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A Targaryen History
The Rise of the Dragon: An Illustrated History of the Targaryen Dynasty, Volume One
This lavish visual history—featuring over 180 all-new illustrations—is a stunning introduction to House Targaryen, the iconic family at the heart of HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel series, House of the Dragon.
For hundreds of years, the Targaryens sat the Iron Throne of Westeros while their dragons ruled the skies. The story of the only family of dragonlords to survive Valyria’s Doom is a tale of twisty politics, alliances and betrayals, and acts both noble and craven. The Rise of the Dragon chronicles the creation and rise of Targaryen power in Westeros, covering the history first told in George R. R. Martin’s epic Fire & Blood, from Aegon Targaryen’s conquest of Westeros through to the infamous Dance of the Dragons—the bloody civil war that nearly undid Targaryen rule for good.
Packed with all-new artwork, the Targaryens—and their dragons—come vividly to life in this deluxe reference book. Perfect for fans steeped in the lore of Westeros, as well as those who first meet the Targaryens in the HBO series House of the Dragon, The Rise of the Dragon provides a must-have overview for anyone looking to learn more about the most powerful family in Westeros.
Includes a bonus PDF of illustrations from the book
For hundreds of years, the Targaryens sat the Iron Throne of Westeros while their dragons ruled the skies. The story of the only family of dragonlords to survive Valyria’s Doom is a tale of twisty politics, alliances and betrayals, and acts both noble and craven. The Rise of the Dragon chronicles the creation and rise of Targaryen power in Westeros, covering the history first told in George R. R. Martin’s epic Fire & Blood, from Aegon Targaryen’s conquest of Westeros through to the infamous Dance of the Dragons—the bloody civil war that nearly undid Targaryen rule for good.
Packed with all-new artwork, the Targaryens—and their dragons—come vividly to life in this deluxe reference book. Perfect for fans steeped in the lore of Westeros, as well as those who first meet the Targaryens in the HBO series House of the Dragon, The Rise of the Dragon provides a must-have overview for anyone looking to learn more about the most powerful family in Westeros.
Includes a bonus PDF of illustrations from the book
Audible Audio
First published October 25, 2022
898 people are currently reading
6682 people want to read
About the author
George R.R. Martin
1,505 books120k followersGeorge Raymond Richard "R.R." Martin was born September 20, 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey. His father was Raymond Collins Martin, a longshoreman, and his mother was Margaret Brady Martin. He has two sisters, Darleen Martin Lapinski and Janet Martin Patten.
Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin's first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: The Hero, sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.
In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.
As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976, and was a Journalism instructor at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978. He wrote part-time throughout the 1970s while working as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and teacher.
In 1975 he married Gale Burnick. They divorced in 1979, with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. He was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.
Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93.
Martin's present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers' Guild of America, West.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/george...
Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin's first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: The Hero, sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.
In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.
As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976, and was a Journalism instructor at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978. He wrote part-time throughout the 1970s while working as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and teacher.
In 1975 he married Gale Burnick. They divorced in 1979, with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. He was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.
Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93.
Martin's present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers' Guild of America, West.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/george...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 392 reviews
July 30, 2024
For those wondering what's the difference between this book and Fire & Blood, the answer is: none in terms of content. It's the exact same book with the exact same story, no updates and no modifications. For a review of the story, here's mine.
The only new stuff in The Rise of the Dragon is the artwork, and nothing but the artwork. So, unless you like Fantasy art and would love to own an illustrated coffee table edition, you're not missing anything by not buying this one if you already own Fire and Blood. Rise of the Dragon contains 180 new illustrations (a stunning number, if you ask me; I didn't expect them to be this many!) done by 38 different artists. You can check the list of artists over at Elio & Linda's site, which also showcases some of their artwork so you can also appreciate a few of the illustrations on the artists' own pages if you don't want to buy this book or would like to check them out before ordering a copy.
I already knew almost all of the artists that worked on this either from previous work they did for ASOIAF or from my days at art sites, and only about 4 or so were new to me. I can say I wouldn't have hired a few of them, such as Magali Villeneuve, not because they're bad artists (they aren't, all of them are good and some are superlatively great) but because their style doesn't quite suit ASOIAF. Magali, for example, can't illustrate anything but supermodel-like gorgeous men & women and can't do anything but Vogue-style posey, overly produced characters that don't look natural; and that's not good for this kind of Fantasy world as we have in ASOIAF, which isn't some Tolkienesque gorgeousness where everyone is unnaturally beautiful as the Elves but a more brutal setting with plenty of horrible characters (I swear she can't draw ugly people, either, just look at how she interprets people that are canonically described as butt-ugly).
