A Game of Thrones
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If I want to start reading exactly from where season 4 ended, which book should I pick?
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Season 4 is the second half of the third novel, A Storm Of Swords. So to continue from that point forward, you want to start A Feast For Crows. But realize that Feast For Crows and the fifth book, A Dance With Dragons, feature the same timeframe, but have different sets of characters. Originally intended to be one book, it grew too large to publish that way and martin had to split it. If you want to read both of them concurrently, go to towerofthehand.com and you will find a chapter guide to help you read the two books in the correct sequential order.
A feast for Crows. It's funny, my brother asked me the same question not too long ago.
I would read a Storm of Swords if I was in your position. It's the third book, however lots of things are a bit different, more intense, and there is a surprise ending that was not included in the fourth season of GOT. Also the book is better then the season, in my personal opinion. Other wise A Feast for Crows is next in line.
Leila wrote: "I would read a Storm of Swords if I was in your position. It's the third book, however lots of things are a bit different, more intense, and there is a surprise ending that was not included in the ..."I agree. I gave the same advice to another person asking the same question. Some of the things that have been changed on the show means that certain plot twists in the fourth book won't make any sense if you haven't read the third book. Also, some stories from the third book have remained incomplete on the show - prime example, Jon's story.
In addition, the fourth book, A Feast for Crows, introduces a whole lot of new characters. So it's not a great introduction to the books. Also, the stories of various important old characters, such as Tyrion, Jon and Daenerys, are not covered in this book at all - so you'll have to wait till you get to the fifth book to read about them.
The first season was very close to the books. The second one was also kind of Ok, but they made Daenerys story in Qarth very different. The third one drifted a bit more and finished before the end of the third book. The fourth season had a lot of things different from the book, so I would start reading even from before the Red Wedding in the books (half of third book or so) and go through that whole story again. If you don't do that, you will find several things in the books that will make you go "who the hell was this person??", "what prophecy are you talking about??" and also "but isn't this person dead??" and so on.The problem is that, with all the things that they omitted from the books or did differently, you will read references to previous events that you won't get or you won't know, if you start exactly where the series left it. Also, you might not understand anything Tyrion does or why and a big part of what Jaime goes through, if you don't re-read part of what was changed in season 4, because it was a huge difference from books (trying hard not to spoil it, lol). Those are just a couple of examples (I'm not even mentioning the different personalities of some characters in books and TV, that's another issue).
Laura wrote: "The problem is that, with all the things that they omitted from the books or did differently, you will read references to previous events that you won't get or you won't know, if you start exactly where the series left it. Also, you might not understand anything Tyrion does or why and a big part of what Jaime goes through, if you don't re-read part of what was changed in season 4, because it was a huge difference from books (trying hard not to spoil it, lol). Those are just a couple of examples (I'm not even mentioning the different personalities of some characters in books and TV, that's another issue). "Lauras makes a very good point. Personally I would say depending on your reading speed and If you can be bothered...Start from the start....
If your dont want to start from the start then its worth spending some time on the Wikis reading up all the differences and chops and changes between books.
Even season 2 is one I would consider wildly different from the books, especially in regards to Dany. The show kills people who are still alive in the books, condenses multiple characters into one, and leaves out a lot of the back-story. I think trying to pick up the books from where the show left off would just leave one confused and disoriented.
If you're not in the mood to read seasons 1 and 2, at least read only Dany chapters of book 2, which is where the series drifted apart the most? I don't know, other suggestions?
Laura wrote: "If you're not in the mood to read seasons 1 and 2, at least read only Dany chapters of book 2, which is where the series drifted apart the most? I don't know, other suggestions?"I would say go right back to the start, the show missed out lots of background about Lynna, The tower of joy, the Greyjoys and a bunch of other stuff that pops up in books 4 and 5.
Honestly you need to read a feast for crows if that's what you want. But I highly advise you to read all of them.
Leila wrote: "I would read a Storm of Swords if I was in your position. It's the third book, however lots of things are a bit different, more intense, and there is a surprise ending that was not included in the ..."There is also a major plot point in A Storm of Swords that the show hasn't reached yet, and I'm not talking about the omitted surprise ending: (view spoiler).
