Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin Book Review & Reaction | Read it Before House of the Dragon!

[@travisslade6860]

As a ASOIAF nerd I’ve read it like 6 times now. I’m obsessed with lore and family trees and history and all that so I love it.

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes indeed😊😊😊😊

[@bccardvault]

I am late to the ASOIF party, but I read this book first, then knight of the seven kingdoms, and now reading the main series (just started book 2) and I very much love that I read fire and blood first, the knowledge I have of westeros going into game of thrones made everything way easier to understand. A lot of the history and names of old kings mentioned in the main series may just be looked over by the common reader but I had a full understanding of why each person, battle or family was important and am grateful for fire and blood for that.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

To me, Fire and Blood offers some interesting world building for fans of A Song of Ice and Fire like myself, but it is not great storytelling in and of itself. I do think its dry, bare, and “historical” nature makes it potentially ideal for adaptation since there’s lots of room for interpretation.

[@-Adam.Z]

This is how I felt about it after reading it too.

[@JLchevz]

I would go as far as to say that he wrote it just so he could get one or two adaptations from it because he purposely left a lot of details vague but we may never know

[@adrianreinstein6608]

It’s just adding more puzzle pieces to the game. That’s the fun. Doing the detective work.

[@KirelRed]

I'm pretty sure ole George wrote it for that very purpose. It a way to distract fans from the fact that he still hasn't finished the main story.

[@fredrikfjeld1575]

@@JLchevz Nah. I rather think he wrote it like that, to represent what an actual history book, written 200 years later, would sound like. I find that Martin hits the tone really well and even keeps it from being to dry. And just imagine the size of the book if it wasn't vague!

[@chimpster4331]

Just finished this myself in preparation. Enjoyed it more than I expected to for a book with about 2% dialogue in it! I am a history nerd though and can definitely imagine that many would bounce off the style. Was quite a refreshing change for me.

[@thummumcrysanth]

I read some of the material from Fire and Blood in anthologies--Dangerous Women, Rogues, and The Book of Swords--but I didn't care for the writing style. I know the book isn't for me, but it's going to be ideal for tv series.

[@Nottz4Lyf18]

I tried to cram this in too fell short by a day and didnt finish before House of the dragon came out, sensing a bit of irony there *coughs* Winds of winter, just kidding … but not really. Let the man enjoy his earnt success and life, it’s more important than our need for closure. Human life vs Book, big picture people, anyway back to my point I really loved MOST of fire and blood, Aegon’s conquest was great, I really enjoyed that part, the use of dragons and politics and the lore, then it got to Maegor and Aenys, and Alyssa and i really did not connect with anyone, Maegor’s story was interesting, you understand his view and i get that the characters are supposed to have a bit of complexity to them (mixed with the Maester’s or sources being unreliable narrators) but I frankly didn’t care too much at that section of the book. When it got to Jaehaerys and Alysanne I felt deflated at first, I didn’t know so much of the book would be about Jaehaerys’ life and reign but found myself being quite enthralled in his character arc, how he thinks changes based on his life, the same for Alysanne, I really liked her too, but their children were fascinating. Those chapters took up sooooooo much time that I’m glad the story was interesting, because of the lengths of their lives we got to see set up and payoff and cause and effect of many events and I enjoyed that. When it came to the Battle of the Green and Blacks though, I was lost, there were a few very interesting moments in there where it showcased the reality and the folly and the issues that you bring on yourself when you try and keep your bloodline pure, or at least try to keep the right to rule close to your own family. Of the problems that you promote when you put so much emphasis on heirs and succession. I’ll admit, I got confused at this part in the book, every now and again an event sould get mentioned and I’d sort of rember what that pertained to but I spent a lot of the book going, “who is that again,” or “i thought they were dead.” Or even “I thought they WEREN’T dead, but they are.” I struggle to keep up and I can be honest about that. Between the Rhaneyra, Rhaena, Rhaenys, the Alyss, Alysanne, Alicent, Aemma, Aegon, Aemon, Daemon, Aemond, Aenys, Baela, Baelon, Daeron, Vaegon, Jacaerys, Lucerys, Jaehaerys, Honestly i spent so much of the book going, “who are they mother, sister, wed, or more than one … to” i’m sure for most people they will go Aegon I, II, III and recognise the difference and remember all the details big and small, I just got all kinds of confused especially when it jumped around the timeline to fill in blanks, anyone else honestly struggled to keep track.

[@brandocalrissian3294]

​@@Nottz4Lyf18yeah, the family names certainly don't make it easy, and definitely make you pay attention to every name uttered. The jaeharys part is my personal favorite. That's the bulk of the book, and the part that actually felt the most like a real story to me other than just a "history book".

