Gods of Thrones: A Pilgrim's Guide to the Religions of Ice and Fire

by A. Ron Hubbard, Anthony Le Donne

Why is Tyrion hated by the gods? Does Dany have a messiah complex? Can Bran manipulate timelines? What would Nietzsche think about Jaime's morality? These are just a few of the questions answered in Gods of Thrones . Applying the study of religion, sociology, and history, this book offers a fresh take on the religious landscape of Ice and Fire. Advance praise for 'Gods of Thrones'... “Bursting with insight and full of japes, this book will teach you much and more. 'Gods of Thrones' will deepen your experience of the novels and remind you why you loved them in the first place. Clearly, these guys drink and know things.”
— Chad Carmichael, PhD Professor of Philosophy
Indiana University–Purdue University, Indianapolis “This work is a must-read for fans of the show . . . I wish I had had 'Gods of Thrones' available as a companion book when teaching my 'Game of Thrones' course last year.”
— Gregory D. Webster, PhDProfessor of Psychology
University of Florida “True to form, A.Ron and Anthony blend entertaining wit with their significant real world and in-universe knowledge to produce a remarkably enjoyable tour through the religions of 'Game of Thrones'.”— Jim JonesCo-host, Bald Move

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion

188 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2018

Reviews

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious analysis

This book was so fun to read. Great analyses (in regards to both the book and the show) and incredible humor.

[Anthony Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gods of Thrones co-authored by A. Ron Hubbard (from my home town) and Anthony Le Donne (we share the same first name, so he's cool) is a fun romp through Game of Thrones, both the books and television series. This is the first of two volumes. Each chapter deals with a particular religious theme where it lists it's distinctive elements and key adherents. They are then further divided into sections where we have a travel guide (yes, it describes the scenery in various parts of the world of Thrones), deep drive into particular subjects, historical backdrops that are always informative, various fan theories, and end's each with a bird's eye view. Each chapter also contains many notes for further investigation and some really well done art and photographs.

Just to give you a taste of what you can expect, this is from the travel guide from chapter 1,

"The snowcaps and slopes of the North have attracted adventurous tourists for millennia. Ancient woods, glistening tundra, and the fjords—oh, the fjords! But while the gelid beauty of the North is inviting, many Southerners find the culture difficult to navigate. Everything you’ve heard about these Portlandia savages beyond the Wall is true, and they’re committed to keeping the Lands of Always Winter weird. The North is rife with militant musicians, feral feminists, and astral-bodied arborists. You’re more likely to find a shaman than a shower. They call themselves the Free Folk and they don’t kneel unless it’s to scalp a crow. Wildlings are crazy-go-nuts for crow killing. So in packing your holiday wardrobe, avoid taking the black."

This book is a real treat and I can't wait for volume 2.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rare it is that upon finishing a book do I feel smarter for having read it. This one did just that. The vocabulary was exquisite. The inside jokes and cultural references many, but I almost felt like I was in the “in” crowd, since I watch GoT. I appreciated the flow of the points being presented and often I was left craving more. I’m so looking forward to volume 2.

[Ben Macleod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, looking forward to volume 2. This book does a great job tying in real world religions and history to explain the religions of Westeros and vice versa. No spoilers here but, if you’re not caught up through season 7 of the TV show or done with book 5 of GoT series, might want to finish those first.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun and interesting exploration of the fictional religions in Game of Thrones. It's almost certain to teach the reader something about ancient and medieval religions while connecting fans of the books and show to their favorite characters.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written and definitely brought some GOT entertainment to a inter void. Looking forward to volume 2.

[Maggie Paulin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love A. Ron's podcast covering GoT - and I think his insight on how religions shape this world is astute. It's a great mix of lore and philosophy.

[Jackie Duck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. As introspective and entertaining as the Bald Move podcasts and additionally informative thanks to the expertise of Anthony Le Donne. It's a shame that they gave the writing of this more thought than D&D seemed to give the ending of season 8 but this was also a nice reminder of many ways that Game of Thrones/ASOIAF was successful and compelling in spite of its faults. Religion is a really interesting lens to view this series through and A. Ron and Anthony do a great job at highlighting the many facets of the ways the different religions impact the world and characters of Westeros and Essos.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Witty & clever look at the world of game of thrones!

A fun and quick read if you're looking for something to fill the void left by the end of the show. I'm a big fan of Jim & A.Ron's podcast on BaldMove and this book feels like friends doing a deep dive into all sorts of fun topics that the show didn't have enough time or writer interest to explore. Loved it!