![]() The approach adopted by GRRM is that of wearing the hat ( or the chains of a Maester of the Citadel to be more precise) of a chronicler recording the key events in contrast to the POV approach readers are familiar with in the ASOIAF and dunk and egg series. The opening lines which describe the dance of the dragons as the "Most Tragic Bloodletting" is most definitely not and understatement and makes the war of the five kings comparable to a scuffle. While the details of the confrontations between the two factions: the greens and the blacks are quite frequently and predictably violent they at times lack the emotional impact of the ASOIAF series as the focus shifts from one battlefield to the next giving the reader no time to reflect. While I think that this has been done deliberately keeping to the character of a maester writing a ponderous tome, GRRM's genious shines through by interlacing it with a few tender moments such as the battle between Aemond & Daemon and the parting of Aemon with his wife who he will never see again. This style of writing to my mind resonates with Homer's Iliad and Tolkiens Children of Hurin. I was also pleased with the treatment of the dragon seed; bastard and low born offspring who possess Targeryen blood. GRRM is not naive to think that characters will not inhabit there stereo types. Ie; dragon seed such as Hugh Hammer and Ulf the white behaving in a treacherous manner while in contrast others such as Addam of Hull act valorously. Also I like the fact that GRRM acknowledges the destructive power of dragons and the pivotal role they play in reversing the tide of battle as witnessed at the disaster of the Honeywine. Fans of dragons would be excited by the uninhibited portrayal of them as pure engines of destruction and chaos while the romanticized view of knights as dragon slayers seem to be less true as the most successful instances of dragon slaying in the novel seems to be done by other dragons and the mob of flea bottom. Reading some of the passages seem like a role call for all the noble houses of Westeros where an appendix containing the timeline of the events and the principal characters would have been very welcome. This problem is further compounded by the similarity of names of the Targeryens such as Daeron, Daemon, Aemond which makes it very difficult to keep track of. But in hindsight this was a precursor to fleshing out the characters more fully in the world of Ice and fire novels. I was also expecting a deeper insight into the motivations of Ser Criston Cole :the kingmaker given Jaimie's interest in the ASOIAF series. Apart from pursuing supporting Queen Alicent to crown her Aegon son over his elder sister Rhaenyra, I Was quite surprised that the kingmaker played a less pivotal role than I had expected with regard to the events which led up to the dance with dragons. Overall a great addition to the Westeros Canon. Book details - Goodreads
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December 2023
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