Brady Klinger-Meyers
Does House of the Dragon Follow the Books?
For the most part, yes, House of the Dragon follows the books but not the ones you might think. It’s honestly a little more nuanced than a yes or no answer. Unlike the HBO series Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon doesn’t pull its story from a novel but rather from a history book called Fire & Blood. This book was also created by George R. R. Martin, but instead of a straightforward plot, it serves the purpose of worldbuilding, while also doubling as a living document in Westeros. Fire & Blood chronicles House Targaryen, such as the days of Aegon the Conqueror and the Dance of the Dragons. The events that transpired throughout Targaryen history are written using sources from a myriad of fictional characters, though the legitimacy of some are called into question. For example, the court jester Mushroom. Even the opinions and testimonies of Archmaesters can be inconsistent. It’s through that lens that House of the Dragon may differ from the books. Even House of the Dragon co-creator Ryan Condal echoes this sentiment during an interview with IGN: Though House of the Dragon does follow the books, there will be liberties taken with dialogue in addition to taking a definitive stance on some events that were left ambiguous. If you’d like to dive more into the history of House of the Dragon, there’s always Twinfinite’s guides on House Blackfyre and why the Iron Throne looks different. Featured Image Source: HBO
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