@ecency-star released a prompt for this week, asking us to talk about our favourite book, it took a while to pinpoint one, and while my choice is more so a series, I will pick a favourite of the series.
Here Is A Link To The Prompt, If You'd Like To Check It Out.
A Song of Ice and Fire
My first introduction to the world of Ice and Fire was from the Tv series Game of Thrones, and at that, I only started watching it just as the third season came out.
From the first episode, I fell in love with the world, characters, and story; I've always enjoyed fantasy, but Game of Thrones felt different, mainly due to its darkness, mixed with humour. Darkness and Comedy are two things that I think it's hard to get right, but when a writer does get it right, I'm hooked. It's why I love Fallout: New Vegas, as some of the quests can be super dark, but also very funny.
After the series finale of the show, I, along with many other fans around the world was left disappointed at the missed opportunities and downright laziness of the creators of it. So, I decided to hit the books and find out what they're like in comparison.
The Books Are Better In Many Ways
The world in the books seems a lot bigger, and the characters can tend to be larger than life, especially the ones who were never seen on screen. Another thing I notice about the books is there is a lot more attention given to foreshadowing and prophecy.
Also, there are smaller elements that are expanded upon, like for example, Arya releasing her dire wolf into the wild, which then goes on to create a gigantic wolf pack, which are much larger and more dangerous than a regular one. Entire villages can be savaged and destroyed by these wolves and the smallfolk are afraid to walk the roads.
In the show, we get a throwaway line of dialogue describing what's going on, whereas in the books, it is given much more time and attention, to the point that we're actually afraid when other POV characters are walking the land we know the wolfs are roaming.
The Starks Are More Powerful
Spoilers ahead for the show and books.
In the books, we learn that the Starks actually all possess the ability to warg and have wolf dreams, rather than in the show, where Bran is the only one with this ability.
I think it adds a new dimension, especially as we follow Jon Snow while he is beyond the wall.
Speaking of the stories centred around the wall, wildlings, and beyond. I think the novels are much better at conveying the grim reality of life in The Nights Watch, and what their order represents. Also, we get to see more battles with the dead, as opposed to the show that really dragged out the conflict to the later seasons.
All in all, the books show so much conflict on all sides, and we feel that this world is falling apart as we follow each character, who has a front-row seat for the problems they're dealing with in their story. It all intertwines to showcase a land in utter turmoil, from the houses vying for power to the supernatural elements of the world which are awakening.
More Heirs To The Thrown
In the novels, there are also multiple heirs to the throne, and in the show, we aren't shown any of them. I was so happy while reading the books that there was so much new content there to enjoy, and in a way, I am glad the show didn't follow the story of the books precisely, as it gives fans more of a reason to read them.
All of the differences between the books and the show are really good, the world feels bigger, and the story as a whole comes across as much larger than the show made it out to be.
My Favourite Book In The Series
A Dance With Dragons is my favourite of the series itself, and I find that we're left on such a major cliffhanger that is yet to be resolved as the next installment hasn't been released.
At the end of the novel, Jon Snow is killed, soon after reading a letter from Hardhome, where he sent a huge force to rescue Wildlings and bring them south.
In that letter, we are told about dead things in the water, that the boats and men are in trouble and they need aid. It is unsettling, and I was clinging to every word of it and got a chill while reading this. Then, a second letter is read from Ramsey Snow, who says that he has beaten Stannis's army and wants his wife back.
I can't wait to get my hands on the next book, The Winds of Winter.
George R. R. Martin
His story is amazing, and he really brings it to life in vivid detail, as well as creating an interesting world populated with witty, and sadistic characters.
I hate to see the abuse he gets online by his "fans" The frustration is understandable, as it has been a while since the last book came out. But, people act like GRR Martin has been doing nothing; he overlooked one of the most successful shows on television, while also writing many other books in this series, as well as overlooking a spin-off show set in the same world, plus many other projects.
People say that they believe the reason that he's finding it so hard to continue the series and release the next book is that he has so many subplots and stories going on at once, and while that may be true, I think the reason he isn't able to bring himself to write more of the main series, is because the fanbase is harassing him at every turn.
How hard would it be to bring yourself to do something you're being harassed about on a daily basis by so many people? How could someone muster any passion or creativity while under that sort of pressure from their fans?
If he forces himself to write and produces something half-assed, people would be angry at him, and if he takes his time to produce something worthy of such a great story, people are angry. He just can't win, I'd say leave him to it, and we'll have something worth the wait.
I'm anticipating it too, but I'm not going to lash out at the guy online and hope I can force him to write faster and work harder by complaining.
I can't wait for the next book in this series, because there are so many stories I want to see resolved, and so many questions I have that I need answers to.
There are a few chapters circling around online, but I have avoided them, as a few standalone chapters will not quench my thirst for the continuation of this story.