Marc wrote: "I would say go right back to the start, the show missed out lots of background about Lynna, The tower of joy, the Greyjoys and a bunch of other stuff that pops up in books 4 and 5."Oh yes, Robert's rebellion stories... And the Tysha thing. Ah, also the Melisandre and Gendry thing, that never happened in the books; other things happened in the books instead of that (also to Gendry), that she would need to know later.
And the prophecies! All of them!
Sorry, Avital, if that's not what you expected to hear :-(
Sorry about the spoilers, but indeed, from all i´ve heard, the show doesn´t stick very closely to the books - starting with Tyrion´s wife, whose name is changed - a litle thing, but it doesn´t make any sense. I havent´seen the show, only the first5 eps of season 1 and there was this one scene that already drifted from the original - Ned Stark´s fight with Jaime´s men - so i dropped it.I would say read all of them, because you will get the plots and sub-plots much more in to detail. The show is drifting to fan-fiction land - if you find it more appealing, fine - but if you start on the midle of the saga, you will find so many differences that it will seems like a whole other books, entirely.
Avital wrote: "I guess some people would hate this question and try to convince me to start reading from the beginning. But believe me, I tried! After finishing season 4 I picked up A Game of Thrones. But I could..."I had this feeling with the first book, but the second one felt a little less similar than the first one, and the third one felt really less similar than the second one had. So you're right, I would suggest you to do try read the three of them because they are big books, there's a lot of characters who aren't in the show, and you'll get confused if you haven't read the previous books. Well! Hell! Sometimes, you forget, get confused, and need to look at the list of names at the end of the book, even though you read it. If you really can't manage it, than I would suggest you to skim them and read your favourite characters at least. Season 4 ends at the end of book 3, but this books is getting really different, and it feels like a setting for what is to come. For all those reasons, I would, again, suggest you read it.
Hey hi! If you want to read just after the story of season 4 - Read book 4 'A Feast For crows'. Some characters and story line are not there is series. But story after season 4 will start from book 4.
Nidhi wrote: "Hey hi! If you want to read just after the story of season 4 - Read book 4 'A Feast For crows'. Some characters and story line are not there is series. But story after season 4 will start from book 4."But then they miss out on two HUGE events: (view spoiler).
Well the books and show diverge more and more as the show goes on, but I understand your predicament. At this point, it would be like trying to eat an elephant. I would say you're best bet is to pick up book IV in the series - A Feast for Crows - and start there. Though you will also want to read how book III - A Storm of Swords - ended since the stupid people behind the show decided to leave the ending with its big twist out!Sidenote: they also added elements in season four that were not in the books. For instance, Locke does not go to the Wall to kill Jon, Jon doesn't almost meet up with Bran and them at Craster's Keep, Jon never goes to Craster's Keep to kill the mutineers in the first place, Asha Greyjoy (Theon's sister) doesn't try to rescue him only to then run away, Sansa doesn't tell the Lord of the Vale the truth and decide to turn evil with Baelish, and Brienne does not run into Arya and the Hound and very nearly kill him.
And that comes on top of a whole bunch of other shit they changed, added, or just plain left out of the show. So I would say that if you really want to start reading, expect to be confused and to have lots of questions. Questions you will probably want to fire off in this thread since there are clearly lots of people who read the books here.
Are you sure you don't want to just start reading from the beginning? Could be easier ;)
Following Matthew's lead, some examples of main plot things in the show that happened differently in the books (that I remember), including all four seasons:Dany's dragons never get stolen in Qarth (less important, Dorea doesn't betray her), Robb Stark does NOT marry a sassy gutsy healer from Volantis who dies in his arms at the Red Wedding (less important: Old Frey's wife doesn't get killed by Catelyn at the Red Wedding), Arya doesn't become a witty badass killer who jokes around with the Hound, Jaime wasn't at the Purple Wedding (not even in town), Gendry never met Melisandre or anyone in Stannis' entourage because he never set foot in Dragonstone.
Just in case you decide to read them, I will not say what actually happens instead of those things, but a couple of those are important for the plot. They omitted three major things from the last season, which were crucial for the story. Even if they take the story to the same path somehow, in the end, it will never be the same story. If you don't want to read the first books, perhaps you should just watch the series and not read any, because, as I said before, you will read references to things and people you will not know about and it will be confusing (like a LOT of "... Lancel and Osmund Kettleblack and probably Moon Boy for all I know" and "Where do whores go?").
