Every Time a New Targaryen is Born... (Fire and Blood by George R.R Martin)

If you are someone who is interested in reading George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood, then let me be very clear about one thing. If you get nothing else from this book review then please remember this; while this is based in the world of Westeros, it is nothing like his (frustratingly incomplete) series A Song of Ice and Fire. The writing style is very different and this is very important for you to know, understand, and accept if you are to really enjoy what George has created. Whereas A Song of Ice and Fire is a fantastical story told through the eyes of the characters themselves, Fire and Blood is more like a very entertaining American history textbook or encyclopedia. Those of you who are history buffs and nerds who enjoyed those textbooks and stories (like myself) will find this an easy transition when reading, but those of you who are used to the traditional way Martin tells his fantasy stories may take some time to adjust or some convincing to even get you to read it. In hopes of helping you, let me sum up my thoughts on this book quickly before diving into my review: it is a very good book, a very good story, and builds upon and dives deeper into a very well built fantasy world. George moves away from the storytelling through a character's point of view to the unreliable narrator who is keeping track and written record of the first 150(ish) years of the Targaryen reign. I compare it to an American textbook/encyclopedia because, through the use of the unreliable narrator trope, it tells the story of how the Targaryen reign came to be through the lens of a very biased group of people. George does this on purpose and, whether you like it or not, he tells the story in this manner in a very effective and entertaining way. It is a mix of frustration from not having clear cut and solid bits of information about certain events combined with academic achievement as if you have taken a history class over the Targaryens in Oldtown while on your way to become a maester for the realm. The unreliable narrator has its positives and negatives when it comes to storytelling and this story in particular, but the way George uses it intrigues and captures the reader just as much as frustrates them. All of which I believe is exactly what George wants.

As stated above, this book is different from the rest of his books in A Song of Ice and Fire and I say this again because it is important to remember that when reading it. It is a recounting of Westeros’ history with a focus, and bias, on the Targaryen dynasty. One thing that impresses me the most in Fire and Blood is how George is able to write and explain the first half of the Targaryen dynasty in Westeros while also imbedding the book with the same language, tone, and feel as A Song of Ice and Fire. With not a mention of Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, (Queen) Sansa Stark, or (Queen) Daenerys Targaryen, George is still able to introduce new faces, old names, and a different story without ever questioning what world this story belongs too. My favorite part about Fire and Blood is finally being able to learn about all the names and stories we’ve heard referenced so much in A Song of Ice and Fire and A Game of Thrones tv show as well. Aegon the Conqueror and how he united the Seven Kingdoms. Maegor the Cruel and his usurpation of the Throne with his “witch” wife. The tragic telling of The Dance of Dragons with Rhaenyra Targaryen (My Queen) and her half brother Aegon Targaryen (less whiny Joffery, bleh). The story of Cregan Stark (THE GOAT) and how he brought winter with him to King’s Landing. It breathes life into a completely different time of Westeros that only lived in our minds as stories and legends. No longer do we have to wonder what Westeros was like during the Targaryen reign because we can live it through Fire and Blood.

Now, this book will not be for everybody. One of the parts that I loved most about this book will be the reason some people will not be a big fan of it: it is, at its core, a history textbook. It walks through when Aegon came over with his sister wives and their three dragons to unite the Seven Kingdoms and ends with King Aegon III (the Broken King) coming of age to begin his reign about one hundred and fifty one years after Aegon the Conqueror began his reign. It is not written as an epic fantasy story like A Song of Ice and Fire because that is not its purpose. For this reason, some people will not enjoy it. With that also comes pacing issues due to the nature of the recount of history this book is written as. While the overall pacing of the book is good, there are quite a few moments that drag out due to the nature of needing to inform the reader of changes. Whether that is new members of the Kings Guard or small council, learning the names of the different houses and small houses and how they are being involved in this instance of history, or how marriage to this house/family/person will be beneficial for this specific reason. Even someone who loves history and loves to learn the “where did things come from” of the world, like me, can still find these moments in the book a bit of a drag. A necessary portion of the book, but still a drag at times. Finally, the biggest aspect of this book that could bother readers, me included at times, is the biased and unreliable narrator style that George imparts on this book. Don’t get it twisted, this is intentional. The story of Fire and Blood is composed through the telling and notetaking of maesters, septons, and other members of court (such as a court fool named Mushroom). The narrator and “author” even mentions how certain septons or maesters are more biased towards the Targaryens or more honest. This is on full display in their treatment of Rhaenyra Targaryen and her case for the crown as the maester and septon that gave details of The Dance of Dragon were appointed by Aegon III. Due to the biased and unreliable narrator format there are also some parts of the stories that remain a mystery. Some events are mentioned, but still left in a veil of mystery as to what actually happened simply because none of the sources were there to witness the event happen and only heard of it through other sources. One of the best examples of this is the battle between Aemon (One Eye) Targaryen and Lucerys (Luke) Targaryen above Storms End. It tells the story of what happened before when there were eyes to see it and a couple of theories of what happened afterwards due to rumors, but nothing concrete. This, at times, can be frustrating. Readers, including myself, are not used to not getting answers as to what happens in events. While frustrating it can be to wonder what actually happens, I find the interesting aspect of this type of storytelling more satisfying than the emptiness the frustration brings. It is different and not something I had really come across until I read Fire and Blood. If another author had tried their hand at this method, I doubt I would have enjoyed it as much. However, George handles it with care and finesse and makes Fire and Blood more interesting, in my opinion.

Overall, Fire and Blood is well worth your time especially if you are a Westeros apologetic. It gives the world of Westeros even deeper roots and establishes the world at a wider level. A Song of Ice and Fire gave us a world to live in and experience; Fire and Blood gives us a world to study and appreciate. This book will not be for everyone due to its historical telling style and the format of the unreliable and biased narrator. However, if you understand that going into the reading it will be an easier transition for you. I cannot guarantee that it will allow you to look past it and fall in love with it, like I did, but will allow you to experience the book and stories the way it deserves. There will be a sequel to Fire and Blood that tells the story of the last half of the Targaryen dynasty (Aegon III to Robert's Rebellion) and I am beyond excited for it (not as much for Winds of Winter though…so please finish that one first…). I hope this review has been entertaining and informing. If it helped you decide to read the book, that is amazing and glad I could help!! If it has convinced you to not read the book, read it. Never forget, always read.