Amazon.com: The Ice Dragon: George R. R. Martin: Books

From School Library Journal
Grade 3–5—Seven-year-old Adara was born during the coldest chill of the coldest year ever, a chill that killed her mother during the girl's birth. Ever since then, she has been a remote and chilly child, living for winter when the ice lizards come out and forming a bond with a mysterious ice dragon. When war comes and dragon-riding invaders threaten her home and family, the ice dragon helps her to thwart them, leading to its own demise. Filled with illustrations of swooping dragons and folks in medieval-type garb, this fantasy is a slim but rich introduction to the genre, one that should appeal to both boys and girls. Give it to readers who are not quite ready for Emily Rodda's "Deltora Quest" series (Scholastic) or to fantasy fans who want a quick but meaty read.—Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
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Review

The New York Times Bestseller

“Martin’s charming tale is filled with passion and power…a touching adventure with all the taut storytelling skill one would expect from this award-winning author.”—January Magazine

“Martin goes beyond the expected to bring us an extraordinary children’s tale. A must-buy for all Martin fans, this is a good book for anyone…who loves winter and dragons.”—SFRevu

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Product Details

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 112 pages
Publisher: Starscape (October 3, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765316315
ISBN-13: 978-0765316318
Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.9 x 0.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #396,117 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in these categories: (What's this?)
#47 in Books > Children's Books > Series > Fantasy & Adventure > Starscape
#61 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( M ) > Martin, George R.R.

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
ice lizards, ice dragon, winter child

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Old Laura, Uncle Hal

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Concordance | Text Stats

Citations (learn more)

This book cites 1 book:

Hans Christian Andersen: The Complete Stories by Hans Christian Andersen in Back Matter

5 books cite this book:

Legends II: Dragon, Sword, and King by Robert Silverberg on page 71
The Last New Land: Stories of Alaska, Past and Present by Wayne Mergler in Back Matter
Grand Canyon: True Stories of Life Below the Rim (Travelers' Tales) by Sean O'Reilly on page 90
Insight Guide Alaska (Insight Guides Alaska) by Pam Barrett in Back Matter
Travelers' Tales Grand Canyon: True Stories by James O'Reilly on page 90

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Customer Reviews

31 Reviews

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

3.7 out of 5 stars (31 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 93 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ice Dragon, September 28, 2006

By	C. Lotspeich (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I got this book on Sept. 26th, 2006, in Dubuque, Iowa. George Martin was on a book signing for the release of this book, and due to this, the bookstore he was at was selling it early.

Let's start this review off with the obvious. The Ice Dragon is not another book in A Song of Ice and Fire. It's set in a different world, with none of the same characters, and has none of the adult content that those books do. In fact, this book is exactly what Martin said it would be from when he announced that it was being published separately: a children's book. Also, Martin didn't take much time off ASOIAF at all to write this book - in fact, it's been published in an anthology work (Dragons of Light) in 1980. All that has been changed is an editing to remove some of the more graphic content, and illustrations have been done.

Nonetheless, even though this is a children's book that most people who are used to Martin's work will read in about half an hour, the book is quite good. The story is touching, and is not afraid to hide kids from the realities of what can happen in life. There is symbolism a-plenty within this book, and a lot of different concepts to think about, especially for a young reader.

Parents, if you are considering getting this book for your children, I'd just like to say this: make sure you read it with your child. They'll want you there to explain a lot of what happens in the book. Martin, as usual, doesn't pull any punches with the emotional impact of the character's fate, and while I appreciate him not trying to hide the world from kids, some of the concepts may be difficult for them to grasp or easily misinterpreted.

Furthermore, the artwork within the book is stunning. Yvonne Gilbert really outdid herself with the drawings - either they serve as a perfect visual representation of the scene or they continue to reinforce the idea behind the scene.

All in all, The Ice Dragon is an excellent book, and is one I will be keeping on my shelf for many years to come.

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24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is truly a "song" of ice and fire, October 16, 2006

By	T. Burger (Chicago) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

How interesting that Martin's short story, written in 1980, bears minor resemblances to his grand work of today.

