Game of Thrones: Series ending will be 'bittersweet' teases author George RR Martin

Contrary to what many fans may believe, Game of Thrones will not end with all the major characters dying. Author George RR Martin has recently revealed that his plan is not to end the story on a tragic note.

"That's certainly not my intent," Martin told The New York Observer. "I've said before that the tone of the ending that I'm going for is - bittersweet." (via ComicBook)

Martin also explained how The Lord of the Rings novels have hugely influenced his storytelling and that he is striving to capture a similar emotion for the GoT ending as JRR Tolkien's classic fantasy novels.

"...I mean, it's no secret that Tolkien has been a huge influence on me, and I love the way he ended Lord of the Rings," Martin explained. "It ends with victory, but it's a bittersweet victory."

"Frodo is never whole again, and he goes away to the Undying Lands, and the other people live their lives. And the scouring of the Shire—brilliant piece of work, which I didn't understand when I was 13 years old: 'Why is this here? The story's over?' But every time I read it I understand the brilliance of that segment more and more.

"All I can say is that's the kind of tone I will be aiming for. Whether I achieve it or not, that will be up to people like you and my readers to judge," the author stated.

Martin is still working on the penultimate novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, The Winds of Winter. Meanwhile, Game of Thrones will air its sixth season on HBO in 2016.