When I heard that GRRM was writing a book about the Targaryen dynasty that ruled Westeros from the time of Aegon upto the the Mad King, I was a little dismayed and slightly annoyed. Why can’t Martin just finish the next book? Why is he tackling another project???
Well, after finishing the book, which is only part one, I am happy he wrote it. The book was fantastic. It is told as if it is a history book about the Targaryen rise and fall. The maester writing it gives us multiple sources and different accounts of events. Granted, this may not be for everyone, but as a history fan, this is exactly what I love.
So much of the history helps set up the events of GOT (or especially the events before GOT, such as Robert’s Rebellion). For example, how did the dragons eggs end up in Pentos? Well, that is explained by events that happened almost 300 years prior to Daenerys obtaining them.
If you enjoy the books (or if you like the show and also love history), then you should definitely check this one out. And now, here are some of the cool things from the book…
-Aerea Targaryen (daughter of Prince Aegon & Princess Rhaena) took Balerion (Aegon the Conqueror’s dragon) and disappeared. It is thought the dragon took her home (Balerion was the last dragon born on Valyria). When they returned to Westeros, Aerea was very sick. The maester that tried to heal her saw her fever get to the point that she was cooked from the inside. Then, wriggling worm-like things escaped from her body and the maester killed them. It was also said that Balerion had a giant wound on his side. Whatever is in Valyria now is pretty damn scary.
-Queen Alysanne (the wife of Jaehaerys I) flew her dragon, Silverwing, to the North. She eventually went to the Wall to visit the Night’s Watch. While there, she tried to have Silverwing fly over the Wall, but the dragon would not. Silverwing was either scared or physically unable. Interesting…
-Jacaerys Velaryon (he was the grandson of King Viserys) went to Winterfell to secure the support for his mother during the succession war (known as The Dance of the Dragons), he became friends with Cregan Stark and it was rumored that Jace gave Lord Stark a clutch of dragon eggs that his dragon (Vermax) laid in the crypt. This is one of many instances where dragon eggs were rumored to have been gifted to someone. The Hightowers and the Arryns also were mentioned to have received eggs. Crazy to think there could be unhatched eggs still out there. Maybe when everything is concluded, we will learn that these eggs have quickened and dragons will be plentiful in Westeros again.
-The Dance of the Dragons was pretty sad. Hearing about all of the dragons dying. At that point, after King Jaehaerys and Viserys, it seemed like there were a ton of dragons…and then after that we only have a few left. One of which was never seen again (Nettles and her dragon, Sheepstealer)…could there be another dragon out there?
-When the Shepherd stormed the Dragonpit to kill the dragons, there were stories told that he killed Syrax (or at least the holy man summoned a 30 foot tall knight made of smoke, who killed the dragon with a single stroke of his black blade). This was probably a fanciful story…although, it does sound like some other smoke monster we met before…
-Where are all the Valyrian Steel blades? Specifically Dark Sister and Blackfyre? Are they lost? Yes, I realize I could look it up on a GOT wiki, but I want to wait for the next book to see where they went (or will they turn up somewhere?).
-And finally. GRRM has a sense of humor. He mentions Grover Tully and says that his son, Elmo Tully. I laughed a little bit, but thought that maybe GRRM and Sesame Street named the characters after some famous historical figures. However, then GRRM takes it one step further. When Elmo Tully dies, his son takes his place. Kermit Tully. Kermit and his younger brother, Oscar. Kermit is said to be a green boy when it comes to war, and Oscar, being a typical second son, has a somewhat disagreeable disposition. I seriously cracked up when I heard that part. Turns out that GRRM wanted to pay homage to Sesame Street (the show did a great Game of Chairs bit that was funny and cool).
