5.03k reviews for:

Fire & Blood

George R.R. Martin

3.97 AVERAGE


An interesting 1st half of history of the Targaryens. Definitely got me excited for the final season of Game of Thrones. However, a very long read and very wordy. Only for the hardcorest fans of A Song of Fire and Ice. Though I feel more connected to the current world now that I know part of the history of this blood line.

A lot of fire, plenty of blood. Accurate title. At times, there are pages of names and names, there’s enough action and intrigue to keep the plot moving throughout.

last few chapters lowkey dragged but this was generational world building and a really interesting read into westerosi history

2.5/5

I love history books but this can get quite derivative at points.
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

I enjoyed this novel a lot. It really expanded upon the song of ice and fire lore. Plus it really gave you an understanding of the world as a whole. Overall a really good book, but I wish George r.r. Martin actually devoted his time to completing winds of winter.
adventurous challenging dark informative sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous informative medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Very good storyline with a good history of those before game of thrones began.

TOOK ME FOREVER BUT I DID IT!! 

As someone who can’t stand reading real history books, I actually thoroughly enjoyed this. 
There were definitely some areas that it took me awhile to push through, but I still liked it. 
I was reading this prior to House of the Dragon coming out, and reading this did enhance the story for me. Seeing parts of this book come to life on screen had me giddy with excitement (Battle of Storm’s End I AM LOOKIN’ AT YOU!) 

If you’re questioning reading this, I really do recommend giving it a shot. I will admit it did take me awhile to finish, but I do think reading it in bursts was more enjoyable for me so it didn’t feel bogged down and boring.

Dracarys

Fire and Blood: A History of the Targaryen Kings from Aegon the Conqueror to Aegon III by George R.R. Martin is an engaging and meticulously crafted book that I found nearly impossible to put down. Every time I had to step away, I was eager to dive back into the vivid world of Westeros and its most infamous ruling family, the Targaryens.

This book covers the first half of the 300 years that the Targaryen family ruled Westeros, and while it’s structured like a history book, it's written in a way that feels deeply narrative-driven. Martin brings the events to life with his signature style, making this not just a recounting of facts but an engaging story filled with intrigue, battles, and the often brutal realities of power.

As someone who’s watched the Game of Thrones series, I recognized many of the names mentioned, which added an extra layer of enjoyment. It was fascinating to read about how the Targaryens, with their dragons, conquered Westeros and navigated the challenges of ruling this complex land. The book also serves as a prequel of sorts, offering insights into the backstories of characters and events hinted at in both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.

Having watched the first two seasons of House of the Dragon, I was especially eager to read the sections that inspired the show. The book doesn’t disappoint, providing a rich narrative that goes beyond what’s been shown on screen. It was thrilling to learn what happens after season 2, and now, I’m even more excited to see how these events will be portrayed in the upcoming seasons.

One of the highlights for me was the story of King Jaehaerys I. His rise to power and the way he ruled was, in my opinion, one of the most compelling parts of the book. Martin’s portrayal of his reign is full of depth, showing both the triumphs and the tragedies that defined his time as king.

With a second book rumored to be in the works, covering the latter half of the Targaryen dynasty’s rule, I can’t wait to see what Martin has in store. If he ever releases it, I’ll be one of the first in line to read it.

For any fan of Game of Thrones, whether from the books or the TV show, I highly recommend Fire and Blood It’s a hefty read at over 700 pages, but every page is worth it.