I've put up a new review for 'A Dance with Dragons' by George R.R. Martin.  I'm not as big a fan of fantasy as I am of sci-fi but I've been reading this series for over a decade now, and I really loved the first three books.  I wasn't as big a fan of Dragons.  Though I can kind of see the necessity of a book like this for the series, getting all the characters into place and whatnot, I can't help but be afraid that Martin has just totally lost control of the whole thing. 

I'm not real happy with my review of the novel, as I think you kind of need to reserve judgement until the series is done.  I talk about that in the review, and it should be interesting to read when (if) the series is completed.  Either way Dance is a turning point in the series, with Martin either now having all his pieces in the right position, or beginning to spin his wheels on a perpetual cash machine like Jordan or Goodkind.  I think Martin is a better writer than either of those two, but the fear is still there.

Anyway, I think Dance is one of those novels that generate strong feeling either way.  Some people will defend it with a passion I just can't generate, and others will bash it unmercifully.  I originally leaned toward the latter group, wanting real advancement to the series, letting myself forget that this was really just the other half to the mega-bummer that was 'A Feast for Crows.'  Once I learned to accept the book for what it was I was okay with it, I just think it's value can't be determined until the series is complete.