Are they every bit as intriguing as the tv series?

I've finished the 1st tv season, just starting the 2nd tv season and I'm hooked to the point I even want to read the books, that is a rarity, especially stuff about dragons, I don't know I usually don't get deep into that, but this has suckered me in. I'd hate to get the books and find out it spents a ton of pages describing the weapons, the clothing or rooms/buildings and pretty much everything that actually happens, the why's and the where's, is completely covered in the tv series.

I ordered the first two books in the series.

They're on the pile of "to be read" stuff.

I've bought the series. Only made it through the first book.

What I read was excellent, but not a light or easy read. I've put it down because I'm not really up for involved reading right now.

I will say, seeing the show first helped me "see" the story a bit clearer as I was reading as when it comes to this genre of books, I often have trouble holding on to what I've read regarding character names and in this case kingdom mapping.

The books add a great amount of depth to the characters that may not be portrayed in television show. Certain character motivations on the television show make much more sense after reading the history of the characters. Due to HBO budget concerns, there are certain book scenes that could not be done as grandly as the book describes it(Tyrions "first battle" for example).

Also, there are a good number of characters introduced on "The Game of Thrones" so I am glad I read the series beforehand. For the most part, HBO does a very good job staying true to the books so don't read unless you want spoilers--of course.

ST3 said:

The books add a great amount of depth to the characters that may not be portrayed in television show. Certain character motivations on the television show make much more sense after reading the history of the characters. Due to HBO budget concerns, there are certain book scenes that could not be done as grandly as the book describes it(Tyrions "first battle" for example).

Also, there are a good number of characters introduced on "The Game of Thrones" so I am glad I read the series beforehand. For the most part, HBO does a very good job staying true to the books so don't read unless you want spoilers--of course.

So there is character development. It sounds like a worthwhile journey. I was a little concerned about getting spoilers, but since season 3 is beginning and I've read it's the first half of the third book, I may not catch up fast enough, I don't zoom through books these days as I use to. And if I do, then I do, I tend to read synopsis of a lot of things just to get a feel for movies and shows, if it good it usually doesn't spoil the experience.

It's good to know that HBO is staying true to the books. I've study the familys and some of the backgrounds that the DVDs carry, so I have a pretty good starting point on who's who, and where's where.

Jedi - I know what you mean, I have an ever growing list, but I know I'll read these, slowly most likely, but yeah I'm interested enough.

Joy - I've study those DVD special features, I think I have a good grasp on where stuff is and the names, generally it's a problem if it's just a mountain of names all over the place, so I'll see.

No I haven't read the books but got hooked on the show. Can't wait until next month when season 3 begins!

The TV show does deviate from the books. With that amount of detail in them, how could it not really? Some changes are strange though eg. the girl Robb Stark marries has a different name to the character in the book.

A Game Of Thrones?

A. Thrones.

Just sayin'.

As "high fantasy" goes, the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' cycle (I guess it's going to be a heptalogy, or septology, whichever you prefer) is solid enough, containing many strong original characters and ideas. But it also contains many of the frustrating faults of that genre as well. The stories become incredibly drawn out, convoluted and overflowing with exposition and conversation as you get further into the series. There is a HUGE amount of development for nearly every character. Think about how many characters are in the show, then realize there are more in the books. For me, it's too much. If they hadn't sold so well I'm sure Martin would have been edited to a much greater extent.

The last book, 'A Dance With Dragons', took Martin five years to write, and it feels that way when you read it. At least it did to me.

Unfortunately, unlike MANY of the other high fantasy series I've read over the last thirty years, this one is becoming more and more difficult to slog through with each new volume. I have friends who love them passionately, and you can find entire communities of like-minded people online. Personally, I've decided to wait until he releases the next two books before I read them (if he doesn't die first, which he has acknowledged is a possibility). At that point I'll do a re-read of the entire series and make a decision about it as a completed work.

Yes, the show deviates GREATLY from the books. It moves events around, and moves them from one character to another. It has new characters (which seems utterly unnecessary to me) and some events happen in different places than they do in the books. However, Martin is a lead consultant on the series and has supposedly suggested, created or directly helped with many of these changes. He has also, if you believe everything that's been reported, given some of the brass at HBO more info regarding what happens in books 6 and 7 than he has to the publishers.

The budget constraints are DEFINITELY felt during the battle scenes. In the series, most of them happen "off screen". All you see on screen is the prep and the after affects.

missfee said:

No I haven't read the books but got hooked on the show. Can't wait until next month when season 3 begins!

I just started season 2. Last year I saw all the "Jason" parts on youtube and thought that's all I really wanted to know about the show, and since his character died I was done, then someone had me watch the full first episode, I was hooked. That opening sequence is awesome, that drew me in by itself, it's funny how it tells you so much, in so little time.

Cerebus said:

A Game Of Thrones?

A. Thrones.

Just sayin'.

As "high fantasy" goes, the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' cycle (I guess it's going to be a heptalogy, or septology, whichever you prefer) is solid enough, containing many strong original characters and ideas. But it also contains many of the frustrating faults of that genre as well. The stories become incredibly drawn out, convoluted and overflowing with exposition and conversation as you get further into the series. There is a HUGE amount of development for nearly every character. Think about how many characters are in the show, then realize there are more in the books. For me, it's too much. If they hadn't sold so well I'm sure Martin would have been edited to a much greater extent.

The last book, 'A Dance With Dragons', took Martin five years to write, and it feels that way when you read it. At least it did to me.

Unfortunately, unlike MANY of the other high fantasy series I've read over the last thirty years, this one is becoming more and more difficult to slog through with each new volume. I have friends who love them passionately, and you can find entire communities of like-minded people online. Personally, I've decided to wait until he releases the next two books before I read them (if he doesn't die first, which he has acknowledged is a possibility). At that point I'll do a re-read of the entire series and make a decision about it as a completed work.

Yes, the show deviates GREATLY from the books. It moves events around, and moves them from one character to another. It has new characters (which seems utterly unnecessary to me) and some events happen in different places than they do in the books. However, Martin is a lead consultant on the series and has supposedly suggested, created or directly helped with many of these changes. He has also, if you believe everything that's been reported, given some of the brass at HBO more info regarding what happens in books 6 and 7 than he has to the publishers.

The budget constraints are DEFINITELY felt during the battle scenes. In the series, most of them happen "off screen". All you see on screen is the prep and the after affects.

Huh? Are you making a issue on the title of the books versus the tv series, if so, I'm aware of the difference but people immediately know what I'm talking about in a short amount of time just by me using the tv series name. Besides I haven't even bought the first book yet, so I won't even pretend I'm know that much about them.

Thanks for letting me know they can get drawn out and full of characters to keep track of, I won't rush in and just buy all the available books all at once, I'll just take them one at a time. Maybe, borrow the first one and see how it goes before buying the series.

Sometimes I like author to take their time in writing books, because sometime get something so well thought out, but it's a pain because they could die before finishing a series and then your hooked and left hanging, but so is life most of the time.

I am excited to learn more about these characters I've grown kind of attached to.

I have the 1st 4 books, I'm at the very end of the 2nd book. As you can see I'm obsessed with Game Of Thrones. The books are way better than the show, but I really enjoy both.