Are the Game of Thrones books good

First of all I am not a big fan of the show I find it to be a weird crossover between Spartacus and Lord of the Rings. I feel the plot advancement is a bit rushed too, at least in the first seasons since sometimes conflicts would be solved very drastically, with killings, using some-sort of device or magic or just following someone's advice all of the sudden.

I also felt that it is not very clear how magical is the universe sometimes they resort to it, sometimes they don't and your left wondering why and sometimes it solves everything.

However, I am fan of the medieval set-ups and fantasy in general, and I do recognise that the representation of those times with flawed and power hungry Lords is actually a much more accurate representation of the era.

So I would appreciate an honest review of the books, I believe they have the ingredients for me to enjoy them, but the show kinda killed it for me. Plus it is very hard to find a legitimate review, since the people I know either love them or just don't care about that type of setting

My thanks in advance.

And why you should read them

One of the most awaited seasons finales of all time was a disaster. The fans’ hopes and expectations were crushed slowly as each episode of the eighth season aired.

It was shocking that the show directors managed to mess up years of build-up and effort. The final season was abysmal. But if I’m being honest, the show peaked at season 4 and has been on a downhill since then.

So what went wrong with the show? At a glance, it might look like the entire blame is on the directors who were eager to move on to a different project. Sure they might have affected the pace and timeline of the show and even added a couple of illogical sequences. But the main problem was that the show had overtaken the books and couldn’t use them anymore for source material and reference. This meant that the show had to write its material, and that’s where everything went wrong.

George R.R. Martin created a unique world with an intriguing story and great characters. The sudden decline in the show is a testimony to his greatness. The books are filled with great dialogue and character development and are some of the best fantasy novels. Below are my reasons why you should read them when you get the time.

The POV Chapters

The show had some great scenes with our favorite characters. The dialogue, expressions, and body language were tools used to build up tension and fear. While we got to see some drastic character changes, we could never understand what the characters were thinking. Or how their thoughts changed with time.

On the other hand, the books used POV chapters so we could get a clear understanding of the characters. We got to see through the eyes of our favorite characters and see why they react to situations in a particular way.

I watched the show first, and I found this to be the most significant difference. I had a blast looking through the perspectives of my favorite characters. The motives and thoughts behind specific actions are clearly understood. I felt like I was the character when reading and felt its pain, anguish, or joy. It’s a bizarre feeling empathizing with a character that plots and murders people for wealth and power. George R.R. Martin is truly a genius.

Tyrion

Tyrion is one of my favorite characters, and I hated it when they butchered his character in the show. From beautiful dialogue and intelligent plans to lame one-liners — Tyrion’s fall was very disappointing. He had almost no relevant inputs from the fifth season.

In the books, however, Tyrion learns the truth about an event from his past. He feels an amalgam of emotions hit him at once — betrayal, disgust, hate, and distress. He spirals down a deep dark path and comes out a different man — a man who is obsessed with one definite goal.

Tyrion’s chapters are some of the most entertaining ones in the books. You get a feeling of camaraderie at times. And the times you are scared of his character. The rollercoaster ride is worth it, and you won’t be disappointed.

The Enigmatic Characters

It was a real disappointment that the show ruined most of the key players in the story. In the earlier seasons, Littlefinger and Varys were in constant competition to influence the seven kingdoms. They plotted and counterplotted, each trying to improve his position. But later, they were inconsequential characters. They had no role in the story.

These key players are very mysterious in the books, partially because they do not have their own POV chapters. Tywin Lannister is a force to be reckoned with who, at times, is the real king. Stannis is not a complete fool who abides by Melisendres every whim. Lord Varys pops up in the most bizarre moments.

Let’s also look at Littllefinger. In the show, everyone knows not to trust Littlefinger. He is known as a schemer who’ll use any chance to stab you in the back. There are also some scenes with him where his actions do not make any sense. He performs random acts with no apparent motive.

In the books, these characters are the real players of the game of thrones. They keep you on your toes as you wonder what they will do next.

The Lore

The books take their time to develop the story. They include many histories, stories, and prophecies, that are not mentioned in the show. You get to know about the history of the Targaryen, Blackfyre, Lannister, and Stark houses in detail.

There are also so many other storylines and characters. Lady Stoneheart, young Griff, and Griff, to name a few. You get an accurate understanding of the plots happening behind the scenes and how they influence the main story.

Dorne is also so much different in the books. It is a real player for the throne and doesn’t just stay on the sidelines. The sand snakes are not traitors but help the crown scheme and establish power.

All of the detail lets you get immersed in this beautiful world.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, the books have not been completed yet, with still two left to come out. There is still no timeline for the release of them either. However, it is still definitely worth a read because of the reasons I mentioned above and more. And quite frankly, the books are very addictive, and you will rarely get bored. You’ll find yourself finishing off chapters to find out what happens next.

“A mind needs books like a sword need a whetstone” — Tyrion Lannister

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