Fire & Blood (HBO Tie-in Edition): 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones (The Targaryen Dynasty: The House of the Dragon)

I didn't read reviews so I had no idea there was pictures and I'm so happy! Of course the writing is great and the story is awesome and I'm loving it..but the fact that there's beautiful illustrations every 3-5 pages is really cool. I feel like a grade schooler again reading a picture book with the level of excitement lol. If you're looking to get this book, make it this edition.

J. R. R. Tolkien labored at his mythology for a majority of his adult life, from the trenches of World War I until his death. He mostly thought it unpublishable. He was interested in the great histories, in the sweeping sagas, in the stories that were written not as modern novels, but as texts that might have jumped straight out of the world he created. Some of Tolkien's mythological material made it into 'The Lord of the Rings.' Much of it did not. He wanted to publish the histories--the Silmarillion saga--alongside the books we all know today, but the publishers turned him down repeatedly. He died without seeing any of that work published, and when his son Christopher tried to make one cohesive text from the massive amounts of material, much of it was bastardized. Only later did Christopher edit and release over a dozen volumes of original texts, showing us a bit more of the scope of the history Tolkien had imagined.

Why am I telling you this about Tolkien in a review for GRR Martin? This should seem fairly obvious by now: GRR Martin has the same longing Tolkien did. He has the same love of the grand, sweeping historical epic. So far he has been giving us his 'Lord of the Rings,' his drama of the minutiae, but in the process he got caught up in the grand and glorious visions of the Targaryens, just as Tolkien was swept up into the glories of the First Age. It’s no mistake this book is being called the “GRRMillion.”

Martin's popularity is granting him a chance that Tolkien unfortunately never had in his lifetime: To create his myth IN FULL. To give us the grand sweep of things in the greater world, beyond just the characters we know and love in 'A Song of Ice and Fire.'

Please accept this book for what it is, rather than complaining about what it does not aim to be. And what exactly is it? An artefact from Westeros. It should be read not as a book Martin wrote, but one he transcribed, from the original text by Archmaester Gyldayn. It will require some work on the part of the reader. The lines have been drawn, and we are being asked to fill in the colors with our imaginations. This participatory reading is what can make history so engaging—it takes work, but the work pays off.

We have two choices: We can claw after the next GoT book, complaining that the author hasn’t yet met our demands. Or we can allow the author a chance to fill out his universe. For my part, this stuff is more exciting than the series proper. We get to see the bigger picture that all of the Song of Ice and Fire is a part of. If you don't want this sort of thing, simply move on rather than ruining the experience for others.

I remember what it felt like to sit down one day as a boy and open 'The Silmarillion.' I was holding the Bible of the Elves. It was a piece of that world. It was a text that might have been read by a scholar in Minas Tirith. It was magic. Martin has the chance to give us this now. Imagine being Samwell Tarly, sitting in the Citadel's library, opening up this ponderous and magical tome about the history of the Targaryens for the first time.

Why now, though? Why not wait until he's finished telling the main story? For my part, I'd rather follow the passion of a writer than get mediocre work demanded by fans. Martin created this universe for us; let him follow his vision for how it should proceed. He was caught up in the glorious history of his universe as he was telling his story, and he wants us to have it in all of its rich complexity. I can only wish that Tolkien had had the same opportunity in his lifetime. We only see fragments of what that might have been. But Martin is giving us his own great mythology, in his own lifetime, whole and complete; and I am a boy again with wonder.

This, my friends, is going to be a feast.