While reading this, I had an image of Farmer Giles of Ham, by Tolkien, and wondered if a smart publisher would dig that up and sell it as a children's story. I would personally be very interested to see how well that book would do in today's environment. The Tolkien family, I'm sure, could always use the extra money. (That, of course, was a joke.)

This is a lovely story, and, as another reviewer pointed out, exactly what you would expect from Martin after toning down one of his short stories or novellas for younger readers.

In a world that seems mostly inhabited by "fire" dragons, the "ice" dragon in this story stands out starkly (pun intended for readers of ASoIaF). It appears to be a creature unsuited for its distinctive qualities, only capable of appearing and thriving in winter, and making land barren wherever it lands. Even its very distant cousins, the ice lizards, find themselves uniquely suited for ice and snow, any hint of warmth that touches them is like poison.

Adara, the seven-year-old main character of the story bears striking resemblances to both the dragon and the ice lizards. This isn't a straightforward story - there is a strong symbolic statement that runs quietly from the beginning of the story until the end.

It's truly a gorgeous tale from one of the most decorated writers in fantasy.

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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Story..., November 28, 2006

By	P. Robinson "Relic113" (Calgary) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Ice Dragon is a great little story. It was written long before the seven kingdoms had even been contemplated by Mr. Martin. His skills were clearly honed even then... This is the tale of a young girl with ice water coursing through her veins. She has no love, except that which she has for the cold winter. For that is when the ice dragon comes. A creature so cold that no human can touch it without their warm flesh melting its icy scales. No one but young Adara. The ice dragon remained her only friend - the only one who would visit her. Until one day when the helms of the intruders crested the horizon.

Adara must chose between the cold life that she loves, and the warmth which is coupled with uncertainty.

Buy this book for your daughter, and then after she is done with it, read it for yourself.

Relic113

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Martins childrens book
I love George RR Martin! This book is about and Ice dragon, literally a dragon made of ice. And a little girl. A short read. Not a bad childrens book. Read more

Published 24 days ago by Cerankoman

4.0 out of 5 stars Good SHORT story. NOT a book. Kindle dition is overpriced.
This story is great, but it can be read in 30 minutes. It's not worth the price being charged, IMO, for the Kindle edition ($5.99!). Again, great SHORT story. NOT a novel. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Gwangi

4.0 out of 5 stars Great intro to Martin for younger readers.
George R. R. Martin, The Ice Dragon (Starscape, 1980)

Martin's early kidlit story is an interesting introduction to the genre for young readers, and the recent... Read more

Published 4 months ago by Robert P. Beveridge

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Read this book, it's so good. I love George RR Martin and this is such a touching story. Bound to become a "classic" fairy tale.

Published 5 months ago by SA Belfort

5.0 out of 5 stars Master short story writer
I've had a paper version and an electronic version of this short story for a number of years now. I didn't realize until just now that Martin had it published as a children's... Read more

Published 5 months ago by Peter M. Tang

4.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully written and realized children's story.
George R.R. Martin has been widely acclaimed for what is hailed as the best current ongoing series, "A Song of Ice and Fire". Read more

Published 12 months ago by Paul Stotts

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Amazing Tale
This book is an excellent example of the creativity and imagination that we come to expect from George R.R. Martin. Read more

Published 12 months ago by Matt Woloszyn

2.0 out of 5 stars A kid's story
This is a nice book for a kid, if you're an adult and looking for something more substantial, pick another one.

Published 12 months ago by Danny R. Collins

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Free SF Reader
A Fantasy Fiction Story.

I'm melting.

3 out of 5

Published 15 months ago by Blue Tyson

4.0 out of 5 stars good for childrens
well, i boght this book excpecting to read a short and pretty childrns fiery tale.
i was wrong.
the book is about a war, about death and a broken family. Read more

Published 16 months ago by Amir Livne

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Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
Is this the next in the Song of Fire and Ice?	3	February 2009
Close to the same name....close to the same title....about the same time the other book is supposed to come out....and in hardback	2	March 2008
Not a part of ASOIAF	1	December 2006
The Ice Dragon	1	October 2006

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