Post by DarkSister1001 on Dec 5, 2018 21:29:47 GMT
What the actual F?! I wasn't hyped about this book until I read the excerpt. I just finished it and "the complete Targaryen History" apparently stopped when Aegon III came in to his crown. Don't get me wrong I loved the breakdown of Jaeherys reign and the tidbits like Cregan Stark, 3 missing dragon eggs and Nettles but I expected COMPLETE history. ETA: I just saw that it was broken in to 2 books. I can't wait to wait for another freaking book. *sigh
Unwin Peake (GREAT name) - was more of a dick than I realized.
House Hightower were ambitious from very early on.
Hour of the Wolf - I like that so many Northmen married widows after the Dance
Black Aly Blackwood - I think I'd like to have ale and race naked on horses down the streets of KL with her.
Most interesting to me: Jac married Cregan Stark's half sister, Vermax laid a clutch of eggs in WF. Alaric Stark wouldn't let Silverwing within WF walls and Silverwing would fly past the Wall.
The blade was Valyrian steel, spell-forged and dark as smoke. Nothing held an edge like Valyrian steel.
I have not made it through the whole book yet, as I think I am trying to make it last as long as possible, since gosh knows how long it might be before we get new material. I swear if F&B part 2 comes out before Winds, my head might explode!!!
House Hightower were ambitious from very early on.
Yes, Alicent could be entirely blamed for the Dance of the Dragons, her ambition started the ball rolling, and so much devastation because of her choices. Blech! I wish someone would have fed her to a dragon...
Hour of the Wolf - I like that so many Northmen married widows after the Dance
I really think I have enjoyed every northman we met in F&B, although I remain suspicious of the Manderly's and their ambition. I found I quite liked Cregan Stark, although I always expected that I would. Alaric was a fun surprise! Even a little tidbit on Ellard Stark, though not much more than we get in the World Book. I would like a Stark history book! Perhaps GRRM can work on that while he is avoiding completing The Winds of Winter!
Most interesting to me: Jac married Cregan Stark's half sister, Vermax laid a clutch of eggs in WF. Alaric Stark wouldn't let Silverwing within WF walls and Silverwing would fly past the Wall.
Honestly not sure what to believe in relation to Jace and Sara Snow. Did something happen, or nothing? Is Mushroom ever right, or is he right all of the time? I almost find it hard to imagine that he would marry her when he was betrothed to another. Those Velaryon boys of Rhaenyra seemed to be quite honorable, especially considering that Luke pretty much died because he wouldn't consider setting aside his own betrothal to marry the daughter of Lord Baratheon. So, I find it hard to imagine that Jace would do that either. An affair, perhaps, but a marriage, I find I doubt that information. I can easily see a child born to Jace and Sara out of wedlock, but not a trueborn child. It makes me wonder about the pregnant woman from Bran's vision, who emerges from the black pool and prays for a son to avenge his father!
I did find the information on bastard Stark's interesting. We have Sara Snow, Cregan's sister, apparently living at Winterfell. We never hear of Alaric having a bastard that I can remember. But there was a comment about Cregan having no trueborn daughters when he arrived in King's Landing, which seems to imply that he had at least one bastard daughter. Otherwise, why even phrase it that way. It's on page 578 of Fire and Blood.
I really enjoyed the concept that the northmen would rather fight and die in battle, even a war that wasn't there own, rather than be a burden to their kin during the harsh winters. Roderick Dustin seems like quite a bad ass, too!
I also found it interesting that Alaric wouldn't let Silverwing into Wintefell but even more so, I found the wording of how Alaric eventually "approached" the dragon to be interesting. What does that mean, exactly? Part of me thinks its in response to the scene from GoT Season 7 when Jon seems to have "a moment" with Drogon and half the world peed their pants.
