DYING OF THE LIGHT

Dirk t’Larien has been summoned by a former lover to a drifting, half-deserted planet on the edge of the universe. On Worlorn he discovers his Gwen wearing the traditional iron and jade of the High Kavalaar clan of her husband, Jaantony Riv Wolf High-Ironjade Vikary (what a great name), and finds a culture steeped in honor, tradition, and warrior ways. So begins George R.R. Martin’s restless and adventuresome first novel (1977). Scottish-born actor Iain Glen, whose credits include “Game of Thrones,” “Doctor Who,” and “Downton Abbey,” narrates Martin’s heightened language and rich descriptions with poetic strength and conviction. There’s just something about a Scots lilt that sounds perfect for high space fantasy. And there’s definitely something in Martin’s early prose that belied the sound of a rising talent. B.P. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2012]