Did you read the book or watch the show first?

[[deleted user]]

How did you get into this series? I heard about the TV show a while back, but wasn't interested until I heard Sean Bean would be in it. He's one of my favorite actors! :) When I found out who else was playing in it -- namely, Peter Dinklage and Jason Momoa -- I picked up the books. And was instantly hooked; I love fantasy. Later, I found a youtube upload of some clips from the shows(translated into Spanish) and watched those and, wow, the quality of the show and the books is just amazing.

So, how did you find out about GoT? Will you continue reading after book 1?

[Renée]

I downloaded the series because the name was interesting. The buzz hadn't reached the the Netherlands back then (and still a lot of people have no idea what I'm talking about!) As soon as I saw the pilot I was hooked!

After the first season I needed to know what would happen next, so I bought and read the books.

Normally I hate to first see the movie/series and then read the book. But in this case I think it made it easier to follow the book! All those characters! It was good to have faces with all the names (for the other books I use the GoT Company App!)

[Carly]

I am about 200 pages through book 2 and I am loving it! I was only interested in the T.V show because Sean Bean was in it too, but I read the first book straight after and am hooked, I will keep reading them until the end now. :)

[Will]

My friend let me borrow the books right before it was announced to be a TV show, so I had perfect timing with it leading up to the premier of the show.

[Irsyad]

Read the book first...

[Tara]

I watched the show on HBO first then began reading the books. As a rule I am not much of a fantacy reader but the show was so good I took a chance on the books and was instantly hooked.

[Richard]

me wife bought it for me for Fathers Day saying "this looks like a dad book". then the show started and i had the weird situation of being about 100 pages ahead of the plot in the book.

i gave the show up after about 4 episodes, it was exactly the same as the book only without the granduer that your own imagination can conjure

[Will]

What an epic theme song for the show, though. Once every week or so I youtube it just to hear it.

[Will]

Here's a really well-done "metal" version of the song as well I love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC-Zml...

[Kevin]

I started reading the series many years ago, on the advice of a friend. I was apprehensive of the TV series, after seeing the hatchet work done to The Sword of Truth series. My fears were unnecessary. HBO's production is outstanding.

[IUHoosier]

I watched the first four episodes of the show, then decided I had to read the books. The show was outstanding, but I figured I was missing things that would be better explained in the books - I was right.

I ended up finishing all four of the books (that were then out) before the end of the first season of the show. Have put off reading the fifth one for now - I think I'll re-read them all right before season two starts next year.

[Zoë]

I watched the whole tv series first then went out and bought all the books after the season ended. I couldn't get enough ... now I finished all five of the books and can't wait until the second season starts in April (which is too far away)!

[Laura]

I had friends that were into the books, but it wasn't until a guy I worked with told me that he only reads novels with real depth and recommended A Game of Thrones that I took up the series. I've been hooked ever since!

[Kari]

I watched the show first as well. (I did the same with the Sookie Stackhouse novels and True Blood). I fell in love with the series and then started going through the books. I've finished 1-3 and will be starting 4 shortly. I have all of E-Reader format because darn those books are just too heavy to carry around with me! =)

[[deleted user]]

:) Sounds like everyone had good overall experiences with both show and book! The show has gotten great reviews so far, and I can see why.

I'm taking it slow with reading the books, which is unusual for me (and by slow, I mean I'm only on book 3). I know that once I read book 5, I'll just have to wait forever for the next one to come out, so I'm drawing out the experience. Though it is nice to have a show to come back to when I've finished with the books. :)

[Minne]

I was watching the Series on HBO and i couldn't wait for every Sunday for a new episode SO I went and i got the book and seen then ,i couldn't stop and finish all the books .(-_~)

[Will]

I wonder what they're going to do in a few years when it's time for season 6 and no book 6 is out yet?

[Torie]

I bet they're really pushing Martin to write quicker!

[Will]

I hope so, because they gave him free reign for book 5 and we all saw how long that took!

[Jennifer]

I started reading the series so many years ago I don't even remember when. When the show started to advertise on tv it sounded familiar but I've been fooled before by shows named the same thing as a book I had already read but having nothing to do with the book. Saw some more previews and decided to raid the many boxes of books in the attic. Found the book and reread and fell in love with it all over again although the one part that always stuck and had me hooked was the very beginning when the children found the direwolves. When I first started this series it was during a time when I was not much interested in the romance books. Only epic fantasy novels would do. Although back then I don't believe vampires and supernatural romance was that popular except for Anne Rice, in which case her books I do consider to be more than the run of the mill romance novel. Not even in the same league.

