Though it was a hugely popular series when it was on the air, the final season of Game of Thrones was divisive, to say the least. The main complaint with fans was that, after eight long seasons, the characters they loved didn't get satisfying endings. While we have to accept the ending of the show, the books could give us more of what we were hoping for.
George R.R. Martin has two more books left in his Song of Ice and Fire series, and he has confirmed that the ending will share similarities with the show while also having notable differences. Knowing what we do from the two versions of the story we can predict which characters from Game of Thrones will have different endings in the books and which will be the same.
10 Same: Bran Stark
One of the most bewildering aspects of the finale for most fans was Bran Stark being named as King of the Seven Kingdoms. There had been speculation about all the potential characters who could sit on the Iron Throne but Bran was rarely a theory. As unexpected as it was, you can bet Martin has the same plan.
The decision of who will sit on the Iron Throne seems like one that the showrunners would have consulted Martin about. However, while the show gave the lame excuse that Bran "has the best story" being the reason he is made king, the books will likely focus on his all-seeing power as the reason.
9 Different: Tyrion Lannister
Tyrion Lannister is a fan favorite of the show and Martin himself has said he is his own favorite character. However, the way the show has dealt with Tyrion's arc feels much different from how the books will deal with it.
As of the latest book, Tyrion has yet to meet Daenerys. You can expect that they will follow the same path of him joining her cause. However, the show doesn't make Tyrion pay for his sins and mistakes very much as he ends the series with a nice position as Hand of the King. You can expect Martin to give Tyrion a much less happy ending in which he faces severe consequences.
8 Same: Arya Stark
In the books, Arya is still in training to become a deadly assassin. The show really embraced that side of her in the final season, making her the deadliest person in Westeros and the one who ultimately killed the Night King. When it is all over, Arya decides to explore the unexplored parts of the world, leaving Westeros behind.
This was one of the more satisfying endings on the show. Arya has gone through so much change in this story that she is not the same little girl we once knew. When her story comes to an end, there's probably nothing to keep her in Westeros and further adventures await her beyond.
7 Different: The Hound
One of the moments fans had been wanting since the first season of the show was the "Cleganebowl". This was based on the theory that Sandor "The Hound" Clegane and his brother, Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane would faceoff in an epic fight before the story ends.
We got this in the show as The Hound and The Mountain have a fight to the death as King's Landing burns. However, this is not the kind of fan-service Martin seems interested in. You can expect The Hound's story will end in a much quieter way, focusing on his redemption.
6 Same: Jaime Lannister
Jaime Lannister has had maybe the most significant arc in the entire series. He went from one of the most hated villains on the show to becoming one of the most popular heroes. But many fans were displeased by Jaime's end as he abandoned Brienne to return to Cersei and die as the Red Keep collapsed on them.
Though he has gone through an even greater change in the book, it's likely Jaime will eventually choose to be with Cersei. Many have pointed to a prophecy in the show hinting that Jamie will be the one who kills Cersei. This might be true, but it's likely to be a mercy kill as they face death together.
5 Different: Cersei Lannister
Cersei Lannister was a villain who just loved to hate, but the show always managed to make her more complex than villains like Ramsay Bolton. The show ended on a sympathetic note from Cersei as she was afraid of dying and shared heartbreaking final moments with Jaime. It almost made us forget about the terrible things she has done.
In the books, Cersei has yet to take the Iron Throne for herself. While fans are expecting that will happen, they don't imagine she will keep it for long. Cersei in the books is unready becoming unraveled and her days may be numbered before Daenerys even arrives in Westeros.
4 Same: Daenerys Targaryen
Certainly, the most controversial end for a character was that of Daenerys Targaryen. As she sought to claim the Iron Throne, she turned mad and burned the city to the ground, killing countless innocent people. Ultimately, she was killed by Jon Snow.
As shocking as it was to see this turn, book fans were much less shocked. In the books, Daenerys' darker side shines through more often. The turn will certainly feel less rushed than it was in the show and it will focus less on her being spurned by Jon Snow.
3 Different: Jorah Mormont
Jorah Mormont had a tough time on Game of Thrones. He has an unrequited love for Daenerys while serving her, was banished from her service, got grayscale, was painfully cured, only to be killed during the Battle of Winterfell.
While Jorah in the books has had a rough ride as well, he'll likely be let off easier. Firstly, he is not the character who gets grayscale in the books which will save him a lot of pain. Also, the showrunners admitted that they considered letting him live and have him take on his father's position on the Night's Watch. That's probably where his story will end in the books.
2 Same: Jon Snow
Jon Snow gradually became the show's hero only to have a very disappointing final season. Jon was so inactive in the final season that he felt useless. When he finally does something and kills Daenerys, he is sent to the Wall. Last we see of him, he is leading the Wildlings beyond the Wall to a new life which seemed like a random end.
You can bet that Jon will end up back at the Wall when the books come to an end as well. However, Martin will likely make it a more meaningful end. After finding out he comes from a royal bloodline and is the heir to the throne, Jon will likely realize that it was Ned Stark who raised him, and he has always belonged in the North.
1 Different: The Night King
After being built up as the ultimate threat facing the heroes, the Night King was dealt with rather easily. After his attack on Winterfell failed to kill many main characters, Arya is able to stab him with a Valyrian steel blade and end his reign of terror.
The Night King in the book has a lot more mystery surrounding him. Martin also loves backstory and has set up several potential heroes who could be destined to kill him. Arya being the hero, while satisfying, feels like a show invention. The Night King's end in the book will likely not be so easy.
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