3 of 3 people found this review helpful

This is a beautifully written dark sweeping tale. This is not a series for those who are looking for rainbows unicorns and fairy tale endings. This series is Wheel of Time and Lord of the Rings after three tours in Nam! Although this series is classified as �fantasy� I�ll tell you right now that it�s pretty light on subject matter dealing with the realm of the fantastic (at least not until you get a few books in). This is more of character study than anything else. Martin does a fantastic job of showing how characters adapt and how their moral compasses change in the face of devastating events. Even near perfect masterpieces aren�t without their flaws though. Undoubtedly you�ll find some chapters/characters either highly annoying or down right boring during your readings. The structure of the story within the series is set up to where you�ll have to read every chapter though even though you�ll be left with a cliff hanger at the end of the chapter only to turn the page and read �Sansa� after which you�ll groan and promptly go to bed. If subject matter dealing with rape under age sex domestic abuse murder and torture extremely bothers you then this may not be your cup of tea. Also for you action junkies let me tell you while there is some action it is but a fraction of the thousand some odd pages covering the series to date. I don�t mean to scare any potential readers off for I think this is a must read for any mature reader who is a fan of literature regardless of its �fantasy� classification.

Thanks for reading my review
The Nyctalope

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I have read them all over the last 20 yrs(fantasy series that is) I agree but narrowly over MBotF. This is the Best Fantasy series ever.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

To date this book series is better than anything I have ever read. The writing is very mature without sounding pretentious. The characters are very well written and you find yourself with favorites in no time as well as those you want to see suffer. The series has an incredible balance of conspiracy intrigue action romance and fantasy. The books are full of surprises and you never really know what to expect. I've read the series through three times already and cannot wait for the next book!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I love this book I really do. My two favorite series are the Lord of the Rings and Song of Ice and Fire (with Song coming out ahead). I really do recommend people who have not read Martin to read "Game" -- this is the top of the fantasy ladder in terms of quality. But like the other reviewer the wait for the next book in the series is terrible.

Read this series but be aware you are going to be enduring years of waiting between books...

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I've been a fantasy fan for years but this book (series actually) is utterly brilliant. It's gritty and unpredictable -- something not usually common in fantasy books. Anyone looking for a fantasy book with realistic characters who sometimes do bad things this series is for you. My only complaint is that Martin is taking ages for book 5 to come out -- I mean come on what's the delay -- the guy's had 5 years to write the darn thing!

Wait aside read this book!