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)

Best book yet

Great read. AFFC was solid but ADWD substantially picked up as far as plot. It focused back on the more interesting characters from the first three books and was action packed. Martins choice to add more pov characters, notably Selmy and Connington, added more breadth to the novel. Contrary to popular belief I actually still enjoyed the last 2 books being read by Doltrice, although I couldn't picture Victarion talking without a clothespin on his nose. We need those last 2 books!

About time I finished this book

Wow! I can't even begin to say how much I love the book's storyline compared to the TV series. I can't wait for the next book! After years of being to busy to sit down and finish this book, I decided to listen to the audio instead. I'm so glad I did!

Great story but some of the voices are awful

I can't deal with the voices of the main women. It makes them sound so wimpy. Arya is brutal to listen to and she's one of my favorite characters. Still worth it for they story but I'm glad I read the books first before I experienced the grating girl voices!

Great book!!!

this book was great just twist and turns and the story just kept you wondering what's next !!

Long awaited and well received

This is yet another excellent installment in George R R Martin's epic. If only Martin would release Book 6 before we forget the details of the first 4 books. What is interesting about this particular book are the admissions and memories of Sir Barenston (msp?). We get another side of the details surrounding the core questions of the series like why did Sir Arthur Dayne's sister kill herself. Did any of her children live? How did Rhaegar's son survive? Did he? What motivates Lord Varys and where was he for the most part of this book? So many questions, hopefully Martin has some answers and he is willing to hurry up and share them. And what was the deal with those kids with daggers?

Enjoyably Infuriating

I don't have much new to add to what has already been said. There are little nuggets sprinkled sparsely throughout this book that remind you why you loved this fantasy series in the first place. Unfortunately, you end up completing this not because it's good, but because you've already invested so much time in this series. How you cram so little into such a long book is still beyond me. The writing is still good so the experience isn't painful, it's just infuriating as not a whole lot happens beside traveling around.

A note on the narrator. Holy crap, I don't know how you read Daenerys and think you should make her sound like a hobgoblin. Yuck

Can't beat this series

What did you love best about A Dance with Dragons?

I love this series! Dance left me eagerly (and immediately) searching for the release date of the the follow up. I appreciate how events evolve at a good pace, and the reader is not left (for too long) wondering how a new crisis will end.

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

** SPOILER ALERT**
when Cersei is man-handled by the Septors to a jail cell to repent for her crimes and sins.

Which scene was your favorite?

see above... oh, and also anything with Tyrion.

Any additional comments?

can't wait for his next book!

RIP Roy Dotrice

I've listened to all of Roy's narrations of ASOIAF. His voicework is masterful. He passed away when I was about 3/4 through Dragons. So heartbreaking that we won't get to hear him narrate even one of the remaining books to come. I can't imagine them finding someone better..Rest In Peace, Roy

Joy for Roy

I’ve listened to everyone of the books for the simple fact that Roy Dotrice gives a masterful performance from beginning to end.

Worthwhile

An engrossing tale, competently read (despite some of the voices used). Well worth the money and a fun way to enjoy ASOIAF!!