The Rogue Prince, or, a King's Brother

by George R.R. Martin

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Short Stories, Novella, Dragons, High Fantasy

33 pages, Unknown Binding

First published June 1, 2014

About the author

George 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...

Reviews

[Marianna Neal]

Read this because I was hoping for more information than I got from Fire & Blood but it's almost identical to the corresponding section of that book. Not that it makes it a bad story, it's just not what I was hoping it would be. If you're like me and wanting to learn more about Daemon Targaryen after reading Fire & Blood - this isn't going to be where you get it.

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rogue Prince by George R.R. Martin is a prequel novelette set in the world of A Song of Ice and Fire. It’s presented as a chronicle written by Archmaester Gyldayn, focusing on Prince Daemon Targaryen.

Even though the book is supposedly about Daemon, we actually don’t get to know him very well. I expected stories about his youth, his wild adventures, his marriages, or his relationship with his brother—the king—but we get none of that. Instead, the book touches briefly on the major events that happened around him. It isn’t bad, but it was a bit disappointing.

What I absolutely loved, though, was the chronicle format. It’s so well written and feels like a genuine historical document, especially with the conflicting viewpoints (Mushroom, the king’s fool, and Septon Eustace) adding that extra layer of authenticity.

⚠️SPOILER ALERT⚠️
If you are watching or planning to watch HBO’s House of the Dragon, do not read this book, and definitely don’t read the excerpt below.

"He was the grandson of a king, the brother of a king, husband to a queen. Two of his sons and three of his grandsons would sit the Iron Throne, but the only crown that Daemon Targaryen ever wore was the crown of the Stepstones, a meager realm he made himself with blood and steel and dragonfire, and soon abandoned."

"Over the centuries, House Targaryen has produced both great men and monsters. Prince Daemon was both. In his day there was not a man so admired, so beloved, and so reviled in all Westeros. He was made of light and darkness in equal parts. To some he was a hero, to others the blackest of villains. No true understanding of that most tragic bloodletting known as the Dance of the Dragons is possible without a consideration of the crucial role played before and during the conflict by this rogue prince."

GOD I LOVE GRRM’S WRITING

[bridge4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

just relistened to this on audible, narrated brilliantly by Ian Glenn

this novella highlights the events leading into the Dance of the Dragons, with a focus on Daemon Targaryen, but touching on many characters that eventually become the Blacks and the Greens

there's one really cool moment between some of the younger characters and a specific dragon

but other than that, its nothing special. but its well written and its a must read for hardcore fans of the world of ice and fire (as is all the world of ice and fire material)

[Storm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a huge let down as the narrative device is a chronicle of The Rogue Prince Daemon Targaryen as set down by Archmaester Gyldayn of the Citadel of Oldtown. It reads like some history textbook, as even some chroniclers are able to write a thrilling tale while being historically accurate, but such is not the case here. It is so dry, containing nothing but narrations of what happened to who, with no color and none of the emotional impact that would elevate it to greatness.

[Snezhina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the centuries, House Targaryen has produced both great men and monsters. Prince Daemon was both. In his day there was not a man so admired, so beloved, and so reviled in all Westeros. He was made of light and darkness in equal parts. To some he was a hero, to others - the blackest of villains.

Интересна повест за Деймън Таргариен, невероятен образ. Това обаче е само увод към неговия живот и дела. За повече прочетете частите за Танца на драконите в "Огън и кръв". Изключителен психопат, от онези, интелигентите и плашещите. Мат Смит трябва изключително много да се постарае, за да го изиграе добре в "House of the Dragon".

[Carrie Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried A Game of Thrones years ago and couldn't get into it. This didn't help.

[Vera Strike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extraordinarily dull and tedious ending to a good short story book, Rogues. I haven't read any of Martin's other works, and I feel like this is something akin to diving into the Lord of the Rings series by reading the Silmarillion... except in this case, shorter and centered around the history of one prince. I sure hope the rest of the series is more compelling and has more depth and character development, rather than listing of events. Two stars because... hey, I've read worse.

