Of all of George R.R Martin’s short stories, this one is by far my favourite.

It might be due to the fact that it is the only one featuring dragons, or perhaps because it serves as an early prelude to A Song of Ice and Fire.

The publishers have hinted at a Westeros setting, but that's not the case.

There's no specific mention of the setting, yet it showcases an early application of an idea Martin later used in his wonderful fantasy series: dragons ridden into combat for kings.

An unlikely friendship

Adara is a winter child, with coldness in her blood and soul.

In summer, she longs for winter, and in winter, she's happy as the ice dragon comes to visit.

He's her only friend, curing her loneliness.

When she turns seven, he allows her to ride him across the winter sky, taking her further each year.

When summer returns, the dragon leaves, and Adara waits a year for his return.

War approaches Adara's home.

An invading nation with dragon riders is ravaging the landscape.

Her uncle urges her to flee with him, but she refuses, not wanting to leave her dragon or her father.

When the enemy dragons attack, she mounts her ice dragon and a fight between ice and fire begins.

Perhaps Martin used this as a stepping stone for his later novels.

Wonderful illustrations, but not worth the money

The illustrations in this edition are fantastic, capturing the essence of the story.

The close-up of the ice dragon is a personal favourite.

However, many feel like mere page fillers.

This edition is beautifully illustrated but also overpacked.

Each new chapter has a double page, and the publishers seem to be milking money from readers.

It would be better in an illustrated collection of all his fantasy short stories.

This edition is great overall but expensive for what you get.

The story takes only about thirty to forty minutes to read, even with admiring the artwork.

The price tag may cover printing costs but not reader value.

If you haven't read any of his short stories, I recommend the Dreamsongs collection instead.

It's cheaper and contains this story along with many others.

If you love the Ice Dragon story like I do, this edition is an expensive buy but a nice addition to a Martin bookshelf.

Overall, this is a great short story recommended to fans of A Song of Ice and Fire.

It's a magical and enchanting yet very sad tale.

If you don't already love it, it's better to explore Dreamsongs.

An expensive four stars: five for the story, and three for the overpriced edition.

The book came into my hands today and I finished reading it in one go.

I missed George RR Martin very much and I realized that first.

Of course, I won't give details that contain spoilers about the book. I will mention a few other very important points. In this book, I encountered things that could guide us in the world of A Song of Ice and Fire.

The book is a fairy tale, a short book. There are also plenty of illustrations. The printing of the book, its cover, the colors of its binding, everything is wonderful. We can basically say it's a children's book, but it gives us incredibly important information about some mechanics.

There was a situation in the ASOIAF universe that we didn't fully know the answer to. Do ice dragons breathe a blue-colored fire (hot) or ice (cold)? I think Martin never changes such mechanics in the universes he creates. In the book, the ice dragon breathes cold and if we encounter it in the ASOIAF universe as well, it will be like this. (See: Game of Thrones Season 7)

Another piece of information that can be considered vital is that ice dragons shrink quickly in warm air and environments. This is not something that happens over time like the dragons in ASOIAF shrinking as they are captured. It happens very quickly.

The Martin I know would never give this information in vain. I value this book very much. It's a book that makes people tired of dragons and has a lot of action. Definitely buy it and have it in your library. You can read it in 1 hour anyway.

This is my land, and yours too, even if you seem to have forgotten this.

Our parents are buried here, and so is my brother. I want to be buried beside them

when I leave.

It's a short fantasy story, although I'm not inclined towards this genre, but I

enjoyed it.

What after reading?

If you believe in something, what harm is there if others don't believe you?

#Completed

#Alphabet of Joy 3/5

I truly loved how fairytale-esque this story was. It had all the elements that one would expect from a fairytale - the magical settings, the interesting characters, and the captivating plot.

However, the ending made me sad and I wasn't expecting it at all. It was a complete turn of events that left me feeling disappointed.

I had hoped for a happy ending, as is often the case in fairytales. But instead, I was left with a sense of loss and a feeling that things could have been different.

Despite the sad ending, I still appreciate the story for its beauty and charm. It was a wonderful escape into a world of magic and wonder, and I will always remember it.

I just wish that the author had chosen a different ending, one that would have left me with a smile on my face instead of a tear in my eye.

Aș învăța (cum) să iubesc iarna, dacă aș primi un dragon de gheață. The cold season often brings a sense of stillness and hibernation. But with a snow dragon by my side, everything would change. The dragon's icy scales would sparkle in the winter sunlight, making the landscape even more magical. I could ride on its back and soar through the snowy skies, feeling the rush of the cold wind. We could explore the frozen forests and discover hidden wonders. The dragon might show me how to build the most magnificent ice sculptures. I would learn to appreciate the beauty and power of winter through the eyes of this amazing creature. With the snow dragon, winter would no longer be a season to endure, but one to embrace and love.

A beautiful story, but less suitable for children.

It takes place in the world of the Song of Ice and Fire, which can also be noticed from its grimness. However, if you can accept that, then it is a good story.

