“Sleep is good

And books are better.”

                       -Tyrion Lannister

The “Game of Thrones” final season was all the buzz when its last season released due to its disastrous finale. But book readers of the show knew, they can still hope in getting a much more satisfactory end of their favourite fantasy series. So, before you guys get into how you are not book readers. Read this article to decide for yourselves.

PROS:

1.IN-DEPTH STORY:

         Firstly remember, this whole franchise is George R.R. Martin’s imagination. He’s the one who created this breath-taking fantasy series from scratch. The show adapted the book into a television series and improvised. So, only the author can give you all the tea you have been missing out from the show. The books contain very different sub-plots revolving around “Dorne” and the “Iron Islands” with a wide range of side characters who never make it to the show. But it’s fair considering how much story you can jam into a ten episode per season series. The plot in the books has Prophecies in its centre to widen its storyline and in shaping the character arcs of certain characters such as “Cersei Lannister” with her “valanquor prophecy”. Unlike the show, in the books, its extensively used to justify Cersei’s motives. The books help you gain a fresh perspective on the storyline.

2.POINT OF VIEWS OF CHARACTERS:

        The show is a visual treat, but to our visceral appetite, it somehow falls short. The show has done an amazing job In portraying characters multidimensionally and going as far as showing us the side characters in depth by crafting them with the same love as the main leads. But only to destroy all that character development in the end by stuffing all the narratives in a haphazard manner and made the plot look like a forced outcome. Here the books have done an amazing job. The whole franchise is written through certain characters point of views which is refreshing to read. Arya stark’s character is one which took me by surprise in the books. Arya in the show is portrayed as a brave, inquisitive girl who magically knows what to do next without a doubt . But reading the books reminded me of how she was just a child forced to grow up too soon. She is actually scared and often times feels helpless but just masks it all well to appear brave outside to protect herself.  It makes her seem more humane. Reading about her inner turmoil in the books made me connect to her more than I ever related to Arya in the show.

3.A1 STORYTELLING:

         It’s no big surprise that George R.R. Martin is a fantastic storyteller which made his books transformed into a million dollars worth TV show with a massive fan following around the world. But you must read the books to experience it first hand. His complex storytelling with attention to intricate details in weaving the myriad storylines of the “Game of Thrones” universe makes it a delight to read.

4.DISCOVERING THE “GOT” UNIVERSE IN DETAIL:

            By that, I am referring to the physical structuring of the fantasy world in the books. The show did it’s fair share in bringing the “GOT” universe to life. But the collection provides the original setting with its vivid descriptions of exotic ‘Dorne, enormous Castle Black, dazzling Qarth and the whole structuring of the Free cities’ which pulls you into the story and let’s you visually experience by keeping your imagination wild.

5.EXTENSIVE HISTORY:

          Every single thing in the books has a rich history to make you better understand the plot. The books gives you so much material to wrap around your head. The sub plots make it even more interesting. Secretly, we all love having the upper hand in knowing the extreme details compared to the one’s who have only watched the show. So, what better way to prolong the experience than rediscovering your favourite series in a whole different light?

CONS:

1.TIME CONSUMING:

          Lets face it, the plot of “Game of Thrones” couldn’t be contained in 200 pages or less per book. George R.R. Martin is the kind of author whose books are an amazing slow burn read. He carefully structures the complicated storyline in a slow pace and makes it interesting enough for you to commit yourself into reading it. But,  I was not kidding with the time consuming part. The page count of the entire collection of books is 5,300 and counting. It’s very long. But I assure you, it’s worth it.

2.LACK OF SHOCK FACTOR:

           If you have seen the show before reading the books. There is a high chance, you won’t find certain plot twists in the books such as “the Red wedding, the purple wedding, etc.”… as impactful. But still, its interesting to compare and contrast as to how it unfolds in the books. I can assure you that there are so many details and twists in the book which you would have never seen in the show which will make it up for the known information in the grand scheme of things.

3.FRUSTRATING TO WAIT:

           After reading the books, it’s natural to yearn for the next one. But in our case, it’s a little difficult. It’s not unknown that the last book released from the franchise was 9 years ago and the next book is yet to have a release date which makes it all the more frustrating to wait.  But do we have a choice? Just believe in “All good things come to those who waits”.

 As for me who has finished reading the books, “my Watch for the next book has started”.

If you want more reviews like this, you can also follow my Instagram page where I regularly post recommendations and entertaining content related to it. Its mentioned below :

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