons and outwitting the various and colorful folks who covet a flying lizard of their very own. · Tyrion Lannister, the current Queen's dwarf brother and chief councilor to the under-age king, Joffrey Baratheon. Tyrion schemes with eunuchs, punishes traitors,defends his king, and dodges his sister-Queen's murderous henchmen. He has all of the best lines in the book and I love him dearly even if he does lose part of his nose. · Theon Grayjoy (new) - once a ward of the Starks, now a scheming turncoat. · Davos the Onion Knight (new) - a former smuggler who is loyal to the 'King in the Narrow Sea,' Stannis Baratheon. Davos and Tyrion Lannister are burdened with the main battle narratives, Davos from the sea and Tyrion from the besieged city. Please don't try to read "A Clash of Kings" unless you've already finished "A Game of Thrones." You might be able to skip "A Clash of Kings" and go straight to volume III, although I wouldn't recommend doing so. Although there is plenty of action, not much happens to move the whole series forward in volume II. One of the five kings hooks up with a powerful fire sorceress, and in my humble opinion that is 'the' most important happening in "Clash". However, we start to catch glimpses of the supernatural bones that support Martin's epic, e.g. the servants of the Drowned God, the followers of the Lord of Light, and evil sorcery beyond the Wall of ice. Martin is moving as slowly as the glacier beyond the Wall, but the first three volumes of "A Song of Ice and Fire" are compulsive reading.
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Summary: Brilliant
Review: What I fail to understand is how Martin keeps his writing at such an excellent level when his books are easily 700+ pages. This was an amazing, amazing novel that got better the further one got into it. The characters are made that much more real in their inmperfections and the fact that it is hard to tell good from bad is the books greatest strength. I found myself rooting for characters such as Tyrion Lannister, who would typically be made a villian in a more stock novel. The author has woven an amazing tapestry with a well thought out backstory, culture, and plot. In my opinion this is part of the best fantasy series ever and needs to be given a look.
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Summary: Great Series
Review: The Song of Fire & Ice series is bound to be a fantasy classic. Martin is a master at fleshing out his characters in a way that makes you feel that you know them. Don't get too attached to anybody though, as it isn't always the villain who gets killed off. I would compare Martin's work with Stephen R. Donalson and his Thomas Covenant series. Martin's writing style is superior however as he does not tend to be so wordy or repetitious. If you like fantasy this series should be on your "to read" list.
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Summary: What a long, strange trip it's been...
Review: The main problems I had with this fascinating and disturbing book is that, first, the series must be read in order, for it to make any sense, and second, they don't end, they just STOP. A glossary would help, too. Just what is a "hedge knight", anyway? Roy Neal
Rating:
Summary: It just gets better and better
Review: This is one sequel where all of the books are as enthralling as the first. Martins ability to surprise the reader with the unexpected keeps you guessing at every page if what you think will happen will really happen - more often than not I was wrong - finally a fantasy series that is NOT predictable. The character development is unbelievable. The reader finds themselves sympathizing with the 'villains' as well as the good guys. I've read all 3 books and CAN'T WAIT until number 4 comes out (supposedly the Fall of 2002).
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