Don't be deceived by the cover or the description. This is not truly a story for kids featuring dragons.

Martin delves into a plethora of things within these few pages. If you truly focus and aren't distracted by the cool visuals of people riding dragons, you will discover that you are, in fact, reading a rather profound and heartwarming story that unfolds in a chilly world.

The narrative may seem simple at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it reveals layers of depth and emotion. It explores themes such as friendship, courage, and the power of hope in the face of adversity.

The cold world setting adds an extra element of harshness, making the warmth and kindness within the story even more poignant. It shows that even in the most difficult of circumstances, there is still room for love and connection.

So, don't let the initial impression fool you. Take the time to really engage with this story and you will be rewarded with a beautiful and touching experience.

A couple of recommendations from a longtime pre-show fan of Martin and "A Song of Ice and Fire":

First and foremost, one should absolutely not believe a single word of the publicity that claims this is set in Westeros, the very same world of ASOIAF and GOT. It is a blatant falsehood, completely untrue. There are merely a few minuscule details that might be reused and which did sprout into some plot points in his more renowned fantasy series. However, only the most hardcore fans are likely to detect these. But make no mistake, they are not in the same world, whether it be the past, present, or future. The marketing is simply lying through its teeth, and anyone who has perused the ASOIAF books will swiftly realize that there is no conceivable way this short story could occur in the same world without some serious mental acrobatics and a lack of internal plot coherence.

Secondly, definitely do not read this to children. At least not to the very young ones. This is more suitable for older children, from middle school upwards, if one insists. Martin simply cannot pen anything cheerful even if his life depended on it. This is something that we fans happily accept and joke about. And in this story, there is an ample amount of his trademark gore and violence, etc. Although it is much, much watered-down, it is still descriptive enough to raise an eyebrow. Instead, read fairy tales to your little ones or something that is less likely to be depressingly bittersweet, with a particular emphasis on the bitter.

If you are an inveterate ASOIAF/GOT fan or simply a Martin fan, then by all means go ahead and read this. You will gain interesting insights into his earlier work and ideas. However, if not, then this may not be the right choice for you, regardless of your age.

The ice dragon breathed death into the world; death and quiet and cold. First of all, for those who say that the ice dragon in the TV series Game of Thrones is impossible... have they read the title of this book? Okay, leaving that aside...

I ADORED THIS STORY! Yes, it is quite childish and has elements of a fairy tale, but with dragons and deaths and war and a super brave girl. I really liked how the illustrations were intertwined with a story that was at the same time innocent and dark. Only George R. R. Martin could write something like this.

Martin has a unique talent for creating vivid and engaging worlds. In this story, the ice dragon is a fearsome and powerful creature, yet it also has a certain charm. The little girl, who befriends the ice dragon, is a character full of courage and determination. Her adventures with the ice dragon are both exciting and heartwarming.

The illustrations in the book add another layer of depth to the story. They bring the characters and the world to life, making it easier for the reader to imagine. Overall, this is a wonderful story that will appeal to both children and adults who love dragons and adventure.

"The ice dragon breathed death into the world; death and quiet and cold".

This was truly brilliant, and it was hauntingly beautiful in a way that made the hair on your arms stand up right in the middle of the night.

The image that accompanied these words was equally captivating. A picture of a mysterious figure, perhaps a child of Winter, standing in the cold. The photo, with its width of 400 pixels and class of "gr-hostedUserImg" loading lazily, added to the overall atmosphere.

The caption, "The cold did not bother her, for she was a child of Winter," further enhanced the sense of mystery and wonder. It made you wonder who this child of Winter was and what secrets she held.

This combination of words and image was a powerful one, leaving a lasting impression on the reader and making them want to know more about this enchanting world.

I didn't realize going in that The Ice Dragon was a re-release of a children's book GRRM wrote in 1980. I have no idea what the illustrations were like in the original version. However, Luis Royo's art for this 2014 version is beautiful.

I will also admit that I got distracted while reading. It's been marketed as taking place in the same world as A Song of Ice and Fire. I believed this claim as Ice Dragons have been mentioned in the books. But. I don't think it does take place in the same world. Granted, it could very well take place in some location other than Westeros. This would explain my inability to identify where all of this was happening. GRRM pretty much focuses exclusively on Westeros and to a lesser extent, Essos in the ASOIAF books. But then there's the fact that in this book, winter and summer happen once a year, just like they do in our world. This is not like in ASOIAF, where winters and summers can last years, even decades. Brief googling also tells me that Martin hasn't ever confirmed it takes place in the same world. Only publishers have claimed that it does. If it does take place in Westeros, etc., then it must take place a long, long, long time before the events of the main series, for things to have changed that much.

