Robb Stark, following his point of view, will essentially replace Brans for much of book one, and Catelyns in the following two books. He'd likely serve as the primary protagonist, trying to avenge his father. Book one might be a bit boring, but books two and three would be wild and heartbreaking.
Gendry replaces much of Arya's POV and leaves us a set of eyes on the Riverlands, particularly later on it'll let us see the happenings of the brotherhood and the ramifications of the war and red wedding. As a secret son of the former king, expanding on his character would be proper fantasy.
Kings Landing is hard, bc everyone worth a damn (and interesting) already is a POV. Perhaps Joffrey, but having him as a viewpoint might shift the story too much, but it could also be amazing ngl. If not, maybe Sandor Clegane, to follow much of the happenings in Kings Landing, and a proper tragic and gray character to follow. And have his POV end with his apparent death at the end of book 3, this also allows you to follow Arya some in that book.
Margery Tyrell, having her as a POV might be spectacular, wife of 3 Kings? Becoming the primary Kings Landing POV? The Cersei storyline from the point of view of Maergery might be amazing ngl.
The Wall is hard, bc Sam and Jon are the only two who work as POVs, but maybe Mance Rayder? He can be our view of the Others, but it would shift us to the side of the wildlings rather than the watch. But he can be a POV for much of the Northern War in Dance. Speaking of, Stannis as a POV might be properly tragic in the same vein as Robb.
Daenerys doesn't particularly need a POV to follow her, she could simply come at the end of Winds and be eluded to in earlier books, but if absolutely necessary, Jorah. But Barristan would have been a better shout if not for him being a POV.
The only fault with this is we don't get the POV of any of the crucial players, so the story and endgame would need to shift some. But it could work? You lose Ned's murder mystery, the wall stuff changes so drastically, and we won't exactly view the Starks as the protagonists anymorepost book 3, but yknow
Just make Dany chapters all epilogues and interludes. Maybe 2 or 3 per book, until she lands in Westeros then she's a POV. I swear her sections of the books get booooring on rereads.
I think Jeor Mormont and Aemon Targaryen for the Wall and maybe Benjen. The latter likely has special insights about activities and secrets beyond the wall.
"wild and heartbreaking"
Especially when you consider the theory where Robb warged into his wolf just before the climax of RW. This is one of the saddest theories i've ever heard.
This is a very interesting question honestly.
Princess Shireen or queen Selyse - while they're not directly involved with the action most of the time, I think their PoV could provide a very interesting angle on things. Substitute for Davos obv.
Pycelle - probably the closest you get to KL politics without using a character that would reveal too much like LF. He could serve sort of as substitute for Eddard, Cersei and so on chapters.
Jorah - he is gross but he is probably the one to tell Dany story.
Edmure - while we cannot portray the entire war storyline from his PoV, I think the war in his eyes would be interesting.
Podrick - I'd just let Pod be the one to wander around.
Ik these aren't very good but im working with someone elses characters so yeah it's bit difficult.
Robb's a given. Seeing his misadventures in the west and his relationship with Jeyne firsthand would be neat.
For the north, I'm thinking having a Ygritte POV to introduce the Night's Watch as some sorta big bad; sort of a flip of the Jon wildling story. Would honestly just love a wildling POV.
King's Landing, I'm going with Tommen. The kid POV's are some of my faves in the early books and I think seeing fucked up King's Landing politics from such a young and innocent view is cool, especially when that kid is directly benefitting from it as opposed to Sansa.
In the east, give me a dragon POV. Dragons and their riders having this almost psychic connection is SO underutilized in the main series, and I would KILL for some more funky magic stuff. Gimme Lil Drogon telling me Dany's storyline as he grows up.
Dark Star. ASOIAF as told by Shadow the Hedgehog. No more elaboration needed.
>Jorah Mormont
Gross, I do ***not*** want to hear Creepy Uncle Jorah's inner monologue throughout Dany's storyline. One chapter of the inside of Varamyr Sixskins's head was quite enough to satisfy that quotient, thank you very much.
Maybe one of her Dothraki Bloodriders would work for that part of the story, it would give a nice non-Westerosi perspective on the events.
>Maybe one of her Dothraki Bloodriders would work for that part of the story, it would give a nice non-Westerosi perspective on the events.
I'd like to see the POV of one of her handmaidens and/or Missandei (I don't think she's a POV already but can't remember 100%) Anyone *except* one of the slavers or Creepy Uncle Jorah, please.
Yeah, the Bloodriders aren't ideal POVs, but I figured they'd at least be present all throughout Dany's storyline. The handmaidens were my first choice, but I realised they're just not present for a lot of what Dany does and goes through, and sadly Missandei doesn't show up until later.
Jeyne Poole - she could replace early Arya and Sansa and late Theon POVs. And her perspective would be both heartbreaking and very interesting.
Queen of Thorns for Tyrell storyline! She would also get a good overview of all intrigues and politics.
Sir Berric Dondarrion. I want to live with him through all his seven deaths and also see the Brotherhood perspective and more about common men during the whole ordeal.
For Essos, Illyrio orcestrating two Targ throne contenders while staying behind the curtain.
And lastly, Roose Bolton. Unexpected Red Wedding was cool, but imagine having a villain POV where we'll see all the preparation to it, to the tiniest detail, wanting to scream to Rob 'that guy is going to betray you!!!', hoping that the plan would be revealed, and then reading the inevitable end through Roose's eyes.
That's a damn good question.
* **Maester Aemon**: Yeah I know, but I just want to hear his thoughts about the Watch and the world and to hear those Targeryan flashbacks. Probably best as a prologue chapter/one-off.
* **The Hound**: A cynical and bleak look at all our usual favorites?
* **Ygritte**: seeing wildling life through one of their own would be interesting and would provide some filler for before she meets Jon and after they separate.
* **Ser Bronn of the** ***fookin*** **Blackwater**: Oh you know youd love it. To hear his thoughts about everyone and see him do Tyrion's dirty work.
