User blog comment:The Dragon Demands/Worst changes made by the TV series/@comment-108.225.220.57-20141212151844/@comment-7600752-20151004031850

^ I basically see your point. Apparently there are so many changes not only of characters... but many character being left out entirely. However, it is common for books to change quite a bit when adapted for television - HBO is famous for doing this. But, some changes are necessary in the conversion process - but the conversion SHOULD still try to remain true to the novel. I've truly enjoyed the series thus far - but apparently I've missed VERY much since I've not read the novels.

And, I agree with your take with the original author. I read that although he wrote many of the scripts for the first season or so - that he refuses to write any more future scripts. So, you're apparently correct that he's not too happy with what HBO has done with the series. He said that he was going to finish up the conclusion to the 'Game of Thrones" or "Fire & Ice" novels. So, we KNOW that the novels and the series will completely diverge as HBO writes their version - and the original author writes his own.