Too many sub plots, too many characters. It seems like the author is striving more for a high page count than a solid novel. This combined with the change in narrator in book 4 is enough to stop be from continuing with the series.

It seems like the author has been adding just a bit more sex into each book . . . and then decided to quadruple the recipe for book 3. After book 1 I would have recommended the series to anyone. By the time 2 was over, Probaby. By the end of Book 3 my attitude is - Why? Alas, no matter how much I may yet enjoy books 4 and 5 (assuming he turns off the turn ons) I'm afraid I will no longer be able to recommend the series to anyone. An otherwise excellemt story is being trashed by all the unnecessary smut. Call it advancing the story, being true to the characters and the world in which they lived, to whatever else you want. But I call in disappointing.

Some of the story and characters go into what appears to be long pointless journeys. I'm trying to be patient but its a bit slow. Hopefully it will come together in the next book.

I have been listening to audio books for several years, and I must confess that this series of novels pulled me in and held me captive. I was powerless against the masterful narration of Roy Dotrice who was capable of smoothly slipping into characters of any class, race, sex, or age without hesitation.

The balance of superb action, background exploration, and character discovery was perfect. This is certainly adult fantasy, but it surpasses the standard fantasy genre. George R.R. Martin weaves a complex world by taking the reader down a twisted path with a surprise around every corner. He breathes life into every character, but never bores. He makes each of them unique, giving them a truly human mix of both good and evil.

I would swear he wrote these novels from the inside-out. He must have crafted each character with care, then created a world and set them loose. The writing feels as if were just a matter of following them while recording their actions, intentions, emotions, and desires (with a generous helping of an incredible writing style).

Part of me is relieved that I can now resume my normal life. Of course, that's the same part of me that actually sits through the 6 O'Clock news. I cannot wait for the next novel! Until then, I will take frequent trips into the world that George Martin created, and I will be thankful.

You will not regret getting any of the books in the Song Of Fire and Ice series. I personally, like to read the books, but considering Martin's fourth book in the series is supposed to come out very soon I did not want to reread the books. They are very long, which I like, but I did not want to invest the time in reading them again.

The story is great. George R. R. Martin has create an incredible world with incredible people and stories. It does not get much better.

After listening to multiple audio books this could be one of the worst choices for someone to read the book. This series has so many characters, old and young, men and women. Roy Dotrice is a great actor but to hear him at 85 years old trying to do a young women's voice is painful or even a young mans. The English accent makes is even worse. i have listen to many book read by people with an English accents but this is painful to try and follow.

Really not sure why you pick Roy to do this. I guess it is try to sound old which it does but that is not really what the story is about.

I have only had it 1/2 way through but not sure if i will make it any farther and might Lemm the book. Along with the next one too. Sad because it is a great series.

Want to be voice was terrible.

I can't say that I was disappointed in the story, but listening to the story was not a fit for me after watching the first two parts of the story.

Character accents were difficult to understand.

Disappointment.

I "watched" the first two books as part of HBO's Game of Thrones series. I tried to pick up the series at the third book by listening to A Storm of Swords before watching the third season on HBO. I was unable to follow along with the story.

Just when you get to know and love them, they are gone.
For any of you reading this, do not bother with FOC. It starts off not where it left you hanging, but new charactors. I hate that. I did not finish it.
Plus the narrator changed how the names were pronounced. you would think for a series so popular, some research would be done. Poor production.
Martin is just dragging this story out.
I won't finish the series.

Nothing more to say since reading the first two books, this one is just more of the same - in a very good way. I love Roy's voices and its absolutely a can't-put-down audio book. I love it all!

This novel is just a continuation of the fantasy series by George Martin. I have enjoyed all the books, but not loved them like so many others. If have found certain chapter/character lines to be very slow, while others are excellent. The writing and narration are always great. Book three has a great deal of it from Jamie's perspective, and I really enjoyed every one of the Jamie chapters. Tyrean is always entertaining. And a large part of this covers John at the wall, more great chapters. The character Deneries continues to be uninteresting, but her story gets more fun. There were still some chapters that dragged, but fewer of them, and the good parts were even more fun. I see this as a solid 4.5 star novel.