Others I was extremely glad to see back or for the first time, such as Marc Simonetti, Chase Stone, Ertac Altinoz, Mark Smylie, and René Aigner. Marc, Smylie, and Chase are superb and never disappoint, I've never seen anything from them I haven't liked. If it was up to me, these 3 would do all the illustrations, but 180 might be too much for their schedules.
So, the artwork is overall consistent in quality. Some artists are better and others needed more guidance and practice before attempting this dragon-filled world; but on the whole the art is impressive, especially the dragons and the castle scenes. The only ones I didn't like were the black & white ink drawings and some of the close-ups, as a matter of personal taste.
I'd say this is a better edition than Fire & Blood just for the art. I'd rate this 3 stars for the text and 4.5 stars for the artwork, and do bear in mind that whether you'll like the art or not is entirely subjective.
The only new stuff in The Rise of the Dragon is the artwork, and nothing but the artwork. So, unless you like Fantasy art and would love to own an illustrated coffee table edition, you're not missing anything by not buying this one if you already own Fire and Blood. Rise of the Dragon contains 180 new illustrations (a stunning number, if you ask me; I didn't expect them to be this many!) done by 38 different artists. You can check the list of artists over at Elio & Linda's site, which also showcases some of their artwork so you can also appreciate a few of the illustrations on the artists' own pages if you don't want to buy this book or would like to check them out before ordering a copy.
I already knew almost all of the artists that worked on this either from previous work they did for ASOIAF or from my days at art sites, and only about 4 or so were new to me. I can say I wouldn't have hired a few of them, such as Magali Villeneuve, not because they're bad artists (they aren't, all of them are good and some are superlatively great) but because their style doesn't quite suit ASOIAF. Magali, for example, can't illustrate anything but supermodel-like gorgeous men & women and can't do anything but Vogue-style posey, overly produced characters that don't look natural; and that's not good for this kind of Fantasy world as we have in ASOIAF, which isn't some Tolkienesque gorgeousness where everyone is unnaturally beautiful as the Elves but a more brutal setting with plenty of horrible characters (I swear she can't draw ugly people, either, just look at how she interprets people that are canonically described as butt-ugly).
Others I was extremely glad to see back or for the first time, such as Marc Simonetti, Chase Stone, Ertac Altinoz, Mark Smylie, and René Aigner. Marc, Smylie, and Chase are superb and never disappoint, I've never seen anything from them I haven't liked. If it was up to me, these 3 would do all the illustrations, but 180 might be too much for their schedules.
So, the artwork is overall consistent in quality. Some artists are better and others needed more guidance and practice before attempting this dragon-filled world; but on the whole the art is impressive, especially the dragons and the castle scenes. The only ones I didn't like were the black & white ink drawings and some of the close-ups, as a matter of personal taste.
I'd say this is a better edition than Fire & Blood just for the art. I'd rate this 3 stars for the text and 4.5 stars for the artwork, and do bear in mind that whether you'll like the art or not is entirely subjective.
April 12, 2024
rhaenyra targaryen is the first mother to ever mother… mother cunthel if you will
Want to read
September 9, 2022Soooooo anyone knows what's the difference between this and Fire and Blood? AND for the love of the old gods and the new, does he literally do everything except finish Winds of Winter!!!
But I'm sold 🤷🏽♀️
But I'm sold 🤷🏽♀️
Want to read
March 17, 2022I don’t get how this is different from Fire and Blood but.. ok.. I will read it 🤷🏻♀️
November 4, 2022
Game of Thrones is easily the highlight for Mr. Martin as this lacks consistent interest. 3 of 10 stars
October 27, 2022
A mouth full. I just stuck around to see what happens were the current TV series left off 😁
June 18, 2024
The artwork is absolutely gorgeous!! It's the same content-wise as Fire & Blood (although less of it), but the illustrations make the book. Stunning!
October 28, 2022
A few things to note here:
While it is George's historical story, this edition is the work of Westeros.Org creators Elio M. Garcia and Linda Antonsson, just as The World of Ice and Fire illustrated encyclopedia was. Much like that edition, the primary reason to experience this is for the absolutely stunning artwork, and to spend some additional time with beloved historical characters. I can't give more then 4 stars, as everything here was already provided in Blood & Fire, but I can give exactly 4 stars due to the amazing artwork and strong narration of Harry Lloyd.
While it is George's historical story, this edition is the work of Westeros.Org creators Elio M. Garcia and Linda Antonsson, just as The World of Ice and Fire illustrated encyclopedia was. Much like that edition, the primary reason to experience this is for the absolutely stunning artwork, and to spend some additional time with beloved historical characters. I can't give more then 4 stars, as everything here was already provided in Blood & Fire, but I can give exactly 4 stars due to the amazing artwork and strong narration of Harry Lloyd.
