Excluding the prologue, the point-of-view characters in A Game of Thrones are Eddard Stark, Catelyn Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen, whose story unfolds across the Narrow Sea in the eastern continent of Essos. Having originated in the Reach centuries before, they had found refuge near the mouth of the White Knife when rivals drove them from their rich lands along the Mander. Though it was summer and the Wall was weeping, the chill of the ice could still be felt whenever the wind blew, and every gust would make the dragon hiss and snap. Heirs of the Dragon": Being about 17,000 words long, it focuses on the reign of Jaehaerys I Targaryen and the succession crisis following the deaths of his sons.

Her first sight of the Wall from above took Alysanne’s breath away, Her Grace would later tell the king.This special collector's edition of A Dance with Dragons features 16 full-colour illustrations by series artist Jonathan Burton, as well as unique illustrated chapter headings, endpapers printed with emblems of the warring Houses, and a slipcase decorated with a golden monogram on the exterior and a secret image on the interior. The conflict had caused serious disruption to trade upon the narrow sea, to the extent that King Jaehaerys had offered both cities his help in ending their hostilities.

The trouble is that Martin, despite advancing age, does not seem to care anymore about what his fans want. We also get a list of reigns and dates and a Targaryen family tree, which is helpful if you get your Aegons mixed up with your Aemons. I mean it, the cover art of both editions is stunning, the typography inside the book is beautiful, the font used (Centaur) was easy to read, and most of all, Doug Wheatley’s artworks were simply spectacular to look at.

Lately, however, that has started to change, as those wishing to see the conclusion of A Song of Ice and Fire are forced to wait, and wait, and wait, and wait some more. Her reception at Winterfell did nothing to disabuse the queen’s fears as to what she might expect from House Stark.