It is just rather short. The publisher has tried to make a book out of it by filling this edition with illustrations and interleaf pages. After each chapter, there are two blank pages and each new chapter begins with a (magnificent) illustration spread over two pages, along with the first sentences of the new chapter.

I came across the book by chance in a second-hand bookstore. I don't think I would have bought it otherwise, as in my opinion the story is too short.

This was truly lovely. However, I'm not certain what kind of fantasy world I was envisioning when I assumed that a "children's book" by GRRM would resemble other typical children's books! To be honest, this book is perhaps as happy and hopeful a story as George is capable of penning.

3.5


«When the ice dragon beat its wings, the cold winds blew and the snow swirled and scurried and the world seemed to shrink and shiver.»


This is a short book that can be read very quickly. If you like George Martin and children's stories (although this one is just that), you will probably enjoy it. At times, the narration is a bit simpler than in his other stories, but many of the elements that make his writing style so recognizable are present, albeit in a more innocent tone. In the dialogues of the adults, however, the characteristic style of the author is very clear.

It is surprisingly fast-paced, and if it weren't for the beautiful illustrations by Luis Royo (which I couldn't fully appreciate since I read the digital version), the story would take up many fewer pages.


Adara is a winter child. She was born on a cold day that cost her mother's life, and perhaps it is for this reason or some other, that she is cold in soul and skin. She never smiles, never cries, and has no real friends. She is a solitary and different little girl whom even her own family doesn't really understand. She simply has a different personality and a constantly cold body, and it is because of this that the winter animals – which normally cannot withstand human heat – can approach her without melting.

Aldara's joy is the arrival of the cold weather, when the ice dragon that only shows itself to her returns, and with whom she has formed a bond of loyalty and friendship.


The description of the ice dragon is beautiful and made me wish one would appear in A Song of Ice and Fire (although I'm not so sure if it's the same world as the seasons cycle doesn't match). Just with the descriptions and the construction of Adara's small world, the story had me hooked, and besides, she touched my heart with her solitude, her snow castles, and the special love she has for the animals.


I wouldn't say it's a children's story. In fact, I wouldn't give it to anyone under 12 years old, and it always depends on how impressionable or sensitive they are. There are soldiers returning mutilated from war and cruel and painful deaths (seriously, George Martin can't help his genius), and other bittersweet moments that as a girl I wouldn't have liked. The truth is that they even made me sad now, being a big chicken.


Anyway, it's a very nice book for fans of the author (I will buy it in print someday), and although it's not the best he has done, it's a well-thought-out story that is enjoyable.

I recommend it for those who want a short dose of George R.R. Martin and to see some beautiful illustrations by Luis Royo.



Review from Books by the Sea

A short story by George R. R. Martin written in the early 1980s.
In it, we can see the seeds of the ideas of the worlds of "A Song of Ice and Fire" full of the magic of winter and the mystery of dragons.

George R. R. Martin's early works already showed his unique talent and creativity. This short story, although not as well-known as his later masterpieces, contains the essence of his fictional universe. The description of the wintry magic and the mysterious dragons hints at the grandeur and complexity that would come to define "A Song of Ice and Fire." It's as if Martin was laying the groundwork for a vast and captivating world, one that would enthrall readers for decades to come.

Lateefa and Khafeefa have taken me back to the stories of children.

Well, I have been procrastinating reading this for a whole 4 years.

It's truly astonishing how time can pass by so quickly when one is constantly putting off a task.

However, I finally decided to take the plunge and give it a go.

And to my pleasant surprise, it turned out to be very good.

I would rate it an 8.8 out of 10.

The content was engaging, the writing style was captivating, and it held my attention from start to finish.

I'm glad that I overcame my procrastination and discovered this gem.

It just goes to show that sometimes, we need to push ourselves and not let fear or laziness hold us back.

Now that I've finished reading it, I can't wait to share my thoughts and recommendations with others.

The Ice Dragon, written by George R.R Martin, is a short yet captivating novel.

The remarkable illustrations enhance the overall quality of the book, making it even more enjoyable. The characters are expertly crafted. They are not flawless but highly believable.

The main character, Adara, is a young child with a kind and generous heart. She adores her family, but her love for her ice dragon is even greater. Adara is a winter child, which means she is impervious to the cold.

Adara's father is a large and imposing man, resembling a grizzly bear with the strength of Thor. Despite his tough exterior, he has a tender side for his family.

Adara's brother is a smart and inquisitive boy who is always asking questions and seeking knowledge. Her sister, on the other hand, is a gossipy girl who works at an inn and enjoys spending time with her friends.

Adara's uncle is a dragon rider for the king, a strong and cunning man with a sharp wit.

This book is filled with thrilling and nail-biting action that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Overall, it is a great read for dragon enthusiasts, especially middle school students. You will experience all the emotions of the characters, including their agony, pain, and love, just as I did.

I would have preferred the book to be a bit longer and perhaps have a more cheerful ending. Nevertheless, it is still a great book and I give it four stars!