Yes, interesting on how Alysanne felt resistance from Silverwing, who seemed not to either want to fly over the wall, or could not. My guess it was more of a "wouldn't" rather than "couldn't" but I could be very wrong about that. It seems like that might be the first time she felt like the dragon would not fly where she wanted to. It reminds me of Dany on her "Dragonstone" in the Dothraki Sea having troubles steering Drogon to wear she wanted him to go.
Of course, there is tons of interesting stuff about the Targaryen's, although I am not sure which tidbit's might be important or not. I especially find the information on Aerea Targaryen to be interesting, while at the same time I find I doubt some of what the story implies. And, a little baby swap with the twins, Aerea and Rhaella, which means the real Aerea was still alive in Oldtown, serving as a septa.
Jaehaerys insisting on wedding his sister, and insisting on Targaryen "Doctrine of Exceptionalism" which basically allows that only Targaryen's can practice incest, basically because "I am king and I said so".
I enjoyed that Rhaenys, the Queen Who Never Was (But Probably Should Have Been) was black haired and purple eyed, giving us some hint of what this combination of Baratheon and Targaryen might have looked like. I found it quite interesting which Lords of the Realm supported her in being Queen, such as the Stark's, who don't actually seem to have a ruling Lady of Winterfell of their own, at least that we have been told. I loved her and her dragon and her absolute lack of fear when facing what she knew must have been her death. She would have probably made a hell of a queen!!!
Their father understood as well. "You want no pup for yourself, Jon?" he asked softly.
I have not made it through the whole book yet, as I think I am trying to make it last as long as possible, since gosh knows how long it might be before we get new material. I swear if F&B part 2 comes out before Winds, my head might explode!!!
I tried to do the same but ending up not able to put it down out of anticipation for new information.
Yes, Alicent could be entirely blamed for the Dance of the Dragons, her ambition started the ball rolling, and so much devastation because of her choices. Blech! I wish someone would have fed her to a dragon...
Her for sure. Her father too. Otto planted those seeds long ago. It's easy for me to think of them all as their White Knight, Ser Gerold but in reality they seemed to be much more shrewd and sly. It makes me look at Gerold differently. Was he playing the Game?
I am disappointed that we still don't know the truth of what happened between the Princess and Criston Cole.
I really think I have enjoyed every northman we met in F&B, although I remain suspicious of the Manderly's and their ambition. I found I quite liked Cregan Stark, although I always expected that I would. Alaric was a fun surprise! Even a little tidbit on Ellard Stark, though not much more than we get in the World Book. I would like a Stark history book! Perhaps GRRM can work on that while he is avoiding completing The Winds of Winter!
Me too. I liked how he came down, put everyone in their places and took the reigns. Only to be out maneuvered by the ladies.
Those Starks and their thrice-damned honor. He came down to kick Green ass and ended up heading an inquisition on discovering Aegon's murder, the guy he came to kill!
I felt like the Manderly's were a good choice bc the North was needed and they kept to the Seven rather than they were imposing themselves.
I would love a Stark history book! I worry what all the focus on the Targs implies. I thought that Bran and Summer were the original muse for GRRM. The history of the Starks is much longer than that of the Targs and they were once Kings too. Perhaps he's just wrapped up in the magic of the Dragons and forgot the magic of the Direwolves?
Honestly not sure what to believe in relation to Jace and Sara Snow. Did something happen, or nothing? Is Mushroom ever right, or is he right all of the time?
Mushroom kills me. Perhaps he promised to marry her after putting a bastard in his belly but never came back? Or perhaps he married her in front of the heart tree but didn't consider it "true" since it wasn't in the light of the 7? Those Targs like stealing Stark ladies, betrothal be damned.
Yes, interesting on how Alysanne felt resistance from Silverwing, who seemed not to either want to fly over the wall, or could not. My guess it was more of a "wouldn't" rather than "couldn't" but I could be very wrong about that. It seems like that might be the first time she felt like the dragon would not fly where she wanted to. It reminds me of Dany on her "Dragonstone" in the Dothraki Sea having troubles steering Drogon to wear she wanted him to go.