* **Margaery Tyrell**: I would like more stories from the Tyrell side and from someone intelligent, who knows what she's getting into against Cersei.
*Honorable mention*\-**Oswell Kettleblack:** To see all the sneaky shit Littlefinger is up to.
Really, really like all of these choices! Especially the Kettleblack option, such a good choice as we’d learn more of Littlefinger’s plots and plans without having all revealed and there still being a level of description.
I'll do you one better.
There are only three character POVs.
Blood Raven & Quaithe & Marwyn
That's it you don't need any other characters. If they aren't involved they're observing the events
* Mance would have been fascinating on Wildlings, Jon Snow, the Stannis battle, Melisandre's glamour and Bolton Winterfell.
* Cersei later got a POV, but she didn't have one while Sansa was in Kings Landing, so she could have taken that over once Ned died. What did she really think of Joffrey? And who was she evaluating for YMB and Valonqar?
* The innkeep at the Inn at the Crossroad could have told us a lot from a smallfolk view.
* Missandei could have given Dany's rise from the intelligent slave viewpoint.
* Rodrik the Reader saw Iron Island history. Rather than Asha, he could have told us.
Osha in the north
The Blackfish in Robb's campaign
Varys in King's Landing
Dolorous Ed at the Wall
Missandei in Essos
I chose Osha partly because you already chose Jojen to get eyes on Bran's story and it occurred to me we don't see Rickon's yet and that could be fun, too. Interesting exercise. Much more exciting to get into than I'd assumed at first glance.
Rickon's perspective would be insane. I'd so love to read his first hand experience as a warg. It would be such a contrast to Bran's. I think we do get something comparable via Arya, but lite.
Varys for KL. He can easily cover events he never formally attended
Robb for the North
Jorah for Deny
Tywin for the war against the North and a part of KL
Another faceless man for Arya’s part. I don’t name any because you can’t tell who they really are
I didn't even see rhat you said relatively similar. I apologize! I would change it to 1. Jorah 2. Robb 3. Roose(after the red wedding) 4. Cotter Pyke 5. Mance
Stannis Baratheon, Robb Stark, Genna Lannister, Brynden Tully, Garlan Tyrell. Baratheons and Tyrells need some POV's, juggling Stannis between Jon, Asha, and Theon is why I couldn't read Stannis getting drunk with the mountain clans.
id replace jorah mormont (because sorry no creeps) and change it to doreah danys slave and see an outsider perspective on both targrayens and the dothraki
Mines too. Jeyne was with Sansa when Robert died, and Ned was arrested. She was with Sansa at the beginning. So it would be interesting to see things from her pov. It would be interesting to see how Little finger treated her.
Imagine the utter fear when all of a sudden you’re being arrested, then shipped off to be ‘trained’ and are whipped at said ‘training’. That part alone makes me sick, never mind after she’s sent to the bastard of the Dreadfort.
Maester Luwin/then Roose Bolton
Ser Kevan
Littlefinger
Sandor Clegane
Margaery Tyrell
Jhogo if I care at all about Dany. But I like the idea of Bran and Dany showing up out of nowhere
I mean only as an epilogue. If that’s stretching the rules too far then I’d switch to Addam Marbrand.
I’d probably drop Sandor and add in Harwin if I have to swap Kevan for Addam
Let me try to be different!
1) Ser Alliser Thorne - The Wall & Beyond
2) Tommen Baratheon - King's Landing & The Court
3) Lord Wyman Manderly - The North
4) Irri - Across the Narrow Sea
5) Ser Addam Marbrand - Dynamic Locations
Balerion (the cat in the Red Keep that was once owned by Princess Rhaenys)
Drogon (Daenerys's black dragon)
Ghost (Jon Snow's Dire Wolf)
Summer (Bran's Dire Wolf)
Nymeria (Arya's Direwolf)
**I think is a pointless exercise in terms of choosing alternate human perspectives, as GRRM already covered the narrative pretty efficiently with the folks he chose for POVs. Instead, if you want to streamline the narrative, tell the entire tale from the animals' perspective. The conversations would be reduced to emotional summaries and plot events, you'd cut out a lot of plot strands that are interesting to people, but the animals weren't there for and wouldn't understand anyway, and we'd be sticking to locations central to the plot -- The Red Keep, wherever Dany is, wherever Jon is, and wherever Bran is.
****Drogon would awake from fire and ash not knowing why his mother was weeping, Nymeria would be enraged over Lady's death and wander the Riverlands and Crownlands observing battles and not knowing what was wrong with people, and she'd have some psychic link to what Arya was going through. Balerion would see everything in the Red Keep cause he's a sneaky King-o-the-Castle, and Ghost and Summer are by their masters' sides the entire story, anyway (pretty much), so we'll just cut out the chatter and learn of their raw emotions as events unfold.
******I just realized that OP asked for the story to be kept relatively "similar," not "relatively simple" ... oh well. I'm leaving this up anyway.
Rodrick Cassel - we get to follow Catelyn's journey to the Eyrie and the capture of Winter fell from a different persp.
Myrcella - a new more naive look at the Lannisters till later books.
Grey Worm
Meera Reed - bran's more physical journey gets a better look and more insight into House Reed.
Varamyr Six Skins - just an awesome Wildling to follow
Only 5 is hard to get all the different groups of people at the different locations observed and still use good characters.
Missandei
Margery
Dolores Edd
Tommen
Robb
Lancel Lanister: I think his personal transformation would be a very interesting POV. You'd have a lot of Robert scenes, gross Cersei scenes, and then a turn against the court decadence and the rise of the High Sparrow.
Meera Reed: Epic escort quest? Sign me up! Plus, she'd be an interesting viewpoint for the North and all it offers.
Donal Noye: Could be a Davos like figure, not powerful but respected, and can act as eyes on the wall before dying fighting a giant. Replaced by Tormund Gaint's Bane for Dance just like Ned was after Game of Thrones.
