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aduda06's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
hellsfire's review against another edition
3.0
My God, this took a LONG time to read. When I bought it, I was expecting something more along the lines of DK Publishing books. You know, pretty pictures with just enough info to make it interesting but that doesn't get bogged down with detail. This book was nothing like that.
Sure, it had plenty of beautiful illustrations, but it also had plenty of text. Lines and lines of text. It makes sense because in a way, it is a history book. It's just a history book of a fictional world.
In the beginning, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I loved reading about the beginning of Martin's world. But as time went on, it started to drag.
The reason it drags is despite all the text, once you hit pass the creation of the Iron Throne and the second or maybe third of the Targaryens, most of the characters are barely touched upon in any depth. Sure there's info about them and what they did, along with names, but I never get a feel for them. Speaking of names, both famous and non-famous people are named after famous people and it becomes confusing on who's who.
However, I think the biggest sin of this book is the fact that once you get to Robert's Rebellion, it stops. That was one of the things I was looking forward to. I wanted to know more about intricacies of that rebellion since it has to do with the stuff in the books. But the Maester just assumes we know everything since "it just happened." I assume that stuff will hopefully get explained in the books when we learn who's Jon Snow's parents are.
The book does pick up towards the end when you learn about the other lands that are only brushed upon in the books and in the show. Sadly, again it's all too brief.
It wasn't a bad book, but it did feel like I read one long wiki page. If there was less stuff crammed into it and more details on the intriguing things, this would have made one hell of a book.
Sure, it had plenty of beautiful illustrations, but it also had plenty of text. Lines and lines of text. It makes sense because in a way, it is a history book. It's just a history book of a fictional world.
In the beginning, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I loved reading about the beginning of Martin's world. But as time went on, it started to drag.
The reason it drags is despite all the text, once you hit pass the creation of the Iron Throne and the second or maybe third of the Targaryens, most of the characters are barely touched upon in any depth. Sure there's info about them and what they did, along with names, but I never get a feel for them. Speaking of names, both famous and non-famous people are named after famous people and it becomes confusing on who's who.
However, I think the biggest sin of this book is the fact that once you get to Robert's Rebellion, it stops. That was one of the things I was looking forward to. I wanted to know more about intricacies of that rebellion since it has to do with the stuff in the books. But the Maester just assumes we know everything since "it just happened." I assume that stuff will hopefully get explained in the books when we learn who's Jon Snow's parents are.
The book does pick up towards the end when you learn about the other lands that are only brushed upon in the books and in the show. Sadly, again it's all too brief.
It wasn't a bad book, but it did feel like I read one long wiki page. If there was less stuff crammed into it and more details on the intriguing things, this would have made one hell of a book.
jjvaldezbooks's review against another edition
not great as an audiobook. might come back to it one day when I can get my hands on a physical copy!
jewbitche's review against another edition
5.0
a grand time
This was a schlep to get through but gosh I enjoyed it, its like someone designed a book for me?? History book set in a fictional fantasy world? Yes please?.
This was a schlep to get through but gosh I enjoyed it, its like someone designed a book for me?? History book set in a fictional fantasy world? Yes please?.
mpace's review against another edition
3.0
I had a hard time deciding how to rate this. It is what it claims to be -a history of Westeros. Worthwhile for an ardent GOT fan.
lorj's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I adore how layered and detailed the world of ice and fire is already, but this book just added hundreds of layers. Towards the end it was repetitive and shallow in places but I loved it and the illustrations and love that I can go back to it to review a particular bit of history or geography if I want to.
ioni5656's review against another edition
5.0
Едно прекрасно енциклопедично издание за всеки фен на творчеството на Джордж Мартин и на почитателите на "Песен за огън и лед". Илюстрациите са изключително красиви и има такива на почти всяка страница. Имаше страшно много имена и информация и на моменти започнах да се обърквам, особено с родословното дърво на многото Таргариени, но със сигурност си заслужаваше.
sucitta's review against another edition
5.0
So much history and back story! I still need Robert's Rebellion from Rhaegar Targaryen's point of view.
lizchereskin's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read any of the other GoT books, but when I found out that this one existed I decided to give it a try and put in a hold at the library. When I went to the shelf with the holds on it I was quite surprised to see a big book filled with illustrations--much different from the rest of the series. I wondered if I was about to check out a coffee table book, but took a chance anyway.
And I'm glad I did! This was a very fun history of the GoT lands, and the illustrations were amazing. I really enjoyed it, and feel it will be a good base of knowledge if/when I dive into the rest of the series.
And I'm glad I did! This was a very fun history of the GoT lands, and the illustrations were amazing. I really enjoyed it, and feel it will be a good base of knowledge if/when I dive into the rest of the series.