Fantasy Book Club discussion

Hey everyone, I'm curious as to if a lot of us watch the same TV shows because of our similar taste in books.
I'm going to guess that quite a few people here watch GoT and to those people - what do you think of the TV series (either on its own or compared to the book series)?
I just watched the latest episode of Vikings - does anyone else like this show?
Also, has anyone watched the Shannara TV series? I haven't watched it yet and haven't really heard much about it (I've not read the book series yet either).

I watch Game of Thrones, it should be said that I really don't remember that much time spent in the brothels in the books ;). The casting is amazing, but there are some discrepancies in the storyline and one or two "big" events (i.e./ the house of the undying) that they disappointed me on. I still love it.

I also watch Vikings. Season 1 and 2 were the best so far. Lagertha is my favorite! I can even tell when someone at work has been watching Vikings because they start doing cool intricate braids in their hair.

Walking dead, Hannibal and Grimm I also watch, and I'm curious about Shannara cause it's based on Elfstones (which I loved)

Margret wrote: "I watch Game of Thrones, it should be said that I really don't remember that much time spent in the brothels in the books ;). The casting is amazing, but there are some discrepancies in the storyli..."

I like the Game of Thrones TV series so long as I look at it as separate from the book series - otherwise I would have stopped watching after season 3. I'm most disappointed with Sansa's story line in the TV series because I really like her in the books, but this past season Sansa's situation just pissed me off because she was being built up as a strong, intelligent character over time and that just got shattered in the TV show. I really hope that doesn't happen in the books and I don't think it would based on the fact that (view spoiler)[ Ramsay has already married Jeyne Poole (hide spoiler)]. I'm also sad they have left out characters and events such as everything with the Greyjoys and Young Griff.

Vikings was so great today! Lagertha wasn't in the episode too much, but most of the other POVs were awesome (Ragnar's was a bit weird). I won't give away anything if you haven't watched it yet. Lagertha is also one of my favourite characters along with Bjorn, Rollo and Ecbert. The Frankish princess is also interesting, but she hasn't been in too many episodes. I know a lot of people who really like Floki, but I never really liked him - don't particularly know why, but I never did.

I bailed on Thrones at around the 2nd season. The books have never really been my favorites and it feels like there is no end in sight to either the books or show. Once it does end, I may come back

I started watching The Expanse recently and I'm enjoying the hell out of it. Think Syfy has done a great job of taking the books from page to screen. The casting and writing are top notch, and the guy who plays Miller might be my new man crush, rawr!

I should read Expanse, I do enjoy Daniel Abraham and I need to get some more Sci Fi going since I loved Red Rising and all

I've never been a big Sci-Fi person, but I love that series. It's really exceptional and has made me want to branch out to more in that genre. Great characters and story lines, and the science doesn't beat you over the head which is probably why I'm able to get into them

Love Game of Thrones. Have no problem separating it from the books. I don't think I've watched too many other TV series based on books though. I like just a little of everything in TV series, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Drama.

I watch Game of Thrones, and have read the books several times. Most of the changes are not a problem and some scenes were really well done. Especially the last 2 seasons based off the last two books did a lot to cut out the filler-fluff of the last 2 books.

I was disappointed in some of the changes, i.e. agreed that the House of the Undying scene in the tv series left a lot to be desired. Also Sansa's storyline changes and the Sand Snakes storyline changes irked me somewhat.

Also watch The Expanse, which is interesting (haven't read the books yet). Love Vikings though the last season wasn't as good as the rest.

Unfortunately I watched the whole Shannara series and I hated it. Except for a couple of good scenes, it was awful IMO. The clothes, the dialogue, most of the acting, the unnecessary changes, it was ludicrous! Completely mangled Terry Brooks' story and tried to turn it into a fantasy The 100 (which I stopped watching before the end of season 1).

I also watch 11.22.63, an adaptation from Stephen King, which is pretty good so far. I also watched The Man in the High Castle and despite some changes, I enjoyed it.

I'm in the UK with just freeview, I don't have anywhere near the exciting programs you do. I did watch the first two box sets of GoT but haven't seen the others.

I'm a few episodes in to Shannara. I loved the first but the other two haven't been as good. Guess I got over my excitement and caught up to the acting.

