Unfortunately, the book series, A Song of Ice and Fire, which Game of Thrones adapts, does not yet have a completed ending; therefore, how Game of Thrones ends in the books is currently unknown.
The television show Game of Thrones concluded its run, but the book series it’s based on, A Song of Ice and Fire, remains unfinished. This creates a significant difference between the two. Many fans are left wondering, “how does game of thrones end in the books?” This question remains unanswered as author George R.R. Martin has not yet released the final two novels.
We can only speculate on the books’ true conclusion. The show eventually diverged significantly from the source material, leaving open possibilities for drastically different finales in the books. This uncertainty keeps readers eager for the books to be completed.
How Does Game of Thrones End in the Books?
Alright, let’s dive into the big question: How does A Song of Ice and Fire, the book series that inspired Game of Thrones, actually end? It’s a question that has sparked countless debates and theories because, well, the series isn’t finished yet! George R.R. Martin, the author, is still working on the last two books, The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. This means we don’t have a complete ending to discuss, but we can explore what’s likely to happen based on the story so far and what Martin himself has hinted at. The TV show and the books have already diverged quite a bit, so the ending in the books is expected to be quite different than what we saw on screen.
The Unfinished Saga: What We Know (and Don’t Know)
The biggest thing to remember is that we’re dealing with an incomplete story. This means any “ending” we talk about is more of an educated guess based on established plot threads and characters’ arcs in the currently available books. We do know that the overall plan for the books will remain the same, even if the paths characters take to get there are very different from the show. For example, character arcs are very different than the show. In the show, for instance, Stannis Baratheon dies at the hands of Brienne of Tarth during the siege of Winterfell. But in the books, he’s very much alive and about to start a battle against the Boltons. In addition, the show makes it seem that Dorne and Sunspear is inconsequential to the main story, but in the books the Martells have a very strong role to play as well.
The Importance of Differing Storylines
The TV show had to streamline characters and plotlines in order to fit it in 8 seasons, but the books are far more complex. We’ve seen key characters in the show either die or disappear very early in the books. For instance, in the TV show, Jojen Reed dies in a battle with the wights. However, in the books, Jojen doesn’t die and remains with Bran. The Ironborn storyline is also a whole lot different in the books. It’s these crucial differences that will make the ending in the books something far beyond what we have already seen on TV.
Here are some of the biggest differences between the books and the TV show that will most likely lead to a completely different ending:
- Lady Stoneheart: In the books, Catelyn Stark is brought back to life by Beric Dondarrion as the vengeful Lady Stoneheart. This character doesn’t exist in the show, but she’s a big player in the books, with her primary motivation is the death of anyone associated with the Red Wedding.
- Aegon Targaryen (Young Griff): This character, who claims to be Rhaegar Targaryen’s son, is alive and playing a large role in the current storyline of the books. In the show, there’s no such character. He is backed by the Golden Company and ready to make a play for the Iron Throne.
- Dorne’s Plan: Dorne, which is under the leadership of the Martells, has a much more detailed plan for revenge against the Lannisters and is actively involved in the power struggle. They have their own plans for revenge and are not as easily dismissed as they were on the show.
- The Ironborn’s Complex Web: The Iron Islands are in turmoil, with multiple claimants vying for power. This is a very important part of the story in the books with much more detailed lore, and it has major consequences that are expected to come in the next two books.
- Bran’s Journey North: Bran’s story is different in the books. He is still beyond the Wall learning from the Three-Eyed Raven. He hasn’t had an encounter with the Night King. And he might not even be the “three eyed raven”. It’s a different path entirely.
Key Players and Their Likely Endgames
While the show gave us a definitive ending to most major characters, their book counterparts are still on wildly different trajectories. Let’s take a look at some of them:
Daenerys Targaryen
In the books, Daenerys is still in Meereen trying to learn how to be a ruler. She’s learning the ways of leadership, something which she did not do in the show. She hasn’t gone to Westeros yet, and her journey there will likely be much more complex and take her through numerous obstacles. The events of the show, which made her into a “Mad Queen,” aren’t predicted to happen in the books. This is not to say that she will not go “mad”, it might just be very different than how it played out in the TV show.
- Her dragons, Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion, are also not the same as in the show. In the books, they are much more unpredictable and she hasn’t had the same level of control as seen in the show.
- Her relationship with her advisors like Tyrion and Jorah are also vastly different.
- In the books, her goal remains to take the Iron Throne. However, what she learns about the political landscape of Westeros, her own Targaryen history and the people she encounters along the way is likely to deeply impact her rule.
Jon Snow
Jon Snow’s story is also very different. At the end of A Dance with Dragons, he has been stabbed by his own men and left to die. However, we know from various leaks and hints that he is likely not dead and could be revived, possibly by Melisandre or the red priests of R’hllor. He has just been stabbed, not killed.
- His identity as a Targaryen isn’t as clear-cut in the books. How he learns about it and how this impacts his story is a mystery.
- His role in the battle against the White Walkers is expected to be huge, but how it plays out remains to be seen.
- His relationship with the Night’s Watch, and whether he leaves the Night’s Watch or not, will play a key part in the final chapter of the book series.
