Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One glowing tribute is not enough, 3 Oct 2002
I was momentarily disappointed and puzzled to see that there's still only one customer review for ASoS, two years after its publication, but of course there's a good reason for this. The ASOIAF readers who are full of missionary zeal for the series (approximately 95% of the total readership, at a conservative estimate) are focusing their efforts on getting all their acquaintance to read the FIRST book of the series, not the third. They reckon, understandably, that their job is then done, and that any normal person will only need to know that the second and third books exist to be rushing out and acquiring them, and then be frustrated to fever pitch that they have to wait another half year till A Feast for Crows. It's a little difficult to say anything much about the later books without betraying spoiler information about the earlier ones - and these are books where surprise is crucial to the first reading experience. Which won't stop you REreading the books repeatedly and finding fresh delight in them each time.So no spoilers here either. If by some chance you've read A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings but not this, then lose no further time. It is in my opinion the best yet - if only because it's the longest and so provides the reader with even more hours of pleasure than the earlier two! Another reason for my opinion is the sheer brilliance of what Martin does with one of the two new character viewpoints he introduces here. To say more would give away too much. If you've read all three books and just want to see someone else's thoughts on them, because you're still on a high, and everything but the book seems dull and unimportant, what you need is the A Song of Ice and Fire message board on ezboards, where you will be able to discuss the books at whatever intellectual level you are capable of,in minute detail, with hundreds of otherwise sane fellow addicts. And if you haven't read any of them,and have found your way here by some accident or whim, waste no further time. Order A Game of Thrones from amazon right now, pausing, if you like, to read some of the customer reviews for it. It should take you only a week or so before you are ordering the rest of the series. WARNING A few pitiable souls are unable to appreciate it, and although I know of many younger readers who adore the series I wouldn't recommend it unreservedly to those under fifteen, due to Martin's readiness to inflict harrowing experiences, injury or death on sympathetic characters, the explicitness of the descriptions of sex and violence, and the language of some of the characters. Some would find it disturbing. But this explicitness is not in the least gratuitous. It is part and parcel of the story. Others find it disconcerting to switch between multiple viewpoints, and don't have the patience to persevere until they adjust to each different "voice". But whether your taste is for comedy or tragedy or romance, action or dialogue or description, noble idealistic heroes or cynical flawed anti-heroes, realism or escapism, you will find plenty to satisfy you. Your sympathies will be broadened, and you will be stimulated into thinking for yourself, and adjusting your opinions in the light of later information, not just passively absorbing what you read. If you like good fantasy, you will like this. If you like good historical novels you will like this. If you like good writing of any kind you will probably like this.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
AWSOME Series, 13 Jul 2002
This series is amazing. And it keeps on coming. I've read many fantasy series but this one has held my interest the most. The plot is so intellectually intricate it keeps you reading til the final chapter. The charachters are also very developed which makes reading about their hardships and triumphs even more exhilarating! This series is so down to earth and realistic especially for a fantasy series, which is the way I like it! The people seem real, the plot is real....it never lets you down. It definitely has its sad points, but it makes you urge the characters on even more to come back on top. I'm definitely looking forward to the next books in the series!
Also: The Price of Immortality is an awsome read!
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent writing, dark mood, unending epic., 27 Jan 2003
George R.R. Martin continues his realistic fantasy epic with the major factions still skirmishing for the crown, despite the huge battle at the end of "A Clash of Kings." Several of the meandering plot lines continue to wander ceaselessly, while others get turned completely upside down. Tyrion's reduced political clout precludes the devious machinations that so well fit his character in "Clash." Caetlyn broods more solemnly than in "Clash," and her character becomes even less active. Arya's endless trek takes new turns yet still continues, but Sansa develops and matures as a character. As with the first two novels, the plot line of Daenerys across the sea, though vividly detailed, still feels unconnected as she gathers power for her inevitable assault on Westeros. Bran seems almost an afterthought, with only four chapters from his perspective and very little advancement of that plot line. Jon follows events north of the Wall, the only new major setting that Martin develops, and Jon's plot line slowly develops but unexpectedly connects with another. The group of point-of-view characters is augmented by two people previously viewed from other perspectives, including Jaime Lannister. His character, the most interesting in the novel, develops from the callous, celebrated knight into yet another of Martin's intricate round characters with complex and even sympathetic motivations for their actions. The flow from chapter to chapter when covering several major events is roughly paced, as Martin quickly alternates between only two point-of-view characters in describing both the Red Wedding and the final events at Castle Black. This shuttling effectively describes multiple sides of these events, but it pulls the focus away from other ongoing plot lines. In contrast, the more subtle narrative coverage in the first two books related details or conclusions of important events through other characters' later discussions, rather than in quickly alternating points-of-view. As with the previous two books, Martin's thorough characterization of 'real' characters and his skill with the multiple point-of-view narrative produce a brilliant installment in this extremely vast fantasy epic.
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