Winter is Coming

Advanced review copy from publisher via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

I love A Song of Ice and Fire and I love comparing and contrasting the parallels of fantasy to real history and historical folklore, so this book was right up my alley and it did not disappoint.

I'm not as into fantasy as some people, I mostly read the popular titles, but there's no question A Song of Ice and Fire has always been a series that interested historical fiction readers even if they are not heavy fantasy readers. This books really covers all the reasons why this is the case, exploring all the influences from and parallels to medieval history and folklore. It's well known that the series is loosely based on the Wars of the Roses, that the Lannisters are often compared to the House of Lancaster, the wall to Hadrian's Wall, etc. But this books delves much deeper than that, drawing on the authors extensive knowledge of medieval history, culture, and myths.

I was a little surprised to see the author made no connection between Cersei's walk of shame and Lady Godiva's naked ride. Granted, Godiva was not being punished like Cersei was, but it's believed the legend of her ride was based on the medieval custom for people to make public processions in nothing but a shift, or underwear, in penance for their crimes or sins. While the book does make connections of Cercei's walk of shame with other medieval examples of the same or similar custom, namely that of Jane Shore's, I really would have thought Lady Godiva deserved a mention too. I guess the mention of the medieval practice itself was the most important thing.

It should be noted that it makes comparisons not only to the books but also the TV show, especially where they differ. This gives it a fully rounded and comprehensive feel, and I found it very enlightening.

Thank you for the chance to review this title. My review is now live on Goodreads and my blog. The full transcript is below:

Winter is Coming is a book that is sure to delight Game of Thrones fans interested in looking at the inspirations behind both books and TV series. That said, how much you get from it will depend on your existing knowledge. If, like me, you happen to be well read in mythology and history, many of Larrington's references will likely already have occurred to you as you read/watched. Even so, there were still a few links I hadn't considered and found interesting. If, on the other hand, you have no background in such studies, this book may prove insightful and lead you on to further reading.

I enjoyed the way the book was set out, and it was useful to have the spoiler warnings just in case the reader was not yet up to date with the series and books. The prose was readable and engaging, and the book felt the right length - long enough to look at things in detail, but not so long it got bogged down.

For my personal enjoyment and learning, I would give this book three stars; however, in light of the fact it would be useful for someone without a strong base knowledge of myth and history, I am giving it four stars.

Did you know that the Red Wedding was based on an actual battle in Scotland? Have the medieval customs of Westeros seemed familiar to you? What do the Dothraki and a Mongol Horde have in common? How are Beowulf and the Vikings tied into all of this?

In Winter is Coming: The Medieval World of Game of Thrones, by Carolyne Larrington, fans of the book series and television show get a chance to delve deeper into the Historical inspirations for characters, events and customs in the Song of Fire and Ice series by George R.R. Martin. If you're a history lover, this book is difficult to put down. Interested in the Mongols? Prefer Viking history? Deep into the United Kingdom? All of these are covered and delightful.

Larrington has a loving balance between historical textbook and interesting tale. This isn't a book full of droll passages, but rather fascinating customs and cultures.

In Winter is Coming: The Medieval World of Game of Thrones, Larrington does point out that her book covers Seasons 1-5 of the TV show. It does include important facts from the book and some of the changes, but if you aren't caught up on the TV show there will be spoilers.

If you're a Game of Thrones fan from the TV show or have read every book religiously, this is definitely a book to add to your collection.

Winter is Coming: The Medieval World of Game of Thrones is now available.

For avid fans of Game of Thrones, this is a must-have resource. It puts the book in a historical context and gives an understanding to why characters might act the way they do.

Great read. You will be up all night.!

I'm a huge fan of Game of Thrones because it fulfils my passion for medieval adventure in a truly visual context and whilst I know that dragons and white walkers don't exist in the here and now, its great fun imagining just what would happen if it were all true. In this informative guide to the world behind Game of Thrones, the author, with impeccable research brings to life the medieval and ancient world.

Of course, George RR Martin’s Ice and Fire series is a fictional adventure which has caught the public’s imagination, but it must also be remembered that much of historical fiction has a foothold in fact, and many of the ideas and scenarios being played out on television may well, at some point in time, have a basis in history.

I think what this author does is put time and place into context and whilst the book is predominately targeted around events in the TV show, there is no doubt that even if you have no great enthusiasm for the conflict between the characters on television; you may well enjoy seeing where some of the ideas may have originated. It's fascinating to wander through Westeros and Essos and to see the parallels between the books, the TV series and the recognised history of medieval Europe and beyond.

A note of caution is that this book works better if you are up to date with the Game of Thrones series as the action is discussed in detail and there are spoilers if you haven't seen the show

I've read all of the books in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones series twice, and I have watched all six seasons of the show. So, when I saw a book related to the series, I had to read it! I'm glad that I did, although it wasn't really what I was expecting. It was definitely interesting,and it was very informative. The author did a great job of informing the reader of the connections between the series and history, without coming across as boring. Definitely a good book to pick up if you're like me, and in love with the series and the show!

An interesting look at GRRM's (and, more specifically HBO's) Westeros, and its possible real-world inspirations.

Thought provoking and interesting. Liked the flow of the book. Recommend reading.