Anyway, once I got past that distraction, I really enjoyed this little book. As previously mentioned, it was gorgeous. It was also a satisfying read, if a bit more sad than I was expecting. It tells a touching story that engages the reader's emotions. The characters are well-developed and the plot is interesting. Overall, it's a great addition to any book collection.

Another short story that I didn't enjoy that much. There was nothing new about it, and perhaps it's all on me again.

This middle grade novel tells the story of Adara and her struggles, or at least, the struggles of the people around her. Every winter, the ice dragon comes to the place where she lives. Fortunately for her, winter is the time of her birthday. She looks forward to every visit that the ice dragon makes, but everyone around her hates the dragon. It brings harsh winter effects and hinders the growth of crops. In reality, the dragon is a curse for everyone.

One thing that I can truly commend is the artwork. This edition is illustrated, and even the text is colored blue. It is vivid and engaging, but unfortunately, the plot didn't amaze me.

I give it 3/5 stars. It's not the best thing I've read from Martin, but it seems like a short prequel to the Song of Ice and Fire series. I was hoping for more depth and excitement in the story, but it felt a bit flat. However, the beautiful illustrations did add some charm to the overall experience. Maybe if I had read it at a younger age, I would have enjoyed it more. Nevertheless, it's still a decent read for fans of Martin's work.

The Ice Dragon is a story that initially seems to promise a world of wonder and magic for children. However, upon closer inspection, it reveals itself to be a rather dark and disturbing tale.

The story is set in a kingdom at war, where young Adara lives with her father and two forgettable siblings. Her mother died giving birth to her, and her father secretly despises her, believing that the winter is within her. There are two types of dragons in this world: the regular fire-breathing ones that can be trained by humans and used in battles, and the mysterious ice dragons that only appear during winter.

The enemy's dragon-force is superior to that of Adara's kingdom, and it is up to her and her ice dragon friend to save her family. However, Adara's actions in the story are far from heroic. She abandons her family for the dragon, and people die because she refuses to listen to her father and uncle.

The illustrations by Luis Royo are the only redeeming feature of this book. They are done mostly in blue ink and add a touch of beauty and mystery to the otherwise lackluster story.

Overall, The Ice Dragon is neither original nor engaging. It fails to deliver the kind of magical and enchanting experience that one would expect from a children's book. Martin's attempt to shock and surprise his readers falls flat, and the story ends up being more of a disappointment than anything else.

The book presents itself as a captivating fairy-tale that delves into the exploration of a young girl within the enchanting realm of dragons. It initially teases about her complex relationships with her father and her deceased mother, as well as her constantly cold demeanor. However, as the story progresses, it predominantly focuses on a rather nebulous and poorly-defined war. The stakes of this war are not something that we, as readers, can truly care about, considering that the main character is too young to have a deep understanding or concern. The characters themselves are not nearly developed enough, leaving us feeling little when they are in danger. Additionally, there is a distinct lack of the dragon and fantasy elements that one would expect from such a premise. By Martin's standards, it is not terribly well-written, and the ending effectively strips away even the meager shred of fairy tale that it initially possessed.

Perhaps Martin's true forte lies solely in creating adult-oriented content that is filled with blood, sex, and bodily functions. When these elements are removed, it seems that he lacks the necessary family-friendly material to fill the void. At least, that is how it felt to me.

This product is suitable only for children from a humble perspective.

I also like the cover and the innovative translation by Hisham Fahmi.

On January 17, 2023, this item caught my attention. It seems to be designed with children in mind, offering a unique and interesting experience. The cover is visually appealing, which can attract the curiosity of young readers. Moreover, the translation by Hisham Fahmi is creative, adding a new dimension to the content. It makes the story more engaging and accessible for children. Overall, this product appears to be a great choice for those looking for something special for their children to enjoy.

I read this article and I truly liked it a great deal.

The artwork by Luis Royo is simply outstanding. It catches the eye and holds one's attention with its unique style and remarkable details.

Each piece seems to tell a story, inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in the imaginative world that Royo has created.

The colors he uses are vibrant and add to the overall impact of the artworks.

I highly recommend taking a closer look at Luis Royo's art. It is sure to leave you with a sense of wonder and appreciation for his talent.

Whether you are an art enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys beautiful and thought-provoking visuals, his work is definitely worth exploring.

So, don't miss out on the opportunity to experience the magic of Luis Royo's art.

