The dialogue is rich and rapid fire and keeps the pages flying. There are villains and there are heroes but sometimes it's not always easy to tell them apart (and I'm told it only becomes more difficult to do so as the series progresses). There is a giant cast of characters introduced but I really had no problems keeping everyone straight thanks to the way Martin tells the story from multiple points of view. Each chapter is a character name in which the story is advanced using their thoughts and actions. And what a cast!!! I'm such a sucker for characters to cheer for, and characters I want to maim. I lacked for neither type. I have my favorites already, but fans have warned me to not get too attached to anyone. I'll try not to.