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The Ice Dragon

george r.r. martin maggi-meg reed

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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.
 
Get lost in Ice Dragon, the enchanting middle grade novel by novelist George R. R. Martin.

0 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1,1980
Literary awards
premio ignotus, 

This edition

Format
0 pages, Audio CD
Published
October 3, 2006 by Macmillan Audio
ISBN
9781427200259
ASIN
1427200254
Language
English
Characters More characters

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About the author

Profile Image for george r.r. martin

george r.r. martin

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George Raymond Richard "R.R." Martin was born September 20, 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey. His father was Raymond Collins Martin, a longshoreman, and his mother was Margaret Brady Martin. He has two sisters, Darleen Martin Lapinski and Janet Martin Patten.

Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin's first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: The Hero, sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.

In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.

As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976, and was a Journalism instructor at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978. He wrote part-time throughout the 1970s while working as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and teacher.

In 1975 he married Gale Burnick. They divorced in 1979, with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. He was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.

Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93.

Martin's present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers' Guild of America, West.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/george...

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Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
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99 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
adamantine
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A light and lovely book. Perhaps I liked it because I love winter.

However, the disappointing ending was really a letdown!

It's such a pity that after enjoying the story so much, the conclusion didn't meet my expectations.

I had high hopes for a satisfying resolution, but instead, I was left feeling a bit disappointed.

Despite this, the book still had its charm. The descriptions of the winter scenes were vivid and beautiful, making me feel as if I was right there in the story.

The characters were also well-developed, and I found myself really caring about what happened to them.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but that ending will always be a bit of a sore spot for me.

I guess you can't have everything in a book, but it would have been nice if the author had tied up all the loose ends a little better.

Maybe next time I'll be more cautious when choosing a book, but for now, I'll just have to live with the disappointment of this one.
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CountofUndolpho
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A childhood story and its brutal honesty mean I recommended it to some of my teenage students. But I started it and ended it with zero feelings.

With respect to all those who love it.

This simple statement holds a certain truth. Sometimes, we may have high expectations of a story, especially when it comes highly recommended. However, our personal experiences and perspectives can greatly influence how we perceive and connect with it.

It's important to remember that everyone has their own unique tastes and preferences when it comes to literature. Just because a story didn't resonate with us doesn't mean it's not valuable or meaningful to others.

Perhaps the brutal honesty of the story was too much for me to handle at that moment. Or maybe I was simply in a different frame of mind. Nevertheless, I can still appreciate the efforts and creativity that went into writing it.

In the end, we should approach literature with an open mind and a willingness to explore different styles and themes. Who knows, maybe the next story we pick up will touch our hearts and leave a lasting impression.
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Maleri_kun
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Beautiful illustrations grace the pages of this work, yet for me, it severely lacks substance. There is a girl made of winter, an ice dragon, and a mysterious, looming enemy. These elements seem to form a great foundation for an interesting story. However, we are given far too little of these characters. We don't get to see enough to truly understand them or develop any sort of connection with them.


Moreover, although it is set in the 'world of games of thrones', there is a distinct lack of real context. It is clear that it is set in a time when dragons are common in battle, but I have no sense of the time period or the specific place. While I'm fairly certain it's alluding to the North, without more details, it all feels rather nebulous.


In the end, I was left with a feeling of disappointment. I have come to expect a great deal more from Martin's writing. It was nice enough, but it simply didn't deliver the depth and richness that I was hoping for. I wanted more, and unfortunately, this just didn't quite cut it.

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reinbowrie0722
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I had no idea that this book even existed. However, once I saw Martin's name on the cover, I just couldn't stop myself. It looks absolutely great sitting there next to my collection of 'A Song of Ice & Fire'.

The Ice Dragon is truly a fun little read, especially for younger readers. But like most children's books, it has a charm that adults can enjoy as well. The story follows a little girl named Adara - she's a winter child - and her adventures with the Ice Dragon as they strive to save the world. The illustrations in the book are beautifully done, adding an extra layer of magic to the already enchanting tale.

It's a book that can transport you to a world of wonder and excitement, regardless of your age. Whether you're a fan of Martin's other works or just looking for a delightful story to share with a child, The Ice Dragon is definitely worth checking out.

I'm so glad I discovered this gem and added it to my collection. It's sure to bring many more hours of enjoyment in the future.
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Enma10th
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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**Stop the presses! A Thoughtful and Intelligent Children's Book?**


Stop.....the.....presses! A thoughtful, intelligent children's book? Yeppers, it's true. Behold, The Ice Dragon. That wascally wabbit, George R. R. Martin, has done it yet again. He's written an elegant, pulchritudinous children’s/YA novella that spins a captivating tale. The story not only respects the brain matter of its readers but also has a depth that is often lacking in children's books.


Plot Summary


The main character is a clever little girl named Adara. She lives on a small farm with her father, brothers, and sisters after her mother died giving birth to her. Adara is known as a “Winter’s Child” as she was born ice cold and has remained that way. She is not only physically cold but also emotionally distant and detached from her family. Martin uses this element to explore Adara’s growth and change throughout the tale.


The tale takes place in a medieval type locale with fantasy elements like Adara’s condition and the existence of dragons. The land is in a long war with a neighboring kingdom, and each army has trained dragons. Adara’s uncle is a captain of a regiment of dragon riders and keeps them informed about events outside the farm.


Adara’s favorite time of the year is winter, and one winter, she meets and befriends the titular Ice Dragon, a rare breed that has never been tamed or interacted with humans. The two form a special relationship over several winters until the outside world and the ongoing war change circumstances forever, forcing Adara to make difficult decisions.


Conclusion


I thought this story was smart, engaging, and deftly done. Older children can enjoy it even if they don't fully understand the more subtle points. It's one of the better children's stories of its type that I have read, and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it. 4.0 stars.
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VictorX
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A Sweet Childhood Story

Since I love winter, I fell in love with Adara and her icy dragon
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Jean_Roberts
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is a very beautiful story, with a touch of the well-known toughness of Martin, adapted for children.

It is a story that can capture the hearts of both young and old who have a love for dragon stories.

The tale unfolds in a magical world where dragons soar through the skies and adventure awaits at every turn.

Children will be enthralled by the vivid descriptions and exciting plot, while adults can appreciate the underlying themes and the unique charm of the story.

Whether you are 12 or older, or simply a big kid at heart who adores dragon tales, this story is sure to delight and inspire you.

It offers a wonderful escape into a world of fantasy and imagination, where anything is possible.

So, pick up this story and let yourself be carried away on a magical journey with the dragons.

You won't be disappointed!
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yatchichoi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A simple story, but well told.


In my opinion, it doesn't develop at all in the world of "A Song of Ice and Fire", as they try to advertise it in the annotation of the Bulgarian edition.


The weak translation and the lush illustrations by Luis Royo, they are also the best in this book.


My rating - 3.5*.



This is a short review of a book. The author first comments that the story is simple yet well presented. However, they disagree with the claim in the Bulgarian edition's annotation that the story is set in the world of "A Song of Ice and Fire", stating that it doesn't seem to develop in that context at all. The review then mentions the weak translation but also highlights the lush illustrations by Luis Royo as the best aspect of the book. Finally, the author gives a rating of 3.5 stars, indicating a moderately positive assessment overall.


Perhaps the author could have provided more specific examples or details to support their views on the story and the translation. Additionally, a more in-depth analysis of the illustrations and how they enhance the book could have been included. Despite these limitations, the review provides a concise and straightforward evaluation of the book.

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