I'm chiming in here because Book 4 left die-hard fans so disappointed.

Book 4 definitely isn't the same quality as the previous books.  (I think he hit his stride in Book 3: more sex, skillful build up of tension.)  Many of the chapters written from the point of view of the minor characters read like back story that never should have been published.  It's necessary for the author to write that back story to convincingly create such a complex, engaging world, but it doesn't advance the plot and it doesn't belong in the book.

As a result, Book 4 lacks the delicious tension present in the previous books.  That is, until the multiple cliffhanger endings which resolve NOTHING.  It's frustrating for the reader and comes off like a cheesy sales tactic to get us to buy the next book.  Whether it was a deliberate strategy to sell more books or not, it's likely that this will work for fans who've been hanging on to every word.

Reading from Cersei's point of view might have been tolerable for a few chapters, but as she dominates the book it's hard to stomach.  She's a relentlessly repulsive, conniving character without the tiniest redeeming quality, and being immersed in her cruelty is painful.

Still, the book is a good read.  While the story lines meander so much that by the time we're back to the main plot line I've almost forgotten what it was, the new worlds Martin creates for us are incredibly rich and interesting: the temples at Braavos, the bleakness of the Ironborns' existence, the exotic deserts of Dorne.

If you're a fan of the previous books, you'll still get something out of it.  Just go in with your eyes open, prepared for a degree of frustration and dissatisfaction.
I'm chiming in here because Book 4 left die-hard fans so disappointed. Book 4 definitely isn't the same quality as the previous books. (I think he hit his stride in Book 3: more sex, skillful build up of tension. )  Many of the chapters written from the point of view of the minor characters read like back story that never should have been published. It's necessary for the author to write that back story to convincingly create such a complex, engaging world, but it doesn't advance the plot and it doesn't belong in the book. As a result, Book 4 lacks the delicious tension present in the previous books. That is, until the multiple cliffhanger endings which resolve NOTHING. It's frustrating for the reader and comes off like a cheesy sales tactic to get us to buy the next book. Whether it was a deliberate strategy to sell more books or not, it's likely that this will work for fans who've been hanging on to every word. Reading from Cersei's point of view might have been tolerable for a few chapters, but as she dominates the book it's hard to stomach. She's a relentlessly repulsive, conniving character without the tiniest redeeming quality, and being immersed in her cruelty is painful. Still, the book is a good read. While the story lines meander so much that by the time we're back to the main plot line I've almost forgotten what it was, the new worlds Martin creates for us are incredibly rich and interesting: the temples at Braavos, the bleakness of the Ironborns' existence, the exotic deserts of Dorne. If you're a fan of the previous books, you'll still get something out of it. Just go in with your eyes open, prepared for a degree of frustration and dissatisfaction.