Very interesting. Did Silverwing just ignore the Queens command or did she struggle? I imagine it was the first. The Queen's letter was so detailed that IMO IF Silverwing showed any sort of physical inability to cross the border that the Queen would have mentioned it. The way she describes Silverwing refusing to take her where she wanted to go suggests to me that she simply ignored the command, very much like Drogon. In that case it seems more like that she wouldn't instead of couldn't.
Her for sure. Her father too. Otto planted those seeds long ago. It's easy for me to think of them all as their White Knight, Ser Gerold but in reality they seemed to be much more shrewd and sly. It makes me look at Gerold differently. Was he playing the Game?
I am disappointed that we still don't know the truth of what happened between the Princess and Criston Cole.
Yes, the story of Rhaenyra and Criston Cole would have been nice. He almost acts like a man who was hurt by her. Perhaps he loved her, not the other way around, and if he caught her with Daemon, then love turned to hate very quickly. That's my working theory, for now.
Criston Cole is probably just as responsible for what happened to start the war as Alicent and her father. All of them urged Aegon to usurp Rhaenerya's crown. Otherwise, it seems like he was perfectly happy to drink and whore and not have a care in the world. But once blood was spilled with Luke's death, I think there was no going back.
Me too. I liked how he came down, put everyone in their places and took the reigns. Only to be out maneuvered by the ladies.
He certainly had a plan for attacking Storm's End, the Hightower and Casterly Rock (if I remember correctly). Perhaps this might indicate to us something of Ned's plan after he left Kings Landing after he and Robert quarreled over the death of Rhaegar's children. We know Ned went to Storm's End to end the siege, but his confirmed path after that is quite vague.
Also, yes, the women foiled Cregan's attempts at war! But perhaps he was angling for a marriage into the Blackwoods. We know that Alysanne planted this idea in Alaric's mind years and years before. Families in the south that still worshiped the old gods! I am very curious about the four daughters of Cregan and Black Aly! Perhaps if I finish F&B, I might get an answer?
Those Starks and their thrice-damned honor. He came down to kick Green ass and ended up heading an inquisition on discovering Aegon's murder, the guy he came to kill!
I was rather entertained by Cregan referring to Aegon II as a usurper and a kinslayer, but "he was still a king", and damn it, some one needs to avenge him!
I felt like the Manderly's were a good choice bc the North was needed and they kept to the Seven rather than they were imposing themselves.
I am very suspicious of our current Manderly's and how they might have had a hand in the downfall of the Stark's. It's pretty much tinfoil and is a direct challenge to what Wyman tells us in his stirring speech on loyalty. I will remain suspicious of them...
I would love a Stark history book! I worry what all the focus on the Targs implies. I thought that Bran and Summer were the original muse for GRRM. The history of the Starks is much longer than that of the Targs and they were once Kings too. Perhaps he's just wrapped up in the magic of the Dragons and forgot the magic of the Direwolves?
Well, GRRM seems to love the Targaryen's for certain, but I can't forget that this whole story started in GRRM's head with the Starks, a beheading and direwolf pups in the snow. Jon and Bran seem to be the important ones! A Stark history book could be very, very long. But a hell of a good read!!!
Mushroom kills me. Perhaps he promised to marry her after putting a bastard in his belly but never came back? Or perhaps he married her in front of the heart tree but didn't consider it "true" since it wasn't in the light of the 7? Those Targs like stealing Stark ladies, betrothal be damned.
Well, since I am not sold on RLJ or even RL spending much time together at all, I certainly could be persuaded that this information on Jace Velaryon and Sara Snow is a romantic tale stirred up by the bards and singers and fools (I am looking at you, Mushroom!) of the S7! I would think he would understand a heart tree marriage is just as legal as any other, especially since the customs of the kingdom a person is in seem to prevail. Jace doesn't strike me as stupid by any means, so I find it doubtful he wouldn't understand what was going on. Unless he was just damn well fooled by the Stark's and said that whole "I am yours and you are mine" gibberish as a sort of pillow talk! Ooops, so maybe... Still, he was young, but seems pretty sly!
