BOOK REVIEW: Fire & Blood by George R.R, Martin

Published 9:30 am Saturday, December 15, 2018

Imagine J.R.R. Tolkien releasing “The Silmarillion” before finishing “The Return of the King,” the final book in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

Then, imagine Tolkien and his publishers saying he’d get to the end of “The Lord of the Rings” when he feels like it but enjoy this massive background of the Middle Earth until he does.

Hard to imagine.

But that’s the proper analogy for “Fire & Blood,” George R.R. Martin’s latest book.

It is a sprawling history of the dragon-riding Targaryen Dynasty. Written similar to the text of a history book, it details the rise of the Westeros empire. It shares the origins of the Iron Throne and more.

All important elements of “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, better known by the title of the first novel, “A Game of Thrones.”

Yes, Martin has released a 700-page history book while his epic “Game of Thrones” remains incomplete. 

Fans have been waiting years for the sixth book.

“Game of Thrones,” the HBO television show, had to move on without the novels. The series will conclude with a final season in 2019, without the benefit of Martin finishing the books.

And while it’s tempting to be frustrated with Martin’s pace, then his being distracted with a fictional history book, “Fire & Blood” is immensely readable and insightful for fans.

Like “Game of Thrones,” it follows a vast cast of epic characters strengthened by their abilities and flawed by their foibles. There’s a lot of grey in “Fire & Blood.”

One cannot stay mad at Martin for long. He gives readers another massive book of interest. And without him, well, we’d have no “Game” at all.