Last year, the slogan was the ominous and threatening House Stark motto, “Winter is Coming.” This year, fans of the hit HBO series “Game of Thrones” are promised more blood, war, adventure and dragons. True to its form, it’s unlikely to disappoint.

Set to premiere March 31, audiences have been anticipating the new season since the moment last season’s finale ended. The show has drawn a record number of fans with its in-depth plot lines, wide array of characters and ability to successfully mix elements of realism and fantasy together.

Last season had the lands of Westeros in disarray as kings clashed with each other over the claim for the Iron Throne while across the seas a lone Queen tried desperately to build her own force. This season, matters are going to come to a head.

The show follows the book series “A Song of Fire and Ice” by George R.R. Martin. Season three, unlike its predecessors, will chronicle the first half of book three, “Storm of Swords,” rather than the entire novel. Considering the amount of information contained in the books, this is understandable since the HBO series closely follows the books but only allots ten episodes to each season. Despite this split, fans will surely be pleased since the prior seasons have delivered dutifully and left them wanting more.

If there’s one thing everyone knows about “Game of Thrones,” it is that no one is safe from getting a sword through the chest. While some other shows like to keep their main characters alive and breathing till the series finale, “Game of Thrones” has no qualms writing them off.

This is a testament to HBO’s faith in Martin and his series, and is perhaps one of the reasons why the show thrives. The fight for the throne, then, might be between far fewer contenders this season.

The characters, while always under the threat of death, are what fans cling to. They’re never dull, have so many sides to them and are forced to deal with impossible situations on a daily basis.

Names have become famous, as well as infamous, with fan bases grouping behind the Starks or the Lannisters and rooting for underdogs like Jon Snow or Tyrion. Then there is the eagerness to see Daenerys enter the fray with her trio of dragons. The trailer recently released gave a quick show that the once small baby beasts have grown and are flying, ready to do some damage.

While the trailer was a godsend to many, it can’t help but come off as a tease. For fans, March 31 truly can’t come fast enough.