What started as a novel, A Game of Thrones, grew into so much more. Game of Thrones is a television series based on the A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy novels. Author George R. R. Martin was inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's works, which is what fueled his passion for writing the story. Throughout the television series, there is an existential feeling of sorrow. Fans love characters like Jon Snow and Arya Stark, and the fact that no character was safe from being killed off at any moment was nerve-wracking.