[@Nottz4Lyf18]

@@brandocalrissian3294 same here i got to the jaehaerys and groaned (god knows why because i didn’t know anything about him, maybe it was just the part i was enjoying was finished) but yeah his whole family intrigued me very much, and i probably felt more invested in them and contemplated more about the lore, i think that part is what pushed me to get the world of ice and fire book but also made me disappointed that house of the dragon wasn’t about that because his kids had such interesting lives

[@austinmoore1113]

I just read this book for the first time a few weeks ago. It was incredible. Damn, now I want to reread the main series.

[@turtleanton6539]

Just do it😊

[@Praetorian_Rex]

I just finished this myself the other day. I absolutely loved it! GRRM writes so brilliantly and the world of A Song of Ice and Fire is so easy to get immersed in for me. I hope volume two will be released soon.

[@upchuckles243]

This book was way more fun to read than I thought it was going to be. Very psyched for the show.

[@williampdozier]

Love your stuff. I didn’t make my own book-focused channel until recently, but your reviews stick out as the best I watched when I was in college. Been a pleasure to see your audience grow!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks so much!

[@mmurphy3608]

Another epic intro. I was so excited when you said in a previous video that you were going to do an epic intro for this. It’s next up on my tbr. Your video about the show got me more excited for that than I was so I want to read the book, or as much of it as I can, before the show starts.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It’s well worth the investment

[@iWizard]

Great review. I had so much fun chatting about it with you. :)

[@mrsduncanthetall]

Hell yeah the review i was waiting for😍👏👏👏

[@Buchertn]

I am among a few of the folks here who have just recently read Fire and Blood it has given me a better grip on events mentinoed in Song of Ice and Fire which I'm currently reading. It has just made the entier world of Westeros even more engrosing for me and man I simply can't get enough!

[@thelemmiebee]

It’s a book I keep going back to. I’ve reread certain parts of it countless times at this point. TWOW aside this was a treat from GRRM.

[@panzertorte]

Speaking as someone who read Game of Thrones (as in, only book 1 of ASoIaF), watched the first season of the show and then only participated in the fandom as far as seeing gifs pass by on my tumblr dash alongside reading the occasional meta post... I loved this book! As a history nerd and archivist, it was right up my alley.

[@sterlingwbishop]

You need to read the other books-book one sets off a chain of events that you really just need to read for yourself.

[@Uppernorwood976]

Been waiting for this review! I loved reading this and spending time back in the world. I completely agree once you get over the fact it isn’t Winds of Winter, you can enjoy it a lot more for what it is. Also I’d say 5-10% of this is in World of Ice and Fire, the vast majority is new and really adds details to the more minor houses.

[@JLchevz]

Most of it is in TWOIAF but it's much more abriged so F&B feels more like a complete story than a compilation of facts

[@bfd919]

Love the intro. I know it's a lot of work to do it, but it is kinda your thing

[@mikesbookreviews]

It’s fun to do with a series one adores such as this.

[@brentasmith]

I was so glad I decided to read this this year. I should have known how great it would be.

[@svaldez1829]

Really missed your reading excerpts Mike! Most of the time they have been the ones that convinced me to go ahead and read a series!

[@benconlin3557]

I really enjoyed it, read it for the first time this year. Slow in parts but I love delving into the history

[@Cripplerzeist]

I love reading history. This reads very much like Mike Duncan’s Roman history.

[@liammccallion4963]

love hearing you talk about this world! i havent read fire and blood yet so will prob wait till after the show now.

[@angelaholmes8888]

I really enjoyed fire and blood it was one of my favorite books the year it came out 💝

[@J_789]

Wow. You called it perfectly around the 8 minute mark. The show does take its own path at times due to the book’s storytelling being up in the air

[@brandocalrissian3294]

Since the book came out I always suggest that newcomers read the main series first, but when you reread it (which is inevitable) I suggest to go fire and blood, knight of the seven kingdoms then the main series followed by world of ice and fire. All of them are great reads because it's the best, most believable fantasy world ever created. Yes, it's a slightly better realized world than middle earth, and it's still growing. I know I'll get murdered on here for that last statement. I'm 100 pages away from starting A Storm of Swords for the 7th time, so I'm fully immersed in this world again.

[@lightningtiger7721]

Dunk and Egg next! Or maybe World of Ice and Fire.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Right now the plan is the main 5 books. Depending upon the response (it needs to be better than my Tolkien ones have) then I’ll decide on the Knight books and WoI&F.

[@nick_a_93]

You've convinced me, put this one off for ages as a salty ASOIAF fan haha watched this video on lunch today and I'm picking up a copy now to read before the show airs

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy!

