5 Epic Fantasy Sagas To Watch And Read: From ‘House Of The Dragon’ To ‘The Wheel Of Time’

Thanks to the phenomenal success of HBO’s Game of Thrones (2011-2019), TV viewers have been blessed in recent years with epic book-to-screen adaptations of best-selling high fantasy sagas, from Netflix’s The Witcher (2019-present) to Amazon’s The Wheel of Time (2021-present).

Of course, many of these adaptations understandably do not and cannot possibly translate everything on print to screen. Games of Thrones—based on American author George R.R. Martin’s acclaimed medieval fantasy novel series, A Song of Ice and Fire (1996-present)—is one such example.

It is thus always worthwhile to read the source material for a deeper appreciation of the gripping sagas brought vividly to life on screen.

Including HBO’s Game of Thrones: House of The Dragon (2022) and Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022), here are five high-profile fantasy dramas with original books you can read before, after, or in tandem with the series’ streaming.

1. ‘Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon’ (HBO)

Set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon focuses on House Targaryen when they rule Westeros with their mighty dragons amid a peaceful period, before a ferocious civil war nearly wiped out the dragonlords and their fiery pets.

This eagerly-awaited HBO series is based on Martin’s two-volume Fire & Blood (2018). Not a novel per se, it is a fictional history tome written by one Archmaester Gyldayn chronicling every Targaryen who ruled in Westeros, beginning with Aegon the Conqueror, the creator of the Iron Throne.

House of the Dragon’s plotline is located in the second half of the first volume, beginning with the reign of King Viserys I (Paddy Considine), the fifth Targaryen ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. The show follows the monarch’s conflicts with his first-born daughter Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock when younger/Emma D’Arcy as adult) and his hot-tempered brother Daemon (Matt Smith), which culminates into the civil war known as “Dance of the Dragons”.

A fascinating read especially if you love palace politics, fierce battles, and yes, massive dragons. Fire & Blood also details much of the Velaryons and the Hightowers, two Westerosi Houses that will feature prominently in the TV series. A release date for the second volume has yet to be set.

House of the Dragon debuts on 21 August 2022 on HBO and HBO Max.

Read also:

* ‘House Of The Dragon’ Season One: The 20 Best Quotes From The ‘Game Of Thrones’ Prequel

2. ‘The Wheel of Time’ (Amazon)

Based on American novelist Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time, this lavishly-produced Amazon series follows Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), a member of a powerful all-female organization, who is on a dangerous journey to seek the Dragon Reborn - an individual prophesied to either save or destroy humanity.

One of the best-selling fantasy novel series of all-time, The Wheel of Time (1990-2013) has 14 volumes, with the last three instalments co-authored by American writer Brandon Sanderson after Jordan’s death in 2007. There is also a prequel novel, New Spring, and two companion books (with a third scheduled for release end 2022).

The show’s well-received Season 1 is primarily based on the first book, The Eye of the World—which reveals the Dragon Reborn at the end—while Season 2 will adapt from the next two books, The Great Hunt and The Dragon Reborn.

With a third season greenlighted, and a potential eight-season run on the cards, do gear up for a 15-novel reading marathon, or check out the audiobooks narrated by lead actress Rosamund Pike. For a full list of The Wheel of Time novels, click here.

The Wheel of Time Season 2 is due late 2022 or early 2023 on Prime Video.

Read also:

* ‘The Wheel Of Time’ Season 2: 10 Most Memorable Moments

* 10 Things To Expect In ‘The Wheel Of Time’ Season 3

3. ‘The Witcher’ (Netflix)

This hit Netflix series follows the adventures of mutated monster hunter Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), and his tempestuous relationships with Princess Ciri (Freya Allan) and sorceress Yennefer (Anya Chalotra).

The action-packed medieval fantasy is based on Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels and short stories, and not on the popular Witcher video game series that the books spawned. (The show’s infamous bathtub scene with Geralt however was influenced by the game.)

There are eight Witcher books in all of which the first two, The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny, are short story collections. The show’s first season derives key aspects from The Last Wish, while the second season is largely based on the third book, Blood of Elves, and “A Grain of Truth,” the third short story in The Last Wish.

Season 3 will adapt from the fourth novel, Time of Contempt, in which Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer face more dangers from those who seek to capture the princess for her mysterious powers.

With a seven-season run planned, the other novels to read thereafter (in order) are Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, The Lady of the Lake, and Season of Storms.

The Witcher is streaming on Netflix, with Season 3 expected in 2023.

4. ‘Shadow And Bone’ (Netflix)

Based on Israeli-American author Leigh Bardugo’s young adult Grishaverse novels, Shadow and Bone focuses on orphan mapmaker Alina (Jessie Mei Li) who finds herself fending against dark forces, especially the charismatic General Kirigan (Ben Barnes), after unleashing an extraordinary power that could either save or destroy her war-torn world.

This enthralling Netflix series is primarily adapted from the first book of Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy (2012–2014). The other two volumes being Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising. It also included characters and concepts from the author’s Six of Crows duology (2015–2016), specifically a motley crew of thieves, thugs and assassins collectively known as the Crows.

Although part of the same Grishaverse, Six of Crows and its sequel, Crooked Kingdom, are set in a different time frame and location. However, given an original storyline, the Crows surprisingly fit reasonably well into the Shadow and Bone plotline. In fact, they arguably added much color to Alina’s dark and bleak (albeit captivating) story.

Shadow and Bone Season 2, which will adapt from Siege and Storm with another original storyline for the Crows, airs end 2022 or early 2023 on Netflix.

5. ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ (Amazon)

Set thousands of years before the events of The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) film trilogy (2001-2003) and The Hobbit trilogy (2012-2014), The Rings of Powers is set in Middle-earth’s Second Age which sees the forging of the titular rings (20 in all), the rise of Dark Lord Sauron, and the Last Alliance between Elves and Men.

Although based on English writer J.R.R. Tolkien’s much-loved The Lord of the Rings novels (1954-1955), appendices, and The Hobbit (1937)—the only source material which Amazon allegedly have the rights to—this much-anticipated series will feature many characters, locations and events not depicted in Peter Jackson’s Third-Age-set films.

Bar younger versions of royal elves Galadriel (portrayed by Cate Blanchett in the films) and Elrond (depicted by Hugo Weaving) for example, several Rings characters were specially created for the TV show. The debut season will thus focus more on introducing major heroes and new worlds.

So, until the drama’s authorized novel version materializes, check out the four main LOTR books anyway, especially the appendices at the end of the third and final volume, The Return of the King. The six appendices provide detailed information of the history, cultures and languages in Middle-earth, including overviews of events that took place in the First and Second Age.

The Rings of Power debuts on 2 September 2022 on Prime Video.

Read also:

* 'Game Of Thrones' Season 8 Episode 6: The 20 Best Quotes From the Series Finale, “The Iron Throne”

* The 20 Best Tyrion Lannister Quotes from ‘Game of Thrones’ Seasons One to Eight

* ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 8: The 12 Most Memorable Moments from the Final Season