I hate stumbling onto a series I love before all the books are written.  It last happened with Harry Potter.  And now this.

I love getting excited and plowing through.  I hate the waiting to find out what happened to my favorite and not-so-favorite characters.  (Jon!? !?)   The only good thing is that I’ll probably have to reread the last two books to refresh myself before the next comes out.

I find it difficult to discuss the books in any detail.  No character is safe, therefore to even mention them by name (whoops) is like a spoiler.  The stories are so vast that even I forget what happened in which book.

I can say that I disagree with criticisms about the treatment of women in the books.  These critics focus on the sexual violence, inequality, and mistreatment as if it is something that is condoned by the author rather than part of the setting of a very dangerous world.  Men are not exempt from the rape,torture,etc.  The critics also ignore that Martin has created several strong female characters who play large roles in the outcome of the story.

And.. P.S.  Don’t smoke around books that you borrow from the library.  Because then the next reader will get to enjoy inhaling your stale fumes.  Thanks.