I read GOT a few years ago when the show first started airing (back when Netflix would mail you DVDs - which was how I watched the first season). And now since HoTD is out on max I’ve really wanted to read this one. Now, I listened to this on audible but I also followed along so I could see the illustrations on my kindle and I also have a hardcover lol. I think it would’ve taken me a lot longer to read it than it did to listen to it. I listen at about 1.8 to 2 times speed. This book very much reads like a history. It was super interesting. It was very long almost 800 pages. I think and it took me about five days listening to it for about an hour to two hours a day. So house of the dragon starts like, I want to say like 30% into the book because this book starts off from the very beginning of the Targaryen dynasty back in old Valyria before the doom with a Aegons conquest. Which is how they refer to years throughout the book (AC for after conquest). HBO did change some of the things in the show but I mean the show is not over yet, and I am kind of sad to know what happens but I am excited to see what they do in the show. Even though I felt like I was learning I did enjoy the stories and it was interesting to see like how everything all went wrong. I just need GRRM to finish writing GOT now (wishful thinking).

𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙏𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙮𝙚𝙣, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙉𝙖𝙢𝙚, 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙝𝙤𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙧, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙈𝙚𝙣, 𝙇𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙙𝙤𝙢𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙢, 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥. 𝙃𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙠𝙚. 𝙃𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙮-𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙡𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙒𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙮-𝙨𝙞𝙭 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙠𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙.

So this isn’t going to be a book for everyone. It definitely reads like a dry history book, but as a non-apologetic history nerd, I absolutely loved that about it. Not only does it give you an in depth history of so many major (fictional) events in the history of this world, there’s also DRAGONS!

I also need to say, I read this book completely out of order. I wanted to get the Dance of the Dragons part done before the start of S2 of the show (nailed it!) And after reading the back half, I went back and read from the beginning.

Surprisingly, Aegon I’s part was probably my least favorite of the book? So I’m actually happy I did it the way I did. And ending with King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne was perfect for me, because it was at least bittersweet and not SUPER depressing. 😂

(Seriously, how did GRRM get me cheering for this bro/sis couple? He had me so happy for them, while simultaneously grossed out? 🤣)

I also think the TV show is a great companion to the book. Since the book is only based on “accounts” compiled together (like most of the history books we read) it’s fun to see how they can interpret these events as they “actually” happened on the show.

And now that Dunk & Egg is filming, I need to check out that book again. I feel like I read maybe a small portion of it, but I’ve always been intrigued by the Blackfyre Rebellion, and I think there is more info on that in that book?

What this book is giving: ✅ Fantasy ✅ Spinoff of ASOIAF ✅ Fictional History Book ✅ Targaryens ✅ Dragons ✅ “Interesting” Family Dynamics

I rarely bother posting a review of a book with nearly a hundred reviews. For one, neither the book nor the prospective buyer need my thoughts in order to make an informed decision. And second, for me it requires some soul searching and a good deal of thought when I am trying to shed some light that others might find of interest. In other words, I cannot simply state, "Loved it," or "Hated it," and call that a review. And, further, I abhor reviews that tell us all the intricate details of a plot and then go on and try to read the novel. Okay, now you know, I am a stubborn curmudgeon. If that annoys you, at least you can't say I didn't warn you...

My review of Fire & Blood is sure to be a different take than any other review. In such light,. My review may be the least helpful to most readers. Why? I have not yet successfully read any works of Mr. Martin, because I find them a daunting challenge. Note that I state challenge, not that his writing is unappealing or uninteresting. What I mean is, I greatly respect his ability to weave great yarns. I just have difficulty in immersing myself into the worlds he creates.

Anyway, I decided to approach his works from a different angle. I chose to read the history he prepared, then I will move on to Game of Thrones.

I mention all this so you can skip my review if you are already a Martin fan, because what little light I might shed on the topic probably will be of little use or interest to you.

On with my review…

BLUSH FACTOR: You probably won’t want to read this story to your children aged 13 and younger due to three eff-words and a reference to men and sheep. Unless, that is, you have raised your children to on a farm and providing you have a sense of humor regarding sheep and find them prettier than the local maidens… Okay, I am parroting Martin’s humor at location 5406.

POV: Third person.

WRITING & EDITING: Readers tend to gage the writing of history somewhat differently than fiction. At least I do. With a history I don’t expect quite the same sort of flow. With “Fire & Blood” we don’t get the same flow as with, say, Game of Thrones. But, since we don’t expect to, we can more readily accept such ebb and flow as exists in “Fire & Blood.”