[Jim]

I read the book (series) when it first came out. I reread it before the HBO mini-series. Rereading the rest again now.

[[deleted user]]

Will wrote: "I hope so, because they gave him free reign for book 5 and we all saw how long that took!"

In his defense, there's some weird chronology between books 4 and 5, and he had a lot of ground to cover...oh well, I guess having a TV deal might make him write faster! :)

[Pat]

I watched the series first, as did my son. He decided to read the books and read the first 3 and was completely hooked with the second one. He asked me to read them. I have read half of the first one and will read them all now. These are not the kind of books I usually read but Martin is such a great storyteller.

[Angus]

I think this is the first time I've seen a tv version of something and then decided to read the book. If anything it is the other way around, and often disappointing. In my case, I was traveling in chile on business from Australia, saw some episodes on the tv and, fortunately, could upload a copy of v1 onto my newish iPad rather than waiting until I got home. Since volcanoes delayed my flight home, I think I was well into the second book by the time I got back to Perth. I'm currently taking a breather before starting no. 5, and hoping no.6 is close behind after that!

[Michelle]

Definately read the series first years ago. I really like the show, but nothing can compare to the books. Right before A Dance with Dragons came out I scrambled to re-read the other 4 books in the month I had. (the 4th or 5th re-read) So yeah, I love the books! Martin just better be faster coming out with #6.. I can't wait years for it, that will drive me crazy!

[Mike]

Jim wrote: "I read the book (series) when it first came out. I reread it before the HBO mini-series. Rereading the rest again now."

That's a lot of rereading!

[Nancy]

I stumbled upon "A Game of Thrones" after reading other books in the fantasy section and I was a newbie to fantasy, except for being a fan of Anne Rice back in 1995. I just couldn't believe that I had never heard of GRRM and these books! It was just a few months after I read them, I found out that HBO was doing the series! So, it was just like cream on top! I can't wait for season 2 and book 6. I would absolutely recommend reading the book first.

[Jason]

I started reading the books back in 2002. A friend of mine kept bugging me to read them & I resisted because of the length of each book (the series was only up to A STORM OF SWORDS at this point). I didn't want to become drowned in an epic series that would go on for countless tomes averaging 1000+ pages each--like WHEEL OF TIME.

Then, one day, at a bookstore I saw a guy kicking the bookshelves, cursing up a storm. I noticed he was kicking the shelf with Martin's books. He looked at me & said he's been waiting forever for the fourth novel--he couldn't take it anymore. I thought, if this series makes someone that rabid about it, I think I should give it a try.

I read all three books within the year & then I became that guy kicking the shelves while screaming for the next installment.

I've never seen the series. I want to.

[Will]

Jason wrote: "I didn't want to become drowned in an epic series that would go on for countless tomes averaging 1000+ pages each--like WHEEL OF TIME."

That's one of the more enjoyable aspects to fantasy, though. Being able to completely immerse yourself in another world. The more depth to the world, like Wheel of Time or A Song of Ice and Fire, the more I tend to enjoy it.

[Jason]

Will wrote: "Jason wrote: "I didn't want to become drowned in an epic series that would go on for countless tomes averaging 1000+ pages each--like WHEEL OF TIME."

That's one of the more enjoyable aspects to fa..."

I can't completely disagree. That's why I'm totally into Erikson's THE MALAZAN BOOK OF THE FALLEN series. I'm reading it while I'm reading A DANCE WITH DRAGONS.

[Will]

I've never heard that one, I'll put it on my list!

[Sheree]

I read the book. The books are a lot more detailed, The characters are more detailed.

[Melissa]

My boyfriend practically begged me to watch the show with him..I assumed I'd be bored and hate it and would never watch it again as I didn't think it'd be my cup of tea. I was dead wrong. I loved the show and my bf went out and bought the whole series. I just finished Game of Thrones last night. I find it easier to read since I knew all the characters and it was easier to keep track, however, I felt knowing the entire plot took something away, the excitement. Hopefully, I'll have the series finished before season 2 starts.

