Books

7 Things ASOIAF Fans are Dreading

by Melissa Ragsdale

I love the A Song of Ice and Fire books, and I'm definitely addicted to the Game of Thrones television show. But with any page-to-screen adaptation, readers have a complicated relationship with the new medium. I'm one of those people who gets so frustrated when the film/show doesn't follow the text. Doesn't the director understand that everything was perfect the way it was in my imagination?

As an ASOIAF reader watching Game of Thrones, you already have a road map for what lies ahead. It's the ultimate spoiler guide. There are certainly things I'm excited about. For instance, the Young Griff is one of my favorite plot-lines of A Dance of Dragons , and I can't wait for him to show up. And getting to see Bran's training is going to be so cool. (Fingers crossed for a Ned Stark cameo!)

But while I'm experiencing tons of anticipation for Season 6, I'm also experiencing tons of dread. There are so many things from the books that have yet to happen in the show, and some of them are just tough. From violent/heartbreaking moments to some of my least favorite characters showing their faces, my stomach clenches at the thought of some of these coming.

So even though I'll be on the edge of my seat watching Season 6, singing along to the theme music and cheering on my favorite characters, there are thing that I am not looking forward to seeing on screen. Spoilers ahead!

1. The story extending beyond the books

George R.R. Martin and the showrunners have assured us that there will not be any Winds of Winter spoilers in the new season. But, even so, it's devastating to me as a reader that the show is taking the story in new directions. I'm one of those people who gets super frustrated when movies don't stay true to the books. And besides, it's already hard enough keeping up with everyone, but now we have to juggle two trajectories, too? I know I can't have my cake and eat it too, but I'm still so disappointed. Write faster, George R.R. Martin!

2. Catelyn's return as Lady Stoneheart

I literally threw my book at the wall when I read the epilogue of Storm of Swords . I don't know about you, but I hated Catelyn. She was so boring to read about; almost every one of her chapters was the same. And sure, while her zombification does raise a lot of questions, it also spells certain danger for some of my favorite characters.

3. Arya turning into a psychokiller

This has already begun to happen, but every ASOIAF fan knows that our girl Arya is about to go seriously off the deep end. In the show, she just murdered a child-rapist, but in the book, she's been given a much less noble license to kill. You know it's going to be a gruesome path for Arya.

4. Podrick's hanging

Who doesn't love Podrick Payne? There is still some mystery about whether or not his hanging was successful, but in any case, it's going to so painful to see our favorite squire put on the gallows.

5. Euron Greyjoy

I hate this guy, and we all know that he's going to show his face in Season 6. In the book, he is the victor of the Kingsmoot in the Iron Isles, declaring himself King, before he sets off to find Dany. And seriously, he thinks he's going to force Dany to marry him? Get over yourself, dude.

6. Jorah's greyscale

OK, so this is one of those things in which the show has diverted from the books. In A Dance with Dragons, we see that Jon Connington is a victim of greyscale, and that's one thing. But to have our beloved Jorah infected is going to be so heartbreaking to watch as he descends deeper into the disease.

7. Ser Kevan's death

Varys definitely takes everyone by surprise in the epilogue of A Dance with Dragons , and it's not like anybody really liked Ser Kevan anyway. But this scene with a bunch of kids stabbing Kevan to death promises to be gruesome. And while George R.R. Martin may have cut away from the action, we wouldn't be surprised if the scene makes it into the show.

Images: Giphy.com (7); HBO