IF Silverwing showed any sort of physical inability to cross the border that the Queen would have mentioned it. The way she describes Silverwing refusing to take her where she wanted to go suggests to me that she simply ignored the command, very much like Drogon. In that case it seems more like that she wouldn't instead of couldn't.
Yes, the story of Rhaenyra and Criston Cole would have been nice.
I can't tell if it's something that will be revealed later or if it doesn't matter. If Alicent didn't have his backing she might not have pushed the way she did. Or perhaps things would have gone differently. Rhaenyra had her father's word, the oaths of many noblemen. And her son ended up sitting the damn throne anyway! I wish she would have known that Addam wasn't a traitor.
I am very suspicious of our current Manderly's and how they might have had a hand in the downfall of the Stark's. It's pretty much tinfoil and is a direct challenge to what Wyman tells us in his stirring speech on loyalty. I will remain suspicious of them...
Perhaps they wanted their place on the Mander back.
Perhaps they wanted their place on the Mander back.
Perhaps they do. But it seems like it was overreaching themselves in the Reach that got them kicked out! I think we might see a repeat coming for them... but I am certainly prepared to be wrong about that!
Their father understood as well. "You want no pup for yourself, Jon?" he asked softly.
Ok, so I got the book at the start of the month! Yay! But I still haven't even gotten past The Sons of the Dragon... Been super busy with very little energy to read. But hopefully I'll get quite far during the weekend with time to spare. I think my main problem is that I'm so in reading-very-very-closely mode that the pages isn't flying; my mind goes in several directions while reading, connecting to this and that and everything. Which is really slowing me down.
And perhaps as this is the first thing I've been able to read unspoiled (to the extent that this is possible for this book, with everything that has been released earlier), I want to make it last longer.
I can't keep my fingers off these bits already, though... I might make a fool of myself, as this is purely based off the audioversion of The Rogue and The Princess And the Queen...
Yes, Alicent could be entirely blamed for the Dance of the Dragons, her ambition started the ball rolling, and so much devastation because of her choices. Blech! I wish someone would have fed her to a dragon...
Agreed! And interestingly enough, we don't see any Targaryen remarry and have another batch of children after a wife dies, do we? Seems like they learned a lesson!
It's easy for me to think of them all as their White Knight, Ser Gerold but in reality they seemed to be much more shrewd and sly. It makes me look at Gerold differently. Was he playing the Game?
Oh, most definitely! I think all three at the toj were players, but I haven't figured out if they were on the same side or not, or what their (different) plans were, etc.
And now I'm gonna stop, and actually wait until I've read the damn book all the way through...
Ok, so I got the book at the start of the month! Yay! But I still haven't even gotten past The Sons of the Dragon... Been super busy with very little energy to read. But hopefully I'll get quite far during the weekend with time to spare. I think my main problem is that I'm so in reading-very-very-closely mode that the pages isn't flying; my mind goes in several directions while reading, connecting to this and that and everything. Which is really slowing me down.
And perhaps as this is the first thing I've been able to read unspoiled (to the extent that this is possible for this book, with everything that has been released earlier), I want to make it last longer.
I have been trying to make it last, too! I still have about 40 pages left, but then I am finished, but I have made it last longer than I expected, or than I normally would. I don't have a great deal of will power!
Who knows when we might get more material, so I am trying to enjoy every bit of this. to this new material!!!
Agreed! And interestingly enough, we don't see any Targaryen remarry and have another batch of children after a wife dies, do we? Seems like they learned a lesson!
