Release Date: 19/02/15
Publisher: Gollancz
SYNOPSIS:
Among the scattered islands that make up the water world of Windhaven, no one holds more prestige than the silver-winged flyers, romantic figures who cross treacherous oceans, braving shifting winds and sudden storms, to bring news, gossip, songs and stories to a waiting populace. Maris of Amberly, a fisherman's daughter, wants nothing more than to soar on the currents high above Windhaven. So she challenges tradition, demanding that flyers be chosen by merit rather than inheritance. But even after winning that bitter battle, Maris finds that her troubles are only beginning. Now a revolution threatens to destroy the world she fought so hard to join - and force her to make the ultimate sacrifice...This early collaborative novel from George R. R. Martin and Lisa Tuttle is a masterclass of fantasy and storytelling.
REVIEW:
OK, this is a book that was originally printed in the early eighties and whilst it is showing its age, it’s a title that still works remarkably well. It’s quirky, has something a bit different for fantasy fans and when added to prose that’s reasonable alongside characters that more than keep the readers interest, all round generates a title that was a fun read.
All round, a novel that I think is trading more on George’s current fame (due to the Game of Thrones TV series) rather than giving the readers the very best but it’s a solid enough book to keep you going.
Release Date: 16/05/13
Publisher: Gollancz
SYNOPSIS:
Haviland Tuf is an honest space-trader (one of the few), and he likes cats. So how is it that, despite being up against the worst villains in the universe, he has become the proud owner of the last working seedship, pride of Earth's Ecological Engineering Corps? We'll leave that aside for now - just be thankful that the most powerful weapon in space is in good hands, hands which now control cellular material for thousands of outlandish creatures. With his unique equipment and powerful spacecraft, Tuf is set to tackle the myriad problems that human settlers have created during their colonisation of far flung worlds. Hosts of hostile monsters, a population addicted to procreation, a dictator who is willing to unleash plagues to get his own way - and all that stands between the colonists and disaster is Tuf's ingenuity, and his reputation as an honest dealer in a universe of rogues...
REVIEW:
To be honest I’ve been a huge fan of George’s writing for quite some time and whilst it always feel like an indeterminable wait for the next title in the Fire and Ice series, I’ve been lucky enough to grab some of his back catalogue tales to read when I’ve needed my GRRM fix.
Here in this very early release is a set of short stories that will not only keep the reader glued as George’s magic winds its way into your imagination. The prose is sharp, the pace delightful and when added with a whole set of stories that you can dip into for any journey or lunch break , may well be the book that saves your sanity during the work day slog.
Release Date: 12/04/12
SYNOPSIS:
Onetime underground journalist Sandy Blair has traveled far from his radical roots in the '60s-until the bizarre and brutal murder of a millionaire rock promoter draws him back. As Sandy sets out to investigate the crime, he finds himself on a magical mystery tour of the pent-up passions of his generation. For a new messiah has resurrected the once legendary rock band Nazgul-but with an apocalyptic new beat that is a requiem of demonism, mind control, and death only Sandy may be able to change in time...
REVIEW:
Whilst this tale was released in 2007 for many readers of GRRM, its one that will be new to them and probably rereleased to fulfil readers demands whilst awaiting the next instalment from the Song of Fire and Ice series. As with all of Georges work, it repeats certain themes that are not only familiar but also allows the reader to delve into a world that has a reality about it that is hard to not love.
It’s cunningly crafted, brings back the good old days of rock and when backed with a lead protagonist that is not only knowledgeable but one you want to spend time around, gives the reader a murder mystery that will keep them gripped from start to finish. Back that up with George’s dry wit, a bit of mischief and of course a tale that is every bit as mysterious as the fantasy tales and all in the reader will be hooked. Great stuff.
Release Date: 12/07/11
SYNOPSIS:
The fifth volume in the greatest epic work of the modern age
The future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance.
In the east, Daenerys, last scion of House Targaryen, her dragons grown to terrifying maturity, rules as queen of a city built on dust and death, beset by enemies.
Now that her whereabouts are known many are seeking Daenerys and her dragons. Among them the dwarf, Tyrion Lannister, who has escaped King’s Landing with a price on his head, wrongfully condemned to death for the murder of his nephew, King Joffrey. But not before killing his hated father, Lord Tywin.
