77 pages 2 hours read

George R. R. Martin

A Dance With Dragons

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2011

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Prologue-Chapter 10Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue Summary

Content Warning: The source material features depictions of sexual assault, gender-based violence, misogynistic slurs, and ableist language related to limb differences and appearance.

Varamyr Sixskins is a warg. He dies when the Others, intelligent undead who haunt the lands north of the Wall, consume him. The Others are quickly encroaching on the Wall.

Chapter 1 Summary: “Tyrion”

Tyrion Lannister, having killed his father, ends up in the Free City of Pentos in the house of Illyrio Mopatis, a plotting man who hopes to bring one or more of the Targaryens back to power in Westeros. Tyrion uses an assumed name, “Yollo.” He is unsure if the Illyrio means to help him or kill him. The magister suggests that rather than countering Cersei or overthrowing Stannis Baratheon for revenge, Tyrion should ally himself with Daenerys Targaryen, daughter of “Mad” Aerys II Targaryen, the last Targaryen king in Westeros. Rumors are that Daenerys has three dragons, and Illyrio has a plan that will marry Daenerys to another claimant to the throne. Tyrion is not well. He drinks alcohol to excess and obsesses about his last conversation with his father. When Tyrion asked Tywin what he did with the commoner young woman Tyrion married as a young man, his father responded, “Wherever whores go” (18).