This book is the most epic fantasy book I have read in my life. It tells the story from so many charachter's viewpoints: Eddard, Arya, Tyrion, Sansa, Jon, Robb, Bran, Dany, etc. and yet I was never confused about what was happening.
I read a lot of fantasy so the length of this did not bother me but if you are on of the people who is scared of long books, then don't let this book scare you. It is long, but the read is so effortless that you don't notice the book flying by.
To tell you the truth, I was kind of disappointed when I finished it because I was enjoying it so much. All in all, a great book, something to aspire to.

I don't like to bandy about the word brilliant.....but this book (and series) deserves it. Many fantasy fans may flinch from this series because it's almost TOO steeped in reality, but I find it a refreshing breath of air that is needed in fantasy.

The first novel in the series of "Fire and Ice" is actually based on the real-life English history of the War of The Roses. Told from different points of view (not unlike Robert Jordan's WoT series), the plot unfolds as the noble family of Starks investigate a murder and attempted murder plot by the powerful Lannister family. Nothing is as it seems, and good guys turn out to be bad, and bad good. Many fans don't like the fact that there is no CLEAR protaganist, but I LOVE it. I love how Cat Stark is not 100% likable, or how the Lannisters are actually pretty cool and you can't help but cheer on Tyrion Lannister. Better yet, there is no promise that the "good guys" make it out of the story alive. This gives the story and characters a 3-D feel, and keeps the reader turning the page just to find out who wins the "Game of Thrones."
If you like the standard "good guy vs bad guy" deal, go read something else. If you want something refreshing and enlightening, read this book. It doesn't get much better.....

Game of Thrones has successfully awoken the 'little-kid fascinated in fantasy novels' in me...although I use the term 'fantasy novel' loosely. Truthfully Martin's first book is the mere beginning of an epic story - or rather, number of stories - as told by several key characters. The book is both adult and childlike, humorous and dramatic, serious and whimsical, but never, ever a chore to read. When Jordan says GOT 'grabs hold and won't let go', he means it.