HBO's hit series GAME OF THRONES will return on April 1 at 9pm ET/PT. Based on the book series, "A Song of Ice and Fire," by George R.R. Martin, GAME OF THRONES follows the vicious quest for power among several ruling families for the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. After watching the first four episodes, we highly recommend Season 2 -- it's even more exciting and compelling than Season 1. War is coming!

Season 2, which is based on the second book in Martin‘s series, "A Clash of Kings," picks up where Season 1 left off. The news of Ned Stark's death has spread through the kingdom, and has triggered a series of events for the Stark family. The North has seceded from the Seven Kingdoms and has proclaimed Robb as their King. Lord Tywin Lannister has assigned his son, Tyrion, as King's hand to keep Joffrey and Cersei in check. Daenerys has learned that her unborn son has died, and is now flanked with three newborn dragons. The new season has a larger cast, a wide array of exotic locations, a more complicated story, and of course, dragons.

In honor of the Season 2 premiere, TV Tango has compiled the Complete Guide to GAME OF THRONES. In this handy guide you will find links to help you learn more about the series and prepare for the big premiere!

If you've never watched GAME OF THRONES, you can catch up on the entire series on HBO GO, DVD or Blu-ray. Plus, vou have the chance to score Season 1 on Blu-ray in our GOT giveaway.

Here's what you can expect in the Season 2 premiere: As Robb Stark and his northern army continue the war against the Lannisters, Tyrion arrives in King’s Landing to counsel Joffrey and temper the young king’s excesses.  On the island of Dragonstone, Stannis Baratheon plots an invasion to claim his late brother’s throne, allying himself with the fiery Melisandre, a strange priestess of a stranger god.  Across the sea, Daenerys, her three young dragons and khalasar trek through the Red Waste in search of allies, or water.  In the North, Bran presides over a threadbare Winterfell, while beyond the Wall, Jon Snow and the Night’s Watch must shelter with a devious wildling.

If you know about something that we missed, let us know in the comments!

You should also check out this 30-second trailer for Season 2 of GAME OF THRONES:

or watch this 90-second trailer instead: