I was lent the books by a friend who loves reading and would very rarely recommend a book without being confident that I would also think it was a good read.
The book is very thick, making it hard to hold as well as keep all the characters straight in your head at first.
It is set in an alternative world where summer is coming to an end after many years and 'winter is coming'. A phrase repeated often by some of the characters.
The opening doesn't "grab you" however persist with it as it slowly opens up into a detailed and eventually suspense filled story.
There are several main characters which have several chapters written from their point of veiw throughout the book, this doesn't make it as hard to follow as it may sound. Each main character is actually quiet appealing although very different. The end of the chapter gives the author the opportunity to leave characters story lines hanging which increases the tension in the book and makes you want to read on.
This book has some very violent and sexual scenes within it which could be upseting to some readers and generally something I find unpleasant unless essential to the storyline. Although the scenes have at times made me feel uncomfortable I feel that they are important to giving us a realistic feel for the situations that the characters find themselves in including battles and wars. The scenes generally allow the reader to engage and empathsize with the characters and their plights more easily.
I have not watched the TV series (yet) so I can't comment on how close the two medias are.
A good read, do persist!