There are literally (no pun intended... maybe a little intended) five books I will reread and this is one of them. The details and subtle-- or not so subtle-- allusions to so many different cultures and societies is inspiring on a lot of levels.

As always (well very nearly always) the books are better than the TV series. This whole series is 'high-fantasy' at its finest, by which I mean the fantasy amateur can follow along, but the fantasy enthusiast won't get bored.