"Of those who work in the grand epic-fantasy tradition, Martin is by far the best.... [He] is a tense, surging, insomnia-inflicting plotter and a deft and inexhaustible sketcher of personalities.... This is as good a time as any to proclaim him the American Tolkien."--
Time Magazine "The only fantast series I'd put on a level with J.R.R. Tolkein's
The Lord of the Rings.... It's a fantasy series for hip, smart people, even those who don't read fantasy.... If you're new to the series, you must begin with Book 1,
A Game of Thrones. Once you're hooked.... you'll be like the rest of us fans, gnawing your knuckles until book 5"--Marta Salij,
Detroit Free Press "THE MOST impressive modern fantasy, both in terms of conception and execution, is George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire
.... A masterpiece that will be mentioned with the great works of fantasy."--
Contra Costa Times "Long-awaited doesn't begin to describe this fourth installment in bestseller Martin's staggeringly epic Song of Ice and Fire."--
Publishers Weekly "Grabs hold and won't let go. It's brilliant."--Robert Jordan
"Such a splendid tale and such a fantistorical! I read my eyes out."--Anne McCaffrey
"Fantasy fans will feast!"--
Associated Press