As the Seven Kingdoms face a generation-long winter, rival families battle over control of the Iron Throne, while preternatural forces and barbarian hordes threaten the land.

One of the biggest attractions of George R.R. Martin's high fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, and by extension its HBO television adaptation, Game of Thrones, is its claim to historical realism. The author, thedirectors and producers of the adaptation, and indeed the fans of the books and show, all lay claim to Westeros, its setting, as representative of an authentic medieval world. But how true are these claims? Is it possible to faithfully represent a time so far removed from our own in time and culture? And what does an authentic medieval fantasy world look like? This book explores Martin's and HBO's approaches to and beliefs about the Middle Ages and how those beliefs fall into traditional medievalist and fantastic literary patterns. Examining both books and programme from a range of critical approaches - medievalism theory, gender theory, queer theory, postcolonial theory, andrace theory - Dr Carroll analyzes how the drive for historical realism affects the books' and show's treatment of men, women, people of colour, sexuality, and imperialism, as well as how the author and showrunners discuss these effects outside the texts themselves. SHILOH CARROLL teaches in the writing center at Tennessee State University.

George R. R. Martin is the author of A Song of Ice and Fire - one of the most successful and beloved fantasy series ever written. With a dedicated fan base clamouring for new material, this calendar is a 'timely' addition to a franchise that has continued to grow with each passing year. Stunning full-colour paintings depict the characters and world of A Song of Ice and Fire.

HBO’s hit series A GAME OF THRONES is based on George R R Martin’s internationally bestselling series A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, the greatest fantasy epic of the modern age. A DANCE WITH DRAGONS: DREAMS AND DUST is the FIRST part of the fifth volume in the series. ‘Richly satisfying and utterly engrossing’ Sunday Times

Available only on iBooks, this enhanced edition containing parts one and two of A Dance with Dragons, is an amazing way to explore the rich world of George R.R. Martin’s series.

George R. R. Martin is the author of A Song of Ice and Fire-one of the most successful and beloved fantasy series ever written. With a dedicated fan base clamoring for new material, this calendar is a "timely" addition to a franchise that has continued to grow with each passing year. Stunning four-color paintings depicting the characters and world of A Song of Ice and Fire will remind Martin fans once again why they love this series so much.