A little part from this interview:
Q: I’m pretty sure I know the answer to this, but: Have you ever regretted the scene?
A: Martin: No. Not as a writer. It’s probably the most powerful scene in the books. It cost me some readers, but gained me many more.
I don't really understand this part. What, the people were so mad that their favorite character from the book were killed that they decided not to read it anymore? How stupid is that? This scene is what makes this series so interesting, unpredictable and unique and people want to make it the usual happy fairytale? Go read Beauty and the Beast then.