Most people talk about this book taking a few chapters to get into, but it took me 500 pages. However, once you hit a point (mine was a little man getting cocky), you’re hooked. Additionally, I’ve never read any fantasy before, except for tidbits of The Once and Future King. My main complaints are that Martin is overly verbose and the pacing ofting falters. Some characters are duds (Bran, Sansa at first), some aren’t (Tyrion, Arya, Daenerys), but when you are captivated by one it’s irritating to wait 100 pages to find out more while Bran ponders life on his horse.

Although Martin is verbose, once he gets going it truly is a captivating piece of work with (mostly) well-drawn characters.