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 lite...
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reviews
Dec 05, 2011
Anna
rated it: 
Very very mixed-bag.
First Haviland Tuf story is great, the second is really boring. "Glass Flower" is just a clusterfuck, there I said it!
"Under Siege" reads almost like an Outer Limits episode, and then the actual Twilight Zone episode he wrote for real puts me to sleep
"The Skin Trade" involved modern city and werewolves and is great! .. but some of the "cuts" between scenes were pure television. Perfect ending too - fades out to black in More...
First Haviland Tuf story is great, the second is really boring. "Glass Flower" is just a clusterfuck, there I said it!
"Under Siege" reads almost like an Outer Limits episode, and then the actual Twilight Zone episode he wrote for real puts me to sleep
"The Skin Trade" involved modern city and werewolves and is great! .. but some of the "cuts" between scenes were pure television. Perfect ending too - fades out to black in More...
Jan 29, 2011
Raj
rated it: 
I came to this collection having never actually read any George R. R. Martin before. I've heard of A Song of Ice and Fire but have never read it, but I had read good reviews of this retrospective (or Rretrospective as the book itself puts it) and wasn't disappointed. This volume contained fewer but longer stories than its predecessor but held the same format of grouping stories by theme, each with an introduction by the author. The first and third sections are single universes where Martin wr
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Feb 11, 2010
Doreen
rated it:
I'd never read The Hedge Knight long-form, just the graphic novel that does no justice to it. It made me nostalgic for the Song Of Ice And Fire cycle, the novels that Martin is most celebrated for. I did very much enjoy the last story, as well, and thought it was layered enough to deserve non-genre accolades.
That said, I enjoyed this book very much as a retrospective of an author I admire but it does not feel very fulfilling in and of itself. The quality is definitely better on the w More...
That said, I enjoyed this book very much as a retrospective of an author I admire but it does not feel very fulfilling in and of itself. The quality is definitely better on the w More...
Jun 19, 2011
Virginia
rated it: 
Loved it. Both of these books give an insight into the development of a writer. All of the stories are good reads and I two of he stories you can see the beginnings of his best known work to date The g
Game Of Thrones".
Each book is broken into sections that the author introduces and tells a little bit about the back ground of the times they are written.
The hardest story for me to read was the chess story, "Unsound Variations". It was like reading Hoyle More...
Game Of Thrones".
Each book is broken into sections that the author introduces and tells a little bit about the back ground of the times they are written.
The hardest story for me to read was the chess story, "Unsound Variations". It was like reading Hoyle More...
Nov 06, 2011
Michael
rated it:
The second volume of Dreamsongs was filled with another batch of interesting and exciting stories. Like the first volume there was a few stories that did not really grab me or that I cared all that much for and there were stories that were just amazing.
I enjoyed the stories in Volume II slightly more than Volume I.
From my love of A Song of Ice and Fire I really enjoyed the 'Hedge Knight'. I first read this story in the graphical novel and then read it again here in More...
I enjoyed the stories in Volume II slightly more than Volume I.
From my love of A Song of Ice and Fire I really enjoyed the 'Hedge Knight'. I first read this story in the graphical novel and then read it again here in More...
Sep 16, 2010
Alex
rated it:
In this second and final volume of George R. R. Martin’s short works, readers are treated to his writings of the 1980’s leading up to the 90s when his career took off with the eventual success of his Song of Ice and Fire series. It is in this collection that we learn more of Martin’s dabbling into television and screenwriting, as well his exploits into the world of Dungeons & Dragons.
Divided into four parts, the first covers two stories involving Martin’s eccentric character Havilan More...
Divided into four parts, the first covers two stories involving Martin’s eccentric character Havilan More...
