George R. R. Martin is a master when it comes to creating elaborate worlds and intricate characters, but he is also a master manipulator when it comes to tugging at the heartstrings of his characters as well as his fans, especially when it comes to Game of Thrones. For more than a decade people have joked that Martin loves a brutal killing and does not care how much his fans enjoy a certain character. For the sake of the overall storyline, this is a respectable way for a writer to look at the plot. However, there are plenty of fans who are left absolutely devastated when particular characters are killed off because of who they leave behind to mourn their deaths.