The Sons of the Dragon

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The Sons of the Dragon
The Book of Swords.jpg
The Book of Swords cover
Author George R. R. Martin
Country United States
Language English
Series A Song of Ice and Fire
Genre(s) Fantasy
Publisher Bantam
Released October 10, 2017
Media Type novella in The Book of Swords anthology edited by Gardner Dozois
Pages 544 (anthology)
42 (novella)
ISBN ISBN-10: 0399593764
ISBN-13: 978-0399593765

The Sons of the Dragon is a novella which was published on October 10, 2017 as part of The Book of Swords anthology, edited by Gardner Dozois. It chronicles the early lives and reigns of the second and third Targaryen kings, Aenys I and Maegor I,[1] written by Archmaester Gyldayn of the Citadel of Oldtown.[2] It was later slightly expanded and included in Fire & Blood.[3]

George R. R. Martin has read versions of The Sons of the Dragon twice before, both at Bubicon in 2013[4] and at LonCon 2014.[5]

Inconsistencies

The first release of The Sons of the Dragon contains several errors and inconsistencies with earlier works. Elio Garcia, co-author of The World of Ice & Fire, has indicated that George R. R. Martin provided Gardner Dozois his original, raw version of the manuscript, not the version which was later edited down for The World of Ice & Fire, in which several inconsistencies and mistakes had been fixed.[citation needed] Mistakes which have crept into the published novella include:

  • Spelling and consistent use of names. For example, the original manuscript used the names "Robar" and "Rogar" inconsistently for Rogar Baratheon. While for The World of Ice & Fire the choice was made for "Robar", Dozois, when faced with the same choice, chose "Rogar" instead. In the printed version, both "Rogar" and "Robar" are used.
  • Several dates given differ from earlier sources. For example, the High Septon during King Maegor I Targaryen's reign was stated to have died in 44 AC in The World of Ice & Fire, but in 43 AC in The Sons of the Dragon. Garcia has confirmed that 44 AC is indeed erroneous.[6]
  • Several Houses are associated with the incorrect region of origin. For example, Houses Wayn, Deddings, Lychester, Blanetree, and Terrick reside in the riverlands sworn into service to House Tully of Riverrun, but The Sons of the Dragon erroneously states at one point that they are residing in the Reach.[7]
  • Reference is made to a knight called "Loadows of Grassy Vale" - apparently a typo for "Lord Meadows of Grassy Vale", as House Meadows are the rulers of that castle.
  • When Aenys is crowned king, his title is listed as "King of the Andals and the First Men" even though the full title is "King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men" - this is apparently a typo, not a reference to the fact that Dorne remained independent, because Maegor is later referred to with the full, correct title.

References