[[deleted user]]

Melissa Ann wrote: "My boyfriend practically begged me to watch the show with him..I assumed I'd be bored and hate it and would never watch it again as I didn't think it'd be my cup of tea. I was dead wrong. I loved t..."

It seems like this series, both books and the show, has appealed to a lot of people who don't normally go for fantasy. That's part of what I like about it, even though I enjoy fantasy myself.

[Jeremy]

I read the first four books that were out before the show started, but the first teaser for the show is what led me to want to read the books. I had heard about the show being in development for quite a while, but seeing the scope of the show in the first teaser is what got me hooked. It took me just over a month to read the first four before the show aired, it was probably the fastest ~4000 pages I've ever read.

[Naomi]

Watched the show in a mega marathon first. I hate watching things after I've read them. Of course the show is now way behind the books. Love the story read all of them really quickly.

[Jan]

Read all the books first and then waited impatiently for the show. Some scenes went along with the book but some of what I considered important scenes were not even there. You can count on the sex and naked scenes to be there though. I was rather mad at Martin over taking so long on this last book after promising fans he would get it out. Haven't read it yet.

[Dawn]

My husband read this series, and he'd been hounding me to start, but I didn't until after the first episode aired. Then it was game on, ha! I refused to watch another episode until I had finished the first book (which didn't take long) I like reading before watching, as I enjoy the 'inside' information that isn't always explained in a movie or series.

[Arezia]

My husband read this series, and I bought him the second part of Feast for Crows for his birthday. Then I began reading it, way before the tv series was conceived. It got me hooked since the first chapters! I saw the tv series too; as usually, I re-read Game of Thrones before watching it, also because I wanted to get ready for Dance with Dragons!

[Lee]

I read the book after I watched the show, and that was a mistake. I should have read the book first. The show follows the book so closely that I never even to make up my mind about what the scenery looks like, or the people, even when I knew they were being described as very different as I'd seen in the show.

It was like I watched the show all over again, but it took 30 hours, and it was all inside my head.

[Bee]

I read the first book about a year before the series came out. When I heard about the series I was blown away, and watching it was totally awesome. I have to admit though that I thought the book was a bit long-winded, and I've decided to not read the rest, but to wait for the series instead. I cannot read epic fantasy after reading Steven Erikson. He is so damn good that nothing else compares, not even someone as obviously brilliant as Martin.

PS, read the Malazan Book of the Fallen, start with book 2 first, then do book 1 and 3 (worked for me). Enjoy

[Crispin]

show then books

[Beverly]

I watched the first 15 minutes of the first tv episode and enjoyed so much that I stopped watching and downloaded the book.
I read the book and then went back to watch the tv episodes

[Gregory]

Read the first three books, and then have seen a few of the episodes, which seem very well done and more or less faithful to the book. I have to say that I very much like the casting choices so far.

[Bee]

Beverly wrote: "I watched the first 15 minutes of the first tv episode and enjoyed so much that I stopped watching and downloaded the book.
I read the book and then went back to watch the tv episodes"

Awesome! That's the right way to do it!

[Jane]

Read the book first -- Loved it!

[Mickey]

Read the books first. I liked them but he's not my favorite fantasy writer. The TV shows were way too gory for my taste and maybe soft porn as well? Great setting and the characters were done well, though. I have now read his latest book so I'm all caught up.

[Will]

Honestly every sex scene had a purpose, and I really didn't find the violence excessive or unrealistic.

[Ruby]

Confession: I didn't know there was a book (I'm 11, so no one would recommend them) . I didn't even know about the TV show, but then my best friend Rebecca, who's 14, and her sister, Pesha, who's 20, said I had to watch the show. Pesha had read all the books and Rebecca was on the first. And then I watched about 6 or 7 episodes, and I was completely enthralled and obsessed! So I got all of the books and read them. I can't wait for Winds of Winter! Eek!

[[deleted user]]

Ruby wrote: "Confession: I didn't know there was a book (I'm 11, so no one would recommend them) . I didn't even know about the TV show, but then my best friend Rebecca, who's 14, and her sister, Pesha, who's 2..."

Haha, I can see why no one would recommend them for an ll-year-old...just don't say the word c*nt in public, please... :P