A whisperjewel summoned him to Worlorn, and a love he thought he’d lost. But Worlorn isn’t the world Dirk t’Larien imagined, and...
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reviews
Nov 09, 2011
Nigel
rated it: 
An interesting, complex debut novel from George RR Martin, Dying Of The Light is an old-school planetary romance that reminded me quite strongly of both Cordwainer Smith and CJ Cherryh, oddly enough, though the setting is pure Jack Vance. Worlorn is a wandering world that enjoyed a brief heydey when, passing near a specatcular star system, it was transformed into a festival world where all the primary centres of human civilisation built cities to house thousands and even millions of inhabitants
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Jul 11, 2011
Jan
rated it: 
All right, I’m writing the first half of this review while I haven’t finished the book, but I’m having too much frustrated thoughts without an internet connection to put them into status updates, so I thought I’d write everything up into this preemptive review, and then later paste it all together into Goodreads.
Seriously, I’m having massively mixed feelings about this book. In one hand there’s the hero who just doesn’t learn and the heroine who’s just so stupid and insensitive. Bu More...
Seriously, I’m having massively mixed feelings about this book. In one hand there’s the hero who just doesn’t learn and the heroine who’s just so stupid and insensitive. Bu More...
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Jun 23, 2010
Aaron
rated it: 
A strong planetary romance in the tradition of that genre, with a constant element of suspense. This is a book about life and death which lives and dies by its science-fiction premises, more than by its characters' own confrontations with its life and death motifs. For the most part, this is simply because its characters aren't all they could be, and their relationships are in many cases not at all well fleshed out. Some resolution is offered in its final ten pages, but this is really all tha
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Apr 28, 2009
David
rated it: 
Worlorn is an asteroid that is floating through space and, for the first time, a solar system that will allow it to sustain life (for the 50 years it will be in the solar system). In honor of this, it is being used as a festival planet, with each culture of the 13 other planets creating a city on it. But by the time Dirk finds himself drawn there by a former lover, Worlorn is dying. Leaving the system, it is getting colder and darker by the day, and Dirk finds himself in danger from the world's
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Apr 16, 2008
Annaliese
rated it:
I only have one more Martin (plus his graphic novel) left after this, so I doled this one out over my second week of vacation. Fantastic. I love the way Martin writes characters that are mostly well meaning but still have real conflicts. This book delves into issues around morality, what anchors us, and promises. I think I'll recommend this one to my dad. Moving, sad, and a fantastically rich setting.
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Jan 20, 2010
Aaron
rated it:
This book is hard to quantify because of a few things. One is that George RR Martin is a seriously impressive author. Legend is one of the words that would be use to describe him. His Throne Of Kings series blows the door, walls and roof off anything that tries to compete.
And therein lies the trouble. This book is a short novel and is not a three or four book volume series where details and stories can be slowly marinated over a warm fire. The ideas and backstory is avalanched d More...
And therein lies the trouble. This book is a short novel and is not a three or four book volume series where details and stories can be slowly marinated over a warm fire. The ideas and backstory is avalanched d More...
Dec 31, 2010
Bill
rated it:
I read this as a child. I can't remember much of the book except that it left me in a very strange and new mood as a young boy that many adults will eventually feel often. A feeling of treasured moments lost forever in the realization that what made them precious perhaps never was at all.
As I remember it, this was a book of lost love. And I actually only remember two moments of the book, that moment at the beginning when he is alone on a big wide river and his long lost love c More...
As I remember it, this was a book of lost love. And I actually only remember two moments of the book, that moment at the beginning when he is alone on a big wide river and his long lost love c More...
Nov 06, 2011
Noora
rated it:
Not a happy book, and not particularly well-written, but at times thought-provoking.
The story is set in an absorbing science fiction universe, on a melancholy dying planet which is nobody's home world and where everyone lives by their own code. Topics like loyalty, violence and honour are explored through a people from a planed called High Kavalaan, who not only clash with outsiders, but also between the more traditional and liberal factions of their own culture.
The plot is h More...
