I didn't realize that it had been going on five years since Martin had published a book in this series. That's cause for concern. Reading his updates on his website, he talks like a man who's suffering from a bit of writer's block. Considering his age, I'm worried that this won't get finished if he keeps up this sluggish pace, especially if it's going to be a seven book series. I was originally planning on plowing through and reading all four in succession, but I think I'm going to take my time with it instead. No point rushing toward a dead end. I'll make sure I've read the second novel before the start of the first season of the series on HBO, just in case there's some overlap. I don't want anything spoiled for me.