I concur with you, paaks.

Finished Game a while back. Absolutely loved it. One of the strongest fantasy novels I've ever read. Great characters. Gripping storytelling. Lush locales. Great dialogue. Plenty of action. At the end of Game I'd say Ned, Arya, and Jon were my favorite characters.

Spoiler: show

And Martin's got balls killing off Ned Stark. Never saw it coming and shocked the hell out of me. One of the best twists/surprises I've read. Masterful.

Now, I'm 675 pages into Clash. I tought the frist 150 (or so) pages were a little slow - always interesting, just a little labored. It could have moved faster. But I'm loving everything that's happeningt now. Jon and Arya are still two of my favorite storylines. Tyrion is also just fantastic.

Spoiler: show

I'm loving how magic and more fantastical elements are starting to be woven in. Bran's story - the stuff with the "green dreams" is shaping up nicely. Really cool stuff. I just read the part where Theon takes Winterfell. Also, Melisandre is a brilliant character. She's so magnificently, and imaginatively fucked up. Birthing assassin shadows?!! WHAT THE FUCK?!

Really, REALLY looking forward to the HBO series.

Nice. We told you so!

Indeed you did! These things are pretty spectacular.

Spoiler: show

I knew as soon as they killed Ned that this was a story where no one was completely safe. It adds such incredible tention to the story. There are scenes that in any other book would be fairly mundane, but here they are electric because at any moment you know any character could die. Wild.

I've read a few more chapters (about 710 pages in). Arya's story is just sick. How fucking awesome is Jaqen H'ghar?! Damn.

It has been a few years since i read a fantasy novel. This sounds like a good one.
I think i'll pick up the first book over the weekend.

Do IT.

Trust me. You will NOT be disappointed.

Did It.

Thanks guys looking forward to starting this tonight.

I'm about 60 pages from the end of Clash. My head is spinning. So exciting. So much going on. It's intense. And epic. Man!

I'm wondering whether or not to jump right into Storm... I'll have to wait and see how this one ends, I suppose.

Storm of Swords is easily the most epic book in the whole series. It's a game changer.

This has me itching to read it.

how long has it been since the last book? Four years? Goddammitsomuch.

Came out in March 2005, so actually 5 1/2

... just insane...

I read the first 50 pages of A Game of Thrones. I know a drop in the bucket but I enjoyed the first few chapters. We'll see where it goes.

Bought Storm this afternoon. Have to finish up another book first, but should be starting this one before the weekend... I'm pumped.

You know my feelings on Storm of Swords.

50 pages into Storm... want nothing more than to see Tyrion go on a fucking rampage.