Tyrion Lannister
Tyrion, instead of becoming Daenerys’ advisor from the get-go, is currently still making his way across the sea, interacting with various characters and forming alliances. His intelligence and his manipulative character still plays a huge part in the books.
- His relationship with his family is in tatters, and he’s on a different path.
- His interactions with the other characters in the books are not exactly same as how it is portrayed in the show.
- He’s very much his own character and is a powerful player in the game of thrones.
Sansa Stark
Sansa, far from being the queen, is still in the Vale, using the alias “Alayne Stone.” In the books, she is still learning the ways of politics with Littlefinger.
- Her relationship with Littlefinger remains a complicated one. She is constantly learning from him.
- Her story is still set for her return to the North, but the way she gets there is completely different from the show.
- Her political ambitions are still growing in the books, and she is likely to be more cunning than she was portrayed in the show.
Arya Stark
Arya’s story is quite different in the books. She is still in Braavos learning how to be a Faceless Man. However, her training and her time there is much more detailed and complicated in the books. She has taken on the name “Cat of the Canals” and is an extremely important part of the story.
- Her skills as an assassin are further developed, and her inner conflicts make her story quite gripping.
- How she finally returns to Westeros and how she fits into the bigger picture is still a question that remains to be answered.
- Her relationships with characters like Nymeria are more in depth.
Bran Stark
Bran, as mentioned before, is deep in his journey in the North, learning from the Three-Eyed Raven. His abilities are growing, and we expect that he will play a vital role in the story, especially with the coming war against the Others. He doesn’t travel South like in the show.
- His powers have grown in the books and we have much greater details about the Old Gods and the history of Westeros.
- His relationship with the Children of the Forest is explored to a greater degree in the books.
- We still do not know the full extent of his role in the book series.
Cersei Lannister
Cersei’s story is also markedly different. She is still in King’s Landing and still rules over the realm, but with much more political trouble than the show. Her political standing is not as secured in the books.
- Her power has waned in the books, and she is far more vulnerable to her enemies than what the TV show portrays.
- The prophecy of Maggy the Frog is still at play in her story, and that prophecy will play a massive role in the story.
- Her relationship with her brother, Jaime, is also different. And we still do not know where their story will end.
Potential Endings and Themes
Based on what we know and can reasonably assume, here are some potential themes and plot threads that could be a part of the final ending:
The War for the Dawn
The fight against the White Walkers (or the Others in the books) will undoubtedly be a huge part of the climax. The show had a very quick ending to this, but in the books, the war against the Others could have multiple battles and involve almost all the kingdoms of Westeros. The true history and motivations of the Others may be revealed in the books.
The Iron Throne and Power Dynamics
The battle for the Iron Throne will take a different turn from the show, with characters like Aegon Targaryen entering the equation. This means that the fight for the Iron Throne will be more complex and involve multiple characters. This will further question who has the right to rule Westeros.
The Importance of Magic and Prophecy
Magic and prophecies play an important role in the books, and these are also a major element that differentiates the books from the show. How these elements finally impact the world of Westeros is something we look forward to in the coming books. The prophecies will undoubtedly play an important role in the end game.
The Fate of Westeros
The books might not offer a definitive answer on who rules Westeros, as the world of Westeros might be completely different after the war with the Others. The end game might be about the rebuilding of Westeros, and how the people who survive will set up the world. The fate of Westeros is very much up in the air.
The Cycle of Violence
George R.R. Martin has always emphasized the futility of war and violence, and this theme is expected to play a big role in the final books. The endless cycles of revenge and violence is expected to be a central part of the books, and we do not know if that cycle will break or continue.
What We Can Expect in the Final Books
While we cannot give any concrete answers on how the book will end, it is safe to assume that there will be many more twists and turns before the story finally concludes. The final book(s) will undoubtedly be very different from the show. The focus will shift back to how the story was meant to be. It is very likely that some of the most loved characters might die, and some of the characters that we don’t like might just survive, as that is how GRRM likes to portray his stories.
The main focus of the next two books are likely to be:
- The war against the Others and how the people of Westeros will face that.
- The fight for the Iron Throne and how the story unfolds with different claimant.
- The journeys of many different characters and where their respective arcs take them.
The important takeaway is that the book ending will almost certainly be more nuanced, complex, and perhaps even darker than the ending we saw on TV. The books have far more details and have a much more complicated network of characters, events, and prophecies. The story of the books is meant to be more difficult for the audience to grasp, and the ending will likely be a reflection of that.
The wait for the books continues, and fans remain eagerly anticipating what Martin has in store for us.
In conclusion, while we don’t have the full picture yet, it’s clear that the book version of A Song of Ice and Fire is headed in a significantly different direction than the TV show. It’s going to be a long and winding road to the end, filled with unexpected twists and turns. The final books are still to come, and all that we have are clues, hints, and speculations.
How will George R.R. Martin’s final “Game of Thrones” books end?
Final Thoughts
The books offer no definitive conclusion yet. George R.R. Martin is still writing The Winds of Winter. Therefore, we do not know for certain how the series concludes. Many fan theories exist, but the actual ending remains a mystery.
The show’s ending differs greatly, making the question, “how does game of thrones end in the books?” still pertinent. Martin himself has stated the books will end differently. This divergence means the book ending might subvert expectations entirely. We must patiently wait for the final novels.
