Author Spotlight: George R. R. Martin

With the first season of HBO’s adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones finished readers might try some of Martin’s other works. While Martin is known for his work in the fantasy genre he has also delved into science fiction and has been a frequent collaborator with many authors. Jump to the bottom of the article for a list title available at the library written or edited by George R. R. Martin.

Hunter’s Run is a science fiction novel Martin wrote alongside noted anthologist Gardner Dozois (The New Space Opera) and fantasy author Daniel Abraham (The Dragon’s Path). The novel received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly which concluded: “This tightly written novel, with its memorable protagonist and intriguing extrapolation, delivers on all levels.”
Summary:

Running from poverty and hopelessness, Ramón Espejo boarded one of the great starships of the mysterious, repulsive Enye. But the new life he found on the far-off planet of São Paulo was no better than the one he abandoned. Then one night his rage and too much alcohol get the better of him. Deadly violence ensues, forcing Ramón to flee into the wilderness.

Mercifully, almost happily alone—far from the loud, bustling hive of humanity that he detests with sociopathic fervor—the luckless prospector is finally free to search for the one rich strike that could make him wealthy. But what he stumbles upon instead is an advanced alien race in hiding: desperate fugitives, like him, on a world not their own. Suddenly in possession of a powerful, dangerous secret and caught up in an extraordinary manhunt on a hostile, unpredictable planet, Ramón must first escape . . . and then, somehow, survive.

And his deadliest enemy is himself.

Alongside several authors like Daniel Abraham, Carrie Vaughn and John Joseph Millar Martin created, and oversees, the Wild Cards universe. Originally created in 1987, new titles in the Wild Card’s series are still being released today. The most recent, a collaborative novel, is Fort Freak released in June:

In 1946, an alien virus that rewrites human DNA was accidentally unleashed in the skies over New York City. It killed ninety percent of those it infected. Nine percent survived, mutated into tragically deformed creatures. And one percent gained superpowers. The Wild Cards shared-universe series, created and edited by New York Times #1 bestseller George R. R. Martin (called “the American Tolkien” by Time), is the tale of the history of the world since then—and of the heroes among the one percent.

Now, in the latest Wild Cards mosaic novel, we get to know the hardbitten world of Manhattan’s Fifth Precinct—or “Fort Freak,” as cops and malefactors alike call the cop-shop where every other desk sergeant, detective, and patrol officer is more than human.

Featuring original work by writers such as Cherie Priest, author of the bestselling Boneshaker; Paul Cornell, Hugo–nominated comic book and Doctor Who writer; David Anthony Durham, winner of 2009’s John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer; and many others, Fort Freak is one of the strongest offerings yet in the ongoing Wild Cards project.

Of his shorter works Martin is perhaps most known for The Hedge Knight. First published in Legends (edited by Robert Silverberg) this novella, set in Westeros (the same world as Martin’s major fantasy works), follows the poor hedge knight Dunk’s entry into a tournament. This was followed by The Sworn Sword, published in Legends II (2003) and The Mystery Knight in Warriors (2010). Trivia: Clues in A Feast for Crows reveal that one of Egg’s (one of the characters in the Hedge Knight tales) daughters married a son of House Baratheon and became the mother of Lord Steffon Baratheon, and thus is the grandmother of Robert, Renly and Stannis Baratheon.

Martin has also delved into the vampire novel (of the non-sparkly variety) with his novel Fevre Dream. Mixing the vampire legend with powerful imagery of the Mississippi River Fevre Dream sees a down-on-his-luck riverboat captain partnering with aristocratic stranger on a mysterious quest down the great river. John Ottinger III has a detailed review over at Tor.com that is well worth a look though he concludes that fans of Martin and Vampire novels would be well served in taking a look at Fevre Dream.

Bibliography of Titles Available at FTPL (for a full list see here):

Novels:

Edited:

Collections/Anthologies