The story is set in an absorbing science fiction universe, on a melancholy dying planet which is nobody's home world and where everyone lives by their own code. Topics like loyalty, violence and honour are explored through a people from a planed called High Kavalaan, who not only clash with outsiders, but also between the more traditional and liberal factions of their own culture.
The plot is h More...
Dec 25, 2011
Teresa
rated it:
I'm glad I read this debut GRRM novel, though I found it absolutely depressing (as a novel set on a dying planet should be.) The characters lack depth and failed to invoke my sympathy but I found many major themes and political intrigue that are definite trade marks of GRRM's later works. To read a novel by a giant in fantasy literature before he actually finds his stride and signature style is enlightening for an aspiring writer. And, it's so short! I couldn't help comparing and contrasting i
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Jun 03, 2011
Trayana
rated it:
От началото на годината насам поддържам строг читателски режим опитвайки се да наваксам с по-стари фантастични романи. Образователна политика: Разреждане на ърбън фентъзи романите със „сериозни четива”. За съжаление нито една от прочетените тази година фантастики не достигна почетната позиция „мой тип книга” т.е. „книга за препрочитане”. Доволна съм, че в средата на година попаднах на такава и съвсем не съм изненадана, че авторът ѝ се оказа Джордж Мартин, който е толкова талантлив и толкова муд
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Nov 25, 2010
Stephen
rated it:
George R. R. Martin is a fucking beast. His attention to detail and his ability to meld natural organic worlds with advanced Sci-Fi Tech is unparalleled. His characters feel real, and the decisions that they make don't feel like they were made just to move the plot around... Everything just kind of flows.
Dying is set the same universe where many of Martin's other SF story are set. It's an amazing universe populated by dozens of sentient species, including offshoots of humans. Anybo More...
Dying is set the same universe where many of Martin's other SF story are set. It's an amazing universe populated by dozens of sentient species, including offshoots of humans. Anybo More...
Aug 01, 2011
Manel
rated it:
"Muerte de la luz" es un libro de ciencia ficción, pero la historia que cuenta es tan intemporal que bien podría haberse situado en la edad media, en el renacimiento o en cualquier otra época. Me ha encantado la ambientación del mundo de Worlorn, así como las incursiones en la cultura kavalar. En lo negativo, algunos personajes están poco trabajados, y la historia de amor es poco convincente (es más un catalizador para el resto de la novela). No esperaba inicialmente demasiado de este
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Mar 04, 2009
Aaron
rated it: 
BLEH! G.R.R. Martin has a lot of strengths. And this book displays none of them.
The characters were simply lifeless. I couldn't really tell you who they were, what they were doing, or why. They didn't grab me and didn't leave much of an impression afterward.
I don't think I even finished it; I can only remember an interminable opening. The pace was just glacial and I wound up returning it to the library. Unless you're an obsessive Martin fan, it's not worth it.
The characters were simply lifeless. I couldn't really tell you who they were, what they were doing, or why. They didn't grab me and didn't leave much of an impression afterward.
I don't think I even finished it; I can only remember an interminable opening. The pace was just glacial and I wound up returning it to the library. Unless you're an obsessive Martin fan, it's not worth it.
Jun 14, 2011
Jennette
rated it:
here's a good plot summary: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dying_of_th...
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were interesting and stayed with me after I was finished reading. The plot made me want to keep reading till the end. One of my favorite quotes, "Can they love if they don't have a word for it?" I don't read that much science fiction or fantasy, but I might have to pick up another George R.R. Martin book in the future.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were interesting and stayed with me after I was finished reading. The plot made me want to keep reading till the end. One of my favorite quotes, "Can they love if they don't have a word for it?" I don't read that much science fiction or fantasy, but I might have to pick up another George R.R. Martin book in the future.
Jul 27, 2011
interesting GRRM book. i think this was his first full novel. beautifully explored world and the emotions of the characters are based and explored so solidly that u never question their motives. saying that it deals with three of four conflicting alien culture and how the interelationships between cope and conflict.
