Ian Jepson Jepson itibaren Texas
This isn't fantasy in the same vein as Tolkien, and perhaps that's why Martin succeeds in creating such a compelling story. He's shrugged off the constricting and overdone tropes (the grumpy dwarf, the wise and ethereal elf, the boy from humble beginnings who discovers he has a great destiny, etc). In fact, you'll find no elves or dwarves here. In that sense, it's just barely fantasy. What IS present in this medieval drama is a large cast of morally gray characters, many of whom you'll hover between cheering on and despising. This is the Game of Thrones--it's about family dynamics, politics, the thirst for and the burden of power. It's a darker, more conflictual story than those fantasy tales you loved as a child. Most importantly it's addictive, a much faster read than its 800+ pages would suggest. I tend to avoid multi-tome series in this genre for fear that the characters will simply meander along the edge of a map of names I can't pronounce for 5,000 pages, before ultimately ending up nowhere. It's safe to say that Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series has proven my fears unfounded.
Wonderfully quick read that put me in a place where I wanted to pet cows, buy a log cabin, and write short stories of events in my own life. I recommend it highly for anyone who wants to see life in a deliciously satiric way.