Helped me to realize just how much I enjoy Martin's writing style. Each story, no matter how short, sucked me in and kept me interested with what the next page would bring. ( )

Sandkings was really good, the rest kind of meh generally ( )

A very strong collection of GRRM's early writings from the 60s-80s or so - the format seems to indicate subsequent volumes will bring us up to the present date. All of this takes place before Ice and Fire was started, and in any case is only his short format writings - there are a couple of novellas. Broadly divided into a few sections from his childhood starting with comics through to becoming a professional writer - with a substantial overlap as no-one makes much money from it. There's commentary on how and why some of the stories were written and the difficulties of publishing science fiction (and fantasy before Tolkien!), followed by the stories themselves and then another section break.

It features many of his better known works (to anyone who's read anything other than Song) including my favourite Way of Cross and Dragon, but sadly ends on the horror collection (inc Sandkings) with the final story being the weakest of the whole book. ( )

His early stuff, an interesting study. Some stories are a tad disturbing. ( )

His early stuff, an interesting study. Some stories are a tad disturbing. ( )