July 13, 2024
6 stars! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The fascinating drama between the different kingdoms & royal houses of Westeros were just so much fun to read. I love the added drama involving the dragons & the stories of what led up to their ultimate demise. There were hundreds of beautiful drawings & illustrations between the pages. I luv it! This is a must read for Games of Thrones fans & fans of the House of the Dragons.
April 3, 2024
No thoughts really, I was just here for the vibes
Read
October 4, 2022Don’t bother, He is not going to finish this series either.
March 2, 2023
A cash grab with pretty art. Tell a new story George, we are all sick of the dragon people.
September 11, 2023
Did you love the book Fire & Blood, but wish it was massive with better artwork?
If so you may be in luck. The Rise of the Dragon is exactly that book. A massive version of Fire & Blood with better artwork.
I'm not going to call it a cash grab, but the stories are the same as the ones in Fire & Blood. I have heard some are even condensed.
There is a small part of me that loves A Song of Ice and Fire and is still hoping for a true book ending. That part of me dies a little bit more each time a book like The Rise of the Dragon comes out (or even worse The Wit & Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister...a complete cash grab). George R.R. Martin isn't getting any younger and it has been a long time since there was a reasonable release in the A Song of Ice and Fire universe. It has mostly been world books covering history that has been covered multiple times. I'd love a new Dunk and Egg short story at the very least.
I could complain endlessly about this, but I'd like to end this with the beautiful artwork that is the best part of the book.
If so you may be in luck. The Rise of the Dragon is exactly that book. A massive version of Fire & Blood with better artwork.
I'm not going to call it a cash grab, but the stories are the same as the ones in Fire & Blood. I have heard some are even condensed.
There is a small part of me that loves A Song of Ice and Fire and is still hoping for a true book ending. That part of me dies a little bit more each time a book like The Rise of the Dragon comes out (or even worse The Wit & Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister...a complete cash grab). George R.R. Martin isn't getting any younger and it has been a long time since there was a reasonable release in the A Song of Ice and Fire universe. It has mostly been world books covering history that has been covered multiple times. I'd love a new Dunk and Egg short story at the very least.
I could complain endlessly about this, but I'd like to end this with the beautiful artwork that is the best part of the book.
December 9, 2022
I know this is probably another money grab, but I love everything from the Song of Ice and Fire and my favorite house Targaryen🔥🐲
(I’m not going to bother re-write what it’s about but copy what it says on the back:)
This lavish visual history—featuring more than 150 new, full-color illustrations—is a stunning introduction to House Targaryen, the iconic family at the heart of HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel series.
This book was quite large, larger than I expected, and the illustrations were beautiful, and if you’ve read Fire and Blood where there are gray illustrations—this one has colored illustrations. And it doesn’t feel that overwhelming to read through either. As George R.R. Martin said it’s much like the book The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones.
If you are a big fan of the universe, this will be a great addition to your collection, as it is to mine. Now, let’s cross our fingers that he finish The Winds of Winter soon🤞
Happy reading!♥️
(I’m not going to bother re-write what it’s about but copy what it says on the back:)
This lavish visual history—featuring more than 150 new, full-color illustrations—is a stunning introduction to House Targaryen, the iconic family at the heart of HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel series.
This book was quite large, larger than I expected, and the illustrations were beautiful, and if you’ve read Fire and Blood where there are gray illustrations—this one has colored illustrations. And it doesn’t feel that overwhelming to read through either. As George R.R. Martin said it’s much like the book The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones.
If you are a big fan of the universe, this will be a great addition to your collection, as it is to mine. Now, let’s cross our fingers that he finish The Winds of Winter soon🤞
Happy reading!♥️
November 28, 2022
The Rise of the Dragon: An Illustrated History of the Targaryen Dynasty Volume One is basically Fire & Blood Volume One but illustrated. One could say this was a money grab or that the previous book shouldn’t have been published and the material should have waited until quality illustrations like in this book were created or both could be true, it doesn’t matter. Of the two books, get The Rise of the Dragon for the simple fact that with the amazing illustrations the material is enhanced. But given the non-illustrated material is just a rehash from another book, I’m downgrading the rating of this book as a result to show my annoyance.
August 3, 2024
Buenas imágenes si te gusta el fandom de ASOIAF, pero Fire and Blood está mil veces mejor y mucho más completo.
October 30, 2022
Don’t mind me, I am hardly objective about this series.
Do not buy this book if you did not care about Targaryen history and related artwork.
If you do, you have probably ordered it already.
Do not buy this book if you did not care about Targaryen history and related artwork.
