Average to excellent series. Has its highs and lows. Almost unparallelled in ambition and scale at both micro (excellent characterisation) and macro (societal) levels. GRRM isn't much of a stylist, but for the volume and detail of work he produces he is a decent enough writer.
Strangely enough, I must agree. While the plot, the characters and the setting are absolutely beyond comparison IMO, I am not too fond of GRRM's style. His usage of archaic phrases often strikes me as contrived. This is the first time I consciously decided to read the translated version of a book rather than the original. I firmly believe in the superiority of original material, but in this case the Dutch translation is vastly better, at least IMO. The translator is not only a professional writer herself, but also a historian specialised in the Middle Ages. I can't really give you any specific examples, but when I read an excerpt from A Feast for Crows on GRRM's site I was thoroughly disappointed; I literally had to force myself to continue reading. When I eventually read the Dutch translation, I was quite surprised at how enjoyable that chapter was. Go figure!
Pity it's being made into a TV series. They'll probably cast some prettyboy as Jon Snow and give him an tear-shield and eyeliner. Well, he's already wearing black, why not go all the way?
Don't forget that the show is being made by/for HBO. These folks have a reputation for NOT ******** up. I doubt they will cast some prettyboy as Jon, seeing as Jon isn't supposed to be some super-handsome hunk (despite what all the fan art may suggest...). I really hope they take the Rome-route and use semi-obscure British actors. That worked out pretty well previously.
Incidentally, there is an "ideal ASOIAF cast list" floating around teh interwebs. Ridiculous as it may be (John Malkovich as Roose Bolton, Christopher Walken as an Other...), I must agree with Jack Davenport as Eddard Stark. That long face - perfect.