ADVENTURE: Yes, there is plenty of adventure, even if it is not as layered through as creative writing would be in an epic story of conquest. To better show the adventure and character building that does exist in “Fire & Blood,” please refer to the below excerpt.

EXCERPT

‘…his summons. Lastly he descended upon the seat of House Doggett, reducing it to ash. The fires claimed the lives of Ser Joffrey’s father, mother, and young sister, along with their sworn swords, serving men, and chattel. As pillars of smoke rose all through the westerlands and the riverlands, Vhagar and Balerion turned south. Another Lord Hightower, counseled by another High Septon, had opened the gates of Oldtown during the Conquest, but now it seemed as if the greatest and most populous city in Westeros must surely burn.

Thousands fled Oldtown that night, streaming from the city gates or taking ship for distant ports. Thousands more took to the streets in drunken revelry. “This is a night for song and sin and drink,” men told one another, “for come the morrow, the virtuous and the vile burn together.” Others gathered in septs and temples and ancient woods to pray they might be spared. In the Starry Sept, the High Septon railed and thundered, calling down the wroth of the gods upon the Targaryens. The archmaesters of the Citadel met in conclave. The men of the City Watch filled sacks with sand and pails with water to fight the fires they knew were coming. Along the city walls, crossbows, scorpions, spitfires, and spear-throwers were hoisted onto the battlements in hopes of bringing down the dragons when they appeared. Led by Ser Morgan Hightower, a younger brother of the Lord of Oldtown, two hundred Warrior’s Sons spilled forth from their chapterhouse to defend His High Holiness, surrounding the Starry Sept with a ring of steel. Atop the Hightower, the great beacon fire turned a baleful green as Lord Martyn Hightower called his banners. Oldtown waited for the dawn, and the coming of the dragons.

And the dragons came. Vhagar first, as the sun was rising, then Balerion, just before midday. But they found the gates of the city open, the battlements unmanned, and the banners of House Targaryen, House Tyrell, and House Hightower flying side by side atop the city walls. The Dowager Queen Visenya was the first to learn the news. Sometime during the blackest hour of that long and dreadful night, the High Septon had died.

A man of three-and-fifty, as tireless as he was fearless, and to all appearances in robust good health, this High Septon had been renowned for his strength. More than once he had preached for a day and a night without taking sleep or nourishment. His sudden death shocked the city and dismayed his followers. Its causes are debated to this day. Some say that His High Holiness took his own life, in what was either the act of a craven afraid to face the wroth of King Maegor, or a noble sacrifice to spare the goodfolk of Oldtown from dragonfire. Others claim the Seven struck him down for the sin of pride, for heresy, treason, and arrogance.

Many and more remain certain he was murdered…but by whom? Ser Morgan Hightower did the deed at the command of his lord brother, some say (and Ser Morgan was seen entering and leaving the High Septon’s privy chambers that night). Others point to the Lady Patrice Hightower, Lord Martyn’s maiden aunt and a reputed witch (who did indeed seek an audience with His High Holiness at dusk, though he was alive when she departed). The archmaesters of the Citadel are also suspected, though whether they made use of the dark arts, an assassin, or a poisoned scroll is still a matter of some debate (messages went back and forth between the Citadel and the Starry Sept all night). And there are still others who hold them all blameless and lay the High Septon’s death at the door of another rumored sorceress, the Dowager Queen Visenya Targaryen.

The truth will likely never be known…but the swift reaction of Lord Martyn when word reached him at the Hightower is beyond dispute. At once he dispatched his own knights to disarm and arrest the Warrior’s Sons, amongst them his own brother. The city gates were opened, and Targaryen banners raised along the walls. Even before Vhagar’s wings were sighted, Lord Hightower’s men were…’

Martin, George R. R.. Fire & Blood (A Song of Ice and Fire) (Kindle Locations 1270-1300). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

BOTTOM LINE

I enjoyed this fiction that felt like a true history. I confess that I enjoyed the Audible edition a bit more than the Kindle edition, but, for me, that is becoming the case with most reading. I read the Kindle edition when I can, and listen to the professional narration edition while commuting or otherwise enjoying the countryside in what “The People’s Almanac” referred to as ‘The Empty Quarter.” Listening to “Fire & Blood” while cruising through these wind-blown prairies, I found myself speculating that perhaps, just perhaps, when the ancient ones entered these lands several eons ago, they may have slew dragons and brute goliaths to wrestle the Upper Midwest free from some precursors of the human race…THAT is one mark of a good writer of fantasy, the learned one some refer to as George R. R. Martin.