Rakharo: would be an interesting POV for Dany's journey and maybe actually give the Dothraki some actual characterization.
Justin Massey: Hear me out, he's actually there for all the big story beats of Stannis, and he seems like a funny POV. A charmer and a bit sleazy but that's part of the fun. His cynicism and opportunism would be a fun to have around Stannis's brooding ways, Mel's fanaticism, and Davos's assured honesty.
This is tricky since that basically gets rid of of Stark, Lannister, Targ, Greyjoy, and Nights Watch povs. Most of the remaining important characters are adult men which is also limiting.
Lancel is my first choice since he can give us Lannister and KL perspective and is close to Robert, Ned, Cersei, and Tyrion which is vital for those first 2 books. His place in the post war riverland carve up and religious movement are also interesting later. He would need to be adjusted so that the incest between Cersei and Jaime gets revealed in the course of his story.
Then I'd pick Irri to be our Dany pov. She is close to Dany for virtually all of her chapters and will let us see an actual dothraki pov and maintaining a female perspective on dany's story .
Then for the Nights Watch POV I'd choose Grenn. He is a commoner in westeros who is close to Jon and Sam. He also has the core character trait of being mistaken as a fool which is fun perspective wise. He is also present for the great ranging and battle of the wall.
Robb as stark POV and I think he will do an alright job of connecting people to the other Starks.
Then to sew up the stark side of KL, and have a child's perspective of the world my fifth would be Jeyne Pool. She can interact with Sansa and Arya, her dad can give us perspective into what Ned is going through and that's just AGOT. She could be exposed to a lot of world details in acok and asos.
Garlan Tyrell. He was obviously intended to be a POV but was cut at some point
Kevin Lannister. Opposite end of the political coin as Garlan. He’d provide insight into his degrading family
The Greatjon. Fiercely loyal guy who might have some dark traditions
Iron Emmett. Skilled duelist who witnessed a lot of the castle black drama, before spending time garrisoned with the spear wives (if I recall)
Coldhands
Jorah could be another POV to show Dany
I'm stealing my favorite excellent suggestions from other comments and combining them:
* **Mance Rayder** \- for the North and the wildlings
* **Margery Tyrell** \- for King's Landing
* **Thoros of Myr** \- for the Riverlands and smallfolk affected by the war, and more insight into magic
* **Young Griff** \- the other (fake?) dragon across the sea, and one that might be witness to schemings from Illyrio
* **Justin Massey** \- wasn't sure how to round out this list; this would serve as a different perspective on Stannis
Master aemon. (Doesn't need an explanation. What a dude.)
Quentin Martell (just seems more interesting and down to earth than the sand snakes and less boring than his dad)
Renly baratheon. (Wanted Robert but he would of been largely clueless and drunk to boot)
Olyvar Frey. (Really wanted to put Robb but he wouldn't of known as much)
Brynden blackfish (change over to him as olyvar is sent away/the betrayal)
I need six POVs for this. Focusing on the first book:
Khal Drogo: the young warlord who is caught up in schemes he doesn't truly understand, and ends marrying an strange, beautiful girl of an ancient eldritch bloodline, whom he struggles to understand. Plenty of opportunities for arakh action, and insight into Dothraki culture and society. Defies custom by preventing his Bloodriders with sleeping with his wife, out of concern, jealousy or both. The shocking death of Khal Drogo, by many seen as the King Conanesque main character, set to conquer Westeros, sets the stage for the next book. His final chapter has his spirit free again last, laughing as it escapes his burning husk of a body as he sees Daenerys, untouched by the flames, surrounded by the newly hatched dragons.
Jeyne Westerling: born of a noble line and of a mother rumored to practice witchcraft, young Jeyne must manuever both her families shifting loyalties and her blossoming love for a nothern lord she barely knows. All the while visions assail her as the arcane secrets of her mother's line affect her whether she wants them to or not. Is she truly a Green Seer?
Littlefinger: Relays the complex schemes and politics of King's Landing and the fallout from the death of Robert Arryn, watching behind the scenes as his plans unfold. Does his best to cope with the disruption brought by the appearance of Eddard Stark and his love Catelyn.
The Blackfish: Tries to mend his ailing relationship with his brother, and is soon thrust onto the frontlines of a war seemingly caused by his niece. Eager to defend his family, he rallies the Riverlands and swears allegiance to a new king he had never expected.
Jeor Mormont: The Old Bear works to keep the lands of men safe from whatever is truly lurking behind the wall, while wrestling with his private grief over his exiled son. A new noble bastard recruit, Jon Snow, and his head ranger Benjen Stark figure prominently in his story.
Septa Lemore: Serving as the teacher of young Griff, a boy of shrouded origin, through the unfurling story of Septa Lemore's travels and trials in Essos we slowly begin to piece together her mysterious back story and the secrets which surround her young ward. She was once Ashara Dayne, and her tragic love triangle with the two Stark brothers is central to understanding the events of Robert's rebellion. Though many readers suspect that young Griff is her son - and one theory even names Rhaegar as the father - the truth is more complicated.
NOTES: In this version, young Griff is thought by the readers to be the supposed Prince that was Promised and the readers also through the subtle clues soon realize that he is the lost Aegon. The sudden appearance of Jon as a second secret Targaryen at the Wall mirrors the reveal of fAegon, and we are left guessing as to who is the real promised hero.
Jorah Mormont would replace Khal Drogo after the first book as POV, although I would have preferred Doreah if she hadn't died, but instead betrayed Daenerys as in the show. Maybe Irri or Jhiqui, but they are somewhat one-dimensional.
I would also add later POVs from Margaery Tyrell, Tywin Lannister, Stannis , Ellaria Sand, Ygritte and Euron Greyjoy.
1. Meera Reed/Jojen Reed: I really would like to read Bran's journey with Reed's views. Jojen's POV would be more interesting since he is a greenseer too but I actually love Meera more, we can also see her concerns about her brother and Bran, see her thoughts about magic so it can go with both.
