The HBO hit TV series “Game of Thrones” has been known for killing off its characters. Notable characters such as Ned Stark in season one, Khal Drogo in season two, and Robb Stark in season three, just to name a few. While these character deaths are the reflections from the epic fantasy novels, “A Song of Ice and Fire” by the author George R.R. Martin, which the TV series is based upon, there are certain characters who died in the TV Show but are still alive and well in the books.
With that said, here are some of the characters that are still alive in the books that may surprise you, as first shared by Looper.
Ramsey Bolton
The majority of fans rejoiced when Ramsey Bolton was finally killed off in season six after the episode, “Battle of the Bastards.” We all felt that sense of satisfaction when Bolton was mauled, ironically by his own dogs.
However, you may be surprised that the sadistic character is still alive in the last published book, “A Dance With Dragons.”
In the book, Ramsey was married to a girl named Jeyne Poole, who was trained by Petyr Baelish to impersonate Arya Stark. Poole and Theon Greyjoy were able to escape from Winterfell with the help of Mance Rayder.
Hodor
Hodor’s death in the TV show is probably one of the saddest as he was one of the fan favorites in the series.
Nevertheless, Hodor is still alive at the end of “A Dance with Dragons” and according to Martin, the meaning of his name, hold the door, is quite the same in the books but will be revealed differently when the next book, “The Winds of Winter,” is published.
Talisa Maegyr
Talisa Maegyr was Robb Stark’s wife in the TV series. She was also killed in season three after the infamous episode, “The Red Wedding.”
However, you may be surprised to know that her name in the books is actually Jeyne Westerling and was left at Riverrun by Robb to attend Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey’s wedding.
In addition, Jeyne’s mother was secretly working for Tywin Lannister and had been giving her daughter contraceptives in exchange for the ancient keep of Castamere.
Stannis Baratheon
In the TV series, Stannis Baratheon met his maker by the hands of Brienne of Tarth during the episode “Mother’s Mercy,” in season five. He was discovered by Brienne lying on the ground after losing the battle with Ramsey Bolton.
In the books, however, he is still preparing his army for a battle with Ramsey. Although Jon Snow received a letter from Ramsey and claimed that he defeated Stannis, this was not confirmed at the end of “Dance with Dragons.”