[Holden Strausser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really deserves more of a 3.5 star rating if that were possible. Engaging short story about the Targaryen dynasty that overcomes its history book format to entertain.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

KING JAEHAERYS WAS 96YO WHEN HE DIED, HE WAS MARRIED TO ALYSANNE. 14YO WHEN HE FIRST TOOK THE CROWN. ALICENT HIGHTOWER USED TO READ TO HIM, SHE WAS 14YO. OTTO'S DAUGHTER. WHEN JAEHAERYS DIED HIS GRANDSON VISEYS TOOK THE THRONE. HE WAS 26YO AND MARRIED TO HIS COUSIN LAYD AEMMA OF HOUSE ARYNN. LADY AEMMA WAS THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF JAEHAERYS AND ALYSANNE, DAUGHTER OF PRINCESS DAELLA. THEY HAD A DAUGHER NAMED RHAENYRA. RHAENYRA'S DRAGON IS SYRAX. SHE IS 6YO WHEN HER DAD BECOMES KING. PRINCE DAMEON FAVORED MYSARIA THE WHITE WORM. IT WAS CLAIMED THAT OTTO HIGHTOWER DISLIKED DAMEON FOR DEFLOWERING ALICENT. AT 23YO CHRISTIAN COLE JOINED THE GUARD. OTTO MADE IT KNOW THAT THEY WOULD RATHER HAVE RHAENYRA AS QUEEN AND NOT DAEMON. KING VISERYS AND LADY AEMMA WERE NOW EXPECTING A CHILD. RHAENYRA WAS NAMED SUCCESSOR. DAEMON WENT TO DRAGONSTONE WITH MYSARIA, SHE WAS WITH CHILDL AND DAMEON TOOK AN EGG. LADY AEMMA DIED DURING CHILD BIRTH. KING VISERYS WAS TO REMARRY. THEY SUGGESTED LAENA, DAUGHTER OF RHAENYS AND THE SEA SNAKE. HER DRAGON WAS VAGAR. ALICENT WAS 18 WHEN KING VISERYS MARRIED HER. ALICENT HAD AEGON, HELAENA, AND AEMOND. RHAENYRA WANTED CRISTON COLE BUT HER NOT HER. INSTEAD SHE WENT TO BREAKBONES. SER HARWIN STRONG. SHE WAS TO MARRY SER LAENOR VELARYON BUT HER LOVED MEN. RHAEYNRA HAS JACE AND ALICENT HAD ANOTHER SON, DAERON. RAEYNRA HAS ANOTHER SON WITH BROWN HAIR. LUKE AKA LUCERYS. DAMEON HAS 2 DAUGHTERS BAELA AND RHAENA. RHAEYNYRA HAD ANOTHER SON. JOFFREY. WITH BROWN HAIR. THEY HAD DRAGOS, VEREMAX, ARRAX, AND TYRAXES. LAENA DIED. AND SO DOES HER BROTHER. DAEMON AND RHAEYNRA MARRY. HAVE A SON NAMED AEGON. HE HAS SILVER HAIR AND PURPLE EYES LIKE A TARGAYEN. KING VISERYS IS MAD. THEY HAVE A SECOND SON, NAMED VISERYS. AEGON AND HELENA MARRY. HAELA HAD TWINS AND A SON NAMED MAELOR. AND AEGON THE ELDER HAD 2 OTHER KIDS WITH SERVANTS. DAERON, ALICENTS YOUNGEST WENT TO OLDTOWN. KING VISERYS DIED.

[Graham Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Review from 2023)

"The Rogue Prince" predates GRRM's "Fire & Blood" by a few years and was technically reprinted in Fire & Blood to fit in with the rest of the book's description of the early years of House Targaryen before the main events of "A Song of Ice and Fire".

While I think I prefer the subsequent section of the Targaryen's history describing The Dance of the Dragons, The Rogue Prince was still an enjoyable read on its own and is one of the best parts of Fire & Blood. It makes sense that this and related chapters about The Dance would be selected by HBO to be the basis of the first Game of Thrones spin-off. It's got debauchery, court intrigue, family drama, medieval warfare, and dragons, the ingredients for a compelling ASOIAF tale. I personally liked the style of the story being an in-universe history book that is reliant on biased and conflicting first hand accounts. Not only did that feel unique compared to other ASOIAF stories but it generates fierce debates online that ASOIAF fans are known to get into over GRRM's stories.

Having now seen the first season of House of the Dragon which adapts the entirety of The Rogue Prince, I'd say HBO did a good job (certainly better than the fan-fic GOT became in its final seasons). While I do like the show's portrayal of King Viserys over the books, as well as th change of Rhaenyra and Alicent being childhood friends as it adds to the tragedy of their subsequent rivalry, I do prefer The Rogue Prince and how it kept some of the events leading to the Dance ambiguous and up to interpretation.