I would hope the whole kingdom had learned their lesson from this awful war! It doesn't seem like we have a repeat of this situation of a king with heirs from two marriages again. I'm not sure if that was by design, or it it just never was possible. It looks like the Stark's might have a similar inheritance crisis in their future, with Cregan having heirs from three separate marriages. That is just a guess on my part, based on the lineage chart in the World Book, but we do see Cregan's younger son's marrying their nieces, the daughters of their eldest brother. This combination reminds me of Rhaenyra marrying her uncle Daemon. Of course, the Stark's would not have had dragon's to dance with and destroy the north, like the Targaryen civil war nearly did in the south.
I have been trying to make it last, too! I still have about 40 pages left, but then I am finished, but I have made it last longer than I expected, or than I normally would. I don't have a great deal of will power!
Who knows when we might get more material, so I am trying to enjoy every bit of this. to this new material!!!
Haha, congratulations on making it last!
Normally I would have read it through quite quickly, though not as quickly as a normal novel. But the style is more "difficult", and it's harder to read when really really tired as my eyes starts going off in all directions!
I didn't get as far as I thought I would, but I am now into Jaehaerys's reign. Through most of yesterday, I was convinced it was Saturday and I thought I had another day off...
I would hope the whole kingdom had learned their lesson from this awful war! It doesn't seem like we have a repeat of this situation of a king with heirs from two marriages again. I'm not sure if that was by design, or it it just never was possible. It looks like the Stark's might have a similar inheritance crisis in their future, with Cregan having heirs from three separate marriages. That is just a guess on my part, based on the lineage chart in the World Book, but we do see Cregan's younger son's marrying their nieces, the daughters of their eldest brother. This combination reminds me of Rhaenyra marrying her uncle Daemon. Of course, the Stark's would not have had dragon's to dance with and destroy the north, like the Targaryen civil war nearly did in the south.
Well, I doubt it was the first time something like that happened in Westeros. Difference being a) the Seven Kingdoms were now united (save Dorne) and so encompassed more areas and people; and b) the devastation a dragon can make made the whole thing much worse.
If I recall correctly, the only king who remarried at all was Aegon III, but his first wife (Helaena, or something?) died as a child = no inheritance problem. For several of them it wasn't something that came up as their wives didn't die, but it seems kinda general for the Targaryens after the Dance. Viserys II didn't remarry after his wife left (but that might be impossible as she lived); we don't know how long Daeron II's Dornish wife lived; Baelor Breakspear's wife isn't mentioned at all, so we don't know when she died, and Maekar never remarried. It's just something that struck me this autumn, but we are well off the topic of vol.1 now...
Yes, we do see hints of a similar thing with the Starks after Cregan. Not something I've spent much time on yet, but the intermarrying is interesting. Perhaps the northmen should be glad the Starks didn't have direwolves at hand during this time. Not as devestating as dragons, but still.
Normally I would have read it through quite quickly, though not as quickly as a normal novel. But the style is more "difficult", and it's harder to read when really really tired as my eyes starts going off in all directions!
I didn't get as far as I thought I would, but I am now into Jaehaerys's reign. Through most of yesterday, I was convinced it was Saturday and I thought I had another day off...
for new material!!!
I actually finished it yesterday, between watching football games! But I started it the day in came in the mail, Nov 20, so I am shocked at how long it took me to finish it. A couple long stretches of work and a holiday slowed me down a bit.
Even though I worried about being spoiled by comments, I found I could not stay away from the boards before I finished. I didn't come across any devastating spoilers (like years ago when I accidentally came across Robb and Grey Winds fate on an internet search about neither, and felt like I was kicked in the gut)
Well, I doubt it was the first time something like that happened in Westeros. Difference being a) the Seven Kingdoms were now united (save Dorne) and so encompassed more areas and people; and b) the devastation a dragon can make made the whole thing much worse.
