Fire & Blood

This work is written as an in-universe history book by a fictional maester rather than a standard narrative novel. It compiles historical accounts and conflicting records to chronicle the Targaryen dynasty, which means it lacks the intimate character perspectives and dialogue found in traditional fiction.

While it is technically a standalone history, it is designed for readers already familiar with the broader world. The text frequently references events and lore established in the main series, making it most rewarding for those who have already explored the primary novels.

The HBO series House of the Dragon adapts the latter portion of this volume, specifically the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Because the book is written as a historical chronicle with multiple, sometimes unreliable sources, the showrunners had to invent specific scenes and dialogue to dramatize the events described in the text.