The Ice Dragon by George R. R. Martin (Illustrated) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: The Ice Dragon
Author: George R. R. Martin

Synopsis: The Ice Dragon is an enchanting tale of courage and sacrifice for young readers and adults by the wildly popular author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Song of Ice and Fire series, George R.R. Martin. Lavish illustrations by acclaimed artist Luis Royo enrich this captivating and heartwarming story of a young girl and her dragon.

In the world of A Song of Ice and Fire the ice dragon was a creature of legend and fear, for no man had ever tamed one. When it flew overhead, it left in its wake desolate cold and frozen land. But Adara was not afraid. For Adara was a winter child, born during the worst freeze that anyone, even the Old Ones, could remember.

Adara could not remember the first time she had seen the ice dragon. It seemed that it had always been in her life, glimpsed from afar as she played in the frigid snow long after the other children had fled the cold. In her fourth year she touched it, and in her fifth year she rode upon its broad, chilled back for the first time. Then, in her seventh year, on a calm summer day, fiery dragons from the North swooped down upon the peaceful farm that was Adara's home. And only a winter child—and the ice dragon who loved her—could save her world from utter destruction.

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Review: This illustrated book tells a fairy tale from the world of Westeros. It's cool to think that this is a story heard by our favorite characters in Game of Thrones. The art matches the tone of the story, feeling cold itself. The ink being shades of blue helps with that. 

I give this book a 4/5. It's a nice gift for diehard Game of Thrones fans, but it doesn't add too much or is a necessary buy. 


--PAUL

A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire #5) by George R. R. Martin - Paul's pre-reading

--I've read the other 4 books in this series, but I didn't do blog posts for them as we were still figuring out this blog. We used to each have a monthly pick. And we used to do pretty much only Young Adult reviews. We have since diverged. So, I'll post posts for this book that I am so excited to read!--

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Title: A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire #5)
Author: George R.R. Martin
Year Published: 2011

Synopsis: In the aftermath of a colossal battle, the future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance — beset by newly emerging threats from every direction. In the east, Daenerys Targaryen, the last scion of House Targaryen, rules with her three dragons as queen of a city built on dust and death. But Daenerys has thousands of enemies, and many have set out to find her. As they gather, one young man embarks upon his own quest for the queen, with an entirely different goal in mind.

Fleeing from Westeros with a price on his head, Tyrion Lannister, too, is making his way to Daenerys. But his newest allies in this quest are not the rag-tag band they seem, and at their heart lies one who could undo Daenerys's claim to Westeros forever.

Meanwhile, to the north lies the mammoth Wall of ice and stone — a structure only as strong as those guarding it. There, Jon Snow, 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, will face his greatest challenge. For he has powerful foes not only within the Watch but also beyond, in the land of the creatures of ice.

From all corners, bitter conflicts reignite, intimate betrayals are perpetrated, and a grand cast of outlaws and priests, soldiers and skinchangers, nobles and slaves, will face seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Some will fail, others will grow in the strength of darkness. But in a time of rising restlessness, the tides of destiny and politics will lead inevitably to the greatest dance of all.

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Why?: I've absolutely loved every book so far in this series. Martin tells such an epic tale and in doing so tells so many different stories. The characters and locations are so interesting. I have also loved the HBO tv series and I've mostly been ahead of the series. The current season, which is the fourth, loosely adapts the second half of the third book, but some of the stories have diverted more. Since the fourth and fifth books take place at the same time, just from different perspectives,  the tv series is catching up to my reading. I pre-ordered this book when it came out in mass market paperback.    

Expectations: I'm expecting more of the same. This series has only gotten better as I've grown to learn more about these characters and locations. I'm also expecting some unexpected surprises, whether they be deaths or crazy awesome reveals.    

Judging a book by its cover: This cover is similar to the other mass amrket paperbacks I have. I like that it matches, but it's not all that unique.  


