kellyschmidt55's review
I'll return to this book when I'm focusing on the GoT world again.
itsyeboy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
spiffysarahruby's review against another edition
5.0
I FINALLY FINISHED THIS BOOK!!!
It really only took me so long because it's a HEAVY tome (my kitchen scale says it's 3.5lbs), and large, so it not exactly a comfortable book to curl up with for long periods of time.
However, it is still GORGEOUS, and contains a ton of supplementary material to further enrich your knowledge and appreciation of George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire saga.
Apparently this book is available in audio format. I haven't listened to it, but still couldn't possibly recommended going that route with this book as there are lots of maps and pictures that you really need to see to get the full experience of this book.
It was totally worth the time it took to read.
It really only took me so long because it's a HEAVY tome (my kitchen scale says it's 3.5lbs), and large, so it not exactly a comfortable book to curl up with for long periods of time.
However, it is still GORGEOUS, and contains a ton of supplementary material to further enrich your knowledge and appreciation of George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire saga.
Apparently this book is available in audio format. I haven't listened to it, but still couldn't possibly recommended going that route with this book as there are lots of maps and pictures that you really need to see to get the full experience of this book.
It was totally worth the time it took to read.
sonofatreus's review against another edition
4.0
All around, a lot of fun to read. Written from the perspective of Yandel, a maester of the Citadel, to Tommen, this book really fleshes out the world from and in which the series is set. It does a great job explaining most regions of Westeros; the worst treatment is the Riverlands, and my only complaint is that it was too short of a section. It also helps to understand the differences in culture, both within Westeros but also in Essos, the Southern Isles and beyond. This makes the constant fighting in GRRM's world more understandable.
What I didn't like mostly stems from how it's written — from Yandel's perspective. This means parts of the story can be explicitly glossed over, because someone else (in the world) has written about it; unfortunately for the reader, we don't live in Yandel's world. Also, it means certain sections (the Dance of Dragons) don't get a well-outlined discussion, but an almost abbreviated one, because the stories are so well known in-world.
My last complaint is that some cities are only ever mentioned in passing that play a major part in ASOIAF, namely the slaver cities. These have been a big part of Dany's story and I was looking forward to reading about their histories and cultures only to find they don't ever receive a full treatment and are only ever name dropped.
Still, all in all, a fun read for fans of ASOIAF. It has all the best parts of the series (the world building, the political intrigue, the dragons) with none of the worst (feasting and sex scenes).
What I didn't like mostly stems from how it's written — from Yandel's perspective. This means parts of the story can be explicitly glossed over, because someone else (in the world) has written about it; unfortunately for the reader, we don't live in Yandel's world. Also, it means certain sections (the Dance of Dragons) don't get a well-outlined discussion, but an almost abbreviated one, because the stories are so well known in-world.
My last complaint is that some cities are only ever mentioned in passing that play a major part in ASOIAF, namely the slaver cities. These have been a big part of Dany's story and I was looking forward to reading about their histories and cultures only to find they don't ever receive a full treatment and are only ever name dropped.
Still, all in all, a fun read for fans of ASOIAF. It has all the best parts of the series (the world building, the political intrigue, the dragons) with none of the worst (feasting and sex scenes).
darkmagician12's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
electrozombie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
masonanddixon's review against another edition
3.0
Beautiful art, kinda boring. Like the Domesday Book for nonacademic HBO types.
viivacious's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.75
It was a pretty fun read, very informative, but it could get a little dense and exhausting at times. It was very long, but interesting enough to keep one reading.
leonietjeuh's review against another edition
2.0
Cash grab with pretty pictures. (Are they AI generated?)
Doesn't seem to contain much new information, wanted to learn about the children of the forest, the Doom of Valyria, the Rhoynar, Braavos, and mostly, Asshai by the Shadow. The mysteries surrounding these in AOSIAF are not in any way resolved, explained, or expanded in this book - what we already knew and didn't know is just repeated here.
I've read a lot of Martin's work and am wondering if he actually wrote the text in this book because the writing is awful and doesn't feel like him.
Did I mention the pictures are pretty? Especially Valyria. Valyria is pretty.
Doesn't seem to contain much new information, wanted to learn about the children of the forest, the Doom of Valyria, the Rhoynar, Braavos, and mostly, Asshai by the Shadow. The mysteries surrounding these in AOSIAF are not in any way resolved, explained, or expanded in this book - what we already knew and didn't know is just repeated here.
I've read a lot of Martin's work and am wondering if he actually wrote the text in this book because the writing is awful and doesn't feel like him.
Did I mention the pictures are pretty? Especially Valyria. Valyria is pretty.
grandmoffgavin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0