A comet the color of blood streaks across the skies of the Seven Kingdoms, an ominous harbinger of death and destruction. As winter approaches, the contenders for the Iron Throne are determined to fight with fire and steel for the dominion of the divided land of Westeros.

The second book of the epic series, which has been honored with three Locus awards, has been translated into more than ten languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide.