Summary
A Dance with Dragons is the fifth novel in George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire. Published in 2011, it continues the sprawling saga of political intrigue, war, and magic in the fictional world of Westeros. Arriving six years after the previous installment, this highly anticipated novel debuted at number one on The New York Times bestseller list and won the 2012 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. At more than 1,000 pages, it expands the story with new characters and plot developments while advancing the journeys of fan favorites like Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister, and Jon Snow. Like its predecessors, A Dance with Dragons was adapted as part of the hit HBO television series Game of Thrones, primarily corresponding to the show's fifth and sixth seasons.
Plot
In the aftermath of a massive battle, the Seven Kingdoms are in turmoil as various factions vie for power. In the east, Daenerys Targaryen rules as queen in Meereen with her three dragons but faces numerous enemies plotting against her. Meanwhile, Tyrion Lannister flees Westeros and embarks on a journey to find Daenerys, believing she may be key to restoring order to the realm.
In the North, Jon Snow serves as the 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, defending the Wall against threats from both wildlings—cruel men, slavers and slayers and thieves— and the supernatural creatures known as the Others. Jon allows some wildlings to settle south of the Wall in exchange for their help defending it, a controversial decision that creates unrest within the Night's Watch. Stannis Baratheon's forces march south from the Wall to challenge the Boltons for control of the North.
Across Essos, various characters converge on Meereen seeking Daenerys. Victarion Greyjoy sails to offer her an alliance, while Quentyn Martell arrives hoping to fulfill an old marriage pact. In Braavos, Arya Stark continues her training with the Faceless Men assassins. Tyrion is captured and sold into slavery before escaping and joining a mercenary company outside Meereen. When Drogon, Daenerys's largest dragon, causes chaos in Meereen's fighting pits, Daenerys flies away on his back.
In King's Landing, Cersei Lannister is imprisoned by the Faith and forced to make a walk of atonement through the city streets. Her uncle Kevan and the eunuch Varys vie for control of young King Tommen's regency. In a shocking twist, Varys reappears to murder Kevan, revealing his long-term plot to destabilize Westeros to pave the way for a Targaryen restoration. The book ends with many characters' fates uncertain as winter descends on the Seven Kingdoms.
Themes
Power struggles and political intrigue
Identity and self-discovery
Morality and difficult choices
Loyalty and betrayal
Quest for justice and revenge
Consequences of war and violence
Leadership and responsibility
Setting
A Dance with Dragons takes place in a medieval fantasy world, primarily on the continents of Westeros and Essos. The story is set several years after a civil war that overthrew the ruling Targaryen dynasty, with various factions now vying for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. To the north, an ancient magical barrier called the Wall protects the realm from threats beyond.
In Westeros, much of the action unfolds in the North, where the Stark family's ancestral home of Winterfell has fallen to the Boltons. The Night's Watch defends the Wall against wildling invaders and supernatural threats, while rival claimants to the Iron Throne scheme and battle for supremacy across the continent. Key locations include King's Landing, the capital city, as well as strongholds like Dragonstone, the Eyrie, and Riverrun.
Across the Narrow Sea in Essos, exiled princess Daenerys Targaryen rules the city of Meereen, struggling to maintain control while nurturing her three growing dragons. Other important settings in Essos include the Free Cities like Pentos and Braavos, as well as the grasslands of the Dothraki Sea. As various characters and plot threads converge, the scope of the story spans from the frozen lands beyond the Wall to the distant eastern reaches of Essos.
Characters
Daenerys Targaryen: The young exiled queen who has conquered the city of Meereen with her three dragons. She struggles to rule effectively while planning her eventual return to Westeros to reclaim the Iron Throne. Daenerys faces mounting threats from within Meereen and beyond as she attempts to bring peace and justice to the region.
Jon Snow: The new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, defending the Wall against threats from the wildlings and the Others. Jon makes controversial decisions as he attempts to forge alliances and prepare for the coming winter, putting him at odds with many of his brothers in the Watch.
Tyrion Lannister: The witty dwarf, now a fugitive after killing his father, who journeys across Essos. Tyrion's travels bring him into contact with several key players vying for power, as he seeks to find his place in the world and potentially ally himself with Daenerys.