I would agree that GoT TV was mostly very well done. Obviously there has to be some differences because certain things are just not within the budget. Would definitely agree with the Sand Snakes story, but I felt they were more added to the TV show as a fan service for Oberyn fans to see more of where he came from. I actually liked Oberyn more in the TV show than in the books. I liked the character in the books, but I felt Pedro Pascal really brought him to another level.

I hadn't even heard of the Expanse TV show so that is great to know seeing as how all of you seem to like it. :)

It's too bad about Shannara, but I was a bit skeptical when I first saw that MTV was the network that was airing it. That's mostly the reason I decided to wait and see what other people thought, but I probably won't watch it now.

I've stopped watching GoT until the books are completed. I know I may be waiting a while. I've watched Season 1-3 to date. I would just rather read the book version before seeing it on TV. They are very different, but I have the willpower to wait :-)

@Jingizu, I really enjoyed the book 11.22.63, so I'm keen to watch the adaption once it arrives here. Glad to hear you are enjoying it.

I did like how the tv show made characters I already liked have a bit more personality. Lord Tywin and Bronn are two of my faves made even better

I really want to watch 11.22.63 but it's in Hulu and I don't have it or particularly want to get it. Loved the book and the combo of King, Abrams, and Franco intrigues me

I watched GOT up until the first few episodes of season 5. I really enjoyed the first couple of seasons and though the casting was pretty spot on and didn't mind the slight deviations from the books.

However as the series progressed I found myself becoming more and more annoyed with some of the changes made in the show, so often they seem unnecessary such as (view spoiler)[.Gendry and Melisandre (hide spoiler)]. I was also sad about the characters they left out. Part of me wants to wait for the next book to come out before I watch season 6...but part of me also knows that I will be waiting a loooooong looooooooooong time!

Other than that I'm currently re-watching X-Files and I still watch Supernatural even though the storylines are getting ridiculous. Oh and I love Jessica Jones.

@ Caitlin - I was also disappointed with some of the characters left out of the Game of Thrones series. But taking into account that the show already has the biggest cast of any tv series, I suppose adding even more characters would not only confuse those who haven't read the books, as well as being more expensive.

I know I won't be able to resist watching season 6, lol.

I'm still watching Shannara. I'm currently cross with itv, first they decide not to continue Jekyll and Hyde more they've decided to do the same with Beowulf!

I watched the chronicles of shannara and I loved it. I'm watching lucifer which is brilliant, Shadowhunters which is a lot better than I thought it was going to be, just started colony after I finished the expanse.

Lol, I really enjoyed the last episode of Shannara, next one tomorrow.

Jingizu wrote: "@ Caitlin - I was also disappointed with some of the characters left out of the Game of Thrones series. But taking into account that the show already has the biggest cast of any tv series, I suppos..."

Haha, that is true! If they kept ALL the characters and ALL the storylines the show would run for 20 seasons!

I'm really looking forward to the American Gods adaption, although that is still a long way off (not even sure if they are filming yet!)

Well, everyone to their own I guess.

The first 3 episodes of Shannara were mildly entertaining, the rest IMO were just awful. I hate the emphasis on it being a post-apocalyptic world. Not to mention the ridiculousness of cars etc. still hanging around after 2000 years.

But that's just me ;P

Cars? In Shannara? Whaaaat?

Vikings, Game of Thrones, and Expanse are some of my favorite things on TV right now, although I'm waaay behind on both book and TV versions of GoT, and haven't read Expanse at all.

And I'm probably the only one to enjoy the Shannara TV series more than the book. It surprised me by being enjoyable... as opposed to the book version which I hated. It was generic and tiresome to me years ago and I avoided it after the first two novels. Moreover, I was all set to avoid the TV series due to hating its source; an interested friend got me to watch it with them. But it's surprisingly coherent and easy-watching.

Wow, there are more book-based series though. Any love for Vampire Diaries, the 100, that ilk? And turning towards comics, Daredevil is airing season 2 and it's lovely. And I just adore Supergirl!

Illusode wrote: "Vikings, Game of Thrones, and Expanse are some of my favorite things on TV right now, although I'm waaay behind on both book and TV versions of GoT, and haven't read Expanse at all.

And I'm probab..."

Vampire Diaries is my guilty pleasure. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I do.

Illusode wrote: "And turning towards comics, Daredevil is airing season 2 and it's lovely. And I just adore Supergirl! "

I loved the first season of Daredevil! I didn't watch Supergirl though.

