Ahhh every time someone on my Flist starts reading the series I smile because I know exactly what's coming. It is the ultimate 'been there, done that' and I am NOT saying that in a bad way. I love watching people fall in love with these books. I was exactly like you and and you are pretty much moving along through the series the same way I did. In other words...addicted. Book one was pretty much Jon, Arya, Bran and Tyrion for me. And although I enjoyed it, I always found Dany's story to be a bit remote just as you put it. Book Two I started leaning heavily towards Tyrion - he is the star of that book IMO. I loved Renly and wanted to find out more about Stannis, Mel and Brienne. There was never enough Sandor IMO. Even GRRM's minor characters are fascinating. Your allegiances and favourites will likely change as you progess through the books. There are so many intricate characters and so many twists as they develop in the series. I'm rereading the series now as well and have just started Book Three. Where are you in your reading? BTW, it is the perfect time to read the series since the fifth book will finally be coming out in July. If you had read the series any earlier you would have gone through the frustration that most fans did back six years ago when book four was released with the fifth (and pivotal) book nowhere in sight. Did you peek ahead at all? It's so difficult not to.