I began reading this novel after watching the first few series of the TV adaptation. They're both very similar so, for that, the TV series is a brilliant adaptation, and they've created the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros on-screen perfectly.

The books tell a fantastic story and has a number of great characters, making for one excellent TV show. If you've seen the series then you don't learn anything new from reading the book, however, just some more in-depth background information, but it's Martin's brilliant imagination we have to thank for that.