BWW Previews: George R.R. Martin releases Excerpt from FIRE AND BLOOD, a GAME OF THRONES Prequel

While there's still no word of a release date for the seventh book in George R.R. Martin's best-selling A Song of Ice and Fire series, THE WINDS OF WINTER, Game of Thrones fans will rejoice to hear that there will be a new book set in the world releasing this November. It makes the wait to HBO's 2019 airing of the show's final season feel a little less painful.

Out November 20th, just in time for the holidays, FIRE AND BLOOD is a history of the Targaryens in Westoros. It is "written by" Archmaester Gyldayn, and the first of two volumes. The book is full of gorgeous illustrations by Doug Wheatley, such as this one, featuring two characters from the released excerpt:

Martin has scattered tidbits and references throughout the book that make be a hint of what's to come in both the rest of the book series, and the upcoming final season of the hit TV show. The first volume of the Targaryen's family history takes place centuries before members such as Daenerys were alive, so don't expect to see any current favorites here.

Hollywood Reporter stated,

While there's certainly no mention of Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), given that this story takes place centuries before their births, the tale nonetheless boasts some implications for what to expect from the final season of Thrones, due in early 2019. For one, it's a glimpse into what life might look like when the Mother of Dragons arrives in Winterfell next season...

...It's not breaking news that trouble lurks beyond the Wall. That's White Walker territory. But it's a nice dose of myth-building that could pave the way for what to expect not necessarily in the final season, but one of the planned successor shows from HBO and Martin. In fact, the way Martin writes Fire and Blood is very telling for the future of Thrones as a franchise. Unlike Ice and Fire, which are deeply character-driven, there's an arms-length quality about the way he pens Fire and Blood; more academic, less emotional. Given the approach, Martin can cover great swaths of story and history within the world of Westeros, as opposed to the occasionally glacial pace of the Ice and Fire series. The result: an astounding array of possibilities for HBO to base successor shows upon. The night may be dark and full of terrors, but by all accounts, the future of the Game of Thrones brand is very bright indeed.

The released excerpt revolves around Alysane Targaryen, who was both wife and sister to Jaehaerys, the fourth Targaryen king to sit on the Iron Throne. The scene involes an encounter with various Starks and Castle Black's Night's Watch. You can read the excerpt on Martin's website in its entirety.

FIRE & BLOOD: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones (A Targaryen History) will release November 20, 2018 from Random House Publishing Group at retailers nationwide.

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