[@alynam82]

You answered a question I've been wondering for years. I got this for Christmas the year after it came out, and haven't read ASoIaF books. I've wondered if this could be read prior... but you're right; I perused the beginning and realized this was not an approachable structure, that I should probably wait

[@rick3269]

Awesome video, Mike! George really knows how to write history. 🔥

[@andrewgondek3805]

I loved this book and it’s even better on audio book. It feels likes a history lesson but something that you would love to listen to in school haha

[@JLchevz]

There are quite a few shocks in F&B, some are: (CAREFUL POTENTIAL SPOILERS), The battle of Mud, Blood and Cheese, First and Second Tumbleton, Addam Velaryon (loyal), Rhaenyra arriving in Dragonstone after leaving KL (second time), The Dragonpit, Larys Clubfoot, yeah A LOT lol. If the characters are developed properly this is going go make FANTASTIC television. No doubt. Hopefully HBO takes their time to tell the FULL story properly and give us time to get invested in the characters.

[@anna_rn]

Great review 🔥I have watched the entire series, but have not read the books yet. Thanks for the advice on starting with A Game of Thrones. I was tempted to start with a Song of Ice and Fire but I think it’s best to follow the story chronologically.

[@OfJaggedRisings]

I just finished this and really enjoyed it but as I was watching your video, you mentioned several things that I completely missed and have no idea what you’re talking about 😂 that’s a strong case for rereading.

[@Rendref]

If you allow me a little criticism, the music in the intro when you're reading quotes is way too high. It is hard to keep track of what you're saying there, because music enters the same space and interferes. You can use a sidechain compressor to lower it when you're actually talking.

[@ChristmasLore]

Each and every time...

[@andrew-hf9fl]

I loved it. I think this book did a really good job lending scope to the world. It seems to say: asoiaf is just one tiny sliver of the timeline of westeros. Not even necessarily the most interesting or 'important'. As though you could pick any number of ten year slices and write a seven book series about it.

[@Yoslizzle]

Oh snap. New MBR video up!!!

[@juanbarrera1356]

So would it be a mistake to start with this book? If I haven’t read any of the GoT books

[@miuyiyuyo]

the world of ice and fire it's cool for the, set up of the story, like the story of the world etc, when i got the book of fire and blood i red the Targaryen pov, then i when back to the rest of the world.....and i can't wait for the second part of fire and blood books

[@jp-st8vn]

Is it a short story collection?

[@Stewart000]

Great video! Looking forward to the HBO show & your after show. I'm halfway through reading the Fire & Blood- Struggling with the lack of narrative. I think that is going to make watching the HBO show even more enjoyable.

[@JLchevz]

F&B VOL. II (when and if it ever comes out) it's gonna be much better than this first volume because: We get more politics and less dragons (which some people enjoy more and that's fine), Baelor the Blessed was wacky, Aegon the Unworthy (IV) was even crazier and he fathered a ton of bastards and caused the Blackfyre rebellions which are in my opinion THE MOST interesting bit of history in Westeros (Daemon Blackfyre, Bittersteel, Bloodraven, just a ton of extremely interesting characters) and then of course comes D&E and the history of how Egg became king and Dunk in the Kingsguard aand Maester Aemon and then Robert etc. But that's gonna be so close to the main series and the D&E stories that we can't possibly get F&B because it would be too revealing of those two, but he could keep it vague. Oh well, let's wait.

[@galeendersby4612]

Once GRRM finishes (hopefully) the main series, is there a case for a re-do of the last two tv seasons of GOT ? Is it possible George might purposefully completely change what we saw on the tv series, just to make a point?

[@mmurphy3608]

I’m confused-how is the dance with dragons a thing before the book A Dance with Dragons?

[@MattonBooks]

EPIC intro mate! 🤘🏻😀🤘🏻 I’m totally on the HotD train, and you’ve now put this on my TBR when I can get around to a ASoIaF re-read. Maybe in 2025 after my Malazeverything Re/read. 😆

[@MattonBooks]

And I think the ASoIaF plural pronoun is “Ice & Fire Singers.” 😜

[@madisongoodyear5040]

So glad I finally read this! Great review ❤

[@akellerhouse83]

That's funny. I bought this book like 2 years ago and it's been sitting unread beside my bed ever since. I finally picked it up last night and read about 50 pages before bed. It was WAY better than I expected. I'm going to finish it before the show comes out.

