Dubbed ?the American Tolkien? by Time magazine, #1 New York Times bestselling author George R.R. Martin is a giant in the field of fantasy literature and one of the most exciting storytellers of our time. Now he delivers a rare treat for readers: a compendium of his shorter works, all collected into two stunning volumes, that offer fascinating insight into his journey from young writer to award-winning master.

Dubbed ?the American Tolkien? by Time magazine, #1 New York Times bestselling author George R.R. Martin is a giant in the field of fantasy literature and one of the most exciting storytellers of our time. Now he delivers a rare treat for readers: a compendium of his shorter works, collected into two stunning volumes, that offer fascinating insight into his journey from young writer to award-winning master.

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.

First three books of Song of Ice and Fire can be easily described as character slaughter. At first it's shocking and sad to see more and more of the people you learned to love die. But as the story unwinds we begin to appreciate unpredictibility of the world. There is this thrill in the air, you no longer are certain that your favourite character is going to win another battle, or even live another day. It's a very unique feeling that makes Song of Ice and Fire special.

The Hedge Knight contains an all new exclusive short story by George R. R. Martin. An adaptation of Martin's hit novel, bringing the world of A Song of Ice and Fire to life in comic book form.

It seems too good to be true. After centuries of bitter strife and fatal treachery, the seven powers dividing the land have decimated one another into an uneasy truce. Or so it appears...

Is George R.R. Martin for real? Can a fantasy epic actually get better with each new installment? Fans of the genre have glumly come to expect go-nowhere sequels from other authors, so we're entitled to pinch ourselves over Martin's tightly crafted Song of Ice and Fire series.

How does he do it? George R.R. Martin's high fantasy weaves a spell sufficient to seduce even those who vowed never to start a doorstopper fantasy series again (the first book - A Game of Thrones - runs over 700 pages). A Clash of Kings is longer and even more grim, but Martin continues to provide compelling characters in a vividly real world.

Readers of epic fantasy series are: (1) patient - they are left in suspense between each volume, (2) persistent - they reread or at least review the previous book(s) when a new installment comes out, (3) strong - these 700-page doorstoppers are heavy, and (4) mentally agile - they follow a host of characters through a myriad of subplots.