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The Rise of the Dragon by George RR Martin: it’s controversial
George RR Martin presents a new book set in Westeros: it’s called The Rise of the Dragon and it’s an illustrated volume. However, even before its release, it received negative feedback from fans due to the co-writers involved.
Although House of the Dragon has become a television success, the new novel dedicated to the Targaryens and written by George RR Martin is already causing debate even before its release. The reasons are different, but the most relevant relies on accusations of racism against the co-authors of the novel. It’s titled The Rise of the Dragon and is an illustrated volume that continues to take a close look at the beloved Targaryen dynasty in Game of Thrones thanks to Daenerys and also dusted off in the new TV adventures of House of the Dragon.
What would be the problem? Besides the fact that George RR Martin would have concluded another book that is not The Winds of the Winter, leaving what happened in Westeros still pending, it would seem that the new tome has already been boycotted by fans at cause of the co-authors chosen by Martin.
George RR Martin, the new book on the Targaryanes ignites the controversy: why
The full title is The Rise of the Dragon: An Illustrated History of the Targaryen Dynasty, Volume One and it suggests the volume may have one or more sequels. However, this depends on the reception of the fans, considering that even before arriving in bookstores it sparked controversy. What happened? Apparently, fans don’t particularly like the involvement of Linda Antonsson and Elio M. García Jr, featured as co-authors of this volume on Targaryens.
It was a married couple who had created a forum dedicated to Game of Thrones not so long ago, precisely in 1999. The forum, Westeros.org, started as a token of love for the Ice Song and fire. However, the two have often been criticized by Martin fans and accused of being racists. When the fantasy writer then announced the release of The Rise of the Dragon on his social media accounts, he faced comments and criticism. The comments were all pretty much the same: “I won’t buy anything with Linda and Elio involved”. It must be said that this is not the first experience together.
The couple had previously worked with George RR Martin: after launching the Game of Thrones forum, the writer hired them as fact-checkers for the novel A Feast for Crows. Some time later, in 2014, they became co-authors of The World of Ice & Fire. But why the accusation of racism? Ten years ago, Linda Antonsson explained on social networks why she did not agree with the casting of black actors in Game of Thrones. Also for House of the Dragon, he had his say on the casting of Corlys. “There are no Black Valyrians and there shouldn’t be in the show.” Defending herself in front of Variety’s microphones, she pointed out, “It pisses me off to be called a racist when I’m just focused on world building.” In the United States, the illustrated volume will debut on October 25, 2022.