Rating: 
Summary: The Magic Continues
Review: Anyone who enjoys fantasy novels, and I am certainly one of them, has had the experience of coming across a novel that is so far ahead of the curve, so good, so apparently effortlessly good, one begins to wonder why there are so many clunkers out there. George R R Martin creates a fictional but always believeable world and fills them with characters we at once recognize and care about. Seems simple enough. But no other fantasy novelist today even remotely approaches his work. A Clash of Kings is the second installment of his Fire and Ice Trilogy, and it is every bit as good as the first, A Game of Thrones, the Fantasy Noel of the Year doe 1996. An island kingdom,a fantasy Medieval England and Scotland is as war, four kings and a queen vie for the throne. It's all here, intrigue and plots, heroism and cowardiceness, hope and despair. If I do have one complaint it is Mr Martin's bending to political correctness by introducing a woman knight. Does it really need to be said that Medieval Europe had no women knights, that a sword wielding woman defeating the greatest fighing knight in a tourney is really rather silly? We have had to endure this idiocy from lesser talents for quite some time now, and it really is a shame that Mr. Martin struck a sour note in an otherwise excellent novel. And make no mistake this is an excellent novel.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST EVER!!!!!!!!!!
Review: If you need to read a fantasy novel that has real characters, doesn't waste space, and is not centered on the 'magic'; put your seat belt on and open the page!This book is brilliant. Unlike all of the other books I've, read the characters make the plot. The are so real with their love and hate, kindness and cruelties. I have to go all the way back to Donaldson and the Power that Preserves (forget Jordan and Eddings) to find characters this believable. Best of all we are not left dripping in magic. The magic of this milieu adds to the story but it is not the story itself (refer to Robert Jordan). Somebody should chain George Martin to the keyboard until this series is done.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best fantasy out there, But...
Review: George Martin charts a daring course in showing a realistic feudal society. It's refreshing to read a book that reminds us why Medieval times were called the Dark Ages. I was an avid fan of Game of Thrones, but this book does not develop as quickly. Dany and Arya particularly, meander through the book with only a few crucial plot developments toward the end. Well done with the other characters though, Jon's and Tyrion's are becoming enough to make me follow the series for them alone. A few suggestions to George though, 1) get Dany on the right continent, 2) get the Fury of the North, (The others) back into it. All in all it was a great read, buy it! The shortcomings are minor and all of the middle bookish variety. I anxiously await all of the things set up for Storm of Swords, but dread the extension to six books.
Rating:
Summary: Good fantasy with a complex plot.
Review: If you enjoy getting caught up in a book, go for this one. I also recommend something I just read that might be considered a modern fantasy series-- R. Doherty's AREA 51 books. Check them out. Lots of history and legend in a present day setting. Best thing I've read in a long time.
Rating:
Summary: The best fantasy series EVER!!
Review: I absolutely love Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, but George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice & Fire not only surpasses it, it destroys it! Simply put, this is the best fantasy series ever. I've never had characters captivate me like this before. I found myself cursing at the top of my lungs at Theon Greyjoy's betrayal of the Starks. These people are so real, you get personally involved in their lives, even the characters you don't like! Don't waste time debating on trying this series, buy it now! The wait between books will drive you insane, however. Martin fans might take note of the Legends hardcover released earlier this year. It has a short Song of Ice & Fire novella that is truly amazing. It's what led me to this series in the first place.
Rating: 
Summary: blah blah blah... it's good
Review: Great characters. One of the only 'fantasy' stories in which I think the author is playing with the idea that in a feudal agricultural society, people grow up faster and 15 year olds can be considered men. Kudos to Mr. Martin for the attempt. How good it is though, is up to the reader I guess. Perhaps some people might have difficulty sheding their 20th century perceptions. Whatever. Great plot. Convoluted and daring. Mr. Martin takes seemingly random courses, as if the story is writing itself and he's just there recording things. I like it. The setting is plain. The theme has been done. The usual cast of blackhearts can be found in the pages. But that's not why I rated it so low (compared to the other reviews). I HATE the way the book is layed out. Every chapter a new character, as if it were some magic formula. The flow is broken up and the telling of the tale is forced into this constricitve format. This detracts from MY reading pleasure ALOT, as I don't see how it creates any dramatic tension as the "cliffhangers" are constructed at unnatural points in a lot of cases. Big knock from me, but who am I. It's well worth the money overall simply because he's a very capable writer (even if the method is annoying in places).
Rating:
Summary: Run, don't walk . . .
Review: I'll keep it simple: real characters that really interact. Real conflicts with highly unpredictable outcomes. Arguably the best fantasy series EVER.
Rating:
Summary: You have to read this thing!
Review: Brings grey into the black and white world of fantasy. My favourite series since Lord of the Rings. I ordered this book from England, and like its predeccesor, blew through its pages like wildfire. If your in limbo about purchasing this book, let me ease your mind by saying, "BUY THIS BOOK!" You will not be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: awe-inspiring
Review: I only wish I could read more books like this one. George Martin has authored a legend. The frustration I feel in my chest each time I contemplate how long it's likely to be until he completes the series, only testifies to its power. It has been a long time since an author seduced me so. I only wish that a certain individual had died a better death.
Rating:
Summary: Send me "A Dance of Dragons" please!!
Review: After a few intense days of ignoring much of my life to read this book, I'm completely depressed to find myself at the end of it. How am I going to live for the next 2 years without these characters?? How much time will I spend imagining endings to all of those tantalizing loose ends? What can I make of Daenyris' prophecies? When will my fantasy of Arya challenging Joffrey to a duel be realized? What the hell did Caetlyn do with Brienne's sword? I must say I expected the storyline to progress in a fairly linear fashion in this book, but no, no, no, everything goes haywire and this book simply roils with some very shocking events! I enjoyed it thoroughly. Tyrion is especially witty and tricky and battle scenes from his point of view are a scream (as they were in AGOT). Sansa seems to be replacing her lost wolf with the Hound and they are developing an interesting Beauty and the Beast story that began in the last book. Arya is still my favorite read but I'm a little worried that a 10 year old killer is so appealing to me. And MAGIC is back! Savor every morsel.
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