Laura wrote: "Following Matthew's lead, some examples of main plot things in the show that happened differently in the books (that I remember), including all four seasons:Dany's dragons never get stolen in Qar..."
No one seems to have mentioned Jojen yet....In book world hes very much unexploded.
Book world also has cold hands.
Laura wrote: "Following Matthew's lead, some examples of main plot things in the show that happened differently in the books (that I remember), including all four seasons:Dany's dragons never get stolen in Qar..."
Oh, don't forget that horrible scene in the Sept where Jaime raped Cersei. Sure, the scene in the books was exactly above board, but what they did in the show... No means no! Bad writers! Very BAD writers!
And the showing up of Lady Stoneheart - unforgivable! They left it out. The "colourfull" relationship of Loras and Renly - that was smack on! In the book, he never really says that they are gay - he just drops hints for you to pick up; on the show, Loras just did the job, thus disclosing the whole matter.So, if you have tried to read and didn´t managed, maybe best stick with the show, because the books have a whole shitload of characters and places and descriptions that will get you confused, as they take a different POV from the show.
They havent actually confirmed stoneheart is gone for good.Theres rumour she just got moved to next season.
^^^we can only hope they come to their senses....i have to say that i haven´t seen past ep 5 season 1, because of all the buzz. Don´t know if i will see it, now.
A Feast for Crows. But you really should start from the beginning. Just because the events are the same doesn't mean that the experience is. There's a sense of poetry to the entire series, and a system of symbolism that you'll be lacking by ignoring the first three novels.
Maria wrote: "And the showing up of Lady Stoneheart - unforgivable! They left it out. The "colourfull" relationship of Loras and Renly - that was smack on! In the book, he never really says that they are gay - h..."Eh, spoiler alert there lady! Please refer to that as the twist at the end of book III that the criminal perverts who produce and write for the show chose to leave out ;)
Matthew wrote: "Eh, spoiler alert there lady! Please refer to that as the twist at the end of book III that the criminal perverts who produce and write for the show chose to leave out..."Many excuses for my disclosure of the plot. But good wording though - criminal perverts - i will use it in my daily errands, for sure muahahah
But i think there is still hope that " twist" will be in on the next season...then all will be well and swell and the air will be fresher with Febreeze - sorry! Too much comercials on tv.
Maria wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Eh, spoiler alert there lady! Please refer to that as the twist at the end of book III that the criminal perverts who produce and write for the show chose to leave out..."Many exc..."
Oh they simply must include it. If not, they can expect a serious drop in ratings as all fans who've read the books abandon ship. What I found really dumb though was the excuses being made by one of the directors after the season four finale aired. During an interview, he claimed (view spoiler)
Okay, that's me done ranting for the time being. Hope I did not offend or alienate anyone ;)
Matthew wrote: "Maria wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Eh, spoiler alert there lady! Please refer to that as the twist at the end of book III that the criminal perverts who produce and write for the show chose to leave out..."I think that there are 2 types of fans: the one´s who read and the one´s who didn´t. The one´s who read the books, are getting increasingly dissapointed at the direction the gave the show (view spoiler)
Matthew wrote: "Maria wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Eh, spoiler alert there lady! Please refer to that as the twist at the end of book III that the criminal perverts who produce and write for the show chose to leave out..."Well this plot is in the fourth book and not in the third, so it's fine that it didn't make it on the fourth season. As for if it's dramatic or not if it doesn't make it in the next season, well I'm not sure yet. I just read about 40% of the fourth book yet. Until now it's a surprise, it might even be really cool, but it doesn't seem necessary, but yeah it might turn up to be SUPER important later.
Anyway, the TV show is the TV show, the books are the books, why not enjoy both as different art forms? I love the books, but if you want the books word for word why don't you just reread them?
Well, the original question here was "if I want to read where the show left off", so it's important to some of us to explain why that is not entirely possible. There are too many changes, which would result in getting lost in the text.We should have asked the OP a question, though: why does Avital want to read the books now? If it's mere curiosity about "what happens next" in simple facts (like this one gets killed, this one travels, etc.), then I guess they could just pick it from book 4, and even still find that some "dead" people are actually alive and vice-versa. They will still read mentions to events and people they never heard of, and that is as confusing as catching the last 20 minutes of a movie and try to catch up. A complicated one. For that, I could recommend entering one of these places where they write "abstracts" for each chapter, so someone who doesn't really want to read the books, but wants to know what happens next, can quickly know that.
