Without really have to divulge this knowledge, this book and each subsequent novels are long and only get longer. I felt the only way for me to finish this book in a timely manner was to read and listen to it on audiobook while driving, which I do so much of (the driving that is). In the span of seven business days I found myself saying 'mission accomplished' and 'holy crap' in quick succession. 
 Attention to detail - Almost every character is beyond intense. They are carefully crafted, and the perspective shift ensures that the story never dulls. With different houses owing fealty or allegiance to another, and all of their colors and outfits, and crests, and seals, and sigils, and house words, etc. How he kept everything sorted out, is almost beyond me. From what I've heard (cause I didn't keep count) there were almost 300 characters introduced in this first installment. 
 Knowing the characters - Excluding just a few individuals, the thing that I find interesting is that some of the people within this world can do such horrible things, things that make you want to hate them eternally. Then you will hear a backstory of that character, and next thing you know you feel slightly sorry for the person, and you begin to question why you hated them so much to begin with? It's because they seem so human in their nature. In my opinion so far in the series, besides three characters in the book (Joffrey, Arya, Jon Snow) none is wholly good and none are completely bad. 
 Keeping it together - I will say that the one way to make sense of all the chaos and names, and alliances, my strongest urge is that if anyone is planning on reading the books, watch season one first. It may be necessary to watch season two as well, but by watching the show before undertaking the novels it really helped give a face to each name and also really cement their relationships to other characters. I think that without that little crutch I would not have been able to keep everything straight in my mind. 
 In finishing this behemoth, I will move on to the next novel, but have other concerns. George R. R. Martin isn't really a Danielle Steele, and he doesn't churn out a book every month. The difference his books are good, and take time. However, the length of time is what troubles me. Spending 4-5 years on each book is a bit long and if I finish all of the books this year, I would still have to wait up to 10 years to see the conclusion of this saga. With that being said, you can see how remembering almost or over 6000 pages of prior novels could become cumbersome to attempt to recollect and pick up again. 
 Still I do look forward to the next novels and the future TV series. I give GoT a solid 5 stars even though there are many repeated phrases throughout the book that at times can get old, but I can forgive all the mentions of boiled leather, chain mail, seven hells, etc, because, well it is a huge damn book and how can you not be forced to repeat things. Overall, it is a well-crafted world and I found myself wanting more when it was over. 
 P.S. - Don't die early George!