If I recall correctly, the only king who remarried at all was Aegon III, but his first wife (Helaena, or something?) died as a child = no inheritance problem. For several of them it wasn't something that came up as their wives didn't die, but it seems kinda general for the Targaryens after the Dance. Viserys II didn't remarry after his wife left (but that might be impossible as she lived); we don't know how long Daeron II's Dornish wife lived; Baelor Breakspear's wife isn't mentioned at all, so we don't know when she died, and Maekar never remarried. It's just something that struck me this autumn, but we are well off the topic of vol.1 now...
Well, I suppose it's hard to decide if your heirs will live long enough to inherit? Or if their heirs will, after them. I suppose it's a hard decision to decide to remarry (if you can) and have more children. One, it gives a person options if people die, but if they don't, then you could have a mess of people in line wanting the crown. Maybe there is never a really good answer!
I am very curious about what information we will get in F&B V2, whenever we get that (if it's published before Winds, I will scream and tear my hair out like a maniac!!!) but I am very curious about Daeron the Young Dragon and Baelor the Blessed! And their sisters in the Maiden Vault! And I have lot's of interest about Daemon Waters/Blackfyre! Oh, and Aegon and Aemon and Naerys! Yup! Since I haven't read Dunk and Egg yet, I am still not thinking very hard about Aegon V, but I am certain that is coming. Perhaps one of the reasons I have avoided reading those stories is because I like the anticipation of knowing there is something out there that will still be new to me! Hhmmm. Internal psycho-analysis of my procrastination begins now...
Yes, we do see hints of a similar thing with the Starks after Cregan. Not something I've spent much time on yet, but the intermarrying is interesting. Perhaps the northmen should be glad the Starks didn't have direwolves at hand during this time. Not as devastating as dragons, but still.
I'm sure it won't be nearly as devastating on the north as the Dance of the Dragon's was on most of the kingdom! Or at least I hope not! They should have looked at the mess of the Dance and tried to avoid that! Although, sometimes you find yourself embroiled in conflict and it get's messy almost before you know it's happening!
Enjoy the rest of your book! You will get a lot of stuff about Daemon the Rogue Prince, and he really is quite a complex and interesting character!!!
Their father understood as well. "You want no pup for yourself, Jon?" he asked softly.
Just a few other things were flittering through my mind last night and this morning, DarkSister1001 . There is so many bits of information in Fire and Blood, I am finding it hard to organize any of it, even in my head.
We are told in F&B, that when Black Aly took Cregan's thousand northman into the riverlands, this caused a resurgence of worship of the old gods in the Riverlands. I find that pretty interesting!
Also, there was a Lianna Velaryon, which of course is very similar to Lyanna. We don't get much of her story, but that she was a companion to Rhaena Targaryen on Dragonstone and died young. I can't remember if it was The Shivers or poison that killed her. I have been looking for sometime to find a way to have had some Targaryen blood injected into the Stark's since the conquest, but perhaps it's not Targaryen blood. Perhaps it's Velaryon blood? There is the similarity in the names Aerea and Arya, as well. Maybe this blood came to the Stark's before Aegon's conquest? Maybe after it. We have a gap in the Stark lineage after Torrhen, so it's possible it came then, but I am wondering about before. I think the Velaryon's were holding Driftmark long before the Targaryen's settled on Dragonstone.
And the blind, white firewyrm that hatched and attacked Alyn Oakenfist and Baela's daughter! WTH??? Was it trying to kill the baby? Could it have sensed a special blood in the child that it needed?
Just a few thoughts that might be worth discussion... among a hundred other thoughts that have escaped my mind for the moment!
Their father understood as well. "You want no pup for yourself, Jon?" he asked softly.
Unwin Peake (GREAT name) - was more of a dick than I realized.
Oh, yes! Dude was a real dick! Some major plotting and scheming on his part. I really have to say I felt super bad for a young Aegon III. He seen and dealt with some terrible crap!
Their father understood as well. "You want no pup for yourself, Jon?" he asked softly.
