Rating: 
Summary: If you read one fantasy series, it should be this one
Review: Bravo to George R.R. Martin for giving a reason to read fantasy. These books have everything that should be used in an epic struggle for power. The development of characters is an immense undertaking that will leave you breathless. I found myself not knowing who to like and who to loath. Ifyou like fantasy this series will stick with you a long time and you'll probably use it as a basis of comparison for any other fantasy book you read. Bottom line is read these books, you won't regret it. Just don't expect to put them down until you're finished because you won't want to.
Rating: 
Summary: You can get jiggy with this book! It is on the ONE!
Review: This book is a HIT as far as I am concerned. It is exciting, well-written, contains good descriptions, good character development, follow-up on events from differing perspectives, etc. There are characters I love to hate: the Queen-Mother/Regent, needs to be slapped, Jaime should just be hung up-side-down from the highest raftesr and tough luck to Little-Miss-Former-Betrothed stuck in the palace! And when that "priestess" in red squatted and "gave birth" to that shadow thing... well, that was just NASTY. This story is so well written that one can get jiggy with it; get into it; get down with it... enjoy it and feel moved by what is going on in it. As much as I liked the story and the writing, I didn't give it 5 stars because it peeves me that one can read a book series (the first two) of over 1,500 pages and there still is no end ! I have patience for a part three, but if this goes the way most stories are going these days, even that will not be the end of it. Lighten-Up George R.R. Martin! my purse is not endless. But, I guess that is the way of it for ALL fantasy novels. So be it. But, I don't like it. Really, why not finish it? Before I took up book #1, I was sitting here wondering, should I even begin this series or wait until I see how many additional episodes it will take to finish it all? Will this be a trilogy? Four books? 8 and still going on like Jordan's? .. hmmm... how many books does it take to finish it!!! Anyway, I have no choice. I am hooked now. I love Jon Snow, I love the character development with Bran, Tyrion and I was sick to my heart when Homey, the Lord Stark, got beheaded. And what's up with people not understanding that dead people are getting up and walking around in the Northlands? If there were any Brothers in the story, I can tell you that there would be instant belief that this was possible and there would be an immediate mass migration South. By the way, where is the missing direwolf that got shooed away so she wouldn't get killed for attacking Joffery? I like the whole Dire Wolf thing. That works for me. Anyway.. this is a fun read. Buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: George R. R. Martin is Impressive to say the least
Review: In the follow up to the excellent novel, A Game of Thrones, Martin does not fall behind at all. A Clash of Kings was an excellent book and as good as or better than AGOT. The character development is the best I've ever seen in a fantasy series, the characters of Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, and Bran Stark being some of the deepest and well rounded characters I have ever read. The plot is excellent as well. It is large and complicated, but not confusing. After reading ACOK, I was overwhelmed with longing for the next book. I am sure that A Storm of Swords will be as good or better than the first two installments. The real question is:What is Catelyn going to do to Jaime Lannister?!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant...
Review: Martin is amazing. This story was even better than the first book. The character's aren't superhuman, they are people. This is something that fantasy in this troubled time lacks. I can't think of anything I disliked about this book, the only problem I had was that it was perhaps too short. This is fantasy as it should be , grity and real. Martin has surpased almost every other author of fantasy with this. A song of ice and fire dethrones J.R.R. and puts George on top ( not that tolkein even has a chance up against this). Grade A fantasy, a must buy. -Cliff
Rating: 
Summary: George Martin misses with this book.
Review: Now, I've read a lot of George R.R. Martin's work, and loved it. So, I eagerly anticipated his new series, only to be sorely disappointed. There is NO sense of fantasy or wonder, no engaging with the characters, no desire to keep on reading. The book reads like a bad, disjointed history. Give it a pass.
Rating:
Summary: Great book, but not as good as the previous in the series.
Review: This was a great book, but it was not as entertaining as the last book. I found some of it seemed to drag on, but overall well worth reading, and I can't wait for the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Definately the must-read of 1999, so far.
Review: If you liked A Game of Thrones, this will blow you away. The Kirkus Review said there were too many characters, etc., but I thought the plotting was made all the better for the multitude of characters; it wasn't hard for me to follow at all. Martin does a much better job of ending this one than he did the first, he leaves so many things up for grabs I nearly shouted and threw the book down when I got finish (Is the Kingslayer dead????). I would 100% recommend this series to any serious fan of books.
Rating:
Summary: He MUST be the best.
Review: Of all the authors I've read (Terry Goodkind, Robert Jordan, Tolkien, Robin Hobb), George R. R. Martin has the best start of them all. Personally, I think this will be the best series ever written, but since it's only the second bonk, one can never know, but hope. It shows great promise, and most people can't wait for the sequels!
Rating:
Summary: a fitting sequel to a great book
Review: Martin continues with this stirring epic adding new characters and twisting the plot.
Rating: 
Summary: Exciting epic stutters--Characters still fresh and dynamic
Review: Clash of Kings takes a back seat to Martin's first book in the series, Game of Thrones. The series is epic, to be sure. The world is masterfully created; the political and cultural backgrounds are well flushed out; the characters are individual masterpieces. I love to love them and I love to hate them. Martin's best work is his attention to detail and character. Clash, however, finds itself mired in where many second books of a series end up, a quasi-quagmire of plot circumvention. All the main characters and plot intrigues were already introduced in the first book. Clash picks up from the previous book's ending, only to take a 700 page plot circle where nothing much new happens save for a few armies march around yelling and screaming and ending up almost where they began. Meanwhile, a lot more sexual and violent discourse (or should I say intercourse?) filled the in-between chapters of plot progression. Not to be too harsh, of course. Nothing can take away from a writer's ability to emote raw feeling and passion through his writing; and Martin scores highly in this attribute. Every character Martin introduces, even the minor ones, have enough physical, mental and emotional detail written about them to make them interesting and fresh. As stated, even the minor characters mix and weave to create a fascinating fabric to hang any story on; and of course Martin's main story provides all the character epic of a masterpiece. I eargerly look forward to the next book; cautiously hoping for more plot and hoping the series doesn't continue with books four, five and six like others have.
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