Fan Cannon|Game of ThronesGeorge R.R. Martin's epic fantasy saga — where noble houses clash for power, ancient threats stir beyond the Wall, and fire-breathing dragons return to a world that forgot them. From the page to the screen and beyond.
A Game of Thrones (1996) · A Clash of Kings (1998) · A Storm of Swords (2000) · A Feast for Crows (2005) · A Dance with Dragons (2011) · The Winds of Winter (TBD) · A Dream of Spring (TBD)
Plus companion works: Fire & Blood (Targaryen history, basis for House of the Dragon), The World of Ice & Fire (encyclopedia), and Tales of Dunk and Egg (prequel novellas, basis for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms).
Raised as Ned Stark's bastard, actually Aegon Targaryen — son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, resurrected from death, King in the North, and the man who kills Daenerys to save the realm. His honor is his strength and his curse.
The Mother of Dragons. Exiled princess who rises from nothing to conquer cities, free slaves, and hatch the first dragons in a century. Her descent from liberator to tyrant is the series' most debated arc. Fire and blood indeed.
The Imp. Despised by his father, mocked for his dwarfism, but the most intelligent person in Westeros. His wit is his weapon, his compassion his secret strength. Drinks and knows things.
The Lioness. A queen who wanted the power her gender denied her, and destroyed everything to get it. Her love for her children is genuine; her methods are monstrous. The most dangerous woman in Westeros.
The Kingslayer. Broke his oath to save half a million people, then spent his life paying for it. His redemption arc — from arrogant knight to humbled man — is one of the series' finest. Lost his hand, found his honor.
The girl who became No One — then chose to be Arya Stark. Trained by assassins, driven by a kill list, but ultimately the one who kills the Night King. A girl has many names, but only one identity.
From naive girl dreaming of princes to Queen in the North. Sansa's education comes from the cruelest teachers: Cersei, Littlefinger, Ramsay. She survives them all and becomes the leader Winterfell needs.
The honorable fool. Ned's death in Season 1 told the world this wasn't a normal fantasy story — heroes die, honor gets you killed, and the game of thrones has no mercy for the good.
The existential threat. Created by the Children of the Forest as a weapon against men, the Night King became an unstoppable force of death. His army of the dead represents the ultimate enemy — one that doesn't care about your politics.
Chaos is a ladder. The master manipulator who engineered the War of the Five Kings from behind the scenes, all because he was rejected by Catelyn Stark decades earlier. Proof that the most dangerous weapon in Westeros is a grudge.
The truest knight in Westeros — who happens to be a woman. Mocked for her appearance, she proves her worth through unwavering loyalty and skill. Her knighting scene is among the show's most emotional moments.
A killer who hates killers. The Hound's journey from Joffrey's attack dog to Arya's reluctant protector is one of the show's most human arcs. His hatred of his brother and his fear of fire define him.
Click any card to see how the character differs between the books and the HBO adaptation.
The show followed the books closely through Season 4, then diverged increasingly. Here are the biggest changes.