Since we haven’t seen the show yet, it would be kind of dumb to make a list on the best House of the Dragon characters. That’s why I’ve created a Top-3 Best House of the Dragon characters, who we should see in the show, as they are in the book:
#1: Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen
Okay, this was an obvious pick, but a necessary one. She was one of my favorite characters from the Fire and Blood book as she had such a drastic and fascinating character arc that I had to include her on the list.
From being born as the heir to the Iron Throne, becoming the most adored woman in all of Westeros (as she was called the Realm’s Delight), marrying into the richest family in all of Westeros, to only then get usurped by her younger brother and remembered as a monster (I won’t get into how here) is probably the most dramatic character changes in all of Fire and Blood, let alone the Dance of the Dragon story.
Unfortunately for Fire and Blood fans, it is a history book and reads like one. Thus, we don’t really get to see Rhaenyra’s actual character or personality aside from a few short exchanges of dialogue here and there. Fortunately, she’s one of the main characters of House of the Dragon and we’ll see a lot more personality and spirit from this wonderful character.
#2: Prince Aemond Targaryen
Essentially, the second son of Viserys and Alicent has all of Daemon Targaryen’s evil qualities but just amplified to the tenth degree. And it’s awesome to read.
I really can’t get too much into Aemond’s story without spoiling the show as he will mainly be a Season 2 and on character. Nevertheless, what I can say is that he is every bit as arrogant, cruel, vicious, vindicative, and wroth as his rogue uncle. Just worse.
Oh, and he has (in my opinion) the coolest eyepatch ever as he uses a sapphire for his missing eye (which you’ll see why he’s missing an eye in the first place during HOTD). Anyway, he’s also the rider of the largest dragon, Vhagar, during the Dance, he’s the most feared Targaryen dragon rider during the war and is a part of the most mysterious side plot of the story.
Plus, he’s involved in the greatest dragon battle of the entire story. He’s just an awesome villain.
#3: Alice Rivers
“Who?” I hear some newcomer fans ask. “Who is Alice Rivers? I haven’t seen her in the trailers or promotional.” And that’s because she only appears much later on in the book and (hopefully) will in the show too. Plus, that’ the reason why I don’t have a picture of her to show. (Look up her name if you wish to see some fanart of her or follow the link I’ll leave to her ASOIAF wiki page to see what she looks like)
So, who is she? She’s the bastard daughter of Lord Lyonel Strong, Viserys Master of Laws, and is the half-sister to Harwin “Breakbones” Strong and Larys “Clubfoot” Strong. Like her younger brother, Larys, she’s a character shrouded in mystery. In fact, she’s the central character to that mysterious Prince Aemond side plot I mentioned earlier.
Like how I said couldn’t talk about Aemond’s story that much, I really can’t talk about hers either without spoiling major parts of the Dance. All I can really say is that she’s a mix of Melisandre and Cersei from Game of Thrones. Trust me, she’ll be one of the most interesting characters in the later seasons if the showrunners portray her correctly.
Anyway, that was my list of the Top-3 Best House of the Dragon characters (as they are portrayed in the books). Once Season 1 finishes, I create a Top-5 House of the Dragon characters (as they are portrayed in show) list.
Images Source: Featured Image: (HBO) (House of the Dragon | Official Teaser Trailer | HBO Max – YouTube)
In Text Image 1: (HBO) (House of the Dragon | Official Teaser Trailer | HBO Max – YouTube)
In Text Image 2: (HBO) (House of the Dragon | Official Trailer | HBO Max – YouTube)
Other Sources: (ASOIAF Wiki) (Alys Rivers – A Wiki of Ice and Fire (westeros.org))
