12 book series to read after you've finished Game of Thrones
If you love Game of Thrones, or A Song of Ice and Fire, the fantasy book series it was based on, these are the books to read next.
Has House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, rekindled your obsession with George R. R. Martin's brutal fantasy world? Or perhaps you're looking to fill the Westeros-shaped void in your life whilst waiting for The Winds of Winter? Whatever your motivation, here we share some epic fantasy series to read if you loved Game of Thrones, or A Song of Ice and Fire, the book series it was based on.
For more reading inspiration, don't miss our edit of the best fantasy books of all time.
The Chronicles of Castellane Series by Cassandra Clare
‘Sword Catcher gave me everything I look for in medieval fantasy: mystery and magic (not too much, not too little), expert worldbuilding, swordplay and politics, a colorful cast of interesting characters, and a story that kept me reading from the first page to the last, with enough twists and turns to keep me turning the pages.’
George R. R. Martin
The start of a riveting epic fantasy series from the internationally bestselling author of The Shadowhunter Chronicles. In Sword Catcher, Cassandra Clare takes us to a "bustling hub of trade where bejeweled nobles rub elbows with seedy criminals" and as the Father of Game of Thrones himself says, is full of all the things that drew us into Westeros.
Reasons you’ll like it: Epic world building, politics, complex characters and forbidden love.
Read more about the first book in the series:
A Chorus of Dragons by Jenn Lyons
Set in a world of ambitious royal families, imperial politics, demons and dragons, Jenn Lyons’ A Chorus of Dragons series is the perfect antidote to Game of Thrones withdrawal. Power and magic combine in the tale of Kirhin, who finds himself at the centre of a secret prophecy.
Reasons you’ll like it: The clue is in the series name. Dragons, lots of dragons.
Read more about the first book in the series:
Of Blood and Bone by John Gwynne
Set in the same world as the Faithful and the Fallen quartet (also listed below), John Gwynne's Of Blood and Bone series is perfect for fans of Game of Thrones. It's bloody and atmospheric and features different races fighting for territorial dominance . . .
Reasons you'll like it: Huge battle scenes, epic world-building and a pseudo-medieval setting.
Read more about the first book in the series:
The Faithful and the Fallen Series by John Gwynne
The Faithful and the Fallen quartet by John Gwynne is pure epic fantasy in the vein of George R. R. Martin, and was shortlisted for the 2016 David Gemmell Legend Award. Malice, Valour, Ruin and finale Wrath chart the violent power struggles of the Banished Lands – a world mankind shares with giants, wyrms, wolves, and other more sinister beings. Young Corban dreams of becoming a great warrior and protecting his king – but as demons and angels from the Otherworld threaten to turn his home into a battlefield, the time to prove his courage will come all too soon.
Reasons you'll like it: It features different beasts including giants, wolves, angels and demons. Different worlds. Complex characters.
Read more about the first book in the series:
The Radiant Emperor series by Shelley Parker-Chan
She Who Became the Sun is a reimagining of the rise to power of Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu was the peasant rebel who expelled the Mongols, unified China under native rule, and became the founding Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
Reasons you'll like it: Stories of destiny, war, vengeance and politics.
Read more about the first book in the series:
The Worldmaker Trilogy by Lucy Hounsom
The Worldmaker trilogy is a classic epic fantasy coming-of-age tale, set in a fractured world with a unique magic system. Like Game of Thrones, Lucy Hounsom's novels tell intensely human stories, featuring very believable characters - who make very believable mistakes.
Reasons you'll like it: Richly detailed world-building, refreshing takes on traditional fantasy tropes and unexpected dragons!
Read more about the first book in the series:
Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne Series by Brian Staveley
Brian Staveley’s Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne trilogy is an epic fantasy of high-stakes intrigue, ideal for fans of A Song of Ice and Fire or the works of Patrick Rothfuss. The Emperor’s Blades introduces the Annurian Empire – a land in turmoil after the murder of its Emperor. His children Valyn, Kaden and Adare must unmask a terrible conspiracy and learn to unlock ancient powers if they wish to dispense justice, and escape with their own lives intact.
Reasons you'll like it: Power struggles, moral dilemmas and magic.
Read more about the first book in the series:
The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb
This trilogy follows the life of trained assassin FitzChivalry Farseer (Fitz), in The Six Duchies. His uncle, Prince Verity, attempts to wage war on the Red-Ship Raiders from The OutIslands who are attacking the shores of the kingdom by turning the people of the Six Duchies into Forged ones; a form of zombification which makes them emotionless. Meanwhile, Prince Regal's jealousy and the indulgence of his own selfish whims threatens to destroy Six Duchies.
Reasons you'll like it: George R.R. Martin is a fan, Robin is punishing to her characters and if Jon Snow is your favourite character, Fitz is a king's bastard . . .
Read more about the first book in the series:
The Awakening Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Breathtaking suspense and scorching romance meet in this immersive fantasy, the first in the Awakening series. Long ago, the world was destroyed by gods. Only nine cities were spared. Separated by vast wilderness teeming with monsters and unimaginable dangers, each city is now ruled by a guardian—royalty who feed on mortal pleasure. For those who liked the narrative jumps between King's Landing, Casterly Rock and Highgarden, this one's for you.
Reasons you'll like it: Sensual, gore, blood and death.
Read more about the first book in the series:
The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
The First Law is a fantasy series composed of a trilogy and three stand-alone novels set in the same world, written by British novelist Joe Abercrombie.
Set in the Circle of the World, this is a world filled with bad people who do the right thing, good people who do the wrong thing and stupid people who do the stupid thing. Survival is no mean feat, and at the end of the day, dumb luck might be more of an asset than any amount of planning, skill, or noble intention.
Reasons you'll like it: Kick-ass female characters, graphic violence and different character arcs. Brutal fight scenes.
Read more about the first book in the series:
The Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence
From being a privileged royal child, raised by a loving mother, Jorg Ancrath has become the Prince of Thorns, a charming, immoral boy leading a grim band of outlaws in a series of raids and atrocities. The world is in chaos: violence is rife, nightmares everywhere. Jorg has the ability to master the living and the dead, but there is still one thing that puts a chill in him. Returning to his father's castle Jorg must confront horrors from his childhood and carve himself a future with all hands turned against him.
Reasons you'll like it: Shocks, blood and violence. Fans of Arya Stark will enjoy this series as Jorg tries to claim vengeance after being orphaned following the murder of his parents.
Read more about the first book in the series:
The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan
The Wheel of Time turns. Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.
When The Two Rivers is attacked by Trollocs – a savage tribe of half-men, half-beasts – five villagers flee that night into a world they barely imagined, with new dangers waiting in the shadows and in the light.
Reasons you'll like it: Magic, enchantresses, new races, many characters and spellbindingly detailed new worlds.
Read more about the first book in the series: