After the first season on HBO I bought the first 4 books. I finally got around to reading them last month and just finished the first. Big fan, and I'm very impressed with how close HBO followed the book. Definitely more details in the book. It could be because I knew it was coming but it seemed the book alluded to the dragons hatching more than the show. HBO changed a few things obviously, adding some and taking out other parts. The gay scene seemed unnecessary in the show. I suppose due to budget some of the fight scenes and the tournament had to be toned down. Also due to budget and difficulty I guess some of the direwolf stuff had to be left out, but I did enjoy them being more involved in the book. Anyway, time to start book 2. I'm going to try and have it finished before season 2 on HBO, or at least stay ahead of it. Book/season 2 guesses, which could be way off based on how the first went: -Dany/Jon Snow/Tyrion begin to gain power. -I have absolutely no idea how the King saga plays out, but I guess that's what the entire book is about. -One of the main Lannisters will die not named Tyrion. -The Starks are all over the map. I'm sure at least another one of them get fucked before too long, but wouldn't surprise me to see one of the kids running shit by the end of the series. Random thought: Since I watched the show before the book, I could tell there was a lot of foreshadowing going on when I read. Some indirect, and some sentences that basically said what would happen. I'll be paying closer attention as I read A Clash of Kings. More direwolves , dragons, creatures from beyond the wall please.
I would love to be able to read the books again without knowing whats gonna happen. I want to re-read them anyway but right now I'm reading two series so I cant find the time.