REVIEW: A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin

Dear Mr. Martin,

Has there ever been a more anticipated fantasy novel than this? Maybe, but I'd be hard-pressed to think of it. A Game of Thrones, the first novel of your A Song of Ice and Fire series, changed the face of epic fantasy. Made it darker. Grittier. And of course, that thing that happened at the end. It reminded us that the so-called ironclad rules of epic fantasy weren't that ironclad after all. When HBO decided to adapt your series for television, I admit I was relieved. Maybe...