If I had finished, I would have given this book a 4 or 4 ½ rating. It's that good and well-written, which you don't often see in fantasy. But sadly, I had to put it back on the self, as hard as that was, because I heard from a friend that main characters have a tendency to get killed off indiscriminately throughout the series. I just don't see myself enjoying a series that does that so casually, and had I continued, I think I'd end up resenting all the work and effort I put into reading and then I'd probably end up hating the series. So it was best to leave while I could.Maybe one day when GRRM is done writing and there's a definite last man/woman standing at the throne, I'd pick up this book again.
