George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" trilogy took the book-industry by storm, selling millions of copies and reinventing the fantasy genre. Most would agree that Martin's vast success can be attributed to his holistic storytelling approach, incorporating rich lore and imaginative histories.
Martin continues to cultivate this project with his next work, "The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones" by Elio M. García Jr., George R.R. Martin, and Linda Anntonsson. The novel takes up the task of expanding on these histories, and presenting readers with a deeper knowledge of the ancient tales of Westeros. Suffice it to say, readers were pleased when they learned of Martin's decision to further detail this flavorful world of Ice and Fire.
The first portions of the project focus primarily on the histories before Aegon the Conqueror and the Reign of Targaryen Kings. As such, readers are given insightful details on the centuries of Westerosi history, involving major houses, their leaders, and the players in the Game of Thrones.
The book progresses to further recount the history of the Targaryen household, and its reign in Westeros. For book readers and show watchers alike, this section is staggering- with an enormous amount of detail on the countless leaders who have all worked in succession to paint the colourful history of Targaryen rule.
Final portions of the book are dedicated to specific regions in Westeros and their cultural background. It is quite spectacular to read through the rich accounts of history, and to diversify your mind learning about the many peoples of Westeros. Each culture is different from the other, with their experiences having shaped the core of their identity as a people. Martin conveys these rich cultural contrasts in his work, and it is a pleasure as a reader to learn about them.
While a majority of this information is passed down from the Song of Ice and Fire trilogy, this book offers a plethora of eye-opening illustrations. I can honestly say that the art brought a whole new facet of imagination to my experience as a reader, and brought new light to many familiar characters, locations, and landscapes across Westeros.
It's true that this book is only written in part by Martin, and while this is noticeable as a reader, I felt that the other authors did a fantastic job with carrying on Martin's vision. Their contributions seem to have shaped the book in so many positive ways, and along with Martin, their work has brought an even more colorful depiction of the world fans have come to love so dearly.
If I were to file a complaint about this novel, I might have to say that at times, it felt more like a textbook than a fantasy novel. The dense collection of information is certainly something I appreciate as a reader, but the book may not appeal to all types of readers. I would recommend the novel more to readers of ASOIAF, rather than those who have simply watching the 'Game of Thrones' TV series.
Overall, if you're familiar with the Westerosi universe, and are a prior fan of Martin's work, I certainly think that this book will strike your enjoyment. Martin presents readers with countless rich histories and depictions; and coupled with fantastic art from more than a dozen skilled artists, this novel makes for a truly unforgettable read!
Reviewer's Grade Level: 10