The first book draws a lot from shakesperean clichés and makes use of some plot devices that make no sense at all once properly analised. However, it is still far above your average fantasy title. The characters are probably some of the best in the genre.
The second and the third books are the best in the series, specially the Westerosi part, since the Essos storyline drags a lot and makes use of more senseless stuff. A Storm of Swords is hailed as an excellent book, the best of the series, due to it's daring plot twists and overall sense of grandiose.
A Feast for Crows and a Dance with Dragons aren't quite in par with the previous two books but are still as good as the first one. It's main flaw lies on the needless points of view and threads of the story that go nowhere.
Compared to the other juggernauts in the fantasy genre, ASOIAF certainly stacks up as one of the best. It's plot and characters are better than Malazan's, though the world is less original, and certainly stands far above Wheel of Time and, may this series rot in hell, Sword of Truth. You'll spend a lot of time speculating about the future of the story and your favorite characters.
Anyways besides the minor flaws over the series - every book has these but I felt the need to comment them nevertheless - ASOIAF holds possibly the worst fanbase ever. Think LOTR levels of fanatism up to eleven mixed with clueless, enthusiast gamers who think they know everything about the world and violence and things dark and edgy is where the stuff's at.
