Of course it was amazing. Martin takes the characters we feel we know so well and transforms them into something even better than we ever could have imagined them to be. Jaimie is a prime example where he once was the golden shining self- centered and narcissistic Lannister Lion, all aspects of that is lost to him, he is forced to recreate himself while never escaping the judgement that went along with what he once was.
Although constantly overwhelmed with all the twists and turns and keeping everything in order as to what really is going on everyone is not accounted for. That is where Martin left us for six years longing for Daenerys, John, Tyrion, Davos, and Bran. And that's why tomorrow I'm going to Everone's Books to get me a Copy of A Dance with Dragons.