Emma answers “Does anyone know if this book is supposed...”

Harmony asked this question about Fire & Blood (A Targaryen History, #1):

Does anyone know if this book is supposed to read like a novel or more like a history text book?

Emma Having majored in history, I must say this is a boring mono-causal history book, in which everything as caused by human strivings, like will to power.…moreHaving majored in history, I must say this is a boring mono-causal history book, in which everything as caused by human strivings, like will to power. For a history book it's primitive and old fashioned. Histories these days have more layers, more overall arcs, more angles and are far more interesting. In this book there are no long arcs, it's just one Targaryen wanting power after another. And then.... and then ... and then..... It is also full of names of secondary card board characters that only occur once or twice, so that you cannot and do not want to remember them all, after which you drown in a sea of names.

So, as a narrative it fails too. Besides the point mentioned above, it's got head hopping (frequent PoV changes), flimsy characterization, little plot but a fight for dominance, and a paternalistic myogenic flavor seeping through the cracks.) The whole reads like someone discovered GRRM's background notes for ASOIAF and blew some extra air in them for a quick buck.

If you're a Daenarys fan, do not read this book, as it becomes obvious that the vast majority of the Targaryens are a self centered, power hungry bunch, and a scourge that bring little good to Westeros; with one exception nothing more than foreign invaders that force their will with dragons. (less)

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