If you enjoy "A Song of Ice and Fire", you would probably enjoy...
- Thread starter Dust253
- Start date
Werthead
Lemming of Discord
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2006
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- 2,188
The Prince of Nothing Trilogy by Scott Bakker (starting with The Darkness That Comes Before). Political intrigue and a lot of dark, grim things happen to the characters. He lacks GRRM's sense of pacing or humour, however (it probably should have been a duology).
Memory, Sorrow and Thorn by Tad Williams (The Dragonbone Chair). The series that helped inspire GRRM to write his series.
The Monarchies of God by Paul Kearney (Hawkwood's Voyage). A similar mix of politics, battles and great characters. Out of print for some years, but thankfully being republished next summer in one omnibus volume.
The Empire Trilogy by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts (Daughter of the Empire). An interestingly different world (based on Oriental culture) with a ton of politics and some excellent characters. Overlong though. It may help to read Feist's Magician first.
The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie (The Blade Itself). A somewhat traditional first volume is nicely subverted in the sequel. Some of the characters, such as Logen and especially Glokta, are worthy of comparison with ASoIaF.
The Gentleman ******* by Scott Lynch (The Lies of Locke Lamora). Lynch's writing style is very close to GRRM, although he prefers lower-level stories about criminals and con-merchants to political machinations.
The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss (The Name of the Wind). More simplistic and cliched than ASoIaF, but the writing is good and the characters are interesting.
The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone by J. Gregory Keyes (The Briar King). Described as GRRM-lite by some.
The Sword of Shadows by J.V. Jones (A Cavern of Black Ice). Exceptionally good, dark, gritty fantasy set in snow-covered northern lands with political intrigue and superb characters. A close match for GRRM. You may wish to read The Book of Words Trilogy (The Baker's Boy) first, which is more simplistic and aimed at younger readers, but is set in the same world and shares some characters.
The Helliconia Trilogy by Brian W. Aldiss (Helliconia Spring). Actually not very much like ASoIaF at all, but an SF treatment of the idea of living on a planet where the seasons last a long time (centuries, in this case).
The Gap Series by Stephen R. Donaldson (The Gap into Conflict: The Real Story). The closest SF series to ASoIaF. Gritty, with incredibly well-drawn characters.
Crown of Stars by Kate Elliott (King's Dragon). Like ASoIaF, this is a (complete, thankfully) seven-volume series set in a world closely based on Medieval Europe. Not as well written and it's too long, but the series has a decent ending that just about worth it, despite lengthy plot deviations.
Memory, Sorrow and Thorn by Tad Williams (The Dragonbone Chair). The series that helped inspire GRRM to write his series.
The Monarchies of God by Paul Kearney (Hawkwood's Voyage). A similar mix of politics, battles and great characters. Out of print for some years, but thankfully being republished next summer in one omnibus volume.
The Empire Trilogy by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts (Daughter of the Empire). An interestingly different world (based on Oriental culture) with a ton of politics and some excellent characters. Overlong though. It may help to read Feist's Magician first.
The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie (The Blade Itself). A somewhat traditional first volume is nicely subverted in the sequel. Some of the characters, such as Logen and especially Glokta, are worthy of comparison with ASoIaF.
The Gentleman ******* by Scott Lynch (The Lies of Locke Lamora). Lynch's writing style is very close to GRRM, although he prefers lower-level stories about criminals and con-merchants to political machinations.
The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss (The Name of the Wind). More simplistic and cliched than ASoIaF, but the writing is good and the characters are interesting.
The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone by J. Gregory Keyes (The Briar King). Described as GRRM-lite by some.
The Sword of Shadows by J.V. Jones (A Cavern of Black Ice). Exceptionally good, dark, gritty fantasy set in snow-covered northern lands with political intrigue and superb characters. A close match for GRRM. You may wish to read The Book of Words Trilogy (The Baker's Boy) first, which is more simplistic and aimed at younger readers, but is set in the same world and shares some characters.
The Helliconia Trilogy by Brian W. Aldiss (Helliconia Spring). Actually not very much like ASoIaF at all, but an SF treatment of the idea of living on a planet where the seasons last a long time (centuries, in this case).
The Gap Series by Stephen R. Donaldson (The Gap into Conflict: The Real Story). The closest SF series to ASoIaF. Gritty, with incredibly well-drawn characters.
Crown of Stars by Kate Elliott (King's Dragon). Like ASoIaF, this is a (complete, thankfully) seven-volume series set in a world closely based on Medieval Europe. Not as well written and it's too long, but the series has a decent ending that just about worth it, despite lengthy plot deviations.
As a reader of EPIC fantasy I can happily recommend this series to you. Up there with JV Jones brilliant current trilogy.
Actually Werthead covers most of the good stuff...
Daenerys
Active Member
"Malazan: Book of the Fallen" ... ? I enjoyed ASoIaF a lot, but Malazan? Nuh-uh.
I'd say that the Dune series would be a nice side step, to not get the exact same cloned story, but still have the elements of ASoIaF that I enjoyed. The political intrigue and family fueds. Plus weird animals.
Other than that, of course Tad Williams, mentioned before. Simply because it is great fun to read, even if you dont like ASoIaF.
I'd say that the Dune series would be a nice side step, to not get the exact same cloned story, but still have the elements of ASoIaF that I enjoyed. The political intrigue and family fueds. Plus weird animals.
Other than that, of course Tad Williams, mentioned before. Simply because it is great fun to read, even if you dont like ASoIaF.
I really enjoyed Feast of Souls, looking forward to the next volume.
Another good series is Fire Of Heaven by Russell Kirkpatrick.
On the 3rd book of ASoIaF, I must say how wonderful I'm finding it. I'm greatful for this thread and the suggestions. One series I've read that has some similarities is the Sunsword series by Michelle West. Tons of characters, court intrigue, clashing societies, a whiff of magic, and epic battles all are part of these 6 books.
murphy
Well-Known Member
Yes but how much of the series have you read? You really need to read up to Book 3 before things begin to solidify and his true genius begins to display itself. Still I like ASOIF too.
Daenerys
Active Member
I did read only one book, half-way through. I am sure that for people that stick with it, it becomes better at later books, but I really dont have much patience, I think.
"Book 3? You have to wait till book 3 before you start liking it? Why not start at the very first chapter with the genius?"
"Book 3? You have to wait till book 3 before you start liking it? Why not start at the very first chapter with the genius?"
High Eight
Boggart
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2006
- Messages
- 457
Nope. Hated the thing. Cardboard characters, incomprehensible plot.
Never heard of it.
Not really. Found it very hard going, no wish to ever read it again. I guess I'm not obsessive/compulsive enough for Tolkien.
The First Law trilogy - Joe Abercrombie
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