The best #BookTok picks for House of the Dragon fans
Now that the curtains have closed on season one of House of the Dragon, fans are clamoring for new content to fill the void before the TV show's second season arrives. These reads will have you deep diving into a new adventure.
The HBO series serves as a prequel to Game of Thrones and is based on the Fire & Blood book series by George R. R. Martin. So it's already got a solid book background to begin with.
The epic fantasy show, which stars Emma D'Arcy, Olivia Cookie, and Matt Smith, is set during the reign of House Targaryen.
House of the Dragon's first season came to a close last month with an intense finale that sets up the next season's focus on the Dance of the Dragons.
Unfortunately, fans are in for a long wait, as season two isn't expected to arrive until 2024.
In the meantime, we've rounded up some BookTok fantasy favorites to keep your thirst for another world perfectly quenched.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
The Priory of the Orange Tree is a sprawling fantasy tale, much like House of the Dragon.
Filled with family drama, political intrigue, and – of course – dragons, Samantha Shannon's novel follows Queen Sabran, who must conceive a daughter in order to prevent the destruction of her realm.
Facing the threat of assassins, the queen is unknowingly protected by magic thanks to an outsider named Ead.
This unforgettable read sees a divided kingdom come to chaos, and slays with every word.
Circe by Madeline Miller
Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles is a BookTok staple, but her other title Circe is worth just as much hype.
The novel is also a retelling of Greek mythology, this time focusing on Circe, a girl born with witchcraft powers that cause her to be banished by Zeus.
As Circe learns more about her abilities, she becomes embroiled in an unexpected battle with the Olympians.
Fans of House of the Dragon will adore this book's similar strong female lead, family tension, and mythological elements.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Holly Black is quite a popular author on BookTok, and her fantasy novel The Cruel Prince is a must-read for fans of House of the Dragon.
The first installment in The Folk of the Air series is a dark fantasy that follows Jude, whose parents were killed when she was just seven years old. She was then taken to live at the High Court of the Faerie with her two sisters.
Jude and her sisters are threatened, and when she tries to earn her spot at the Court, she must face off against the wicked Prince Cardan.
The Cruel Prince is an addictive read that will have you up all night as you delve into this unique fantasy world.
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Jennifer L. Armentrout's From Blood and Ash is about a young woman named Poppy, who was born into the solitary life of a Maiden.
But Poppy is never one to back down, and she soon finds herself caught between destiny and desire as the rise of a fallen kingdom threatens all she holds dear.
With plot twists and turns you'll never see coming, From Blood and Ash is perfect for fans missing the endless drama of House Targaryen.
Whether you're Team Green or Team Black, fans of House of the Dragon will love these fantasy picks.
Cover photo: Collage: IMAGO / Picturelux & Unsplash/@sixteenmilesout