How Does Game of Thrones End in the Book?
The eagerly anticipated question on every fan’s mind: how does the Game of Thrones series end in the book? While the show’s finale received mixed reactions, the book series, written by George R.R. Martin, still leaves many questions unanswered. In this article, we’ll delve into the final chapters of A Song of Ice and Fire, providing a comprehensive overview of the conclusion.
A Brief Recap
Before diving into the ending, let’s refresh our memories on the current state of the characters and the world of Westeros:
- The living are gathered at Winterfell, preparing for the impending war against the Night King.
- Cersei Lannister has become the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, and Euron Greyjoy has taken over as the new Master of the Iron Islands.
- Daenerys Targaryen has invaded King’s Landing, and the city is under her control.
- Jon Snow has learned the truth about his parentage and has been struggling with his loyalty to Daenerys.
- Arya Stark has sailed across the sea, leaving Westeros behind.
The Final Confrontation
The final confrontation begins with the Great War against the Night King, which ends with the White Walkers being defeated. However, the surviving characters are left to deal with the aftermath:
- The Living vs. The Dead: The remaining characters must come to terms with the destruction caused by the Great War. The living are forced to confront the fact that they have lost a significant portion of their numbers and resources.
- The Battle for King’s Landing: Daenerys’ army is still in King’s Landing, and the city is in ruins. Cersei Lannister, with the help of Euron Greyjoy, is determined to reclaim her throne.
The Downfall of Daenerys
As the story progresses, Daenerys’ descent into madness and tyranny becomes more pronounced. She becomes increasingly paranoid and brutal, using her dragons to burn King’s Landing to the ground. This leads to the following consequences:
- The Loss of Her Supporters: Daenerys’ actions alienate her supporters, and many begin to question her leadership.
- The Rise of the Hound: The Hound, Sandor Clegane, becomes a key player in the story, as he seeks revenge against his brother, the Mountain.
The End of Daenerys and the Iron Throne
Daenerys’ downfall is ultimately brought about by her own actions:
- The Mad Queen: Daenerys’ descent into madness and tyranny leads to her eventual downfall.
- The Fall of the Iron Throne: The Iron Throne is destroyed, and the concept of a single ruler for the Seven Kingdoms is abandoned.
The New Era
With Daenerys’ death, the story shifts towards a new era in Westeros:
- The Great Council: The surviving characters gather to discuss the future of the Seven Kingdoms. A new system of governance is established, with a focus on regional rule and a more decentralized approach.
- The New Kings and Queens: The characters are left to navigate their new roles and responsibilities. Some, like Bran Stark, become the new rulers of their respective regions.
The Fates of the Main Characters
The book series concludes with the following fates for the main characters:
- Jon Snow: Jon is sentenced to the Night’s Watch for killing Daenerys, but he is eventually released and becomes the Lord of the North.
- Arya Stark: Arya sails across the sea, leaving Westeros behind.
- Sansa Stark: Sansa becomes the Queen in the North, ruling independently of the Iron Throne.
- Bran Stark: Bran becomes the new King of the Six Kingdoms, with the North having seceded from the rest of the Seven Kingdoms.
Conclusion
The book series ends with a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity, leaving many questions unanswered. The conclusion is bittersweet, with the surviving characters left to rebuild and navigate their new roles in the world of Westeros. While the show’s finale may have been divisive, the book series provides a more nuanced and complex conclusion to the story of A Song of Ice and Fire.
A Table of the Main Characters’ Fates
| Character | Fate |
|---|---|
| Jon Snow | Sentenced to the Night’s Watch, later released and becomes the Lord of the North |
| Arya Stark | Sails across the sea, leaving Westeros behind |
| Sansa Stark | Becomes the Queen in the North, ruling independently of the Iron Throne |
| Bran Stark | Becomes the new King of the Six Kingdoms, with the North having seceded from the rest of the Seven Kingdoms |
Key Takeaways
- The book series concludes with a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity.
- Daenerys’ downfall is brought about by her own actions.
- The Iron Throne is destroyed, and the concept of a single ruler for the Seven Kingdoms is abandoned.
- The surviving characters are left to navigate their new roles and responsibilities.
- The book series provides a more nuanced and complex conclusion to the story of A Song of Ice and Fire.