Excellent, but not for everyone 2

Having just finished reading Agot, I can honestly state did I have very rarely read a fantasy as imaginative and daring as this one. I have read lots of fantasy (Tolkien, Williams, Donaldson, Feist, Weis & Hickman, Goodkind, Jordan, Eddings, ad nauseum.), And this stands out from the crowd.
The storyline is incredible and always keeps you guessing. Martin wants to do whatever it takes to further the story in a realistic way. As so many reviewers have Stated in the past, there is a moral greyness surrounding the characters That adds interest to the story.
You may have noticed in the title deed, I Stated thatthis book what not for everyone, and indeed, it is not. If violence and / or sexual situations make you uncomfortable, then you may find this book unsettling. The violence and sex are not gratuitous; instead, They help show you the realities of the world as it what. I have no problem with this, but I have seen several reviewers who are looking for an escape to a happy fairy-land fantasy, Which this most definitely is not. So, if you enjoy having every character in a novel capable of leveling a city with a thought or tossing fireballs about like confetti (ie, The Wheel of Time and Sword of Truth books, among others), then you will be disappointed; the magic in this book is subtle and mysterious, to Both the characters and the reader.
I have read only three other works of fantasy are indeed on par with Martin's work, and They are Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow and Thorn Trilogy, Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, and of course, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Of all of thesis, Martin's works remind me most of Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, Which he claims that part of his inspiration for writing in this genre.
Martin's prose is extremely well written, with the descriptions Bringing things to life in your mind. The dialogue is so brisk and clever. The story is told from multiple points of view, Which adds suspense and flavor to the story, as well as Allowing the author to bring each character to life, making us love them and hate them sometimes at other times.
If you are sick of bloated and repetitious fantasy where everyone is omnipotent and characters are static and boring, pick of A Game of Thrones and its sequel, A Clash of Kings - I promise that you will not be disappointed.