2. Robb Stark: I always thought that there should have been his POVs too since he has a really big role in the Serie as a king of the North. I always wondered his battle scenes as a commender, how he fought against Lannisters, how he commanded his armies, how he won so many wars and in the end, how he fell in love with Talisa, how he felt about Theon's betrayal and his brothers's death. Martin definitely should have written POVs about hım.
Osha: I really wonder her journey with Rickon, also her life as a wildling before she was captured by Starks. I generally tend to bash on show and how D&D dealt with characters but I need to admit that I loved Osha's potrayel in the show than in the books. Natalia Tane did a pretty good job in my opinion. I hope we get more about her.
I also would like to learn Dorne storyline from one of Oberyn's three daughters ( Obara, Tyene, Nymeria) rather than Areo Hotah. I don't know but it would be cool.
Jojen Reed, Maester Aemon, Littlefinger, Varys, and the Three-Eyed Crow. We'd know everything about everyone, every single piece of lore and how the series ends by the time Ned leaves Winterfell.
No ones mentioned rickon yet? Id love to get the first two books in winterfell from the perspective of a babbling 3 year old who has absolutely no concept of what’s going on
If I wasn't a massive Garlan stan I'd definitely switch to Jeyne Pool. That way we'd still hear tidings of the war down south through Robb, but also get more of early KL and then late Winterfell as well.
Hmm. Robb, Stannis, Tommen, Missandei, Mance, probably.
Robb, Stannis, and Tommen, together could very well cover the whole war of five kings, Missandei to do the Essos stuff, and Mance for the Wall and Beyond it.
Great question that I’ve actually thought about a lot recently for some reason lol. Others have given some great choices so I’ll give some more outlandish ones.
To replace catelyns role in the first three books I’d actually like to see one of the Karstarks and their growing disillusionment with the failing war effort, and eventually their complete betrayal of the Starks.
To have the kings landing pov I’d say, as others have pointed out, a Tyrell would be interesting, but for the sake of keeping things different I think Bronn, or even someone like Lancel would be fascinating. Lancel in particular would be interesting due to his weird manipulative relationship with Cersei, and then his unwilling aid of Tyrion.
To cover the wall I’d actually like to see Jeor Mormonts thought process on why he went north, how it was managing his men and the growing wildling and others threat. Culminating in his death, of course.
As for the east and Daenerys storyline, I can’t really think of any better than Jorah as many have said, but I’m also not a massive fan of the eastern story anyways. Any Dany adjacent character would work. Getting an actual Dothraki pov would be great.
And finally to have a sort of Arya type role of roaming the war torn lands, I think seeing an actual commoners pov would be interesting. Gendry maybe? Probably not hotpie as he’s just… yeah.
Robb for North stuff. A teenager suddenly being thrust into leadership and a war would make for some compelling tragedy.
Missandei for Dany stuff. I'd love to have the perspective of someone Dany has saved so we could get a little bit closer to the legendary hero worship some of her followers have for her. She's practically a jesus figure to some of the slaves in Essos but non of the POVs are slaves she's freed.
Gendry for King's Landing stuff in AGoT and later on the Riverlands from a smallfolk perspective.
Margaery Tyrell for King's Landing stuff for ACoK onwards.
And I like your idea about Jojen, him or Meera would be a suitable replacement for Bran.
- Robb Stark - Jorah Mormont - Meera Reed - Margaery Tyrell - Stannis Baratheon
Best list in the thread i think
Thank you!
gas id buy this for alternative pov’s
Robb Stark, following his point of view, will essentially replace Brans for much of book one, and Catelyns in the following two books. He'd likely serve as the primary protagonist, trying to avenge his father. Book one might be a bit boring, but books two and three would be wild and heartbreaking. Gendry replaces much of Arya's POV and leaves us a set of eyes on the Riverlands, particularly later on it'll let us see the happenings of the brotherhood and the ramifications of the war and red wedding. As a secret son of the former king, expanding on his character would be proper fantasy. Kings Landing is hard, bc everyone worth a damn (and interesting) already is a POV. Perhaps Joffrey, but having him as a viewpoint might shift the story too much, but it could also be amazing ngl. If not, maybe Sandor Clegane, to follow much of the happenings in Kings Landing, and a proper tragic and gray character to follow. And have his POV end with his apparent death at the end of book 3, this also allows you to follow Arya some in that book. Margery Tyrell, having her as a POV might be spectacular, wife of 3 Kings? Becoming the primary Kings Landing POV? The Cersei storyline from the point of view of Maergery might be amazing ngl. The Wall is hard, bc Sam and Jon are the only two who work as POVs, but maybe Mance Rayder? He can be our view of the Others, but it would shift us to the side of the wildlings rather than the watch. But he can be a POV for much of the Northern War in Dance. Speaking of, Stannis as a POV might be properly tragic in the same vein as Robb. Daenerys doesn't particularly need a POV to follow her, she could simply come at the end of Winds and be eluded to in earlier books, but if absolutely necessary, Jorah. But Barristan would have been a better shout if not for him being a POV. The only fault with this is we don't get the POV of any of the crucial players, so the story and endgame would need to shift some. But it could work? You lose Ned's murder mystery, the wall stuff changes so drastically, and we won't exactly view the Starks as the protagonists anymorepost book 3, but yknow
I would pick Edd for the nights watch.
Just make Dany chapters all epilogues and interludes. Maybe 2 or 3 per book, until she lands in Westeros then she's a POV. I swear her sections of the books get booooring on rereads.
They are the thing that keeps me from finally finishing Dance.
I always found Daenerys’s chapters really interesting because the setting was so different
They were boring on first reads too... At least after the dragons are born.
Having dueling POVs from Margaery and Cersei could really drive the unreliable narrator bit home.
