House of the Dragon has been a fantastic ride, ending with a season finale that has viewers wanting more. It has so much potential to be better than its older sibling, Game of Thrones—a show that started off so strong and just ended abruptly. It didn’t help that Game of Thrones ran out of book to adapt; George R.R. Martin is still working on the sequels (take your time, buddy). If Game of Thrones was based on his work, does that mean the same for House of the Dragon? If so, what books is House of the Dragon based on?
House of the Dragon Is Based on Fictional History Books
George R.R. Martin’s House of the Dragon is based on his fictional history book Fire & Blood. It chronicles the entire history of House Targaryen, all the way back to Aegon the Conqueror.
House of the Dragon specifically pulls from the events leading up to a bloody war called the Dance of the Dragons, which Fire & Blood also covers. That means, if you wanted to, you can spoil the story of House of the Dragon by reading Fire & Blood.
However, the best part of House of the Dragon (and the book) is how the show plays with unreliable narratives. Much of the history is written by maestors that wouldn’t have been alive during the Dance of the Dragons and must rely on he said, she said. Laenor Velaryon, for example, is deceased in the books, but the show reveals that he simply disappeared with his lover.
Now you know what books House of the Dragon is based on. It’s a good read if you love the world George R.R. Martin has created through his novels. For more guides, flesh out your knowledge by learning what Dreamers are or whether or not Targaryens are inbred.
Featured Image Source: HBO
