Fire & Blood (HBO Tie-in Edition)
300 Years Before A Game of Thrones
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $37.88
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Simon Vance
-
Written by:
-
George R. R. Martin
About this listen
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The thrilling history of the Targaryens comes to life in this masterly work, the inspiration for HBO’s upcoming Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon
“The thrill of Fire & Blood is the thrill of all Martin’s fantasy work: familiar myths debunked, the whole trope table flipped.”—Entertainment Weekly
Centuries before the events of A Game of Thrones, House Targaryen—the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria—took up residence on Dragonstone. Fire & Blood begins their tale with the legendary Aegon the Conqueror, creator of the Iron Throne, and goes on to recount the generations of Targaryens who fought to hold that iconic seat, all the way up to the civil war that nearly tore their dynasty apart.
What really happened during the Dance of the Dragons? Why was it so deadly to visit Valyria after the Doom? What were Maegor the Cruel’s worst crimes? What was it like in Westeros when dragons ruled the skies? These are but a few of the questions answered in this essential chronicle, as related by a learned maester of the Citadel and featuring more than eighty all-new black-and-white illustrations by artist Doug Wheatley—including five all-new illustrations exclusive to this edition. Readers have glimpsed small parts of this narrative in such volumes as The World of Ice & Fire, but now, for the first time, the full tapestry of Targaryen history is revealed.
With all the scope and grandeur of Gibbon’s The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Fire & Blood is the the first volume of the definitive two-part history of the Targaryens, giving readers a whole new appreciation for the dynamic, often bloody, and always fascinating history of Westeros.
Includes a bonus PDF of illustrations from the book
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2018 George R. R. Martin (P)2018 Random House AudioYou may also enjoy...
-
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
- A Song of Ice and Fire
- Written by: George R. R. Martin
- Narrated by: Harry Lloyd
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A young, naïve but ultimately courageous hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall towers above his rivals—in stature if not experience. Tagging along is his diminutive squire, a boy called Egg—whose true name is hidden from all he and Dunk encounter. Though more improbable heroes may not be found in all of Westeros, great destinies lay ahead for these two . . . as do powerful foes, royal intrigue, and outrageous exploits. Featuring more than 160 all-new illustrations by Gary Gianni, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a must-have collection that proves chivalry isn’t dead—yet.
-
-
Lacking performance supported by Martin's captivat
- By Anonymous User on 2018-07-20
Written by: George R. R. Martin
-
The Rise of the Dragon
- An Illustrated History of the Targaryen Dynasty, Volume One
- Written by: George R. R. Martin, Elio M. García Jr, Linda Antonsson
- Narrated by: Harry Lloyd
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This lavish visual history—featuring over 180 all-new illustrations—is a stunning introduction to House Targaryen, the iconic family at the heart of HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel series, House of the Dragon.
-
-
Fire and Blood retelling
- By Jose Flores on 2022-10-25
Written by: George R. R. Martin, and others
-
Iron, Fire and Ice
- The Real History That Inspired Game of Thrones
- Written by: Ed West
- Narrated by: Rory Barnett
- Length: 20 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A young pretender raises an army to take the throne. Learning of his father’s death, the adolescent, dashing and charismatic and descended from the old kings of the North, vows to avenge him. He is supported in this war by his mother, who has spirited away her two younger sons to safety. Against them is the queen, passionate, proud, and strong-willed and with more of the masculine virtues of the time than most men. She too is battling for the inheritance of her young son, not yet fully grown but already a sadist who takes delight in watching executions.
-
-
An enjoyable listen
- By Nikki Small on 2020-08-22
Written by: Ed West
-
The Ice Dragon
- Written by: George R.R. Martin
- Narrated by: Maggi Meg Reed
- Length: 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the world of A Song of Ice and Fire, the ice dragon was a creature of legend and fear, for no man had ever tamed one. When it flew overhead, it left in its wake desolate cold and frozen land. But Adara was not afraid. For Adara was a winter child, born during the worst freeze that anyone, even the Old Ones, could remember. Adara could not remember the first time she had seen the ice dragon. It seemed that it had always been in her life, glimpsed from afar as she played in the frigid snow long after the other children had fled the cold.
-
-
Sweet Children’s Book
- By Enelra on 2018-07-24
Written by: George R.R. Martin
-
Dune
- Written by: Frank Herbert
- Narrated by: Scott Brick, Orlagh Cassidy, Euan Morton, and others
- Length: 21 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here is the novel that will be forever considered a triumph of the imagination. Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, who would become the mysterious man known as Maud'dib. He would avenge the traitorous plot against his noble family and would bring to fruition humankind's most ancient and unattainable dream.
