REVIEWS

FIRE AND BLOOD by George R.R. Martin Harper Voyager, £25, ebook £11.99

FIRE And Blood tells the epic tale of how the Targaryen kings united Westeros under the Iron Throne.

The history is a departure in style from the Game Of Thrones books, as the tale is narrated by Citadel cleric Archmaester Gyldayn, aided by other officially sanctified sources and, the earthy and sardonic verdict of the court fool.

But the step back in time to the founding of the Targaryen dynasty is more than just an interesting diversion from the more recent events in George RR

Martin’s Westeros, it’s a terrific expansion of the fantasy world.

It’s not without its faults, mainly the uneven treatment of some aspects of the story but, overall, it’s an enthralling read. From the moment Aegon the Conqueror leaves the Targaryen island of Dragonstone (with said dragons), advising the warring rulers of the kingdom to bend the knee or die,