During the summer break I have finally got around to starting the 'Song of Ice and Fire' book series and whenever I have had five minutes, usually when Archie is recharging his batteries for another onslaught of toddler terrorism, I've found myself picking it up. Although this review might come as a slightly premature ejaculation of praise, as I'm only nearing the end of the second book. Also to say I've somewhat missed the party is an understatement, the first book being 16 years old I believe, however I still found the need to express how f'ing amazing and enjoyable the books have been so far. Imagine J.R.R Tolkien crossed with Downton Abbey on heroin, and it doesn't really do it any justice.
The most impressive details I've found so far in the series is firstly; even though the book series unequivocally comes under the fantasy genre bracket, it seems Martin has held back on the WOW factor of mythical beasts and magic spells that other books in this genre will throw at you endlessly. He has managed and conjured a way of drawing in the reader through basing the series on the quite un-fantasy realism of the deceptive and manipulative nature of man, with swords and a lot of bastards, and even some bastard swords.
The story is narrated in the third person through a number of different characters, so far off the top of my head it must be around 17, which draws me to the second most impressive detail. The ruthless and unforgiving way in which Martin kills off main characters, I now find myself not wanting to get too attached to anyone just in case they are beheaded or torn to pieces by a wolf in the next chapter.
The colossal length of the books and the series as a whole should also be mentioned, in fact the first 5 books in the series contain 1,770,000 words (apparently according to google). And now as I'm nearing the end of the second book I've started to realize that this isn't a series that's going to be over and done with in a fortnight. Which in all fairness is totally needed, due to the fact that a lot of shit goes down; and so far (touch wood) it's not seemed like he's trying to drag it out.
So to conclude, so far very enjoyable. To make this a completely two sided review I will be a little critical; Its a bit rapey and a lot of horses die, which has now put the misses off from reading them (bothered....not). I recommend if you have a spare decade to devote to reading them.