Margret wrote: "Cars? In Shannara? Whaaaat?"
I liked Shannara but yes, there is way too much emphasis on the post-apocalyptic world. To me this has taken away too much from the story. I was way disappointed in The Magicians on Sy-Fy. I really loved Vikings and I liked The Last Kingdom when it was on.

I also watch Game of Thrones but have read only the book one and decided tv show is better for me.

I´ve tried Shannara Chronicles but somehow I´m not so interested in it. Could be because it´s modern, or maybe it´s just the actors. I´ve watched 7 episodes of 10 and then stopped. Something just doesn´t feel right in there and can´t say for sure what and why.

Also, I´ve started watching Lucifer and while I don´t like crime tv show, this one is a bit funny so I watch it. I´ve read 1st volume of Lucifer by Mike Carey and I don´t see similarity (might be it´s just to early or I haven´t read enought of comic). Anyway, I watch this one because is funny and that´s all.

Tv isn´t really my area, I watch it rarely, but I do like Game of Thrones (not books, tho). I´ve also quite liked The Legend of the Seeker even tho I´ve never read the books.

edit: I´m subscribed to HBO so I get to watch GoT when it´s airing!

I'm currently watching the xfiles and totally loving it. I saw the new six episode mini series in January and now am going back and watching all the old ones for the first time. Honestly the old ones are even better than the new ones!

I am also watching game of thrones, currently on the third season. I have been watching it off and on for about a year now because I don't always have the time. I was watching outlander on Starz and saw the first half of the first season but didn't get to finish the second half. Still want to go back and finish it but I am also reading the books. I was faithfully watching Murdoch Mysteries and Heartland and am anxiously awaiting the next seasons. (Canadians you guys have really great television!)

Hannah wrote: "I am also watching game of thrones, currently on the third season. I have been watching it off and on for about a year now because I don't always have the time. I was watching outlander on Starz an..."

Murdoch Mysteries is one pf my favourite shows ever. It's always on TV (seriously, you could watch reruns almost all day and night) and it's the one show that I enjoyed when I was a kid and still love. I love Crabtree's accidental inventions of future things, and the historical setting is great (not always accurate, but plausible for the time). Good wholesome crime shows without too much violence are hard to come by and I don't like too much suspense, so this show is great. I still like shows with violence and such like GoT and Vikings, but this is something I watch with my family and can watch with my grandparents.

Margret wrote: "Cars? In Shannara? Whaaaat?"

Well not working cars, but rusted car wrecks, which btw would never have survived for 2000 years. Oh and they found working records and have a teen-rave, as well as watching Star Trek and shooting revolvers in episode 8. Hated it.

The whole characterisation was off in the series. Amberle was never a warrior princess, she was a healer and it was due to her deeply compassionate nature that the Ellcrys chose her.

The witch sisters scene was ludicrous and took away all that was significant. Ditto the Reaper dying from a fall, instead of dying via the Elfstones at the Bloodfire.

Allanon didn't have nearly enough screen time. Where was the battle for Aborlon with the Legion Free Corps and the Dwarves coming to help?

Gnomes and trolls with gas masks on? Seriously?

I can go on and on. It is of course fine if others liked it, but I liked the book, Elfstones (and Wishsong) were my favourite Shannara books and the tv show just p*ssed all over the deeper meaning of the Elfstones book IMO.

Nah, no love for Vampire Diaries and as said above, I stopped watching The 100 before the first season was done.

I enjoyed the new X-Files and started a re-watch of the old series, but man, did Mulder irritate me all of a sudden in the old series! I just wanted to slap him on so many occasions, lol.

Oh yeah I don't like the idea of shannara being adapted like that. Even though I really only enjoyed Elfstones. If the Lord of the Rings were portrayed like that people like us would riot in the street!

Margret wrote: "Oh yeah I don't like the idea of shannara being adapted like that. Even though I really only enjoyed Elfstones. If the Lord of the Rings were portrayed like that people like us would riot in the street!"

LOL! Most definitely!

Caitlin wrote:Vampire Diaries is my guilty pleasure. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I do.

You are not alone Caitlin. I still enjoy Vampire Diaries. I have no idea why. I just do!

But Lord of the rings is set in a different world, Shannara is set after we've killed the planet so you would find stuff from now. I remember trying to dissect clues in one book about something from our time.

I love vampire diaries although my box stores working and I lost all the episodes recorded for the current series.