I was truly shocked when I saw that the majority of reviews here for The Ice Dragon were singing its praises. It really makes me wonder if anyone actually understood the story at all. I wouldn't even give it one star here, but of course, zero stars isn't an option.

I picked up this book because the cover art intrigued me. I thought a story about a little blonde girl who rides a dragon would be really cool.

However, when I started reading it, I could immediately tell what was coming. I just knew it. This was not going to be the mystical, uplifting, and beautiful story that I was hoping for from the cover. In fact, it is hardly mystical at all.

Adara is the protagonist, and I liked her well enough at first. She is not a typical child; she doesn't cry or throw tantrums. Her father calls her his 'winter child' because she loves the winter season, while her brother and sister prefer summer. But her father thinks of her as emotionally cold and incapable of love. I thought this premise of an emotionally cold child, like Mary in The Secret Garden, would be interesting, especially when it came to Adara's relationship with the Ice Dragon. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

The story follows a family consisting of the father, named John, and his children: Geoff, Teri, and Adara. Their mother died while giving birth to Adara in the winter, during 'the freeze'. It is for this reason that the father hates winter and even feels resentment towards Adara. Then there is the character of Uncle Hal, John's brother, who is a 'dragonrider'. A dragonrider is essentially a soldier whose mount is a dragon, and they fight in the sky. There isn't much depth to these characters, other than John missing his wife bitterly, Geoff wanting to be a farmer, Teri being a flirt, Adara liking winter, and all the children liking Uncle Hal.

Right from the beginning, we learn that Adara likes winter mostly because it is when the Ice Dragon visits. Adara is immune to the harshness of winter unlike other children. She was born in the winter, after all. She likes to build ice castles and play with 'ice lizards', which are usually killed by other children because they are so sensitive to heat, but Adara mysteriously is able to handle them and keep them cold. This is an important moment in the book. Ice dragons are rare, and most people see them as a bad omen of a long winter. But Adara loves her Ice Dragon, whom she visits in secret, and knows it comes each year just for her.

The first chapters are the only redeeming parts of the book, where they describe Adara's relationship with The Ice Dragon, including the first time she rides it at five years old. When I was first reading those chapters, I enjoyed the book and thought I would like it as much as others here do. But then comes Chapter Four.

I should mention that the tone of the book, from the beginning, is distant and fittingly cold. You don't feel transported by the author; you feel like you're just reading a story. You don't feel a part of the family or the universe. And you don't really care for them that much, as Adara is the only one who is explored to any extent. The whole story is set in an undetermined time and place, with an unexplained war going on. It reminds me of another book I read recently, called The Door in the Forest, which also has an unexplained war going on. I don't think that war is entertaining to read about in the first place, but it is even less so when its causes are not even described. How can we genuinely side with the characters then? How is it interesting or necessary at all? It is not.

The rest of the book is then transformed, just as I had sensed, from a potentially magical read to a drudging, lagging, and desolate story of war. Which, I add again, does not even tell us what the war is about. What is instead deemed necessary to the reader is details and illustrations of people and dragons getting killed. Then, to top it all off, John refuses to evacuate his family from their land, even though his children are in danger from the invading enemy. Uncle Hal, who is already wounded along with his dragon, tries to persuade John to consider the lives of his children. This part is very frustrating to read as John remains stubborn and now his children are all in danger. What's worse, even Uncle Hal's dragon is too wounded to carry them to safety. He tries to take Adara, but she runs away and hides in a tree. She doesn't want to leave because she wants to stay on the land until her birthday in winter, for the Ice Dragon.

The next day, she looks up in the sky and sees dragonriders fighting, including her Uncle Hal. There is a sad illustration of a dead dragon on the next page, and to add to the somber story, Uncle Hal and his dragon are burned alive. Then Adara runs to some nearby caves, and what do you think she encounters, but the Ice Dragon. Apparently, these caves are where it lives during the rest of the year. There is a beautiful moment where Adara intends to escape with the Ice Dragon, as she whispers, "Hurry, dragon. Take me away, take me to the land of always-winter. We'll never come back here, never. I'll build you the best castle of all, and take care of you, and ride you every day. Just take me away, dragon, take me home with you." Why the rest of the story couldn't be the manifestation of these words, I don't know. It was what I had desired to read about when I chose to read it. I wanted to read a truly magical story about a girl and her relationship with a dragon, not a girl and her annoying family and war.

