A Dance With Dragons

George R. R. Martin

A Dance With Dragons

George R. R. Martin
78 pages2-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 2011

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Daenerys is the young Targaryen queen ruling over Meereen. She faces immense political pressure to marry and compromise her ideals to stop the insurgent Sons of the Harpy. She is fiercely protective of the people she has freed but struggles to control her growing dragons.

Key Relationships

Betrothed of Hizdahr zo Loraq

Lover of Daario Naharis

Guarded by Barristan Selmy

Mother of Drogon

Mother of Viserion

Mother of Rhaegal

Sister of Rhaegar Targaryen

Daughter of Aerys II Targaryen

Tyrion is a cynical, highly intelligent exile fleeing Westeros with a bounty on his head. He relies on his wit and political acumen to survive his exile in Essos. He harbors deep resentment toward his family while seeking a new purpose alongside Daenerys.

Key Relationships

Son of Tywin Lannister

Brother of Cersei Baratheon

Brother of Jaime Lannister

Guest of Illyrio Mopatis

Traveling Companion to Aegon Targaryen

Companion to Penny

Captive of Jorah Mormont

Jon is the dedicated Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, attempting to prepare Westeros for the incoming threat of the Others. He makes controversial decisions to ally with wildlings, drawing the ire of his sworn brothers. He holds tightly to the leadership lessons of his father despite constant resistance.

Key Relationships

Son of Eddard Stark

Brother of Bran Stark

Brother of Arya Stark

Bonded to Ghost

Uneasy Ally of Stannis Baratheon

Advised by Melisandre

Friend of Samwell Tarly

Captor of Mance Rayder

Bran is a young boy with paraplegia who possesses powerful abilities as a warg and a greenseer. He journeys far north to train under the Three-Eyed Crow. He struggles with his physical limitations and the heavy responsibilities of his magical gifts.

Key Relationships

Son of Eddard Stark

Son of Catelyn Tully

Brother of Jon Snow

Brother of Arya Stark

Bonded to Summer

Cared for by Hodor

Companion to Jojen Reed

Protected by Meera Reed

Arya is a young exile in Essos training to become an assassin with the Faceless Men. She uses assumed identities to walk the city and hone her senses. She struggles to detach from her past and her desire to avenge her family.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Eddard Stark

Daughter of Catelyn Tully

Sister of Jon Snow

Sister of Bran Stark

Bonded to Nymeria

Apprentice to The Kindly Man

Theon is a captive of House Bolton, thoroughly traumatized into answering to a derogatory name given by his captor. He functions as a pawn, carrying out errands out of absolute fear. He lives in constant dread of further abuse.

Key Relationships

Brother of Asha Greyjoy

Nephew of Victarion Greyjoy

Nephew of Euron Greyjoy

Captive of Ramsay Bolton

Pawn of Roose Bolton

Former Ward of Eddard Stark

Stannis is a rigid, unyielding claimant to the Iron Throne who relies heavily on his sense of righteous duty. He attempts to rally the North to his cause while facing harsh winter conditions and dwindling supplies. He views the world in absolutes, making it difficult for him to win genuine loyalty.

Key Relationships

Brother of Robert Baratheon

Father of Shireen Baratheon

Husband of Selyse Baratheon

Guided by Melisandre

Commander of Davos Seaworth

Uneasy Ally of Jon Snow

Melisandre is a powerful red priestess who fervently believes she serves the true champion of the fire god. She uses magic, prophecy, and psychological manipulation to influence those in power. She is a striking figure who commands both fear and fascination.

Key Relationships

Interested in Jon Snow

Secret Captor of Mance Rayder

Davos is a former smuggler who serves as a loyal and grounded advisor to his king. He undertakes dangerous diplomatic missions to win support from hostile northern houses. He relies on his common sense and earnest belief in justice to sway powerful men.

Key Relationships

Prisoner of Wyman Manderly

Barristan is a legendary, aging knight who serves his queen with unwavering devotion. He prefers honorable combat to political scheming but is forced to manage complex court plots. He wrestles with the conflict between his strict knightly vows and the pragmatic needs of rulership.

Key Relationships

Guard of Daenerys Targaryen

Suspicious of Hizdahr zo Loraq

Co-conspirator with Shavepate

Cersei is a proud, ambitious queen whose political maneuvering has isolated her. She remains fiercely focused on securing her family's dominance. She desperately seeks to weaponize those loyal to her for future retaliation.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Tywin Lannister

Sister of Jaime Lannister

Sister of Tyrion Lannister

Mother of Tommen Baratheon

Niece of Kevan Lannister

Former Wife of Robert Baratheon

Ramsay is a sadistic newly legitimized noble who rules through terror and extreme physical cruelty. He uses intimidation and torture to break his enemies and secure his family's hold on the North. He views people purely as playthings or stepping stones for his ambition.