Feb 29, 2008
Curtis
rated it:
Pretty good, not as interesting as the first book. In this one his style has seemed to firm up, not nearly as much variance as in the earlier volume. Also, the personal interstitials, the best part, for me, of the first book, become more of a "this is where I was in my, life this is what I was working on" kind of rote listing, as opposed to the earlier's, "this is where I got my inspiration from" or, "after failing in this I decided to try things this way" kind o
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Sep 26, 2011
Stephen
rated it:
I enjoyed this volume more than the first volume. I found the stories to be a lot more polished, which makes sense since these stories were from later in GRRM`s career. I would say that everyone should read this volume, not just the fans of GRRM. For the fans and collectors this book is a must. The bibliography at the end is very well done and comprehensive.
As a result, its a book you should get if you are a fan of GRRM, or even just a good story.
As a result, its a book you should get if you are a fan of GRRM, or even just a good story.
Jul 03, 2010
Myles
rated it:
The second in the two-part "Rretrospective" (obnoxious), this volume does not hold as many great quality stories but is still worth reading. This volume contains samples from his, in my opinion, b-team: Tuf, Wild Cards, and TV scripts among other things.
What redeems this volume, however is the last section "The Heart in Conflict," stories which are Martin at his easy best. Skinchangers, Portraits of His Children and Unsound Variations are excellent examples of sh More...
What redeems this volume, however is the last section "The Heart in Conflict," stories which are Martin at his easy best. Skinchangers, Portraits of His Children and Unsound Variations are excellent examples of sh More...
Feb 22, 2010
Lori
rated it:
Pro: I didn't dislike a single story in this collection.
Con: I didn't love a single one, either.
They're well done and interesting enough that I've been thinking about finding some of the Wild Card series (a "shared" world that Martin edits and occasionally writes for).
But all in all, I just didn't feel passionate about any of them. Clearly, though, my ASOIAF passion is strong enough to carry me through.
Con: I didn't love a single one, either.
They're well done and interesting enough that I've been thinking about finding some of the Wild Card series (a "shared" world that Martin edits and occasionally writes for).
But all in all, I just didn't feel passionate about any of them. Clearly, though, my ASOIAF passion is strong enough to carry me through.
Dec 03, 2008
Rhonda
rated it:
I didn't read this cover to cover but I did read quite a lot of the stories! As always Martin can go from genre to genre with ease. Want science fiction? He can write it. Want medieval fantasy that reads like historical fiction? He can do it. Want a modern tale about rock and roll? Well he can do that too. So if you are looking for short stories that are varied in subject matter, check this one out as well as Volume 1!
Nov 07, 2008
Edward
rated it:
You may ask why I give the audio version of this book 5 stars and the book itself only 4 stars.
Audio: The author is heard. The selected stories include the best in the book.
Paper: More stories, but the "less than best" bring the rating down.
The book has 2 "Wild Card" stories. I never read one before and I'll never read one again. I didn't like the "Tuf" stories either. Ok, I'm not a typical fan.
The book also has the " More...
Audio: The author is heard. The selected stories include the best in the book.
Paper: More stories, but the "less than best" bring the rating down.
The book has 2 "Wild Card" stories. I never read one before and I'll never read one again. I didn't like the "Tuf" stories either. Ok, I'm not a typical fan.
The book also has the " More...
Jul 21, 2011
Frank
rated it:
I listened to this one in the car. Martin does a great job of showing he's more than a fantasy writer. He can write a pretty good psychological horror story with some science fiction mixed in (Sand Kings). Pear-shaped Man was another engaging horror story that makes you think. As for science fiction, Ice Dragon was terrific.
Sep 10, 2009
Cv
rated it:
The highlight of this book is the story, The Sand Kings. I'd never read it before and it was terrific - definitely in the top list of all time sci-fi stories.
The rest of the stories were of mixed quality - some good, some poor, but all with very similar voices and results. It's a collection worth reading but it didn't knock my socks off.
The rest of the stories were of mixed quality - some good, some poor, but all with very similar voices and results. It's a collection worth reading but it didn't knock my socks off.
Feb 06, 2010
Donald
rated it:
Reread this in August of 2009 after receiving this as a gift back a few years ago. The version I have is actually the UK version that encompasses both volumes.
Martin proves himself the master of more than just "epic fantasy" and this is well worth the read.
