This has been an amazing year for fans of George R.R. Martin’s epic series A Song of Ice and Fire. HBO’s Game of Thrones enjoyed massive fan and critical acclaim and was renewed for a second season after just 2 episodes. The series is also dominating as an Emmy Award hopeful with 13 nominations including a best supporting actor nomination for Peter Dinklage who plays Tyrion Lannister.

Still high off the buzz of the amazing televison series, fans saw the release of the 5th book of A Song of Ice and Fire, A Dance with Dragons this last Tuesday; a book that has been 6 years in the making.

Well, the wait hasn’t tarnished any enthusiasm for long-time fans. A Dance with Dragons sold 298,000 copies on it’s first day of release. These numbers include print, e-book, and audio formats. So far the latest volume of GRRM’s magnum opus has been received warmly by reviewers; I’m currently devouring it ravenously, and will share my thoughts with all of you when I finish. I imagine part of the enthusiasm is due in part to the HBO series, but those of us that have been kept waiting should be glad. Game of Thrones is breaking down barriers and drawing new fans to the fantasy genre, which is good for all of us.

[Source] Shelf Life