--PAUL

Winter is coming

I finished A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. And Ashley totally has the two books she is behind and she hasn’t posted so…

Here is my first post about this novel: A Game of Thrones

I really enjoyed this book. It was the first true high fantasy I have read. It took me a little time to get into it at first though. The mention of so many names and bloodlines and the geography of a completely new continent pushed me away at first, but it didn’t take long for me to get the hang of this world Martin has created. The characters he creates have so much depth. None of them are one-sided and you get to read from many of their perspectives. One of the only things I disliked was the ending. I don’t feel this novel in itself was a good story. It was a good part of a story. It was excellent storytelling, but If there was no sequel this story was left completely open without any closure. I understand why they created this into a television series as opposed to a film. There wasn't a clear climax. All the stories of the different characters peak at different points and then peak again multiple times. I am anxious to start the next novel in the series, but I may have to read Ashley’s pick of the month first.  

SPOILERS AHEAD

My favorite part of the novel was the alternating perspectives. You never got tired of one main protagonist doing something boring like walking from one city to another because the next chapter would be across the Narrow Sea or far off in the North. I liked the children’s chapters. I felt they were written with the actual age genuinely considered. Bran responded as a child would. Arya saw things that may have saved her father, but she saw them through the eyes of a little girl. I also liked that main characters died or were thought for dead. Bran was my favorite in the beginning of the novel and when he fell I thought he was dead. Dany’s story, though completely separate from the main plot, was one of the most interesting to me. It was simpler and easier to follow. Her character definitely evolved. I am looking forward to where her path will take her. I think I would be completely fine with her ruling the Seven Kingdoms, maybe with Tyrion by her side.

I also liked the way magic and mythical creatures were incorporated. They were very minimal and delt with as though they were real. Within the world, they are thought to not exist anymore so it is interesting to see them start to rise. The zombie body was a little farfetched, but I think it was a good lead in to whatever is cooking in the North.

I hope later books introduce chapters from more characters perspectives. I am intrigued by Tyrion’s lady friend. Theon Greyjoy is also interesting. I will probably read the second novel in the series before seeing the television show whenever the first season comes out on DVD. 

-PAUL

A Game of Thrones

Title: A Game of Thrones
Author: George R. R. Martin
Year Published: 1996

Synopsis: In a world where the approaching winter will last four decades, kings and queens, knights and renegades struggle for control of a throne. Some fight with sword and mace, others with magic and poison. Beyond the Wall to the north, meanwhile, the Others are preparing their army of the dead to march south as the warmth of summer drains from the land. After more than a decade devoted primarily to TV and screen work, Martin (The Armageddon Rag, 1983) makes a triumphant return to high fantasy with this extraordinarily rich new novel, the first of a trilogy. Although conventional in form, the book stands out from similar work by Eddings, Brooks and others by virtue of its superbly developed characters, accomplished prose and sheer bloody-mindedness. Although the romance of chivalry is central to the culture of the Seven Kingdoms, and tournaments, derring-do and handsome knights abound, these trappings merely give cover to dangerous men and women who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. When Lord Stark of Winterfell, an honest man, comes south to act as the King's chief councilor, no amount of heroism or good intentions can keep the realm under control. It is fascinating to watch Martin's characters mature and grow, particularly Stark's children, who stand at the center of the book. Martin's trophy case is already stuffed with major prizes, including Hugos, Nebulas, Locus Awards and a Bram Stoker. He's probably going to have to add another shelf, at least." (Amazon)

Why?:  I don't remember hearing much about this series until the tv show came out. I have heard raving reviews of the tv show and the story sounds interesting. Before I watch the series, I wanted to read the first novel, which may take me a while. It seems like the writing is heavy on characters and character development. From what I've heard, each chapter is from a different character's perspective.

Expectations: I haven't read much, if any, high fantasy. I think this book is a good start. I am expecting it to take a long time to finish, but be written well and tell an amazing story. I expect a well developed world full of evolving characters that are shades of grey. I'm really hoping to get into this book and actually finishing it. I will be very disappointed in myself if this book ends up on my shelf again with a page dog-eared less than halfway through. 

Judging a book by its cover: The cover of the version I have is pictured above. It merely shows a sword. It doesn't really add much or hype anything for me. 

So, I am back to work tomorrow so I will possibly be able to read a bit if I have large breaks.

-PAUL