Martin proves himself the master of more than just "epic fantasy" and this is well worth the read.
Dec 28, 2010
David
rated it:
I liked these stories, and I especially enjoyed reading "The Hedge Knight" again. I think that Martin should do more stories of Dunk, maybe even devote a whole novel to this character. The Haviland Tuf stories are also good, and my favorite of the entire book is "The Glass Flower." That is a truly unique tale and one that makes me really appreciate Martin's talents as a writer to come up with some of the ideas that he does just blows me away.
Oct 15, 2011
Angela
rated it:
Started reading the Dunk and Egg short stories with this book...The hedge knight, featured in this collection, was probably my favorite of all three. Most epic joust/melee of the short series!!
Jun 07, 2011
Martin
rated it:
I love the books of GRRM and here we have a collection of shortstories from his earlier works. Fantastic shortstories in their own right but they really do, is making me want to read more. From the stories about the intergalactic ecological engineer Haviland Tuf over earlier Wild Cards stories to the two amazing and awardwinning stories: 'The Skin Trade' - a horror about werewolfes and 'The Hedge Knight' - a story about Dunk & Egg set in Westeros about 80 years before A Game of Thrones. Even the
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Dec 30, 2007
Jenny
rated it:
Martin may be the greatest storyteller I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I know I'm prone to hyperbole, but this time I mean it. As evidenced by these collections, I'll read anything by him: fantasy, sci-fi, horror, crazy amalgams of these, anything. It's the characters who matter, and Martin creates the best characters I've ever been around. He is also a master of the show-not-tell school of storytelling: a must with me.
My favorite story in this volume was definitely "The More...
My favorite story in this volume was definitely "The More...
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Jul 19, 2009
Tom
rated it:
Not as interesting (from an "insight into the author perspective") as the first volume, but the quality of the stories is much higher. The "Hedge Knight" is perhaps the best of this book, and gives an insight into how good the Song of Ice and Fire series is destined to be.
Jul 03, 2011
Bethany
rated it:
To be fair, I only read GRRM's "The Hedge Knight"...he is by far one of my favorite storytellers of all time. Beautiful!
Jul 23, 2011
Joey
rated it:
The Hedge Knight: 4 stars (Maybe even 4.5.)
The Glass Flower: 4 stars
The Skin Trade: 3 stars
The Glass Flower: 4 stars
The Skin Trade: 3 stars
Jan 30, 2011
Jeff
rated it:
What I most enjoyed about this volume of Dreamsongs, in particular, were the glimpses that we got into Martin's mind in the section intros. I appreciate seeing what makes him tick. Stories that I enjoyed most in this compilation include Skin Trade, Under Siege, The Hedge Knight, and, well, Portraits of his Children, though that one was a little painful. I'd already read the Tuf selections in the great and somewhat rare collection Tuf Voyaging. Stuff I didn't find as compelling: the screenpl
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Apr 14, 2008
Benjamin
rated it:
Not as good as Dreamsongs: Volume I. This one focuses more on screenplays and some work from the Wild Cards series. I just couldn't get into this one as much as the first volume. The author commentary is also a lacking some of that freshness that was in the first one.
Sep 15, 2011
Theresa
rated it:
the second edition of the collections of the life and works of George r r martin with exerts and explanations and short stories
the second edition of the collections of the life and works of George r r martin with exerts and explanations and short stories
the second edition of the collections of the life and works of George r r martin with exerts and explanations and short stories
Aug 25, 2010
Deni
rated it:
I love George R.R. Martin. He is possibly my "favorite" author. Dreamsongs Volume II has some excellent short stories: The Siren Song of Hollywood, The Skin Trade, A Beast for Norn, The Glass Flower, ...to name a few.
Very enjoyable collection!
Very enjoyable collection!
Mar 20, 2008
Marten
rated it:
Continuation of Volume I with more short stories and some screenplays. The selection doesn't quite have the same amount of amazing works, but when they're good, they're mind blowingly so.