-
-
Great story... but inconsistent voices?
- By KT_TO on 2018-01-11
Written by: Frank Herbert
-
The Silmarillion
- Written by: J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien
- Narrated by: Andy Serkis
- Length: 19 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The tales of The Silmarillion are set in an age when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle-earth, and the High Elves made war upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils, the jewels containing the pure light of Valinor. Included on the recording are several shorter works. The Ainulindalë is a myth of the Creation and in the Valaquenta the nature and powers of each of the gods is described. The Akallabêth recounts the downfall of the great island kingdom of Númenor at the end of the Second Age, and Of the Rings of Power tells of the great events at the end of the Third Age.
-
-
The Shaw Recording Is Better
- By Langer MD on 2024-07-08
Written by: J. R. R. Tolkien, and others
-
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
- A Song of Ice and Fire
- Written by: George R. R. Martin
- Narrated by: Harry Lloyd
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A young, naïve but ultimately courageous hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall towers above his rivals—in stature if not experience. Tagging along is his diminutive squire, a boy called Egg—whose true name is hidden from all he and Dunk encounter. Though more improbable heroes may not be found in all of Westeros, great destinies lay ahead for these two . . . as do powerful foes, royal intrigue, and outrageous exploits. Featuring more than 160 all-new illustrations by Gary Gianni, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a must-have collection that proves chivalry isn’t dead—yet.
-
-
Lacking performance supported by Martin's captivat
- By Anonymous User on 2018-07-20
Written by: George R. R. Martin
-
The Rise of the Dragon
- An Illustrated History of the Targaryen Dynasty, Volume One
- Written by: George R. R. Martin, Elio M. García Jr, Linda Antonsson
- Narrated by: Harry Lloyd
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This lavish visual history—featuring over 180 all-new illustrations—is a stunning introduction to House Targaryen, the iconic family at the heart of HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel series, House of the Dragon.
-
-
Fire and Blood retelling
- By Jose Flores on 2022-10-25
Written by: George R. R. Martin, and others
-
Iron, Fire and Ice
- The Real History That Inspired Game of Thrones
- Written by: Ed West
- Narrated by: Rory Barnett
- Length: 20 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A young pretender raises an army to take the throne. Learning of his father’s death, the adolescent, dashing and charismatic and descended from the old kings of the North, vows to avenge him. He is supported in this war by his mother, who has spirited away her two younger sons to safety. Against them is the queen, passionate, proud, and strong-willed and with more of the masculine virtues of the time than most men. She too is battling for the inheritance of her young son, not yet fully grown but already a sadist who takes delight in watching executions.
-
-
An enjoyable listen
- By Nikki Small on 2020-08-22
Written by: Ed West
-
The Ice Dragon
- Written by: George R.R. Martin
- Narrated by: Maggi Meg Reed
- Length: 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the world of A Song of Ice and Fire, the ice dragon was a creature of legend and fear, for no man had ever tamed one. When it flew overhead, it left in its wake desolate cold and frozen land. But Adara was not afraid. For Adara was a winter child, born during the worst freeze that anyone, even the Old Ones, could remember. Adara could not remember the first time she had seen the ice dragon. It seemed that it had always been in her life, glimpsed from afar as she played in the frigid snow long after the other children had fled the cold.
-
-
Sweet Children’s Book
- By Enelra on 2018-07-24
Written by: George R.R. Martin
-
Dune
- Written by: Frank Herbert
- Narrated by: Scott Brick, Orlagh Cassidy, Euan Morton, and others
- Length: 21 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here is the novel that will be forever considered a triumph of the imagination. Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, who would become the mysterious man known as Maud'dib. He would avenge the traitorous plot against his noble family and would bring to fruition humankind's most ancient and unattainable dream.
-
-
Great story... but inconsistent voices?
- By KT_TO on 2018-01-11
Written by: Frank Herbert
-
The Silmarillion
- Written by: J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien
- Narrated by: Andy Serkis
- Length: 19 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The tales of The Silmarillion are set in an age when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle-earth, and the High Elves made war upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils, the jewels containing the pure light of Valinor. Included on the recording are several shorter works. The Ainulindalë is a myth of the Creation and in the Valaquenta the nature and powers of each of the gods is described. The Akallabêth recounts the downfall of the great island kingdom of Númenor at the end of the Second Age, and Of the Rings of Power tells of the great events at the end of the Third Age.