Helen wrote: "But Lord of the rings is set in a different world, Shannara is set after we've killed the planet so you would find stuff from now. I remember trying to dissect clues in one book about something fro..."

Not really. Lord of the Rings is an alternate mythology of our world, way back in the dawn of time.

I loved the references used very sparingly in the books that Shannara is a post-apocalyptic future of our world. The tv show however focussed almost exclusively on the post-apocalyptic setting. The few things mentioned in the books that are left from our time, are things that actually might survive. But car wrecks and vinyl records and revolvers and Star Trek scenes and disco lights are things that will not survive entropy.

Never mind that almost the whole world was destroyed in the Great Wars (i.e. nuclear & biological war). The world was a wasteland afterwards and it took 1000 years for the newly evolved races to creep out their almost mindless savage state.

Okay, I've finished watching and I'm getting your point. I did really enjoy it. But.. the (view spoiler)[ seed had to be treated in fire that nearly killed the rover and was in one of our buildings destroyed by a bomb (hide spoiler)].

I'm watching Game of Thrones and Penny Dreadful. The later one I enjoy the most.

Me too for Vikings, Game of Thrones and The Expanse (although I'm nowhere near caught up on the first two). And I started Mr. Robot recently, which is quite good.

I'm also rewatching the HBO series Rome, which is excellent and which kind of prefigures Game of Thrones in a lot of ways.

Oh, and Supernatural and, of course, Orphan Black.

I seem to be one of those odd balls in that I've never watched even a single episode of the TV series. This is probably because I started to read the first book in the series years ago and found it so boring I never finished it.

Most of the shows I watch have already been listed here, love GoT, Vikings, The 100, The Last Kingdom, Mr Robot, Hannibal, the Netflix-Marvel-Shows are fantastic, Preacher is of to a really good start, Black Sails is getting better with each Season, iZombie is funnier than all the Sitcoms (and everyone who liked Veronica Mars should give it a try)...

There are so many good shows right now, but for me the shows with the best writing and acting in the last years were probably True Detective Season 1 in 2014, Fargo Season 2 in 2015 and Penny Dreadful Season 3 so far this year. Especially Penny Dreadful doesn´t get enough attention!

Ok, I've finally caught up on GoT and I have to say, it's not only one of the best fantasy shows out there, it's one of the best shows ever. It seems to get better and better.

I´ve seen Taboo, Versailles and Medici: Masters of Florence (I mean after Penny Dreadful finished), and really liked all of it! I am waiting for Game of Thrones now tho. I´m subscribed to HBO and going to watch it on Sunday. To be fair, I have no idea how to turn on the thing on

Also a big fan of The Magicians -- we're going to start watching S2 tomorrow.

I don't think I've seen it mentioned here, so I'll also bring up the BBC adaptation of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.

Oh, also Netflix' Marco Polo might be of interest, although it does end on a cliffhanger. And Sense8, which I think ends on a cliffhanger, but they'll at least be doing a 2 hour movie to wrap things up.

And even as I type this, I'm watching an oldie -- the original Danish version of The Kingdom by Lars von Trier.

I've got Magicians recorded, still. Two series'. I've 29 series recorded to watch. Time management!

Netflix has only been recently available in Indonesia, and I've been enjoying binge-watching all the tv shows I missed the last few years. I made a list of the available shows and rank it according to IMDB ratings and am going through them from top to bottom. I'm currently watching Breaking Bad. Fascinating.

Femmy wrote: "Netflix has only been recently available in Indonesia, and I've been enjoying binge-watching all the tv shows I missed the last few years. I made a list of the available shows and rank it according..."
Breaking Bad is my favorite show, great acting. I am also really enjoying Shameless

Yes, great acting and lots of twists and turns! I never know where the story's gonna take me.

Before this, I watched Fargo. I loved the first season, liked the second one, and hated the third. Did anybody watch the show? What do you think?

I have not watched that one yet, but the movie is really good. I have heard that the first season is really good as well

I´ve almost forgotten about Game of Thrones and then my boyfriend told me it took the place of his show so I watched but he was pissed :D

I was following Game of Thrones but I managed to watch until ep5 and then if was my fiances turn to watch tv so have no idea what happened. Have heard lots of spoilers but don´t really trust them so probably gonna check it out. We´re suscribed to HBO and can watch all of theirs originals series´ episodes after they´re out for a month later or so, so I have about 10 more days I think