Key Relationships

Son of Roose Bolton

Tormentor of Theon Greyjoy

Husband of Jeyne Poole

Antagonist to Jon Snow

Roose is a cold, calculating lord who relies on secrecy and strategic betrayal rather than open cruelty. He attempts to manage his unruly son while holding together a fragile coalition of northern houses. He views a peaceful land as essential to maintaining his newly acquired dominance.

Key Relationships

Father of Ramsay Bolton

Husband of Walda Frey

Captor of Theon Greyjoy

Suspicious of Wyman Manderly

Supporting Characters

Aegon is a young man raised in secret, preparing for his destined role as ruler of Westeros. He is charismatic and handsome, displaying confidence in his hidden claim to the throne. He seeks to prove himself in battle rather than wait for allies to find him.

Key Relationships

Son of Rhaegar Targaryen

Son of Elia Martell

Nephew of Daenerys Targaryen

Protégé of Jon Connington

Traveling Companion to Tyrion Lannister

Jon Connington is an exiled Westerosi lord and seasoned mercenary commander. He is wholly devoted to placing his young charge on the Iron Throne to atone for his past failures. He hides personal struggles while executing swift military campaigns.

Key Relationships

Mentor to Aegon Targaryen

Former Friend of Rhaegar Targaryen

Traveling Companion to Tyrion Lannister

Quentyn is a dutiful Dornish prince who journeys across the world to fulfill a secret family marriage pact. He feels inadequate compared to the heroes of legends but pushes forward out of obligation to his father. He seeks passage across the continent to win a queen and her dragons.

Key Relationships

Son of Doran Martell

Brother of Arianne Martell

Suitor to Daenerys Targaryen

Contractor of The Tattered Prince

Asha is a fierce Ironborn captain who values martial strength and independence. She rejects the traditional gender roles of her culture, leading her own men into battle. She faces steep odds as she occupies a northern stronghold without support from her homeland.

Key Relationships

Sister of Theon Greyjoy

Niece of Victarion Greyjoy

Niece of Euron Greyjoy

Lover of Qarl the Maid

Victarion is a brutal, fearsome naval commander who values strength and glory. He resents his ambitious brother and plots to claim a queen for himself instead of following orders. He embraces dark magic and religious fervor to aid his violent conquests.

Key Relationships

Uncle of Theon Greyjoy

Uncle of Asha Greyjoy

Brother of Euron Greyjoy

Healed by Moqorro

Intended Suitor to Daenerys Targaryen

Jaime is a skilled knight dealing with the loss of his sword hand and attempting to restore order to a war-torn kingdom. He seeks to resolve conflicts through diplomacy rather than unnecessary bloodshed. He is searching for redemption while fulfilling his family's obligations.

Key Relationships

Son of Tywin Lannister

Brother of Cersei Baratheon

Brother of Tyrion Lannister

Companion to Brienne of Tarth

Kevan is a capable, stabilizing presence acting as regent for the young king. He works to repair the alliances his family has damaged and restore order to the capital. He is pragmatic, putting the needs of the realm above personal family squabbles.

Key Relationships

Brother of Tywin Lannister

Uncle of Cersei Baratheon

Regent to Tommen Baratheon

Targeted by Varys

Aemon is the ancient, blind maester of the Night's Watch and one of the last living members of his legendary family. He offers wise counsel to the new Lord Commander before being sent away from the Wall for his own protection.

Key Relationships

Advisor to Jon Snow

Great-uncle of Rhaegar Targaryen

Traveling Companion to Samwell Tarly

Rhaegar is the deceased crown prince whose actions sparked the rebellion that ended his family's dynasty. Though long dead, his legacy hangs heavily over the surviving characters who either loved him or fought against him.

Key Relationships

Father of Aegon Targaryen

Brother of Daenerys Targaryen

Former Friend of Jon Connington

Mance is the former King-Beyond-the-Wall who survives his apparent execution through magical intervention. He possesses a deep understanding of northern culture and uses his charisma to survive his captivity. He undertakes a dangerous rescue mission into the heart of Bolton territory.

Key Relationships

Ally to Jon Snow

Kept Alive by Melisandre

Commander of Tormund Giantsbane

Tormund is a boisterous, formidable wildling leader who commands respect among the free folk. He makes practical alliances to ensure the survival of his people against the encroaching winter. He is a fierce warrior with a practical approach to survival.

Key Relationships

Ally to Jon Snow

Follower of Mance Rayder