Review : The Ice Dragon by George R. R. Martin, illustrated by Luis Royo

Posted by on January 29, 2016 3:13 am in 5 stars reads | 2 comments

the ice dragonThe Ice Dragon by George R. R. Martin, illustrated by Luis Royo
Pages : 121
Genre : Children’s, Fantasy
Stand alone
My Rating : 5/5

About the Book  :

Adara could not remember the first time she had seen the ice dragon.

It seemed that it had always been in her life, glimpsed from afar as she played in the frigid snow long after the other children had fled the cold. In her fourth year she touched it, and in her fifth year she rode upon its broad, chilled back for the first time. Then, in her seventh year, on a calm summer day, fiery dragons from the North swooped down upon the peaceful farm that was Adara’s home.

And only a winter child—and the ice dragon who loved her—could save her world from utter destruction.

My Thoughts :

Oh, what a lovely little book!

A few weeks ago, as winter began and snow finally covered the city, I wanted nothing more than to curl up with a magical winter story. I grabbed The Ice Dragon, hoping it would fulfill my wishes, and was pleasantly surprised to find out that it did – and even a little more than that. I hadn’t expected that, to be honest : my one experience with Martin’s writing was to read one half of Game of Thrones. I never finished it, even though I’ve always planned on doing so (you know how that goes!)

The story was short and sweet but also heartbreaking and bleak – it is, after all, penned by George R. R. Martin. It read like a fairy tale, one old and familiar, and its themes were a bit more adult that I had expected. The story takes place in a time of war, and things are difficult for Adara, her father and her siblings. Adara, not unlike her dragon, is different. Said to be a child of winter, she is cold inside and out, unable to form a link to her family. When she meets the Ice Dragon, their connection feels surprisingly natural, yet undeniably magical.

Adding to Adara’s magical and tragic tale are Luis Royo’s beautiful illustrations (in black & white in the book). The dragons were nothing short of spectacular. So detailed! I felt the cold through the pages, as well as the dragon’s grandness.

The-Ice-Dragon-sketch-Luis-Royo

When I read it, this book was perfection to me. It was the right story just at the right moment, and it left me dreamy and nostalgic, like the best children stories often do. It’s a new favorite and I happily recommend it – even to those who aren’t familiar with Martin’s fantasy universe. I believe this book may charm many readers, young and old!

2 Comments

  1. This sounds perfect – Martin’s GOT series is supposed to be quite hard work (!!) so his vivid imagination written in a way that’s accessible to kids seems like a good opportunity to read his stuff! I’d definitely consider buying this one for my younger cousins.

    • Yes! My two nieces are still a bit too young but I would love for them to read it some day. I would have adored this book as a child, and it actually made me want to try reading ASOIAF again.

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