Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I find sometimes with epic fantasy that where there is a great concept, there is not always great execution. This series (I've read them all) bucked that trend. Other reviewers have already neatly summarised the plot, so I will just mention quickly what I really appreciated about the writing. Yes; there are parallels to Game of Thrones, but only really insofar as the descriptions of some geography. The writing is excellent and the dialogue smart. Like all people, there were very few who were consistently good or bad. As a reader, you are expected to pay attention and follow facinating chracter development arcs. The author writes women well (thank you for making women concerned about more than men!) and wrangles a complex storyline well and wasn't afraid to kill off characters when necessary for story cohesion.