It seems that some authors think it would be embarrassing or something to just write a nice fantasy story, and have to save their dignity by making it 'edgy' or adult through adding war and violence to the plot. But this is a children's story after all, so what would honestly be the harm in making it a nice story? I digress. So, there is a good description of Adara and the ice dragon taking flight, which, as I mentioned, are the only redeeming parts of the book. But does the story finally transport us to a magical world? No. Adara turns the Ice Dragon around to her family's farm, even though it is summer outside, and they never do go to the land of always-winter. Instead, we are brought back to the book's weakest element, the family characters and the descriptions of war, and they go on until the story's end. The Ice Dragon is already affected by the summer heat, and it kills two of the enemy dragonriders and their dragons with its icy body. But the third enemy dragonrider wounds it with fire, and yet again we have a heartbreaking illustration of the Ice Dragon wounded and dying. In its last breath it breathes ice, which does destroy the third and last rider and dragon. But from there, Adara ABANDONS the Ice Dragon, which she had previously cared for so much, and instead runs to her family. She never turns back to try and help the Ice Dragon who SAVED all their lives. No thanks or anything. I just don't like how Adara, who was never even close with her own family, would suddenly make them her priority when the Ice Dragon was consistently the only one thing she ever cared about. Why would she sacrifice a future with the Ice Dragon for a father that didn't even care for her or his children? Oh, and NOW John the stubborn father decides to evacuate his family, now that he GETS IT, and they were all nearly killed if not for Adara and the Ice Dragon. As the family leaves the farm at night, they do not see the Ice Dragon, but there is an icy pond on the ground that had never been there before. Hm, I wonder what it could be. The family just walks around it carefully, and that is all the thanks the Ice Dragon ever receives. From there on, we have a very brief ending to the cheery story that is barely two pages. In it, we learn that Adara is now no longer different. She expresses emotion, including tears, and now can no longer play with ice lizards, because the heat of hands would now kill them. WHERE was that consideration for life was when she deliberately killed her Ice Dragon? Well, that is the whole story. Adara, who was the only likable human character, becomes obnoxious like the rest of her family by sacrificing her Ice Dragon for them and then becomes typical just like everyone else.

So, that's the story. The only thing that I wanted to read it for was to see a relationship between a girl and a dragon explored, and the book doesn't even do that, in spite of the title and cover art. Even the descriptions of them flying together are few. Instead the book focuses on an unlikable family that is not even fleshed out, and even though they are introduced sympathetically, with the death of the mother, I still never cared for any of them except for Adara, who herself turns out unlikable too. I was hoping that it would, at best, be like a dragon version of The Snowman, which at least had a happy ending despite tragedy. There is no reason to read this book, unless you like to read about violence and detached characters and conclude to a horrible ending.

Uy, qué cosita tan corta!

It's really such a short little thing!

Si a nada que escriba ya me queda más largo que el relato!

If nothing I write is already longer than this story!

Un cuentín muy mono y muy poquita cosa de un dragón de hielo y una niña que, como siempre con este autor, tiene sus truculencias con algún protagonista, aunque al menos le dio un final feliz, sólo que quedé triste.

A very cute little story about an ice dragon and a girl who, as always with this author, has her mischievousness with some protagonist, although at least it had a happy ending, only that I felt sad.

GL Maratón dragón. Próximo: La resistencia (Memorias de Idhun)

GL Dragon Marathon. Next: The Resistance (Memories of Idhun)

This short piece seems to be a reflection on a very brief story. The author expresses surprise at how short it is and comments on how even their own writing is longer. The story itself is about an ice dragon and a girl, and the author mentions the girl's typical mischievous behavior towards the protagonist, as is common in this author's works. Despite the happy ending, the author still feels a sense of sadness. The mention of the GL Dragon Marathon and the upcoming work "The Resistance (Memories of Idhun)" gives a hint of what's to come in the author's literary journey.

Perhaps the brevity of the story left the author longing for more depth and development. It makes one wonder what could have been explored further in the relationship between the ice dragon and the girl. Maybe there were untold adventures or hidden emotions that were not fully fleshed out. Nevertheless, the story seems to have made an impact on the author, even if it was a bittersweet one.

As for the GL Dragon Marathon and the upcoming work, it piques the reader's curiosity. What kind of resistance will be depicted in "The Resistance (Memories of Idhun)"? How will it tie in with the GL Dragon Marathon? These questions leave the reader eager to discover more about the author's fictional world and the stories that await.

Overall, this short article offers a glimpse into the author's thoughts and feelings about a particular story, as well as a teaser for future works. It shows the author's passion for writing and the ability to create engaging stories, even in a short format.