Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have been rather down on the fantasy genre for a long while. The bar seems so very, very low for so many fantasy readers that I can't trust reviews. So many of these books are just unreadable for folks above the age of 13. Then there's authors like Martin, Abercrombie, and some others who write in this genre for grown-ups. Carlson does this, and with flair and elegance. A complex (good) but not complicated (bad) world with characters that develop well over time. A story that reveals that complexity as it builds and is very well paced (meaning without the GRRMartin interminable pointless nothingness -- see Feast for Crows). Great main characters, great side characters. Good fun for rainy winter in Oregon. I just pre-ordered the next one, can't wait!