A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R. Martin, is so far my favourite series of books that I've ever read, even though it is incomplete (four of the seven books are published). Although it is dubbed fantasy, do not expect it to contain a lot of magic or other common fantasy themes, because it doesn't. It is more focused on reality. Anyone could relate to the events that happen, and it is really just medieval or renaissance Europe in a made-up world. That is what I like most about the books - how realistic they are. The characterization is absolutely excellent - Martin is able to take a theoretically evil character and make us realistically sympathize with him. Also, the dialogue is colouful and exquisite, and much of the events are political. This series that begins with A Game of Thrones has little closure in the first book, no safety from death for any character, graphic violence, coarse language, sexual content, and little magic. If you do not want a book with these things, then this may not be for you. But if you are looking for something that will shock and surprise you, appeal sensitively to your emotions, give you a sense of the harsh reality of the world, and addict you until it's very difficult to put down, then try A Game of Thrones - it is definitely for you.
