The Winds of Winteris long overdue, butthere are several great fantasy series to pick up in the meantime. If you’re like me, you’ve been waiting for George R.R. Martin to finish this book for quite a while. Perhaps you google the book’s title daily to check for even the most minor of updates. Maybe you haven’t accepted theGame of Thronesendingand want more from this world. While I hope you have a healthier relationship with your media than I do, it’s still worth picking up another series now and then because there are some excellent options.
George R.R. Martin’sA Song of Ice & Firebookschanged the scope of the fantasy genre decades after J.R.R. Tolkien’sThe Lord of the Ringscreated the golden standard. Several books have been written in response to Martin’s work, expanding on his tone and themes with fresh ideas. However,there are also multiple series that pre-dateA Game of Thrones, which Martin himself was inspired byin the process of creating his world.
6The First Law
By Joe Abercrombie
Most fans of contemporary fantasy will cite Joe Abercrombie as the perfectA Song of Ice & Firefollow-up, as he’s the author most known for embracing Martin’s darker tone.For those who love the character-focused, dialogue-heavy, and morally gray POV characters in Westeros,The First Lawseries focuses on those elements in its own compelling world, with a bit less attention to plot. Abercrombie is a modern master at creating complex, compelling characters who, despite their many flaws, are thrilling to follow.
The Blade Itselfis the first book inThe First Lawuniverse, which covers two complete trilogies, three standalone novels, and more.
In ablog postfrom 2008, Joe Abercrombie examines the effect that Martin’s work had on his publishing career, stating, “A Game of Throneswas profoundly shocking when I first read it and fundamentally changed my notions about what could be done with epic fantasy.” It’s hard to pick a better choice for a follow-up than a writer whose life was affected as much byA Song of Ice & Fireas anyone. It’s worth noting that while he takes notable inspiration from Martin,Abercrombie also has his own distinct and beautifully witty prose style.
5The Wheel Of Time
By Robert Jordan
Pre-datingA Game of Thronesby just over half a decade, Robert Jordan’sThe Wheel of Timewas a game-changing fantasy series that often doesn’t receive the same broad cultural acclaim, mainly due to its television adaptation not being as popular. WithThe Wheel of Timeseason 3being released on Prime Video this month, it’s the perfect time to jump into one of the most awe-inspiring, immersive fantasy worlds available. Even more so than with Martin,readers of Jordan’s work will be submerged into an enormous world of detailed cultures, thousands of characters, and more.
In anEWinterview, George R.R. Martin once credited Robert Jordan for his impact on the development ofA Song of Ice & Fire, saying he “showed us how to do a book that’s bigger than a trilogy,” referring toThe Wheel of Timebreaking the trilogy format established by Tolkien. Aside from being dense, there are several comparisons in these books, such asthe threat of a final battle between good and evil andThe Wheel of Timereferring to political conflict as the “Game of Houses.“For immersion even deeper thanASOIAF, this is the route to go.
4Memory, Sorrow, And Thorn
Tad Williams' epic fantasy series is another that pre-datesA Game of Thronesby nearly a decade, with the first book, titledThe Dragonbone Chair, being released in 1988. In 2011, George R.R. Martin said, “Fantasy got a bad rep for being formulaic and ritual. AndI read The Dragonbone Chair and said, ‘My God, they can do something with this form, and it’s Tad doing it'"(viaWesteros.org). This is a series that Martin has directly cited as being one of the primary inspirations for his series, and there are numerous connections.
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Aside from the title of the first book sounding very similar to Martin’s Targaryen dynasty-built Iron Throne, there are numerous character and thematic similarities in Williams' novels. The events ofMSTsurround the prophesied return of the “Storm King” and follow a boy named Simon, who bears many similarities to Jon Snow. Thecommonalities in world-building elements are numerous, ranging from naming schemes to a man with a terrifying hound helm to animal symbolism to magical trees. This is possibly the most directly similar option in terms of world style.
3Malazan Book Of The Fallen
By Steven Erikson
LikeThe Wheel of Time, the ten-book series ofMalazan Book of the Fallenand the numerous expanded world novelsoffer something massive and immersive to really sink one’s teeth into. BeforeGame of Throneswas released, the fan bases ofMalazanandA Song of Ice & Firebelieved the two authors (which both have commonly discredited) had something of a rivalry due to the similar tones and expansive nature of their novels. Both follow morally gray characters, contain plenty of violence, and offer vast histories to explore.
Even passionate readers of the series will admit that Erikson’s work is difficult to access and requires time and attention to understand.
A common quality noted aboutMalazanis that it’s deeply confusing. Even passionate readers of the series will admit thatErikson’s work is difficult to access and requires time and attention to understand. There are several non-linear plot threads, nearly 20 times as many total POV characters in the series to follow, and rather unforgiving prose to guide you through it. If you’re interested in embracing a challenge like the depthsA Song of Ice & Fireallows for, Erikson’s work is several steps more complicated.
2The Witcher
By Andrzej Sapkowski
There’s a reason that Netflix’sThe Witcherwas the first major TV series made in response to HBO’sGame of Thrones,aside from the former being recognized for the award-winning video game franchise. Andrzej Sapkowski’s book series, which began in the early 1990s and has a new volume being released in 2025, is similar toA Song of Ice & Firein itsdarker, violent tone, varying POV characters, and focus on war and politics.
The major difference between these two is thatThe Witcherfocuses more on a few main characters rather than an ensemble. It’s not quite high fantasy likeA Song of Ice & Fire, but rather a mixture between that and sword-and-sorcery. There’s afar more significant mystical presence in Sapkowski’s worldfor anyone who loves the magical and mythological sides of Westeros.
1The Farseer Trilogy
By Robin Hobb
These fantasy series might have some major formatting distinctions, but there’s a lot of commonality that’s worth noting. Robin Hobb’s fantasy books aretold from a first-person perspective and follow a main character named Fitz. UnlikeA Song of Ice & Fire’sensemble,The Farseer Trilogyprimarily follows this one figure, though it must be noted he’s very similar to Jon Snow, even being a bastard from a royal family with more mysteries behind his birth, who’s bonded with a wolf.
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In terms of world-building, Robin Hobb’s story isset in the lands of the Six Duchies, all of whom are focused more on determining the rightful king than they are on an increasingly prevalent threat called the Red Ship Raiders. These series began around the same time, though Robin Hobb’s book saga is already completed and has plenty of material to dive into. It’s an excellent option for anyone wanting a story akin toGame of Thrones, though a tad lighter.