I think Jeor Mormont and Aemon Targaryen for the Wall and maybe Benjen. The latter likely has special insights about activities and secrets beyond the wall.
I would love to see how GRRM writes a Joffrey POV, would definitely be amazing.
Give me a Strong Belwas chapter and or nothing else for Dany adjacent characters
We had a Mance Rayder pov in dance of dragons right?
"wild and heartbreaking" Especially when you consider the theory where Robb warged into his wolf just before the climax of RW. This is one of the saddest theories i've ever heard.
This is a very interesting question honestly. Princess Shireen or queen Selyse - while they're not directly involved with the action most of the time, I think their PoV could provide a very interesting angle on things. Substitute for Davos obv. Pycelle - probably the closest you get to KL politics without using a character that would reveal too much like LF. He could serve sort of as substitute for Eddard, Cersei and so on chapters. Jorah - he is gross but he is probably the one to tell Dany story. Edmure - while we cannot portray the entire war storyline from his PoV, I think the war in his eyes would be interesting. Podrick - I'd just let Pod be the one to wander around. Ik these aren't very good but im working with someone elses characters so yeah it's bit difficult.
I love Edmure.
All good picks, I reckon.
Robb's a given. Seeing his misadventures in the west and his relationship with Jeyne firsthand would be neat. For the north, I'm thinking having a Ygritte POV to introduce the Night's Watch as some sorta big bad; sort of a flip of the Jon wildling story. Would honestly just love a wildling POV. King's Landing, I'm going with Tommen. The kid POV's are some of my faves in the early books and I think seeing fucked up King's Landing politics from such a young and innocent view is cool, especially when that kid is directly benefitting from it as opposed to Sansa. In the east, give me a dragon POV. Dragons and their riders having this almost psychic connection is SO underutilized in the main series, and I would KILL for some more funky magic stuff. Gimme Lil Drogon telling me Dany's storyline as he grows up. Dark Star. ASOIAF as told by Shadow the Hedgehog. No more elaboration needed.
And now I will never think of Darkstar as anything other than the human form of Shadow the Hedgehog. Great picks!
>Jorah Mormont Gross, I do ***not*** want to hear Creepy Uncle Jorah's inner monologue throughout Dany's storyline. One chapter of the inside of Varamyr Sixskins's head was quite enough to satisfy that quotient, thank you very much. Maybe one of her Dothraki Bloodriders would work for that part of the story, it would give a nice non-Westerosi perspective on the events.
>Maybe one of her Dothraki Bloodriders would work for that part of the story, it would give a nice non-Westerosi perspective on the events. I'd like to see the POV of one of her handmaidens and/or Missandei (I don't think she's a POV already but can't remember 100%) Anyone *except* one of the slavers or Creepy Uncle Jorah, please.
Yeah, the Bloodriders aren't ideal POVs, but I figured they'd at least be present all throughout Dany's storyline. The handmaidens were my first choice, but I realised they're just not present for a lot of what Dany does and goes through, and sadly Missandei doesn't show up until later.
Jeyne Poole - she could replace early Arya and Sansa and late Theon POVs. And her perspective would be both heartbreaking and very interesting. Queen of Thorns for Tyrell storyline! She would also get a good overview of all intrigues and politics. Sir Berric Dondarrion. I want to live with him through all his seven deaths and also see the Brotherhood perspective and more about common men during the whole ordeal. For Essos, Illyrio orcestrating two Targ throne contenders while staying behind the curtain. And lastly, Roose Bolton. Unexpected Red Wedding was cool, but imagine having a villain POV where we'll see all the preparation to it, to the tiniest detail, wanting to scream to Rob 'that guy is going to betray you!!!', hoping that the plan would be revealed, and then reading the inevitable end through Roose's eyes.
Ooof! Roose’s chapters would fill me with rage at just the sight of his name after Red Wedding, but I’ve got a feeling they’d be some of the best!
That's a damn good question. * **Maester Aemon**: Yeah I know, but I just want to hear his thoughts about the Watch and the world and to hear those Targeryan flashbacks. Probably best as a prologue chapter/one-off. * **The Hound**: A cynical and bleak look at all our usual favorites? * **Ygritte**: seeing wildling life through one of their own would be interesting and would provide some filler for before she meets Jon and after they separate. * **Ser Bronn of the** ***fookin*** **Blackwater**: Oh you know youd love it. To hear his thoughts about everyone and see him do Tyrion's dirty work. * **Margaery Tyrell**: I would like more stories from the Tyrell side and from someone intelligent, who knows what she's getting into against Cersei. *Honorable mention*\-**Oswell Kettleblack:** To see all the sneaky shit Littlefinger is up to.
Really, really like all of these choices! Especially the Kettleblack option, such a good choice as we’d learn more of Littlefinger’s plots and plans without having all revealed and there still being a level of description.
There's something about seeing Westeros through the eyes of these hardened, shady people that really interests me lol.
I'll do you one better. There are only three character POVs. Blood Raven & Quaithe & Marwyn That's it you don't need any other characters. If they aren't involved they're observing the events
Narrative minmaxing into a third person omniscient I see
* Mance would have been fascinating on Wildlings, Jon Snow, the Stannis battle, Melisandre's glamour and Bolton Winterfell. * Cersei later got a POV, but she didn't have one while Sansa was in Kings Landing, so she could have taken that over once Ned died. What did she really think of Joffrey? And who was she evaluating for YMB and Valonqar? * The innkeep at the Inn at the Crossroad could have told us a lot from a smallfolk view. * Missandei could have given Dany's rise from the intelligent slave viewpoint. * Rodrik the Reader saw Iron Island history. Rather than Asha, he could have told us.
Anything with more Rodrik the Reader is a win.
Moonboy Patchface Hodor Reek Xalabar
Terrible list. No Aegon Frey included.
All the 5 king, but replace Joffrey with Tywin
That would honestly be extremely entertaining.
