The third novel in the epic A Song of Fire and Ice series has been split into two books; the first part Steel and Snow continues to reinforce the reputation of this masterful conjurer of the written word. Martin has the wonderful ability to make a living breathing world without a whiff of the fanciful; yet dragons fly and the Others are a terrifying menace that the majority of the realm can not even begin to imagine.
You should be used to the unpredictable twists and turns that Martin is so skilful at composing, however he still has the ability to stun with his sudden change of pace. You may well find yourself begging the author not to slaughter your favourites (who are not necessarily the most admirable) as surprises continue apace and characters you previously loathed with good reason, start to reveal hidden depths.
Steel and Snow feels as though a towering and precarious set of building blocks is being deftly constructed, just in time to crash to the ground during the second part of a Storm of Swords; Blood and Gold.
THE BOOK BEHIND THE THIRD SEASON OF GAME OF THRONES, AN ORIGINAL SERIES NOW ON HBO. Here is the third book in the landmark series that has redefined imaginative fiction and become a modern masterpiece.
A STORM OF SWORDS
Of the five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and still the wars rage. Joffrey sits on the Iron Throne, the uneasy ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. His most bitter rival, Lord Stannis, stands defeated and disgraced, victim of the sorceress who holds him in her thrall. Young Robb still rules the North from the fortress of Riverrun. Meanwhile, making her way across a blood-drenched continent is the exiled queen, Daenerys, mistress of the only three dragons left in the world. As opposing forces maneuver for the final showdown, an army of barbaric wildlings arrives from the outermost limits of civilization, accompanied by a supernatural army of the living dead. As the future of the land hangs in the balance, no one will rest until the Seven Kingdoms have exploded in a veritable storm of swords. . . .
A GAME OF THRONES A CLASH OF KINGS A STORM OF SWORDS A FEAST FOR CROWS A DANCE WITH DRAGONS
'Colossal, staggering... Martin captures all the intoxicating complexity of the Wars of the Roses or Imperial Rome in his imaginary world... one of the greats of fantasy literature.' SFX
'Fantasy literature has never shied away from grandeur, but the sheer-mind-boggling scope of this epic has sent other fantasy writers away shaking their heads... Its ambition: to construct the Twelve Caesars of fantasy fiction, with characters so venomous they could eat the Borgias.' Guardian
'Truly epic... An extraordinarily rich novel... with its magnificent action-filled climax, it provides a banquet for fantasy lovers with large appetites... The book stands out from similar work by virtue of its superbly developed characters, accomplished prose and sheer bloody-mindedness.' Publishers Weekly
'A vast, rich saga, with splendid characters and an intricate plot flawlessly articulated against a backdrop of real depth and texture.' Kirkus
Author
About George R. R. Martin
George R. R. Martin published his first story in 1971 and quickly rose to prominence, winning four HUGO and two NEBULA AWARDs in quick succession before he turned his attention to fantasy with the historical horror novel FEVRE DREAM, now a Fantasy Masterwork. Since then he has won every major award in the fields of fantasy, SF and horror. His magnificent epic saga A Song of Ice and Fire is redefining epic fantasy for a new generation. George R. R. Martin lives in New Mexico.
CLICK HEREto read our 'Ask the Author' feature on George R.R. Martin.