The one downside of this epic history is that this book is only the first volume and the author himself admits that he has other pressing epics to bring forth before he can get around to writing the conclusion. In that sense, this book ends without being complete. An annoyance to me and, I’m certain, many other readers.

At least now I can tackle “A Game of Thrones.”

Four stars out of five.

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This is a fascinating addition to any fan of the Song of Ice and Fire book series. It covers the history of the Targaeryon’s from the time of the Doom of Valyria and Aegon the conqueror. Although the book is great overall it sometimes reads too much like a history book and delves into the details of lords and bannerman that are of no consequence in the grand scheme of the story. Moreover, there’s far too many characters to keep track of and so it’s a bit hard to follow due to this. The author keeps his focus on the main characters and their stories are very immersive, although the characterization and development could have been explored further in my opinion. Overall it’s a great addition for any fan and was an enjoyable read for me.

As many other reviewers have mentioned, this is a "history" of the first 7 of 17 Targaryen kings (more like 6 1/2 since the 7th king is only discussed up until he turned 16 years old).

Because it is a "history", there is a lot of exposition with a few very brief episodes of narrative. So, the characters are often "two-dimensional" since there is no effort by Mr. Martin to make the reader care for any of the characters. In fact, a substantial portion of the text resolves around the "Dance of Dragons" in which two siblings went to war as each claimed the Iron Throne. I can state that I never cared which of the two prevailed because each was portrayed as a "jerk".

Now, there are A LOT of jerks in GoT, yet I did not mind they were jerks because Mr. Martin took the effort to make me see them as persons with conflicting interests and needs and so I was invested in that character, even if I highly disliked his/her actions (i.e. Cersei). That is not the case with this book. The jerks are just jerks in this book. I cared little for any of them.

I read through the entire book in a week so I cannot say I was not interested, however, I like history so I am accustomed to reading a lot of exposition. So, if you are not a fan of being told, rather than shown, how a character acts, you likely will find this book boring.

On a final note, I was very unhappy with the book when I realized it had NO MAPS. Because it has no real narrative, it often has pages of a king traveling to various places in Westeros and, so, without a map the reader has no idea as to where exactly the king is visiting or where a battle is occurring in relationship to other places, such as King's Landing.

Fortunately, I was able to find a app on my tablet which provided a map of Westeros and, so, I read the book with my tablet by my side so I could actually visualize what was being reported (for it is basically just a report and not a story).

If I had not found that app, I would likely not have read the entire book and I would have given the book one (1) star.

I cannot fathom why the publisher thought the reader wanted to see random scenes illustrated every 50 pages or so, yet could not realize that a map would be essential for the reader.

Heck, even the publishers of GoT, which is a highly involving narrative, realized that a map would greatly increase the reader's experience. If a map is required for a highly entertaining narrative like GoT, it certainly is required for a "history" in which only "facts" are reported as to what happened at x city before traveling to y city and, thereafter, marching to city z where a battle occurred.

I mean, there are more than a few pages in which ten different locations in Westeros are mentioned. Without a map, the names of these locations are empty words. So, I was (and remain) unhappy with this book due to its lack of a map.

So, in sum, if you have a map of Westeros, it is worth a read (just barely) but do not expect to be overly excited during the reading. If you do not had such a map, curse the publisher for its stupidity in failing to provide one and pass on this book because you will not be able to understand much of the substantial "geography" presented in this book and will be lost as you read.