8/10
8/10
Sep 15, 2011
Theresa
rated it:
the dying of the world, the dying of the love they shared two lovers are traped on the planets as it slowly melts into oblivion ...wow a powerful piece, this story talks about love, and grief, memories, and obligations. lost loves and cultural beliefs, fire the drama and suspense of the story, and shows that the individual is reactive to the world through all the ties that bind. A wonderful story to read and learn the depth and obligation of true heartfelt love.
wow a powerful piece, this s More...
wow a powerful piece, this s More...
Jun 03, 2010
Bryan
rated it:
An interesting effort, but having read later books, not one of the author's best. An early book for him. I found the story a bit disappointing in its emotional arc, and the plot, while taking unexpected twists and turns, left me feeling disappointed. None of the characters were very likable either.
Dec 14, 2008
Jamie
rated it:
An excellent tale of suspense and action by Martin(who happens to be amongst my favorite authors.) Though set on another world and definitely a SF novel this one has such rich characterizations and depth I found myself caught up in the tale and could hardly stop to attend to real life duties.
Dec 26, 2010
Stuart
rated it:
A bit cliche. If the entire book had been as good as the final chapter this could have been a pretty good novel. Still, it is worth checking out for fans of Martin's more popular "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, as there are ideas being worked out in this book that make it into that series.
Jan 03, 2012
ravelryflickr
rated it:
First book of GRRM's that I'm reading. I guess it's the author's style to write in quite a descriptive way and in the past tense, using a third-person narrator. This book is, in a way, a story of twisted and lost love and things lost and changing and dying like the planet of Worlorn itself. Even though the world of the book and the cultures within that world had been well built, I found it a bit boring and after the mid-point of the book I was already just eyeing&skipping some pages - this could
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Sep 06, 2010
Katera
rated it:
I love the Ice and Fire series and wanted more from George R. R. Martin while I wait for A Dance With Dragons. I am glad I read it. I particularly enjoyed his writing about the different cultures on Worlorn, and I'd love to read a whole book about many of them. This wasn't a fast paced book, but I found myself thinking about it a good bit when I wasn't reading it. I even discussed some parts with friends. It almost lost me at the beginning, but soon after grabbed my attention. This book is
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Jul 26, 2010
Nikola
rated it:
The story is thought-provoking, and could be a great one, if only the two main characters weren't so annoying. But if they weren't, there wouldn't be in the mess that drives the story.
May 03, 2009
Brendan
rated it:
George R.R. Martin starts with a great setup - the exposition at the beginning is excellent, but sadly the rest of the book does not live up to the opening. Although the setting is potentially incredibly epic with its human civilization spanning dozens of star systems, unlike A Song of Ice and Fire, but very much like Fevre Dream, the book focuses on an very small cast of characters (3ish) and does so in a scope where their actions only affect their own lives. I really wish he would have written
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Jul 09, 2011
John
rated it:
On the last note, I was wondering what had enticed me into this book back in the 'seventies. I stuck me head a little deeper into the hole and it's got stuck. The only way for me to pull it out is to read a little further, I guess.
PS: I guess it was the bonding system that intrigued me, but I don't really have any reliable way to get back in contact with my former self.
On finishing it, I still get the feeling of a soft spot for it, even 35 on.
How strange that at the time More...
PS: I guess it was the bonding system that intrigued me, but I don't really have any reliable way to get back in contact with my former self.
On finishing it, I still get the feeling of a soft spot for it, even 35 on.
How strange that at the time More...
Jan 21, 2010
Ryan
rated it:
Characters and setting were excellent but pacing was off, and for a thriller type sci-fi that just doesn't work.
Jun 15, 2011
Chance
rated it:
Intriguing story, well told. Nothing canned here. Fresh & imaginative. Strong characters. Surprises. Now for a longer sentence - made for a great summer read.
May 04, 2010
Joan
rated it:
Not as good as the Ice and Fire series, but he's a good storyteller. It fizzled to an end, though.
Sep 30, 2009
Kenneth
rated it:
I quite enjoyed this one. Futuristic, action-packed, and sentimentally romantic all at once.
Jul 28, 2010
James
rated it:
Characters were well drawn, the description of the dying planet pulled me in, and the plot twisted in a number of unexpected ways. Some found the beginning of the novel slow but I did not. I was drawn in and read the story in just a few days.
