Last update : 12/19/24
Author : George R. R. Martin
Length : 26h24
Narrated by : Simon Vance
Category : Action & Adventure
Possibility of free reading : YES
In the epochs preceding the narrative of A Game of Thrones, House Targaryen, the lone family of dragonlords to endure the Doom of Valyria, settled on Dragonstone. Fire & Blood embarks on their story with the illustrious Aegon the Conqueror, the founder of the Iron Throne, and proceeds to narrate the lineage of Targaryens who strived to maintain control over that emblematic seat, right up to the internal strife that nearly fragmented their dynasty.
What truly occurred during the Dance of the Dragons? Why was it perilous to venture to Valyria following the Doom? What were the most heinous acts of Maegor the Cruel? What was the state of Westeros when dragons were the rulers of the sky? These are merely a handful of the queries addressed in this crucial chronicle, as told by an erudite maester of the Citadel, accompanied by more than eighty novel black-and-white illustrations by artist Doug Wheatley, inclusive of five exclusive to this edition. Readers have seen fragments of this narrative in works such as The World of Ice & Fire, but it is only now that the entire narrative of Targaryen history is disclosed.
With a scope and splendor akin to Gibbon’s The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Fire & Blood is the initial volume of the definitive duology recounting the history of the Targaryens, affording readers a fresh perspective on the dynamic, frequently bloody, and ceaselessly captivating history of Westeros.
I just listened go the Fire & Blood audiobook! It was amazing I cant wait for S2. So many awesome plot points like how the dragon eggs ended up in the free cities.
— Jon💚 (@PadawanJon) December 11, 2023
Embark on a journey through the tumultuous history of the Targaryen dynasty in "Fire & Blood" by George R. R. Martin. Spanning over 26 hours, this epic tale is masterfully narrated by Simon Vance, who brings to life the fire, dragons, and intrigue that defined the ancestors of Daenerys and Jon Snow.
Experience this vast narrative with a free trial period. You can cancel the subscription at any time, and the audiobook will remain in your collection even after the trial period ends or if the subscription is canceled.
For detailed information on how to cancel, please refer to the guide available at the bottom of this page. Delve into the early days of Westeros and witness the rise and fall of legendary dragons and their dragonlords.
George R. R. Martin’s "Fire & Blood," an extensive chronicle of House Targaryen, takes listeners back 300 years before the events of "A Game of Thrones," offering a detailed and rich history that sets the foundation for the world we came to know in the original series. The audiobook, narrated by Simon Vance, brings to life the complex and often brutal saga of the Targaryen dynasty with exceptional clarity and engagement.
The audiobook spans the rise and reign of the Targaryens, starting with Aegon the Conqueror's unification of the Seven Kingdoms under the Iron Throne and proceeding through generations of political intrigue, wars, and family strife. Vance's narration captures the grandeur and gravity of these events, making the extensive timeline accessible and enthralling. His performance particularly shines in the portrayal of the numerous battles and the intense, often conflicting personalities within the Targaryen lineage.
One of the notable strengths of "Fire & Blood" is its format. Structured as a historical account written by a maester of the Citadel, it provides a pseudo-academic perspective that adds depth and credibility to the fantastical elements. The inclusion of a PDF with illustrations enhances this experience, giving listeners visual context for the detailed descriptions of key events and characters. The historical style, reminiscent of Gibbon’s "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," helps to ground the narrative in a sense of realism despite its mythical content.
However, the audiobook is not without its challenges. Some listeners might find the extensive genealogies and the intricate political details overwhelming or slow-paced. The nature of the content, being more historical recounting than traditional narrative, can occasionally feel dense and meticulous, which might not appeal to all fans of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. Yet, for those who appreciate Martin's world-building and are eager to delve deeper into the lore of Westeros, "Fire & Blood" offers a treasure trove of information and storytelling.