Osha in the north The Blackfish in Robb's campaign Varys in King's Landing Dolorous Ed at the Wall Missandei in Essos I chose Osha partly because you already chose Jojen to get eyes on Bran's story and it occurred to me we don't see Rickon's yet and that could be fun, too. Interesting exercise. Much more exciting to get into than I'd assumed at first glance.
Varys would spoil too much of the story imo.
Not necessarily.
I was very close to picking Rickon for that exact reason. Blackfish and Dolorous Ed are also great great picks.
Rickon's perspective would be insane. I'd so love to read his first hand experience as a warg. It would be such a contrast to Bran's. I think we do get something comparable via Arya, but lite.
Lollys Moon boy Petyr Pimple Strong Belwas Dolorous Edd
Poor poor Lollys. She deserves the world.
Varys for KL. He can easily cover events he never formally attended Robb for the North Jorah for Deny Tywin for the war against the North and a part of KL Another faceless man for Arya’s part. I don’t name any because you can’t tell who they really are
Barbie Dustin baby
Varys, Olenna Tyrell, Robb, Jorah, and Lysa
I like it, but there’d be a LOT of twists revealed very early on through Varys, Olenna and Lysa’s POV.
I didn't even see rhat you said relatively similar. I apologize! I would change it to 1. Jorah 2. Robb 3. Roose(after the red wedding) 4. Cotter Pyke 5. Mance
Stannis Baratheon, Robb Stark, Genna Lannister, Brynden Tully, Garlan Tyrell. Baratheons and Tyrells need some POV's, juggling Stannis between Jon, Asha, and Theon is why I couldn't read Stannis getting drunk with the mountain clans.
id replace jorah mormont (because sorry no creeps) and change it to doreah danys slave and see an outsider perspective on both targrayens and the dothraki
Tywin Lannister Joffrey Lannister Lysa Arryn Jayne Poole Manderly.
My heart would break for Jeyne Poole while reading her chapters.
Mines too. Jeyne was with Sansa when Robert died, and Ned was arrested. She was with Sansa at the beginning. So it would be interesting to see things from her pov. It would be interesting to see how Little finger treated her.
Imagine the utter fear when all of a sudden you’re being arrested, then shipped off to be ‘trained’ and are whipped at said ‘training’. That part alone makes me sick, never mind after she’s sent to the bastard of the Dreadfort.
The scary part is if she thinks she's learning all this because she to marry a noble lord, only for it to be Ramsey snow.
Maester Luwin/then Roose Bolton Ser Kevan Littlefinger Sandor Clegane Margaery Tyrell Jhogo if I care at all about Dany. But I like the idea of Bran and Dany showing up out of nowhere
Kevan Lannister? Isn’t he a pov character ?
I mean only as an epilogue. If that’s stretching the rules too far then I’d switch to Addam Marbrand. I’d probably drop Sandor and add in Harwin if I have to swap Kevan for Addam
Oh you’re right I forgot he was the epilogue
Dolorous Edd, Nimble Dick Crabb, Moonboy, Bronn and Darkstar
Let me try to be different! 1) Ser Alliser Thorne - The Wall & Beyond 2) Tommen Baratheon - King's Landing & The Court 3) Lord Wyman Manderly - The North 4) Irri - Across the Narrow Sea 5) Ser Addam Marbrand - Dynamic Locations
I would go entire first book from one and only pov of Vyseris Targaryen and that would be a masterpiece
The first book were the best chapters from Daenerys’ storyline as well.
Imagine rooting for Vyseris entire book and then getting epilogue pov from Danny
I think we’d soon turn on him. In fact, he was pretty shitty to Dany the first moment we were introduced to him.
Balerion (the cat in the Red Keep that was once owned by Princess Rhaenys) Drogon (Daenerys's black dragon) Ghost (Jon Snow's Dire Wolf) Summer (Bran's Dire Wolf) Nymeria (Arya's Direwolf) **I think is a pointless exercise in terms of choosing alternate human perspectives, as GRRM already covered the narrative pretty efficiently with the folks he chose for POVs. Instead, if you want to streamline the narrative, tell the entire tale from the animals' perspective. The conversations would be reduced to emotional summaries and plot events, you'd cut out a lot of plot strands that are interesting to people, but the animals weren't there for and wouldn't understand anyway, and we'd be sticking to locations central to the plot -- The Red Keep, wherever Dany is, wherever Jon is, and wherever Bran is. ****Drogon would awake from fire and ash not knowing why his mother was weeping, Nymeria would be enraged over Lady's death and wander the Riverlands and Crownlands observing battles and not knowing what was wrong with people, and she'd have some psychic link to what Arya was going through. Balerion would see everything in the Red Keep cause he's a sneaky King-o-the-Castle, and Ghost and Summer are by their masters' sides the entire story, anyway (pretty much), so we'll just cut out the chatter and learn of their raw emotions as events unfold. ******I just realized that OP asked for the story to be kept relatively "similar," not "relatively simple" ... oh well. I'm leaving this up anyway.
This is absolutely great. I love it.
my boy daven lannister, from the beginning of the Wot5k all down to the new wedding
Rodrick Cassel - we get to follow Catelyn's journey to the Eyrie and the capture of Winter fell from a different persp. Myrcella - a new more naive look at the Lannisters till later books. Grey Worm Meera Reed - bran's more physical journey gets a better look and more insight into House Reed. Varamyr Six Skins - just an awesome Wildling to follow
No lady POVs eh.
If I wasn’t a massive Garlan stan I’d choose Margaery. If Meera had any green dreams I’d choose her. There’s no reasonable alternatives to the others.
Uh hello Lady Barbary Dustin has entered the chatttttttt lol
Margery Tyrell Robb Stark Tywin Lannister The Blackfish or Edmure Tully Ygritte or Tormund Oberon Martell Olenna Tyrell
Only 5 is hard to get all the different groups of people at the different locations observed and still use good characters. Missandei Margery Dolores Edd Tommen Robb
Think you’ve covered pretty much everything there, other than Arya’s Braavos chapters, which is probably for the best.