-
-
The Shaw Recording Is Better
- By Langer MD on 2024-07-08
Written by: J. R. R. Tolkien, and others
What the critics say
“A masterpiece of popular historical fiction.” (The Sunday Times)
“[Fire & Blood] explores the dragon-fueled secrets upon which the current saga is built." (Hollywood Reporter)
“[There are] treasures hidden in this new Targaryen history.” (Vanity Fair)
"Martin has done it again.... [Fire & Blood is] a beautiful weaving of the wars, marriages, deaths, dragons, and politics that shape the world Martin has created, leaving the reader feeling like this is a true history rather than a piece of fantasy. This is a masterpiece of world-building.... Beyond Martin’s legions of fans, anyone with a taste for richly, even obsessively detailed historical fiction or fantasy about royalty will enjoy this extraordinary work.” (Booklist, starred review)
“The saga is a rich and dark one, full of both the title’s promised elements....It’s hard not to thrill to the descriptions of dragons engaging in airborne combat, or the dilemma of whether defeated rulers should ‘bend the knee,’ ‘take the black’ and join the Night’s Watch, or simply meet an inventive and horrible end.” (The Guardian)
What listeners say about Fire & Blood (HBO Tie-in Edition)
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Langer MD
- 2018-12-15
Quite good history of the Targaryens
This is more a genealogy and does not live up to Martin's work in the Song of Ice and Fire series. Interesting for certain and it is nice to get into the Westerosi world again, but the continuation of his other (classic) series is awaited
I miss Dotrice, though Vance is excellent. This book rates 7.5 stars out of 10.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Brandon
- 2023-02-16
It's worth the slow start
Simon Vance is perfect as the narrator. I wish the show HOTD would've started a bit earlier in the timeline. If you find the beginning boring or really dislike the Targaryens like me, try to stick with it a little longer there's some great stuff later on. Not as good as asoiaf but a good, if a little rushed, backstory to the rulers of Westeros.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Danny
- 2022-10-20
Absolutely Fantastic
I loved it. After suffering through the first hour, maybe two the reading VASTLY improved.
Amazing
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
- Kitty Huebner
- 2020-02-23
fantastic!
I absolutely loved this book. loved it enough that I'm currently on my second listen. Simon Vance is a wonderful narrator with a voice that's really soothing.
I am eagerly awaiting volume 2!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jetsam42
- 2024-08-25
written like an anthology, it still reads like a story
There's a lot to follow through this collection of historical tellings. Some things repeat and some only seem to because the character names are reused. However the more you listen then more you can piece together and he rest is left to the imagination of the reader as these are "just the facts" from just a few perspectives.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mog
- 2022-08-22
Are we maesters now?!
It was a fun semi-tabloid historical recount of the 7 kingdoms and how they came to be while under the rule of the house Targaeryan(?)
Some may not enjoy this one as much as the other George R. R. Martin GoT books because it's written like a history book rather than a novel, but I found it to be all the more interesting for it!
Simon Vance gave a wonderful performance as the maester who is supposed to have written all the historical events in the book and really made me feel like I was studying some incredibly magical and frankly bloody violent history, postmarked with magic and betrayal.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sarah
- 2019-07-11
Really enjoyable
I was fascinated by the Targaryens and their dragons so I really liked this book however it is written like a history text book so if that’s not your thing you might not like it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mihalis
- 2022-11-09
Fascinating
Brilliantly performed. The work itself is intriguing, moving, and (usually) gripping. I only wish we could spend more time with these characters!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nathalie McKean
- 2022-12-16
Great book for HOD fans
Amazing stories of the Targaryen lineage from Aegon conqueror to Aegon 3.
Tons of action and drama that covers before and after HOD. Only hard part is to follow the many characters of each succession. Targaryens all use the same names for their children.
Wish it continued or there was a second novel that leads up to the mad king. I want to learn more about their history!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Customer
- 2023-01-26
Simon Vance nails it
Vance superbly narrates the story in character, and very much comes across as a learned maester teaching us, the listener, about the Targaryen dynasty. The immersive narration, compounded by Martin’s impressive as always prose, makes this a must-have for any reader vested in the lore. I’ve listened to this book every day for the better part of a month, and it’s been an absolute pleasure.
Buyer beware, this book is NOT a mainline ASOIAF novel, it is not billed as such, nor advertised as such. Other reviews mention they found this “boring”, and it is in large part due to wrong expectations. This has always been billed as a “fake history” book, and in that, it succeeds in spades, being both entertaining and informative on the lore of the world.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!