A comprehensive look into the sources of inspiration for the grand A Song of Ice and Fire series may be found in Tom Huddleston's book The Worlds of George R.R. Martin. This book delves into the creative process of short story author George R.R. Martin, who created a vast and complex fantasy universe. Huddleston looks at the literary works, historical occurrences, and individual experiences that shaped Martin's conception of his intricately developed cosmos. This book explores the range of influences that inspired one of the most recognisable modern fantasy novels, from the Roman Empire and the Wars of the Roses to several mythologies and Martin's personal life. Ideal for those who are keen to discover the complexities of Martin's epic storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing group for this ARC. This is 100% my honest review.
Acute little book that gives great insight into GRRM and his inspiration. Great for fans of both the books and show.

The Worlds of George R.R. Martin is an in-depth bringing together of the enormous range of inspirations behind Martin’s work ­– from historical borrowings as wide-ranging as the Roman empire, the Wars of the Roses and the Mongol conquests, to diverse literary and mythological texts, and Martin’s own family experience and biography.

Thank you Quarto Publishing Group & Netgalley for the digital ARC! I wanted to read this book because I enjoyed reading the books and watching the TV show. I enjoyed reading this book and looking at the pictures that are included in the book. This book is perfect for Game Of Thrones fans. If you are a Game Of Thrones fan then read this book when it goes on sale September 24.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an E-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. I really loved this book. I love Game of Thrones so as soon as I saw this was available to request I leapt on it. I feel like this book was very well informed. I liked how the book was split into parts and had a chapter on each area of Westeros. I also appreciated how it related the scenes and inspiration for Game of Thrones to historical events as well as some pop culture influences. Overall a very interesting read. I would recommend!

A very interesting read. Loved reading about all the things that inspired various locations and lore in the game of thrones world!

This was a super fun read, full of fascinating historical facts and interesting details from the world of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, and I absolutely loved it. 10/10 will recommend, will buy for my husband's birthday (as he is a giant GoT nerd). Get this for your loved ones, they'll enjoy it for sure!

My boyfriend is a collector of Game of Thrones books and is so excited to get his hands on this one. A very informative look at some of the most impressive world building ever. If only I'd had reference books when I first watched Game of Thrones I wouldn't have been so lost!

Great visuals and easy to read

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and Tom Huddleston for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I really enjoyed reading this one and I think other Game of Thrones fans will enjoy it as well. It includes great images and backstory to the world that I found really interesting.

The historical, literary and pop-culture inspirations and references behind George R R Martin’s series A Song of Ice and Fire are discovered in this book. It is perfect for any fan of Martin’s work, since it uncovers deeper meanings and creates a better understanding of the fantasy world Martin created. The book is well structured and very well written, it is an easy and captivating read. Each section is accompanied by photos, screen grabs from the series, posters, works of art, all connected to the concept from the series. I especially enjoyed the locations break-downs, and the historical parallels with real-life figures and events.

It was so exciting to read and view the inspiration behind George's work, I've loved the world of ice and fire, so this was such a magical book to read and look through.

A long detailed book could be written on the historical sources and inspirations for A Song of Ice and Fire. This isn't it. It is an inviting, uncritical, easy to read overview, along with Quarto's well chosen illustrations. The cliché applies here: a great gift for Game of Thrones fans.

A very interesting take combining history with the illustrations. A great gift for any George RR Martin and Game of Thrones fan #quarto

Expect EXTRAVAGANT!

Yes, you can expect real pictures of movie scenes, rare paintings, the most amazing quotes and descriptions of the most known works of the author.

Expect nothing less than your highest expectations when you pick up this book.

This book is a treasure!

Thank you, Frances Lincoln, for the ARC.

The text and images look a little clunky in the digital version (no doubt more suited to the printed copy) but overall even though the prose seems a little blocky, the (mostly haphazard) images are vibrant, consisting of a mixture from the television series and the real-life inspiration tying it all together. I think it could've been organised better, but it still makes for an interesting read to anyone who is in love with the ASOIAF world. It'd be a great gift!

A bit on the design; this title features some darker colour schemes on some pages and these will most likely look better in print.

The content is well-researched, rich and inspiring. The Irish mythology connections were well laid out.

It was nice to be transported to Martin’s inspirations.

I don't think I could ever get enough of Westeros - Game of Thrones was and still is such an iconic book series and TV show, that truly gripped an entire generation of readers and viewers and never let go. I have yet to find another fantasy TV series that is equally as compelling and cinematic (I find that House of the Dragon is good, not great), and I loved seeing more of the inspiration and thought behind Martin's expertly crafted medieval world.

Years after the ending of the show, I still crave books about the series (since we still haven't gotten new books lol). This one is pretty good, I like how it touches on the things that inspired Westeros.

This was interesting and one that will look great on the shelf. Fans of the series are in for a treat with this one.

The Worlds of George RR Martin by Tom Huddleston is a fascinating exploration of the inspirations and historical parallels that shaped the complex world of A Song of Ice and Fire. This book seems to delve deep into the various influences that George R.R. Martin drew from when creating the Seven Kingdoms, highlighting the connections between Westeros and real-world events, people, and eras, particularly the Middle Ages.

The author's approach of alternating between quotes, historical analysis, and a wide range of visual references—including images from the TV series, spin-offs, and other fantasy series—creates a rich, immersive experience for the reader. This method likely helps to contextualize the intricate narratives and characters within Martin's world, comparing them to significant historical events and figures, and underscoring the bravery and creativity involved in building such a detailed and expansive fantasy universe.

The inclusion of female characters, dragons, and other fantastical elements, and the way these are paralleled with historical or contemporary counterparts, shows a deliberate choice by the author to not just entertain but also to challenge traditional narratives and perspectives. This thematic analysis, combined with visual storytelling, seems to offer readers both a deeper understanding of the books and a broader commentary on the nature of storytelling itself.
Overall, it appears to be a comprehensive guide that not only celebrates the world-building in A Song of Ice and Fire but also encourages readers to see the connections between fiction and reality, past and present.