While not my favorite ASOIAF story, "The Rogue Prince" was an interesting read well worth it for any ASOIAF fans.

[Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this novella, but, despite telling roughly the same story (and narrated by the same reader, Iain Glen!), I didn't find it as interesting as The Princess and The Queen, or, The Blacks and The Greens.

I guess I'm ready to read Fire & Blood now!

Not recommended unless you're a completist.

[Özer Avcu · Rating 2 out of 5]

House of the Dragon dizisi yayınlandıktan sonra, Ejderhaların Dansı döneminde neler olduğunu yeniden hatırlamak için okumaya karar vermiştim. Ateş ve Kan'ı okuyalı bir süre olduğu için hem bilgileri tazelemek hem de yeni bilgiler edinmek istedim. Ancak bu kitap ayrı bir kaynak gibi durmuyor maalesef, Ateş ve Kan da geçen kısımlar ile neredeyse aynı, hatta Ateş ve Kan'da biraz daha detay var sanırım ( + resimler ).

Merak edenler Ateş ve Kan'daki "Ejderha'nın Varisleri - Veraset Sorunu" bölümünü okuyabilirler, Ateş ve Kan'ı okuyanların da tekrar okumasına gerek yok kesinlikle.

[Tony Mush · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the main game of thrones books, thought this would be interesting. Read as part of Rouges anthology. Turned out to be my least favorite short "story" in the anthology. Overly dry and written like a history summary. I've read spark notes summaries of books that were more exciting and had better plot lines than this.

[Anne Bruck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh boy, we are in for a wild ride. If you have no patience and want to spoil yourself the whole plot of house of the dragons, that novella is for you.

But seriously, it's a sketch of a much longer work that just sets the timeline and marks some turning points for the characters. Won't make you relate to them, if you have no idea who they are.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - This is pretty much identical to the section in Fire and Blood on the reign of Viserys... Which I knew before reading it. However, I've been in an atrocious reading slump and this was calling to me. I enjoyed revisiting this particular era of Targaryen history, particularly after my disappointment with choices made in House of the Dragon.

[Cypress · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was slightly better than Fire & Blood because it was much more focused in its history with more detail and thus more plot. It was still quite dry (as told by a historian) without the color of characters’ experiences that in his other books makes up for the medieval violence and misogyny.

[Tatiana Agostinho · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The greatest of his rivals was our rogue prince: Daemon Targaryen, the
king’s ambitious, impetuous younger brother."
"After this the storm broke, and the dragons danced and died."
ONE LOVE DAEMON <3

[Benja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun. I'm not familiar with Martin's works. Some horribly trite sentences here and there ("The first, but not the last"). Story is essentially a very cursory summary of the HBO show and I'm not sure I would've otherwise followed or enjoyed it as its own thing.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you read Fire & Blood by GRRMartin, there is no need to read this story. I thought there was more about Prince Daemon here but it was all pretty much in Fire & Blood. It would be a good read though if you haven't read Fire & Blood.

[Marcus Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s not a story, just a historical text book - felt like it was a bit of a let down in the rogues book because all the other authors made up proper stories and I thought G R R M would do the same - I really liked a Knight of the Seven Kingdoms so was hoping for something like that

[Gowtham Nimmala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this audiobook narrated quite brilliantly by Iain Glen. Felt like a peeking into a piece of targaryen history, complimented by some entertaining insights from my new favorite - the unreliable narrator, mushroom!

[Jolisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

04/16/25 - Sigh. I feel like I wasted time on this audiobook. I listened to this after listening to Fire & Blood… this was pretty much word for word. I was expecting more about Daemon, not to listen to this again.

[Aldana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestamente pensé que me daría algún que otro detalle nuevo, pero comprendí que me quedo mil veces más con lo que se explicó en fire and blood. De todas formas, estuvo bueno releer esos momentos de uno de mis libros favoritos.

[Megan Paschke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good reading in anticipation of Dance of Dragons, reads like a history book

[Akanksha · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an engaging short story

[Michael Brosnahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much of a story. Really just setting up for the next novella.

[Chambodia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads as a dry history book instead of a short story. Fills in a few details from The Princess and the Queen.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The table is set for The Dance of the Dragons.

[Jennie Mather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this short story to prepare for the upcoming premiere of House of Dragons.

[Archita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crush on Daemon Targaryen led me here but he's barely there in the story which mostly chronicles the reign of Viserys instead, alas. :(