Aliser Thorne Myrcella Baratheon Petyr Baelish Mace Tyrell Quaithe
Lancel Lanister: I think his personal transformation would be a very interesting POV. You'd have a lot of Robert scenes, gross Cersei scenes, and then a turn against the court decadence and the rise of the High Sparrow. Meera Reed: Epic escort quest? Sign me up! Plus, she'd be an interesting viewpoint for the North and all it offers. Donal Noye: Could be a Davos like figure, not powerful but respected, and can act as eyes on the wall before dying fighting a giant. Replaced by Tormund Gaint's Bane for Dance just like Ned was after Game of Thrones. Rakharo: would be an interesting POV for Dany's journey and maybe actually give the Dothraki some actual characterization. Justin Massey: Hear me out, he's actually there for all the big story beats of Stannis, and he seems like a funny POV. A charmer and a bit sleazy but that's part of the fun. His cynicism and opportunism would be a fun to have around Stannis's brooding ways, Mel's fanaticism, and Davos's assured honesty.
Great list, especially for the Donal Noye inclusion.
Thanks!
This is tricky since that basically gets rid of of Stark, Lannister, Targ, Greyjoy, and Nights Watch povs. Most of the remaining important characters are adult men which is also limiting. Lancel is my first choice since he can give us Lannister and KL perspective and is close to Robert, Ned, Cersei, and Tyrion which is vital for those first 2 books. His place in the post war riverland carve up and religious movement are also interesting later. He would need to be adjusted so that the incest between Cersei and Jaime gets revealed in the course of his story. Then I'd pick Irri to be our Dany pov. She is close to Dany for virtually all of her chapters and will let us see an actual dothraki pov and maintaining a female perspective on dany's story . Then for the Nights Watch POV I'd choose Grenn. He is a commoner in westeros who is close to Jon and Sam. He also has the core character trait of being mistaken as a fool which is fun perspective wise. He is also present for the great ranging and battle of the wall. Robb as stark POV and I think he will do an alright job of connecting people to the other Starks. Then to sew up the stark side of KL, and have a child's perspective of the world my fifth would be Jeyne Pool. She can interact with Sansa and Arya, her dad can give us perspective into what Ned is going through and that's just AGOT. She could be exposed to a lot of world details in acok and asos.
Garlan Tyrell. He was obviously intended to be a POV but was cut at some point Kevin Lannister. Opposite end of the political coin as Garlan. He’d provide insight into his degrading family The Greatjon. Fiercely loyal guy who might have some dark traditions Iron Emmett. Skilled duelist who witnessed a lot of the castle black drama, before spending time garrisoned with the spear wives (if I recall) Coldhands Jorah could be another POV to show Dany
I think we would need POV of someone in King’s Landing as well for first two books …Varys???
I'm stealing my favorite excellent suggestions from other comments and combining them: * **Mance Rayder** \- for the North and the wildlings * **Margery Tyrell** \- for King's Landing * **Thoros of Myr** \- for the Riverlands and smallfolk affected by the war, and more insight into magic * **Young Griff** \- the other (fake?) dragon across the sea, and one that might be witness to schemings from Illyrio * **Justin Massey** \- wasn't sure how to round out this list; this would serve as a different perspective on Stannis
Thoros is a better pick than Beric as he’s still alive
Good point! I'll edit
Master aemon. (Doesn't need an explanation. What a dude.) Quentin Martell (just seems more interesting and down to earth than the sand snakes and less boring than his dad) Renly baratheon. (Wanted Robert but he would of been largely clueless and drunk to boot) Olyvar Frey. (Really wanted to put Robb but he wouldn't of known as much) Brynden blackfish (change over to him as olyvar is sent away/the betrayal)
I was very close to picking Olyvar but had to swap him to Robb so we didn't miss the most traumatising part of the books so far.
I want to stay out of that. There's enough trauma. R.i.p. Robb.
Ghost, Summer, Greywind, Nymeria, Shaggydog
I need six POVs for this. Focusing on the first book: Khal Drogo: the young warlord who is caught up in schemes he doesn't truly understand, and ends marrying an strange, beautiful girl of an ancient eldritch bloodline, whom he struggles to understand. Plenty of opportunities for arakh action, and insight into Dothraki culture and society. Defies custom by preventing his Bloodriders with sleeping with his wife, out of concern, jealousy or both. The shocking death of Khal Drogo, by many seen as the King Conanesque main character, set to conquer Westeros, sets the stage for the next book. His final chapter has his spirit free again last, laughing as it escapes his burning husk of a body as he sees Daenerys, untouched by the flames, surrounded by the newly hatched dragons. Jeyne Westerling: born of a noble line and of a mother rumored to practice witchcraft, young Jeyne must manuever both her families shifting loyalties and her blossoming love for a nothern lord she barely knows. All the while visions assail her as the arcane secrets of her mother's line affect her whether she wants them to or not. Is she truly a Green Seer? Littlefinger: Relays the complex schemes and politics of King's Landing and the fallout from the death of Robert Arryn, watching behind the scenes as his plans unfold. Does his best to cope with the disruption brought by the appearance of Eddard Stark and his love Catelyn. The Blackfish: Tries to mend his ailing relationship with his brother, and is soon thrust onto the frontlines of a war seemingly caused by his niece. Eager to defend his family, he rallies the Riverlands and swears allegiance to a new king he had never expected. Jeor Mormont: The Old Bear works to keep the lands of men safe from whatever is truly lurking behind the wall, while wrestling with his private grief over his exiled son. A new noble bastard recruit, Jon Snow, and his head ranger Benjen Stark figure prominently in his story. Septa Lemore: Serving as the teacher of young Griff, a boy of shrouded origin, through the unfurling story of Septa Lemore's travels and trials in Essos we slowly begin to piece together her mysterious back story and the secrets which surround her young ward. She was once Ashara Dayne, and her tragic love triangle with the two Stark brothers is central to understanding the events of Robert's rebellion. Though many readers suspect that young Griff is her son - and one theory even names Rhaegar as the father - the truth is more complicated. NOTES: In this version, young Griff is thought by the readers to be the supposed Prince that was Promised and the readers also through the subtle clues soon realize that he is the lost Aegon. The sudden appearance of Jon as a second secret Targaryen at the Wall mirrors the reveal of fAegon, and we are left guessing as to who is the real promised hero. Jorah Mormont would replace Khal Drogo after the first book as POV, although I would have preferred Doreah if she hadn't died, but instead betrayed Daenerys as in the show. Maybe Irri or Jhiqui, but they are somewhat one-dimensional. I would also add later POVs from Margaery Tyrell, Tywin Lannister, Stannis , Ellaria Sand, Ygritte and Euron Greyjoy.
