According to The Hollywood Reporter, George R.R. Martin (The Winds of Winter), creator of Game of Thrones, gives high praise to the second installment of the spin-off series House of the Dragon. Martin especially enjoyed some of the new characters. “In his blog, he took the time to share his thoughts and reviews of the series’ current episodes. *Warning spoilers ahead*

“I have visited real castles that did not look half as imposing as the Red Keep and Dragonstone did. And they were HUGE,” Martin wrote. “I also got a sneak peak at the first two episodes of season two “A Son for a Son” and “Rhaenyra the Cruel”. What a great way to start the season. The directing was superb. Game of Thrones veteran Alan Taylor (Rubicon) directed the first episode, and Clare Kilner (Snowpiercer) the second. Both of them did a magnificent job.”

He continued, “And I cannot say enough about the acting. Emma D’Arcy (Misbehaviour) has only one line in ‘A Son for a Son,’ but they do so much with their eyes and their face that they absolutely dominate the episode; her grief for her slain son is palpable. Tom Glynn-Carney (Dunkirk) brings Aegon alive in ways we have not seen before; he’s more than a villain here, he shows us the king’s rage, his pain, his fears and doubts. His humanity.”

Martin concluded, “Rhys Ifans (Snowden) has been splendid as Otto Hightower every time he has been on screen, but he exceeded himself in ‘Rhaenyra the Cruel.”’ His scene with King Aegon and Criston Cole after the ratcatchers are hanged just crackles with wit, tension, drama, a performance that cries out for awards attention. Matt Smith (Doctor Who), Olivia Cooke (Fireheart), Fabien Frankel (The Serpent), Eve Best, and the other regulars were wonderful as well. The Tittensor twins were terrific as the Kingsuard twins, and their climactic swordfight is right up there with the Mountain and the Red Viper of Dorne, and Brienne’s fight with Jaime Lannister. And Phia Saban (The Last Kingdom) gave a wrenching, powerful, heart-breaking performance as Helaena Targaryen, Aegon’s doomed, haunted queen and mother to his children. Saban’s performance is especially noteworthy; very little of what she brings to the part was in my source material.”

More of Martin’s thoughts about the series can be read on his blog. The second season of House of the Dragon is available to stream on Max.