If you’ve got a hankering for more magnificent works of fantasy in the vein of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, we’ve got your back. Here are 10 more books like Game of Thrones to tide you over until (if?) Martin finally finishes his epic saga.
The Lens of the World Trilogy
Lens of the World
In this New York Times Notable book, MacAvoy launches a series that contains some of the most engrossing characters in all of fantasy. Right off the bat we're introduced to Nazhuret and Powl, an outcast orphan and his mad but brilliant mentor. Together, they must pursue Nazhuret’s destiny in the face of war, darkness, and a treacherous family.
The Broken Sword
Published the same year as Tolkien's The Fellowship of The Ring, The Broken Sword also features elves and demigods. But the story boils down to two young men: one raised as a human (he’s not), and one raise as an elf (he’s not either). As tensions rise between these species—and old gods begin to stir—a monumental confrontation becomes inevitable.
The Sea King Trilogy
Madbond
Imagine Westeros after a White Walker apocalypse, and you’ll get a sense of Springer’s Sea King Trilogy. Uneasy alliances, subtle magic, and a fantastically engrossing world set this fantasy series apart from its peers.
The King Must Die
An epic imagining of the mythic King Theseus, The King Must Die offers a more literary take on sword battles, prophecies, and diabolical plots. Renault’s fantasy credentials are sound—she tutored under J.R.R. Tolkien at Oxford, after all.
The Kingkiller Chronicles
The Name of the Wind
With a miniseries produced by superstar nerd Lin-Manuel Miranda on the way, now is the perfect time to read Rothfuss’ dynamic series. Riffing on the fantasy trope of the Chosen One, The Kingkiller Chronicles features split narration: the rise of Kvothe, destined to humble kings, and Kvothe in the present, washed-up and telling his story to a chronicler.
The Stormlight Archive
The Way of Kings
The Desolation is coming. As it approaches, a broad cast of characters with seemingly unconnected lives are drawn closer and closer. The Way of Kings is Brandon Sanderson’s take on the fantasy epic if you've just finished The Wheel of Time series for Robert Jordan. And he’s mad prolific, so he’ll probably finish before ol’ G.R.R.
The Night Angel Trilogy
The Way of Shadows
Week’s series follows the battle for the throne of Cenaria and an assassin caught up in the political intrigue and the battles that follow. In the explosively violent Way of Shadows, Kylar Stern jumps the chance to leave the slums and train as an assassin, only to enter a world full of betrayal and old magic.
The Paksenarrion Series
The Deed of Paksenarrion
The slow but incredible rise from a private in a mercenary army to hero helps make this fantasy series a classic. Like Martin, Moon is merciless when it comes to killing off characters, but the ride is worth it.
The Evertide
The Summer Dragon
Dragons? Check. Deadly political games? Check. Follow Maia and her family as they breed dragons for war and navigate increasingly treacherous warring factions.
The Farseer Trilogy
Assassin's Apprentice
Fitz is the bastard son of a nobleman. Though some seek to conceal him in embarrassment, he comes to the attention of the king and is trained in the arts of the political assassins. Excellent world-building and a slow, tense build to the climax make this series a must read for Game of Thrones and general fantasy fans alike.
Featured still from "Game of Thrones" (2011), via HBO
