TV Preview: Game of Thrones

I’m always hesitant about getting too excited for movies or TV shows based on books I’ve read. It happens way too often that they turn out so disappointing and/or completely unlike the book. Maybe if you’re lucky it will turn out exactly as you imagined, but I don’t think I’ve ever really had that. So I’m curious to see how the new HBO tv series Game of Thrones turns out…

It’s based on the book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R R Martin, and it’s turned into one of my favourite fantasy series over the years. And it is, I think, one of the most suited books to turn into a TV show. It’s practically a costume drama, but set in a world we don’t know, and without the usual fantasy trappings of elves, dwarves and annoying stuff like that. There’s quite a intricate story with (if I remember correctly) 3 different story lines set in 3 different cities for the first season. And lots of political manipulations, backstabbing and muuuurder.

Here’s the latest trailer:

A lot of the characters look spot on and I’m liking the tone of the show. The series premiere is April the 17th, and I can’t wait to see how the show does. It might have a bit of a hurdle to get over to attract “normal” people to it, but I think it could do very well.

The first book of the series A Game of Thrones is on Amazon for only £5. I never know though in these situations what to recommend: read the book first or wait for the TV series?