'Game Of Thrones' Season 5 Spoilers: 5 Big Surprises From The Books We're Excited To See On The Show

“Game of Thrones” returns to HBO on Sunday with the premiere of Season 5. After a 10-month wait, fans will be eager to catch up with Tyrion (Peter Dinklage), Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), Arya (Maisie Williams) and the rest of their favorite characters. Of course, impatient viewers could have gotten a head start by reading the five published novels in George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series. While it may not be true for much longer – Martin needs to finish the sixth installment – the books still provide the answers to a lot of viewers’ questions going into Season 5.

Here are five things we hope are coming in Season 5 based on the plots in the books:

Major Season 5 Spoilers Ahead!

1. Jon Snow

When fans last saw Jon Snow (Kit Harington), he had wondered out beyond the wall to make peace with the Wildlings when Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) showed up with thousands of soldiers. The trailers for the new season reveal that Jon will be forced to be a mediator between the two armies at Castle Black. Book readers know that soon Jon gets an actual title to go along with the leadership duties he has assumed. In fact, he is set to be voted the next Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch! Snow has been an unsung hero throughout the series and it is about time he got the respect he deserves.

2. Arya Stark

Arya is headed to Braavos – that much is already known. The trailers show her at the door of the House of Black and White. However, what happens inside is a mystery to those who have not read Martin’s novels. Well, if the show follows the books, it should be a wild ride. Arya joins the guild of the Faceless Men inside the House of Black and White – a religious organization made up of assassins. As part of her training, the Faceless Men give Arya a special milk that makes her blind!

3. Daenerys Targaryen

In Season 4, Daenerys was having trouble maintaining order over the cities she had conquered and freed. Things will only get worse in Season 5, according to the books. A group called the Sons of the Harpy will form to wage guerrilla warfare on Daenerys’ new empire. In response, the Mother of Dragons will take a new husband – for political reasons – and reopen the gladiatorial fighting pits in Meereen as a way of quelling unrest in the city.

4. Tyrion Lannister

Speaking of Daenerys, Tyrion Lannister will be in the east in Season 5. While Martin’s writings detail quite a few intermediate steps for the fugitive Lannister -- including rendezvousing with Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen) -- he will eventually meet Daenerys. It would be hard to imagine anything much better than the two fan favorite characters coming face to face!

5. Cersei Lannister

Meanwhile, back in King’s Landing, Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) should be in store for a rough season. Without Tyrion or her father Tywin (Charles Dance) around to keep order in the city, she will be vulnerable. When a plan to frame Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) goes wrong, Cersei will end up on trial for fraud. Book readers know the former queen will be sentenced to a pretty intense penance walk -- one of the new season’s most anticipated scenes.