Books That are Similar to 'A Game of Thrones'

1. A Game of Thrones (1996)
2. A Clash of Kings (1998)
3. A Storm of Swords (2000)
4. A Feast for Crows (2005)
5. A Dance with Dragons (2011)
6. The Winds of Winter (????)
7. A Dream of Spring (only Lord Ned Stark's soul knows when!?!)

In 1996, A Game of Thrones was the first novel to be published under the epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire. The series comprises 7 novels, 5 of which have been published. With author George R. R. Martin known to take his time drafting each masterpiece, it's probably going to be a long wait for fans who are eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Mr. Martin, preoccupied as he is for an author of his stature, has been kind enough to take notice of how antagonizing a wait it is for those who're waiting for The Winds of Winter, bated breath and all that.

So much so that even the much-anticipated fourth season of the TV series to premiere on April 6th doesn't seem interesting enough. He's put up a list of books like A Game of Thrones, or to be more specific, books that are a part of the fantasy genre, to keep readers occupied in the meanwhile.

Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings also finds an honorable mention among Mr. Martin's recommendations, but we haven't included it here, for, duh, everyone's presumably read it already (and you know what to do if you haven't).

This series has all the trappings of an epic fantasy―a Gandalf-like wizard guiding a bunch of heroes against a Dark Lord. As cliched as it gets, right? Wrong. Abercrombie's characters are refreshingly original, as is the plot―and this is laudable because fantasy-themed books often tend to fall in the rut of upholding the good-over-evil mantra.

Canadian Steven Erikson takes fantasy to a whole new level with his 10-book series. Intriguing and complex, you'll find each character painted in a unique shade of gray―no clear winners and losers here.

The series begins with Gardens of the Moon, and goes on to include hundreds of characters with their fates entwined in a fascinating mix of adventure and thrills. A bit tough to latch on to initially, stick to it, and you'll be rewarded with a fantastic reading experience. Also, the series, ahem, is complete.

The Name of the Wind is a very interesting work of storytelling, although some of you may complain about it being excessively detailed. The story centers around Kvothe, the adventurer/musician, his past, merging with the present world.

One can't really call it racy, but the book tends to grow on you, once you're done with knowing the protagonist inside out. Not too enjoyable to begin with, but do give it a little time.

This series does not truly fall under the category of epic fantasy, as it does under science fiction. The series explores all that is right and wrong with the human race―most of it is wrong of course―and where it gets us in the future. It's action-packed and very addictive, especially with the inclusion of the author's dry sense of humor.

11 books make up this series, which certainly is a lot. Those who've read them all claim that the later 6 do not match up to the excitement of the first five, but Jordan's might as a laudable fantasy writer shines through.

Lots of characters living in a complex societal structure is what this is all about, and what a good epic fantasy is also made of. The rest of the books in the series are being completed by Brandon Sanderson.

It's a bunch of wizards that battle a mighty dark force in this novel, and the magic used in the narrative is sure to blow your mind. The dark force here is actually invincible, and makes our dear ol' Voldemort seem like a boy scout; a welcome change from the subdued villainy we've come to see so far.

It's a standalone novel, mind you, but is one of those rare pieces of work that is gripping enough to live up to the claim of 'unputdownable'.

Earthsea is a compilation of 6 books, narrating the story of the lives that inhabit Earthsea, an archipelago comprising hundreds of islands in the ocean. There is lots of magic, with the central theme based on good-versus-evil wizardry, and yes, dragons too.

Le Guin incorporates a lot of Taoist principles throughout her tales, focusing on the balance of good and evil forces, and their impact on civilization.

The Farseer Trilogy is the story of Fitz Chivalry, someone who's certainly not your typical, invincible good guy. It's about his life and his travels to far off magical lands, and the battles to save a kingdom from apparent doom. Emotional and engaging, this is a fantasy that maintains its quality throughout. Also, there are two endings, if you please.

The epic fantasy genre has had a lot going for it already, until A Game of Thrones burst on to the scene. The fans of this genre also have been quite passionate about the books that they loved and loathed over the years. As Mr. Martin's fans eagerly await the next book, the ones mentioned here are sure to keep them (good?) company.