To the north lies the great Wall of ice and stone – a structure only as strong as those guarding it. Eddard Stark's bastard son Jon Snow has been elected the 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, but he has enemies both in the Watch and beyond the Wall, where the wildling armies are massing for an assault.
On all sides bitter conflicts are reigniting, played out by a grand cast of outlaws and priests, soldiers and skinchangers, nobles and slaves. The tides of destiny will inevitably lead to the greatest dance of all…
REVIEW:
Having just re-enjoyed the Game of Thrones (the TV series as well as the book reread) I was really in the mood for the new title in the series. After all with five years between books currently (A Storm of Crows was five years, and A Dance with Dragons was just short of 6) as a reader I really felt that the title would have been polished to keep the suspense as well as developing the complex themes already occurring.
What I got, however was sadly disappointing as this thousand page title was flat, it felt like it was more filler and to be honest I don’t think that anything was explored well enough to even constitute this as s fully successful addition to the series, especially when you add in the delay time between books. It’s almost as if the author expects it to sell well because his name is on the cover and that’s it. Finally add to this character confusion, poor development and sadly lack of pace and it felt pretty damn flat. I just hope that the next book picks up the pace and brings back the fans hard won trust.
Release Date: 01/04/11
SYNOPSIS:
The first volume in the hugely popular and highly acclaimed epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire. There is passion here, and misery and charm, grandeur and squalor, tragedy, nobility and courage. Now a major Sky Atlantic TV series from HBO, starring Sean Bean. Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun. It will stretch from the south, where heat breeds plot, lusts and intrigues; to the vast and savage eastern lands; all the way to the frozen north, where an 800-foot wall of ice protects the kingdom from the dark forces that lie beyond. Kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords and honest men! all will play the Game of Thrones. Winter is coming!
REVIEW:
With the forthcoming TV series about to hit our screens and the latest escapades being released in July, we thought that it was high time to take a walk back down the deep dark roads of the origins of the epic Songs of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin. As you’ve probably heard it is huge in all respects, it has a great cast, an author who plays for keeps and at times, one throw of the die is all you get before you have to pay the piper. It’s a dangerous game and with everyone seeking an advantage to gain them the upper hand it’s turned a kingdom against itself as everyone vies for the top position. Why anyone would want to be king beats me but at the rate it’s all going I’m going to be surprised if there is either much left of the kingdom or the people to rule over by the end. The Nobility in themselves are going to be pretty much wiped out and it can only begin again with most of the remaining upper classes being interrelated in future years so that everyone will have claim to the throne.
It’s definitely got a lot of things going for it and when you have an author who really loves to demonstrate that you don’t know much about what is going on until he lets slip a fact like it’s a drop of water to a dying man, then you know that the whims of the gods and characters are all that are keeping them from death.
On the downside front it’s the waiting time between titles with A Game of Thrones being originally released last century (1996) and we’re only now hitting book five (A Dance with Dragons which is purportedly being released in July 2011.) All in, if you want a huge cast of characters, great epic adventure, a superior writing style, then you have to give GRRM his due. He certain knows how to deliver. If you want your books quick, then either wait for the series conclusion and start then or perhaps find another author who’s a tad more regular.
Cyanide, an independent video game studio, and George R. R. Martin today announced their partnership to create the first-ever video games inspired by the author’s award-winning, international bestselling ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ fantasy series.
Under the terms of the agreement, Cyanide has obtained the exclusive rights to develop ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ video games for next-generation consoles and PC, and in collaboration with George R.R Martin, development has begun.
"We are all huge fans of ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’, so it is a true honour for our teams to be entrusted with creating the first video games inspired by this masterpiece" stated Patrick Pligersdorffer, Managing Director of Cyanide. "The twists and turns of the plot will allow us to deliver an experience which can be enjoyed by both long-time fans as well as gamers new to the series."
Published most notably by Bantam Books in North America and Voyager Books in the United Kingdom, the ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ novels have been translated into more than twenty languages (including Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Russian) and have been nominated for numerous prizes. Set in a world where nothing is simply black and white, the rich web of characters makes it an ideal background for numerous genres of video games.
‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ has already been adapted into a card game and a board game. More recently, HBO acquired the rights with the intent of turning the novels into a television series of which casting has begun with one notable role already filled, that of Tyrion "The Imp" Lannister by Peter Dinklage.