Cersei Lannister: The embattled Queen Regent in King's Landing, now imprisoned by the Faith. Cersei's political machinations and paranoia have backfired, leaving her to face a humiliating walk of atonement as she awaits her trial.
Jaime Lannister: The Kingslayer, sent to deal with the last remnants of war in the Riverlands. Jaime continues to struggle with his identity and sense of honor as he attempts to keep the peace and fulfill his vows.
Bran Stark: A young warg, who travels beyond the Wall to unlock his mysterious powers. Bran begins training with the Three-Eyed Crow to develop his abilities as a greenseer, which allow him to see through time and space.
Theon Greyjoy: The broken former Prince of Winterfell, now a prisoner of the Boltons. Theon, having endured horrific torture, struggles to reclaim his identity as he becomes entangled in the plot to rescue the false Arya Stark.
Davos Seaworth: Stannis Baratheon's loyal Hand, sent on a perilous mission to rally support in the North. Davos must navigate treacherous political waters as he attempts to win allies for Stannis's cause.
Stannis Baratheon: The second born son of Steffon Baratheon, and would-be king. Marching his forces through the North to challenge the Boltons, Stannis faces harsh winter conditions and dwindling resources as he attempts to take Winterfell and gain the support of the northern lords.
Melisandre: The red priestess who serves as Stannis's advisor, wielding mysterious magical powers. Melisandre's visions and prophecies guide many of Stannis's decisions, though her true motives remain unclear.
Quentyn Martell: The prince of Dorne who embarks on a secret mission to win Daenerys's hand in marriage. Quentyn's naive idealism clashes with the harsh realities of Meereen's political landscape.
Victarion Greyjoy: The fierce Iron Islands commander, who sails to Meereen to claim Daenerys for himself. Victarion's fleet and fighting prowess may prove crucial in the coming conflicts, though his own ambitions may complicate matters.
Quick facts
At 1,056 pages, A Dance with Dragons is the second-longest novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, just behind A Storm of Swords.
Released in 2011, the book, the fifth installment in the series, took George R.R. Martin nearly six years to complete.
A Song of Ice and Fire was the only novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series published during the run of the HBO adaptation Game of Thrones.
The story is told from 18 different point-of-view characters.
About one-third of the book's content was originally written for the previous novel, A Feast for Crows.
Martin had to cut several chapters and move them to the next planned book, The Winds of Winter.
A Dance with Dragons was an instant number one New York Times bestseller and remained on the list for more than a month.
The UK hardcover was split into two volumes, Dreams and Dust and After the Feast.
A Dance with Dragons won the 2012 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel.
When released in 2011, A Dance with Dragons was the fastest-selling hardcover fiction book since 2005's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
About the Author
George R.R. Martin is an acclaimed American novelist and television producer best known for his epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, which was adapted into the hit television series Game of Thrones, which premiered on HBO in 2011. Martin served as co-executive producer and wrote several episodes for the series. The show's massive success brought even more attention to Martin's novels and cemented his status as one of the most influential fantasy authors of his generation. In addition to the main series, Martin has written several prequel novellas set in the same world and collaborated on companion books exploring the history and lore of Westeros.
Born in 1948 in New Jersey, Martin began writing at a young age, selling monster stories to neighborhood children. He went on to study journalism at Northwestern University before launching his career as a science fiction and fantasy author in the 1970s. His early works included the novels Dying of the Light and Fevre Dream, as well as numerous short stories. However, it was the 1996 publication of A Game of Thrones, the first book in his A Song of Ice and Fire series, that catapulted him to international fame. The sprawling, intricate fantasy saga drew praise for its complex characters, unpredictable plot twists, and richly imagined world. As the series grew in popularity, Martin also began working in television, writing for the series Beauty and the Beast, which first aired on CBS from 1987 to 1990.
Winner of multiple Hugo and Nebula awards, Martin is known for editing the Wild Cards series of shared universe anthologies and his active involvement in the science fiction and fantasy community. He currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he continues to work on the A Song of Ice and Fire series.