[@angelaholmes8888]

Yes the book is so great

[@benconlin3557]

Btw Mike have you ever read GRRM outside of ASOIAF? Fevre Dream is great and I’m currently reading Armageddon Rag which I think you’d like, has Stephen King vibes and a strong 60’s rock band theme

[@turtleanton6539]

Yeah this book is really good 😌😌

[@samuelbird7151]

Completely off topic to this but lately you're diving into historical fiction and I hope you read Blood Meridian by Cormack Mccarthy at some point it's my favourite novel and I really enjoy your reviews ultimately I just want to see you gobsmacked by this wonderful piece of Southern Gothic art so that followers of your channel who havent already may also get to experience it

[@Dj_Real_Eyes_Open]

"A Song of Mike and Reviews" by Mike's Book Reviews

[@RodgersReads]

Yeah after reading AGOT in July FaB is very different. It's interesting to see all of the things that led to the creation of the iron throne and whatnot but some plotlines feel like they are re-used from the main series. Which while I can see cyclical things happening sometimes it feels a little rehashed IMO.

[@eyesonindie]

Such a helpful video - thank you! I started reading the series in 2004 - a little after you, but still before HBO 🤣I remember even back then (2004, 2005), every time I was reading the books in public (on the train, in a coffee shop) someone would stop me and say, "Those books are AMAZING!!). I've never had that happen with any other book.

[@mikesbookreviews]

There was a small but fiercely loyal fan base prior to HBO.

[@thepagesofsamantha]

I haven't read the a song of ice and fire series. can I technically read this book first or do I need to have read the series first? I know it's a prequel but... you honestly never know

[@Ulmo90]

I want to read this before the show, I'm just unsure of if I can squeez it in

[@omarfoxdie6720]

Is better to read this one first, or the world of ice and fire?

[@Navjotbenipal18]

Same question 😭😭

[@andrewgondek3805]

Listen to fire and blood…it’s 26 hours but it’s worth it

[@genghisgalahad8465]

I’ll hold off and rather wait instead for the sequel: “Blood & Ashes” by Rand Al’Thor!

[@turtleanton6539]

Great

[@marta7530]

I love the book 🤍 so detailed

[@mikesbookreviews]

Correct

[@DaneofHalves]

I ask this everywhere but I'm curious to know what you think about Aerea Targaryen and Balerion the Black Dread and what may have happened to them. To me this is the biggest mystery of the book. Septon Barth's account of what happened is just not enough to sate my curiosity and I haven't found anything on KZbin from GRRM talking about it. WHERE DID THEY GO FOR A YEAR THAT NO ONE IN WESTEROES OR ESSOS ever saw a hint of the biggest dragon alive???? WHERE? What the hell happened to Aerea that she died such a horrible way and what the hell could do that much damage to Balerion? I need answers! LOL 🤣🤔

[@billyalarie929]

>”the family tree goes straight up” Is that bc of all the incest?

[@Pekmatyi]

Enjoyed the book while reading, it was forgetable for me tho😬 the duncan and egg stories are much better☝️

[@scottrobbins9372]

Can we do a reread of game of thrones

[@blueberrycomics]

Is it only me but does fire and blood seem like the silmarillion of westeros?

[@nikk345]

Aegon's Conquest is great but it feels like it was so one-sided (apart from Dorne) that it wouldn't have much suspense for a T.V show. Just finished reading this myself and loved it. Now I am re-reading the Dunk & Egg stories and may go back to re-reading the main series after :)

[@bettinanielsen6336]

Imagine if he wrote a book about the mysteries in the North. Imagine if he elaborated on the Others and the children of the forest. Imagine if we knew juuust a little more about that. Instead of regurgitating the sacred dragon stories. Imagine if we heard about the rest of Westeros without the Targaryans. Or, shock and horror... Ashai by the Shadow. Imagine that. Then I wouldn't be so disappointed about never getting Winds of Winter. I am so over these bloody dragons. And this is why I was grumpy when this book was published. I mean, Targaryans? Again`? Really? Is this an inside joke?

[@petrisiven]

He did. World of Ice and Fire.

[@iggydaking9117]

The Winds of Winter.

[@kekwirsching]

Could no finish it the last 100 pages lost me.

[@oliviawilliams6204]

Aegon conquest wouldn’t be a good show, it’s way too one sided.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Sure, I think it would make a better 2-hour movie.

[@markf3521]

Bro moon lol

[@danielw8620]

ugggghgghghghghgh ur spoiling this "theres a scene like the red wedding" that's a major spoiler cmon mike as someone who knows nothing about it your not supposed to mention PIVOTAL moments of the story so now I know in the trailer where she says "they will see you as you are as you are (as her cousin or whatever holds a knife over her" is the red wedding scene, prior I wasn't sure if she was surrounded and going to be fine like her dragon comes and saves the day but now I know that is the red wedding scene

[@mrlaw2729]

It actually was not you whiny crybaby