I actually finished it yesterday, between watching football games! But I started it the day in came in the mail, Nov 20, so I am shocked at how long it took me to finish it. A couple long stretches of work and a holiday slowed me down a bit.
Congrats! I was nearly finished with the Sons of the Dragon when first posting, and now I'm quite a bit into Jaehaerys. So far I find him more interesting than I feared. And you can really tell Martin enjoyed writing this section, I think. He's Martin's favorite Targaryen king, as it turns out, so maybe that shows as well.
Even though I worried about being spoiled by comments, I found I could not stay away from the boards before I finished. I didn't come across any devastating spoilers (like years ago when I accidentally came across Robb and Grey Winds fate on an internet search about neither, and felt like I was kicked in the gut)
Oh, I accidentally clicked on a video about Aerea and her flight with Balerion, and I totally panicked when I realized and had to SHUT IT DOWN!!! I've wanted no spoilers with the new sections! I squint at some of the posts here and the other thread, and turn on the bla-bla button when I see something I don't want to.
Well, I suppose it's hard to decide if your heirs will live long enough to inherit? Or if their heirs will, after them. I suppose it's a hard decision to decide to remarry (if you can) and have more children. One, it gives a person options if people die, but if they don't, then you could have a mess of people in line wanting the crown. Maybe there is never a really good answer!
Yes, and too many heirs is as dangerous as too few. It's just something I started wondering about due to Maekar. He was a widdower for 20-30 years, and we hear of no mistresses or bastards, and my mind took a little flight with it.
I am very curious about what information we will get in F&B V2, whenever we get that (if it's published before Winds, I will scream and tear my hair out like a maniac!!!) but I am very curious about Daeron the Young Dragon and Baelor the Blessed! And their sisters in the Maiden Vault! And I have lot's of interest about Daemon Waters/Blackfyre! Oh, and Aegon and Aemon and Naerys! Yup! Since I haven't read Dunk and Egg yet, I am still not thinking very hard about Aegon V, but I am certain that is coming. Perhaps one of the reasons I have avoided reading those stories is because I like the anticipation of knowing there is something out there that will still be new to me! Hhmmm. Internal psycho-analysis of my procrastination begins now...
Oh, me too! Part of me is a bit irritated they weren't released together, but that is probably just me being greedy. I'm very curious about Viserys II, and of course my current favorite Maekar. Well, honestly I'm curious about them all. LOL!
Where I balk a bit is being spoiled of things I'd rather learn in Dunk & Egg - I think there are huge spoilers from the reign of Aegon V that is very relevant in the current storyline. *Sigh* I just want it all!
I'm sure it won't be nearly as devastating on the north as the Dance of the Dragon's was on most of the kingdom! Or at least I hope not! They should have looked at the mess of the Dance and tried to avoid that! Although, sometimes you find yourself embroiled in conflict and it get's messy almost before you know it's happening!
Civil wars tend to be quite devastating even without the most destructive weapons. But as I said, I haven't given much thought to that part of the Stark lineage at all, just noted that he was very fertile, our good Cregan.
But it also reminded me of the period early in the 200s for the Starks. At that time they had many children, and one succeeded the other as Lord of Winterfell. Very similar to the situation for the Targaryens at almost the same time: many heirs but many died - though fewer took the throne. So both the Targaryens and the Starks were plentiful and then got culled roughly at the same time... Interesting!
Enjoy the rest of your book! You will get a lot of stuff about Daemon the Rogue Prince, and he really is quite a complex and interesting character!!!
Oh, I will! And you have no idea (or perhaps you have) of the bonds I had to place on myself to not start with that section! Or jump ahead to it as I read now! I'm a Chained Maid, I tell you!
He is Martin's favorite Targaryen by the way, due to said complexity.
Unwin Peake (GREAT name) - was more of a dick than I realized.
Oh, yes! Dude was a real dick! Some major plotting and scheming on his part. I really have to say I felt super bad for a young Aegon III. He seen and dealt with some terrible crap!
