Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin is famed for killing off his characters in an unexpected and spectacular fashion. While it's always difficult to see a beloved character be taken out of the story for good, it makes the stakes feel much higher. Martin clearly has a strict view on how death should be treated in fiction, as he's even criticized The Lord of the Rings' treatment of the concept while raising some fair points.
Source:https://www.cbr.com/george-rr-martin-dislikes-gandalf-lotr-resurrection/