Fire, Ice, and Physics

An exciting and informative read for fans of the show who often asked "how would that really work?" and it's a must-read for new fans who will binge-watch the whole series in the future.

Ars Technica

Mostly this is an excellent and entertaining work, especially as topics such as the material sciences rarely get interesting write-ups. A great addition to fans of 'Science of' books, and one that will likely entertain the more sceptical sort of Game of Thrones fan.

Starburst Magazine

In a world full of magic, there are still scientific rules that this alternate universe plays by. Rebecca Thompson guides the reader through what we know and what might be possible based on known science, blurring the mental lines we've drawn to separate fantasy from reality.

Ethan Siegel, theoretical astrophysicist; author of Treknology and Beyond the Galaxy

Even if you can't tell a White Walker from a White Russian, you'll find Becky Thompson's Fire, Ice, and Physics to be endlessly rewarding. From how to build an ice wall to how to make Valyrian steel to the aerodynamics of dragons, this fun and engaging book is full of clearly explained physics and real-world applications. I couldn't put it down!

James Kakalios, Taylor Distinguished Physics Professor at the University of Minnesota; author of The Physics of Superheroes

From the biophysics of dragon fire to the engineering of ice walls, this book gives all the material you need to elevate those Game of Thrones conversations to even higher levels.

Clifford Johnson, Professor of Physics, University of Southern California; author of The Dialogues: Conversations about the Nature of the Universe

This engagingly weird book tackles such fundamental Westeros-related questions as, could a 700ft-high ice wall really last 8,000 years? Nope, it would flow, as glaciers do, and end up more of an ice hillock. And how long would it really have taken Viserys Targaryen to die when molten gold was poured on his head? Less than 3.5 seconds, from a boiled brain. Daft, yes, but tremendous fun.

Sunday Times

This engagingly weird book tackles such fundamental Westeros-related questions as, could a 700ft-high ice wall really last 8,000 years? Nope, it would flow, as glaciers do, and end up more of an ice hillock. And how long would it really have taken Viserys Targaryen to die when molten gold was poured on his head? Less than 3.5 seconds, from a boiled brain. Daft, yes, but tremendous fun.

Slice of Scifi

Thompson has a dry sense of humour that leavens the thoroughly explained science.

PHYSICS WORLD