A Dance with Dragons

A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 5

By: George R.R. Martin

Narrated by: Roy Dotrice

Length: 48 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Dubbed the American Tolkien by Time magazine, George R. R. Martin has earned international acclaim for his monumental cycle of epic fantasy. Now the number-one New York Times best-selling author delivers the fifth book in his spellbinding landmark series - as both familiar faces and surprising new forces vie for a foothold in a fragmented empire.

In the aftermath of a colossal battle, the future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance once again - 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 three times 3,000 enemies, and many have set out to find her. Yet, as they gather, one young man embarks upon his own quest for the queen, with an entirely different goal in mind.

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 Nights Watch, will face his greatest challenge yet. For he has powerful foes not only within the Watch but also beyond, in the land of the creatures of ice.

And from all corners, bitter conflicts soon 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.

Enchanted? Check out the rest of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series.

©2011 George R.R. Martin (P)2011 Random House

Critic reviews

"Filled with vividly rendered set pieces, unexpected turnings, assorted cliffhangers and moments of appalling cruelty, A Dance with Dragons is epic fantasy as it should be written: passionate, compelling, convincingly detailed and thoroughly imagined." (The Washington Post)

"Long live George Martin...a literary dervish, enthralled by complicated characters and vivid language, and bursting with the wild vision of the very best tale tellers." (The New York Times)

"One of the best series in the history of fantasy." (Los Angeles Times)

This was a great read.

I loved this story, excellent. But in true Martin fashion n everyone you love dies.

Bring on the Winds of Winter

I don't understand the bad reviews of Roy Dotrice. He does excellent narration. Listen long and listen well!!!'

I loved it

I was concerned about what the other reviewers said about the narration but I found it to still be great with only a few flaws. This book is my favorite of the series. I WANT MORE!

Outstanding Series!

I am an avid reader and listener and am always excited to find an author I enjoy. George R. R. Martin definitely fills the bill! I think every one of the books is well written and artful. The character development was creative and intertwining of situations and characters in the plot was nicely complicated. Truly a refreshing change from the predictable plots and characters in more recent fantasies I have read.

enjoyable

book is long but well worth the trip. sad that the TV adaptation took over while we wait for the next book.

The cliffhanger from hell

Wonderfully written story, intricate plot, characters and ends with multiple cliffhangers.

PUBLISH WINDS OF WINTER!!!

NOT THE END!!!

FANTASTIC, GRRM. should get an Oscar or the highest literary award available, end was kinda FUNNY,That said the use of the word:(Niggerdly ) was a bit offensive ) an unexpected. Outside of that, I truly can't wait for W.O.W,and I hope it picks right where it left off...GREAT SERIES...

The only bad part to this book, is having to wait.

If you could sum up A Dance with Dragons in three words, what would they be?

Amazing
HUGE
Captivating

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Dance with Dragons?

Seriously? All of it! This book is HUGE! But Dotrice keeps it interesting and the plot thickens so much in this book!!! READ IT!!!!!

Have you listened to any of Roy Dotrice’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, all of this series. Not as good to be honest. He changed the voices of a couple of main characters not only from all the other books, but half way through this one as well. With that being said, I would listen to NO ONE ELSE tell these tails. He's juggling 30 something characters! He really makes these books for me. I hope that he gets into reading other stories.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

Any additional comments?

I can’t say I have ever been a big book on tape guy, but now with all the traveling I do, I’m really into it! This was one of my first series and I think it will be hard to beat! Get into these books, and if you know of any other amazing series please let me know!

Leaves you dying for the winds of winter!!!

GRRM is an incredible author. plain and simple. The Winds of Winter can't come fast enough.

Great book and narration!

I loved this book and the narrator was awesome! I can't wait for the next release!