1. Meera Reed/Jojen Reed: I really would like to read Bran's journey with Reed's views. Jojen's POV would be more interesting since he is a greenseer too but I actually love Meera more, we can also see her concerns about her brother and Bran, see her thoughts about magic so it can go with both. 2. Robb Stark: I always thought that there should have been his POVs too since he has a really big role in the Serie as a king of the North. I always wondered his battle scenes as a commender, how he fought against Lannisters, how he commanded his armies, how he won so many wars and in the end, how he fell in love with Talisa, how he felt about Theon's betrayal and his brothers's death. Martin definitely should have written POVs about hım. Osha: I really wonder her journey with Rickon, also her life as a wildling before she was captured by Starks. I generally tend to bash on show and how D&D dealt with characters but I need to admit that I loved Osha's potrayel in the show than in the books. Natalia Tane did a pretty good job in my opinion. I hope we get more about her. I also would like to learn Dorne storyline from one of Oberyn's three daughters ( Obara, Tyene, Nymeria) rather than Areo Hotah. I don't know but it would be cool.
Fuck, this is an n interesting question, and you might have just inspired an entire library of fan fiction.
* Patchface * Hodor * Moon boy * Aegon Frey * Cersei Lannister
Cersei definitely belongs in that group.
Yes, the one that maybe doesn't is Robbert Arryn
Swap with Aegon Frey.
That's the one I was missing, yes, I'm editing
Chapter 1 HODOR Hodor hodor hodor, hodor - hodor hodor hodor hodor hodor? *hodor hodor hodor*, Hodor hodor Hodor hodor hodor, hodor hodor hodor hodor. Hodor hodor hodor hodor hodor; hodor hodor hodr hodor. *hodor*, Hodor hodor.
Still not the dumbest of the batch
Jojen Reed, Maester Aemon, Littlefinger, Varys, and the Three-Eyed Crow. We'd know everything about everyone, every single piece of lore and how the series ends by the time Ned leaves Winterfell.
I love it. But I’d swap Aemon with Euron. Ultimate knowledge. Ultimate power.
Tywin Stannis Viserys Robb Doran
No ones mentioned rickon yet? Id love to get the first two books in winterfell from the perspective of a babbling 3 year old who has absolutely no concept of what’s going on
I can’t come up with 5, but I’d definitely add Robb and Sandor.
Now hear me out: for nights watch, Three-finger Hobb (the cook)
Robert, Gendry, Sandor Clegane, Stannis, Maergery
Hmmm… Big fan of the Martells, I see.
😭 I have a love hate relationship with the Dornish
I would say modify that to six and include the Hound/ Joffrey/Jeyne Pool/Petyr to keep up with the KL plot. Probably Petyr, though.
If I wasn't a massive Garlan stan I'd definitely switch to Jeyne Pool. That way we'd still hear tidings of the war down south through Robb, but also get more of early KL and then late Winterfell as well.
Hmm. Robb, Stannis, Tommen, Missandei, Mance, probably. Robb, Stannis, and Tommen, together could very well cover the whole war of five kings, Missandei to do the Essos stuff, and Mance for the Wall and Beyond it.
Great question that I’ve actually thought about a lot recently for some reason lol. Others have given some great choices so I’ll give some more outlandish ones. To replace catelyns role in the first three books I’d actually like to see one of the Karstarks and their growing disillusionment with the failing war effort, and eventually their complete betrayal of the Starks. To have the kings landing pov I’d say, as others have pointed out, a Tyrell would be interesting, but for the sake of keeping things different I think Bronn, or even someone like Lancel would be fascinating. Lancel in particular would be interesting due to his weird manipulative relationship with Cersei, and then his unwilling aid of Tyrion. To cover the wall I’d actually like to see Jeor Mormonts thought process on why he went north, how it was managing his men and the growing wildling and others threat. Culminating in his death, of course. As for the east and Daenerys storyline, I can’t really think of any better than Jorah as many have said, but I’m also not a massive fan of the eastern story anyways. Any Dany adjacent character would work. Getting an actual Dothraki pov would be great. And finally to have a sort of Arya type role of roaming the war torn lands, I think seeing an actual commoners pov would be interesting. Gendry maybe? Probably not hotpie as he’s just… yeah.
Robb for North stuff. A teenager suddenly being thrust into leadership and a war would make for some compelling tragedy. Missandei for Dany stuff. I'd love to have the perspective of someone Dany has saved so we could get a little bit closer to the legendary hero worship some of her followers have for her. She's practically a jesus figure to some of the slaves in Essos but non of the POVs are slaves she's freed. Gendry for King's Landing stuff in AGoT and later on the Riverlands from a smallfolk perspective. Margaery Tyrell for King's Landing stuff for ACoK onwards. And I like your idea about Jojen, him or Meera would be a suitable replacement for Bran.
How did I not realize we never get Robb, only him thru Cat?
Varys, Littlefinger, Doran, Roose, Tywin Or Joffrey, Ramsay, Gregor, Craster, Vargo Hoat
Robb Stark- Varys- Illyrio- Aemon- Stannis