Now, if what they want is to be able to appreciate the books, as Chloé says, as the different art form (and, in this case, the original), then they should make the effort of reading the whole thing, to be able to fully understand it. These books aren't just about the story as "a series of events". They have characters, and these characters have background stories, personalities, nuances, points of view, motivations, a lot of aspects that the series never covered. That includes the inclusion of the thing discussed as spoiler. From the main plot point of view, it may not be essential, but it's very important in the books in terms of story, character, motivations, reflections of war, violence, vengeance, etc.
I do like the series (and yes, I rant about changes and my partner gets to tolerate me) and I watch it, but the question here isn't "what is better, the books or the series". So, yes, the question would be why the OP wants to read, and the advice given to them should be according to that.
I think Laura summed it up nicely.So unless someone releases a "bits missing from the TV show catch up edition" book then go with that.
Marc wrote: "I think Laura summed it up nicely.So unless someone releases a "bits missing from the TV show catch up edition" book then go with that."
Don't give George R. R. Martin ideas! He'll write that instead of the sixth book.
Sam wrote: "Marc wrote: "I think Laura summed it up nicely.So unless someone releases a "bits missing from the TV show catch up edition" book then go with that."
Don't give George R. R. Martin ideas! He'll w..."
The Irony is its TECHNICALLY already written he just needs an editor to copy and paste sections across and write a short foreword.
That should keep him busy for five or six years.
Marc wrote: "Sam wrote: "Marc wrote: "I think Laura summed it up nicely.So unless someone releases a "bits missing from the TV show catch up edition" book then go with that."
Don't give George R. R. Martin id..."
Gah don´t say that to me, because June next year is very far off, still....
Laura summed it up very well - it would be question of what the OP really wants and if that´s not clear, then we all give our POV´s. The tv show and the books take 2 different turns, but are each a stand alone work.
Chloé wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Maria wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Eh, spoiler alert there lady! Please refer to that as the twist at the end of book III that the criminal perverts who produce and write for the show ch..."Except that the introduction of you-know-who happened at the end of book III. It was the big twist ending that let people know she was coming back for book IV. And sure, it's fine if they chose to not put that bit in now, but for them to say that they don't even know if they are going to later means they are open to a very serious change that would alter the story big time.
And of course the show and books are going to be different. But if they start just making things up to pad the script, the end result is going to be totally pointless and totally different from the novels. In this case, it was the former. All the new threads they introduced this season couldn't go anywhere or they'd change the plot entirely. Hence, they all had to be tied up in ways that were contrived and obvious.
And I really don't see why you'd take issue with people who don't like how they are doing this. An adaptation needs to be true to the spirit of the source material. That's not asking for a "word for word" remake, it's hoping that the writers would stay committed to what they are adapting from. That doesn't seem like an unreasonable request to me.
Matthew wrote: And I really don't see why you'd take issue with people who don't like how they are doing this. An adaptation needs to be true to the spirit of the source material. That's not asking for a "word for word" remake, it's hoping that the writers would stay committed to what they are adapting from. That doesn't seem like an unreasonable request to me...."Yes - or either if it crosses the minds of the producers (criminal pervs hahaha) that they want to start to feature aliens from outer space, it will take a completly different spin to the work: it will not be even remotly faithfull to the essence of the books.
We might argue that they wont include all plots as there are so many (and that would be a word-by-word kinda thing), but please - change character´s names? Why on earth is that good for? The people who read the books feel cheated and it doesn´t make no difference to the one´s who didn´t read them. And why not include you-know-who, which actually is a central character?
So, why bother doing that? And why dooes GRRM bothers to tell them how the saga is going to end, if they are botching it every day a litle more?
Season 4 ended around the end of Book 3 (A Storm of Swords). The next 2 books in the series happen concurrently, so you'd need to read A Feast for Crows and A Dance With Dragons. Hurry too, because George R.R. Martin claims that the next book in the series, The Winds of Winter, will be complete by late 2015. But we'll see, as he's been slower with each title.
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So I'm asking which book happenes after the events of season 4 because I would really like to read and see what happens next.