If you do, you have probably ordered it already.
February 26, 2024
Technically did not read this, because I read it all in Fire and Blood. However, I just went through and looked at all the gorgeous artwork and it absolutely deserves five stars for being beautiful. Looking forward to an abbreviated reread of F&B using this book instead.
July 5, 2024
my attachment to this freak family should be studied.
November 28, 2024
Extremely entertaining fiction. We desperately need more written content from GRRM.
October 26, 2022
Some additional details not mentioned in the standard Fire and Blood. (I did compare and contrast). Classically, with some slight contractions and variations in the ‘tellings”. But more or less covering the same time period and telling the same stories…
Art work is pretty great. Wish the shows could have displayed dragonstone the same way the illustration is.
Art work is pretty great. Wish the shows could have displayed dragonstone the same way the illustration is.
February 19, 2023
I read Fire & Blood on an occasional basis and finished it. Because I bought ‘Fire and Blood’ at Apple Books, I was notified by them that another Martin book, ‘The Rise of the Dragon: An Illustrated History of the Targaryen Dynasty, Volume One’ was newly published, and would I like to get it? Fool that I am, I did. Why am I a Fool? Shut up. Anyway, I read both ‘Fire and Blood’ and ‘The Rise of the Dragon’ together, once I realized they were almost the same read, even if having different art drawings. Skimmed ‘The Rise of the Dragon’, actually. It is the duller of the two books to read. If you, gentle reader, really really want the backstory and history of the Targaryen Dynasty, I would read ‘Fire & Blood’. Unless you want to look at color drawings of dragons, lots and lots and lots of dragons!
Ok, then. ‘The Rise of the Dragon’ is ‘Fire and Blood’ redone but more concise, using much the same info as is in ‘Fire and Blood’. There are paragraphs exactly the same, but a lot of the scandals and rumors descriptions in ‘Fire and Blood’ are gone or extremely compressed down into a sentence. However, there are the gorgeous color drawings, entirely new ones, that are not at all in ‘Fire and Blood’. Even in an ebook, they are gorgeous! ‘The Rise of the Dragon’ is probably a better buy as a coffee table book. I like looking at the dragons, even if on my phone, passing the time…
Ok, then. ‘The Rise of the Dragon’ is ‘Fire and Blood’ redone but more concise, using much the same info as is in ‘Fire and Blood’. There are paragraphs exactly the same, but a lot of the scandals and rumors descriptions in ‘Fire and Blood’ are gone or extremely compressed down into a sentence. However, there are the gorgeous color drawings, entirely new ones, that are not at all in ‘Fire and Blood’. Even in an ebook, they are gorgeous! ‘The Rise of the Dragon’ is probably a better buy as a coffee table book. I like looking at the dragons, even if on my phone, passing the time…
August 21, 2023
Despite having just finished Fire & Blood, and then starting with this one, and it being the exact same story with a different narrative form, it was still super exciting to read and see the world come alive with the many beautiful illustrations because George R. R. Martin has me in a chokehold.
November 4, 2022
I love anything to do with A Song of Ice and Fire, and I absolutely find the Westerosi lore fascinating...however, this book was just too similar to Fire and Blood, another companion book. I was expecting lots of new information and more chapters.
October 25, 2022
Dear George,
Please move your ass to do the real business.
All of Us
Please move your ass to do the real business.
All of Us
January 18, 2024
Nie sądziłam że to tak szybko skończę but I did it. To samo co ogień i krew tylko trochę mniej szczegółowe?? No i oczywiście wydanie dojebane i ILUSTRACJE kocham je. Czekam na kontynuację bo wszystko do regencji Aegona III znam na pamięć a z resztą gorzej
September 20, 2025
A summarized version of Fire and Blood.
November 30, 2022
Історія Таргарієнів від часів Ейгона Завойовника та його появи у Вестеросі та до наслідків громадянської війни між представниками цього Дому, більш відомої за назвою Танець з Драконами.
Чудові ілюстрації від різних художників, котрі давно працюють з темою Пісні Льоду та Полум'я.
Прочитав англійською десь за три тижні.
Каєф 💜
Чудові ілюстрації від різних художників, котрі давно працюють з темою Пісні Льоду та Полум'я.
Прочитав англійською десь за три тижні.
Каєф 💜
November 13, 2022
If you've read Fire and Blood, then you may just want to give this one a cursory glance, as it covers the same territory, but in a much more abridged fashion. The real star of this book, though, is its artwork. While F&B has several black and white illustrations, this one is chock full with gorgeous color illustrations that I definitely drooled over a bit. The writing, though, definitely lacked the polish of F&B. Still, not bad, just not anything new beyond the artwork.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 392 reviews