The beginning may seem banal or even longish, then finds himself caught in a whirlwind of twists and reversals situations. For it is indeed power plays, or thrones ("a game of thrones" is the original title), made of intrigues and betrayals, where everyone plays their role, for better or for worse and often in defiance of all morality. Better not get too attached to the protagonists falling like flies at the mercy of turnarounds. We tremble for them, they revolted and screams injustice they saw their brief joys and passions, we savor their vengeance. Although throughout the series we learn that this world is neither black nor white, that's all about perspective, and that even the worst garbage can suffer.
It is above all ambitions and human passions in question, in a fantasy world but human, where magic comes sometimes confuse the issue, and where old and sinister powers biding their time. The universe is rich, deep, consistent.
Many volumes further, the series will be ups and downs, with some lengths, and the author seem abandon whole areas of history may become too complex. But for those who have not yet had the pleasure to dive in, this saga is an unforgettable experience and is already a classic of literature, alongside the larger.