George R.R. Martin (georgerrmartin.com) changed the genre of epic fantasy forever with "A Song of Ice and Fire." Anyone who has read the five published volumes knows the feeling: you want more. More power struggles between noble houses, more shifting perspectives, more characters whose survival into the next chapter is never certain. And we wait—for over a decade—for "The Winds of Winter."
This article is not a generic list. As an author of epic High Fantasy with over 140 characters, parallel storylines, and conflicts spanning multiple realms, I know the books I recommend here not just as a reader. I know them as someone who works in this field and understands the demands of this kind of storytelling. What follows are recommendations based on what Game of Thrones fans are actually looking for: complexity, moral gray areas, a vast ensemble cast, and consequences that cannot be undone.
What Game of Thrones Fans Are Really Looking For
Before looking for alternatives, it’s worth understanding which elements of "A Song of Ice and Fire" truly captivate readers. It’s not the dragons. It’s not the battles. It’s the way Martin translates human power dynamics into a fantasy world.
Martin tells his story through rotating POV perspectives. Every character has their own truth, their own agenda. There is no clear good and evil—only interests, loyalties, and the consequences of decisions. Eddard Stark's execution was a shock because fantasy readers were used to the hero surviving. Martin shattered that convention.
So, those seeking books like Game of Thrones are actually looking for: power struggles between factions or noble houses, a large ensemble cast with shifting perspectives, morally ambivalent characters instead of clear heroes and villains, real consequences for decisions—including the death of main characters—and a world that feels like a living continent with its own history, cultures, and conflicts.
1. The Osten Ard Saga by Tad Williams
Tad Williams' "The Dragonbone Chair" (1988) is one of the direct precursors to Martin's work. Martin himself has often cited Williams as a major influence. The four-volume saga tells the story of Simon, a seemingly unimportant kitchen boy drawn into a destructive war for the throne of Osten Ard.
The GoT Factor: Political Intrigue
As the King lies dying, the knives come out at the court in Erkynland. Anyone who loved the machinations in King's Landing will devour the political web Williams spins here. Princes fight for supremacy, loyal followers are betrayed, and old alliances shatter. Parallel to this, an ancient, immortal threat—the Norns—awakens in the icy North, strongly reminiscent of the White Walkers beyond the Wall.
Difference from Martin
The narrative is slower and more classic than Martin’s, the violence less explicit, and there are clearer boundaries between good and evil. However, the depth of the worldbuilding is absolutely comparable. Williams continued the saga in 2017 with a new trilogy and continues to actively work in this vast universe.
2. The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
Brandon Sanderson is the opposite of Martin in his working method—disciplined, extremely productive, systematic—but his massive Cosmere universe, particularly the Stormlight Archive, offers depth on a comparable epic scale.
The GoT Factor: Broken Realms and Mistrust
"The Way of Kings" opens a story about broken realms, strict class structures, and brutal power struggles between princes (the Highprinces of Alethkar) who distrust each other more than the common enemy. Dalinar Kholin fights not only against external threats on the Shattered Plains but against corruption, betrayal, and assassins within his own ranks. Kaladin, a former soldier who ends up as a slave in a bridge crew, perfectly embodies the perspective of those crushed by the ruthless power games of the nobility.
Difference from Martin
Sanderson distinguishes himself through his extremely hard, physically logical magic systems. Furthermore, his books have very satisfying, completed story arcs per volume, and sexuality and graphic violence are kept in check. What connects him with Martin, however, is the sheer complexity of the ensemble cast and the certainty that the bad decisions of rulers can drag entire nations into the abyss.
3. The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
Joe Abercrombie is often cited by critics as the author who most consistently carries on Martin's "Grimdark" legacy. "The Blade Itself" opens a merciless trilogy where there are no radiant heroes—only survivors and those who were too slow.
The GoT Factor: Cynicism and Moral Gray Areas
Logen Ninefingers is a barbarian with an extremely bloody past; Glokta is a crippled inquisitor who was himself brutally tortured in enemy captivity and now tortures others with cynical indifference to extort secrets for the crown. Bayaz, the initially Gandalf-like wise mage, reveals himself over time to be the most dangerous and ruthless political player of all.
Difference from Martin
Abercrombie takes classic fantasy conventions and twists them viciously: the chosen one is actually just a tool, the wise mentor a ruthless manipulator, and war brings no peace in the end. For fans of Game of Thrones, Abercrombie is the absolute closest choice if you seek the biting cynicism of a Tyrion Lannister and prefer a narrative tone that offers no romantic illusions.
4. The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
Robert Jordan’s fourteen-part saga is the largest completed fantasy epic in modern literature. "The Eye of the World" begins classically—a young hero from the provinces, a mentor, an approaching threat—but the series evolves rapidly into an incredibly dense web of competing power blocs that easily rivals Martin in sheer complexity.
The GoT Factor: The "Game of Houses"
A central element is the "Daes Dae'mar" (the Game of Houses), a constant diplomatic war full of intrigue, assassination, and alliances. The Aes Sedai, an extremely powerful political organization of female channelers, is internally divided and riddled with secret sects (the Black Ajah). Kingdoms forge alliances and break them in the next breath. Characters who appeared as tiny minor roles in Volume 1 rise to become monarchs or central actors in later volumes.
Difference from Martin
Jordan's strength lies in the gigantic, almost pedantic construction of a world where every culture, religion, and faction possesses its own completely distinct logic and dress code. It is less brutal than Westeros, but sometimes even more sprawling in its political micromanagement. (Note: The final three volumes were superbly completed by Brandon Sanderson after Jordan's death).
5. Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson
Anyone who thinks Martin is complex hasn't read Steven Erikson yet. "Gardens of the Moon" is the entry point into a massive ten-volume series with literally thousands of named characters, gods who actively intervene in the fate of mortals, and a history spanning hundreds of thousands of years.
The GoT Factor: Cruel Wars and Military Tactics
Erikson focuses heavily on military campaigns, specifically those of the "Bridgeburners"—an elite unit of the Malazan Empire. There are countless factions here, all pursuing their own cruel goals. Betrayal is the order of the day, and as with Martin, no character is safe from a sudden, inglorious death.
Difference from Martin
Erikson demands absolutely everything from the reader. There are no convenient explanations, no glossary summaries in the text, no gentle introduction for beginners. You are thrown directly into an ongoing war and complex magic systems and must orient yourself. Those who endure this extreme learning curve will find one of the deepest and most philosophically ambitious fantasy series ever written.
6. The Chronicles of Wetherid by Christian Dölder
I recommend my own series here at the end of the list—not as a neutral voice, but as an author who writes from exactly the same passion for multi-layered storytelling that Game of Thrones readers appreciate so much. I want to specifically show you what connects The Chronicles of Wetherid with "A Song of Ice and Fire"—and where my books deliberately go their own new ways.
From Fellowship Quest to Power Poker
The series begins with "The Legacy of the Elves," a seemingly classic fellowship quest. Young Vrenli Hogmaunt inherits a legacy larger than himself: he is to become the guardian of the Book of Wetherid, an artifact that guides the history of an entire continent. The companions who gather around Vrenli and the elven ranger Gorathdin are outcasts and exiles.
As they travel through mountains, deserts, and forbidden forests, betrayal escalates in the kingdoms. Kings are murdered, shapeshifters replace confidants, dark mages pull the strings in the background. This is classic fantasy in structure—but with the elements of George R.R. Martin in execution: every alliance has its bloody price, every nation its selfish reasons to hesitate.
Politics, Intrigue, and Alliances of Convenience (Like King's Landing)
The second cycle, "The Guardians of the Seven Artifacts", is the part of the series that will most directly appeal to Game of Thrones fans. The plot unfolds through numerous parallel perspectives and storylines on completely different continents.
In the human city of Astinhod, political order crumbles immediately after the death of the Queen. What follows are not open, honorable battles—it is treacherous council meetings, blackmail, and murder in the shadows. Lady Merdiva ruthlessly manipulates the hesitant Lord Eryndor. Aldion and Belmarr fight bitterly for control of the council. Every character has their secret agenda; every dialogue carries a devastating second meaning. Readers who love Cersei's or Littlefinger's machinations in King's Landing will immediately recognize the toxic dynamics in Astinhod.
Parallel to this, the Orc shaman Gorzod Graywing in Fallgar forges an alliance based only on coercion, mistrust, and the influence of the demon Xaroth. The Gray Dwarves under Brumir Ironfist follow solely their own interests. The Undead under Azrakel obey out of fear, not loyalty. Prince Sylvian of the Mist Elves blackmails High Commander Elroth of the Glorious Elves to gain political influence. This is not a united alliance of evil. It is a fragile alliance of convenience that rots from within.
Real Consequences and Deep Worldbuilding
The emotionally strongest character in the series is Gorathdin. The elven ranger loses everything over the course of the story. His scene of mourning, where he runs through the dark forest as if he could outrun the pain, belongs to the moments readers will not soon forget. George R.R. Martin lets main characters die. In Wetherid, they die too—but the grief of those left destroyed behind is not simply skipped over.
What distinguishes Wetherid from Martin: The underlying tone is classic High Fantasy. The world spans multiple continents—from the volcanic fortresses of Fallgar to the dusty deserts of Shanburia. There are 21 peoples and over 40 detailed locations. Where Martin often narrates close to historical, European realism, Wetherid is a completely original secondary world with its own mythology of gods. The complexity of the conflicts combines here with the worldbuilding of a Tolkien.
"Lord of the Rings meets Game of Thrones! Let yourself be taken on an epic, detailed journey with intrigue and power plays... It is a must for fans of High Fantasy."
The Right Book for Every Game of Thrones Fan
The choice ultimately depends on which aspect of "A Song of Ice and Fire" you appreciate most. Those who love the cynical, gritty view of power should grab Abercrombie immediately. Those who value deep worldbuilding with cultural diversity and magic systems are in the right place with Williams or Sanderson. Those who want maximum narrative complexity and are willing to work for it should read Erikson. Those, however, who seek the combination of Tolkien's mythical worldbuilding and Martin's brutal power dynamics will find it in The Chronicles of Wetherid.
George R.R. Martin remains a master of his craft—unrivaled in his specific, historical narrative style. But the fantastic authors on this list show that the genre has far more to offer than Westeros. And that one need not spend the sheer endless wait for "The Winds of Winter" idly.
Each of the mentioned books stands absolutely on its own. None is a cheap replacement for Martin, and none intends to be. What they all have in common: the claim to conceive of fantasy as serious literature, to create characters you love or despise abysmally, and to build worlds in which you get completely lost. If you're looking for the next thick book after Game of Thrones that will keep you awake for weeks, you'll find it on this list.
Christian Dölder is the author of The Chronicles of Wetherid, an epic high-fantasy saga in several cycles. The series currently comprises three volumes in four languages. More about the world, the peoples, and the books on the homepage or at wetherid.com
Discover our focus on Fantasy with Intrigue and Political Power Struggles or visit our graphic gallery for the latest volume.