Game of Thrones

I had never heard of these books until the TV Series aired. I watched the entire first season and was confused from the very beginning to the very end.  So many stories and sub stories. And way too many characters and plots to understand.  Everytime someone died I cheered because it was one last character to try and figure out.

A few days ago I decided to read "Game of Thrones". I'm nearly finished and I can now say that I understand the series.

The TV series is pretty much verbatum from the book, right down to the lines the characters say. However, unlike the TV show, the book gives a bit of background which helps you to understand what is going on.

If anyone else was struggling to "get" the TV show, I recommend reading the books. However, I must warn you if you read the books and TV show are verbatum of each other, so if you read the book before you watch the show, you will know what happens, and vice versa.

Starting in season 2, the show starts to differ from the book- still same basic storyline, but some things happen that did not happen in the book and vice versa :nod:

I found the book harder to understand.  The series does a good job of putting the story together.  To me, the book was all these separate stories separate.  But the series tries to make you understand how they intertwine. 

Basically Khaleesi's father was the king that went mad and he was dethroned by the extinction of the dragons (or so everyone thought) and the Baratheon's.  His children were presumed dead but taken away to safety in the west lands.  Khaleesi was forced to marry the Khal by her cruel brother who saw her as a trade and payment for an army.  Khaleesi soon fell in love with the Khal though and he her.  They decided that it is she who deserves to reclaim the throne. Khaleesi is a dragon by blood because fire cannot harm a dragon.  Her brother was not her full brother because he was killed by fire.  That is how she knew they were not "full" siblings.  Khaleesi is her mothers daughter in that she has a good heart and a good head.  She is not mean or crazy like her father or brother.   She is the mother of dragons.  She protects them at all costs because they are not only her blood but her way back to power and reclaiming her kingdom. 

Baratheons are the ruthless ones.  Good at battle and fair at ruling.  Stannis is the oldest brother and next in line officially and by blood because Jofferey is not a Baratheon.  He is the product of incest.  That brings you to the Lannisters.  The Lannisters are genius and extremely cruel and brutal.  Often breaking the law and stepping on anyone, even friends, to rise to power.  Cersei and Jamie are lovers and siblings.  All of Cersei's children belong to Jamie.  Cersei sleeps with anyone who will further her power.  Jamie is loyal to Cersei but will kill anyone that threatens her and their children and their secret.  Tyrion (the little person) is the only one in that family with any heart.  He is the key to his families undoing because he is almost always one step ahead of the rest of them.  They do not respect him because of his size and they feel he is an embarrassment. Joffrey knows that he is the product of incest.  He is the cruelest king since the mad dragon king.  Joffrey gets off on brutality and mutilation.  He cares not for sex or power.  

The Starks... The honorable and good Starks.  Rob only wants justice for his fathers undeserved execution.  He wants nothing to do with power.  He knows power corrupts.  His mother needs to stay out his way.  She isn't a very good mother, in my opinion.  She makes a lot of bad judgement calls and does things to set back justice and prolongs the Lannisters reign of terror.  Anya Stark is the youngest female child.  She wants to get home and help her brother get justice for their father.  Sensa is the oldest Stark daughter.  Very much a teenager... She wants to be queen.  Though she sees Joffrey for what he really is and despises him, she still wants to be his queen.  Joffrey is very cruel to her and she often needs saving... Tyrion often comes to her rescue and according to the books marries her to keep her safe from harm at his families hand. 

I am voting for Khaleesi.  But, I think Rob Stark and Tyrion Lannister need to team up.  Rob would respect Tyrion and Tyrion can help him destroy the Lannisters.  The only way to defeat the Lannisters is to be one.  Rob doesn't want the crown, neither does Tyrion, so I think the circle could be completed by joining forces with Khaleesi and her dragons. 

However, I don't know if this comes to pass?  The story is not finished yet and as stated previously, season 2 of the series strayed from the books a lot.  So who knows?  Any questions though, ask me! 

I had to watch the first 3 episodes about 3 times each before I understood, but I worked it out, and then started reading the books. About 80 days now until season 3, woowoo!

I read all the books when I was injured a few years ago.. they have really comprehensive details of each of the 'houses' in the back, and all the maps, so it's easy to keep track if you don't mind referencing a bit.  The movies can't have as much as the books as the books are so incredibly dense with stuff.  But I think they've done a great job of being faithful to the books...

katiemae1277 said:

Starting in season 2, the show starts to differ from the book- still same basic storyline, but some things happen that did not happen in the book and vice versa

Click to expand...

I didn't really notice.. but then it's been years since I've read them.