A few more random thoughts about the Peake's. It's a name that is short and descriptive, so it fit's the concept I have of First Men names. They are also said to descend from Florys the Fox, a daughter of Garth Greenhand, so they do have some special blood. Peake is interesting, as it hints at a mountain top or a high point, at least geographically. Also, perhaps a culmination of something important.
Unwin was a bit of an arsehole, but the rest of his family might prove to be quite interesting. If they are descended from Garth Greenhand, that perhaps is a reason that Unwin was trying to establish his blood back into the kingship of the 7K. If it's Garth's "seed" that is important...
Also, their castle/holdfast of Starpike is quite interesting to me. Star is pretty self explanatory to me, but it could also indicate not a real star but a bright light, or beacon fire. Pike could be a long metal weapon, somewhat similar to a spear. Star on a pike? Light on a pike, hence a beacon of some sort? Stark on a pike? (this reminds me of Ned's head! ) A pike could also be a fresh water fish, but that doesn't really fit the concept that they come from the Dornish marches, although I suppose a pike could be skinchanged.
This could also be an homage to the Gormenghast series by Mervyn Peake, which is how the wiki credits it. I haven't read this series, nor do I know much about it, but the Peake name certainly fit's the idea, and Mervyn Flowers was Unwin Peake's bastard half-brother who was appointed to the kingsguard. All of those name similarities I pointed out as possibilities above might not mean a damn thing!
(Just like I have idea's about Jordayne of the Tor, but that might be just GRRM's homage to Robert Jordan, and the Tor hints have nothing to do with the theories I have concocted! )
Their father understood as well. "You want no pup for yourself, Jon?" he asked softly.
Oh, I accidentally clicked on a video about Aerea and her flight with Balerion, and I totally panicked when I realized and had to SHUT IT DOWN!!! I've wanted no spoilers with the new sections! I squint at some of the posts here and the other thread, and turn on the bla-bla button when I see something I don't want to.
I'm quite a bit into Jaehaerys. So far I find him more interesting than I feared. And you can really tell Martin enjoyed writing this section, I think. He's Martin's favorite Targaryen king, as it turns out, so maybe that shows as well.
I think he must enjoy them all to some extent. Of course, he has made Jaehaerys out to be a big deal, so he needs to now prove it. I don't want to say much, but I was left with a lot of questions after those sections dealing with his kingship.
Yes, and too many heirs is as dangerous as too few. It's just something I started wondering about due to Maekar. He was a widdower for 20-30 years, and we hear of no mistresses or bastards, and my mind took a little flight with it.
You might be very correct that this played into Maekar's mind. Although one major difference is that Maekar had multiple sons and male heirs (so much that one son was given to the Citadel) while Viserys had no sons, just a daughter for an heir. Still, if there had only been Rhaenyra to inherit, the Dance probably would not have happened. I can still see the small possibility for someone to still attempt to fight her claim.
Oh, me too! Part of me is a bit irritated they weren't released together, but that is probably just me being greedy. I'm very curious about Viserys II, and of course my current favorite Maekar. Well, honestly I'm curious about them all. LOL!
I think he just wrote so much the book would have been huge. This way, he continues the anticipation and will have a whole separate book to market. Very smart of him, actually! I would rather he was working on Winds, honestly!
But it also reminded me of the period early in the 200s for the Starks. At that time they had many children, and one succeeded the other as Lord of Winterfell. Very similar to the situation for the Targaryens at almost the same time: many heirs but many died - though fewer took the throne. So both the Targaryens and the Starks were plentiful and then got culled roughly at the same time... Interesting!
It is interesting, especially since Martin seems to tell stories in echos of the past!
Oh, I will! And you have no idea (or perhaps you have) of the bonds I had to place on myself to not start with that section! Or jump ahead to it as I read now! I'm a Chained Maid, I tell you!