By Lewis Knight

Published: Monday, 22 August 2022 at 12:00 am


The prequel to Game of Thrones has finally arrived.

House of the Dragon will tell the story of House Targaryen at the height of their powers until an argument about who will succeed King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine) explodes.

Will Viserys choose his roguish brother Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) or his daughter Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy, Milly Alcock) to sit upon the Iron Throne?

And even if he chooses one, will the realm truly back his decisions?

The House of the Dragon cast also stars Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower, Olivia Cooke and Emily Carey as Lady Alicent Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole, and Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria.

However, while Game of Thrones may be based on the book series A Song of Ice and Fire, what is House of the Dragon based on?

What book is House of the Dragon based on? 

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Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon.
HBO

House of the Dragon is based on the fictional popular history book Fire and Blood.

The book, which was released in 2018, charts the history of House Targaryen from the arrival of King Aegon I Targaryen (AKA Aegon the Conquerer) in Westeros to the early days in the reign of King Aegon III Targaryen.

This historical account contains six volumes, available as follows:

  • The Targaryen Conquest – King Aegon I Targaryen conquers the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.
  • The Peace of the Dragon – King Aegon I Targaryen rules over Westeros.
  • The Sons of the Dragon – The reigns of Aegon’s sons, King Aenys I Targaryen and King Maegor I Targaryen, followed by the early reign of Aenys’s own son, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen.
  • Heirs of the Dragon – The last years of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen’s lengthy reign and the succession debate that follows it.
  • The Dying of the Dragons – The civil war known as ‘The Dance of Dragons’ that develops over the succession of King Viserys I Targaryen.
  • Aftermath — The Boy King and His Regents – The early reign of King Aegon III Targaryen.