This series was origionally introduced to me by David. If you have ever read the Wheel of Time series, you'll have something to roughly go off of with this series. It is fantasy, however it is heavy on the political plot building. It however is a wonderfully involving series - unfortunatly we are only to book three being released of what could end up being a longer series.

A Game of Thrones
A Clash of Kings
A Storm of Swords
A Feast for Crows (new released 4th book, which I've not yet read and I do not believe this is the conclusion)