Books similar to Ice and Fire series

molinari

molinari

molinari

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I've read through the Song of Ice and Fire series and really enjoyed it, and now I'm after something similar. The fantasy genre is pretty big so I'm looking for some help in pointing me in the right direction for my next book series. I have seen several other threads (which I didn't want to hijack) about fantasy books, but when looking them up they appear to involve a fair amount of magic in the story.
I'm hoping for some suggestions that are specific to what I'm after......

- Low level of magic
- Very low/no un-eartly creatures (demons)
- Don't mind Giants and other human-type beings
- Low level of technology
- Rich and detailed world
- Twists and turns in the story (hopefully that you can't see coming)


In Waterstones, there was a note next to the Ice and Fire books which said if you like these, try Tad Williams and Robin Hobb. Would these match to the above points?
Any other suggestions would be appreciated :).

(have read and enjoyed The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings)
 
It doesn't come under your "low level of magic" criteria but I would seriously suggest that you read the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.

It's truly, truly, truly fantastic. Think LOTR but way better.
 
I can confirm that Robin Hobb's books are excellent, and they're much easier to read than Ice & Fire and Wheel of Time simply because there aren't huge amounts of characters. I really enjoyed reading The Farseer Trilogy.

Having said that, I prefer Robert Jordan's The Wheel Of Time to A Song of Ice And Fire in every way so I would definitely recommend this if you're after an epic story to read.
 
molinari said:
In Waterstones, there was a note next to the Ice and Fire books which said if you like these, try Tad Williams and Robin Hobb. Would these match to the above points?
Any other suggestions would be appreciated :).
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Well, I read book one of the Liveship Traders (Hobb) and found it tedious beyond description.
I also read the first two books of Tad Williams Otherland novels (not actually fantasy novels admittedly) and wasn't that impressed either.

I'd point you towards David Gemill or Bernard Cornwell personally.
Although Cornwell is 'historical' fiction the dark ages books have so much artistic licence in they might as well be fantasy. The Warlord Trilogy which starts with the Winter King is loosley based on Arthurian legend and is great and ticks all your list above.
If that sounds good then Conn Iggulden is also worth a look.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I've got quite a long Wishlist now which will probably keep me busy for the next year!

The Wheel of Time series is mentioned a lot but the magic is putting me off, although I might give the 1st one a try. I'll also take a look at David Gemell and Bernard Cornwell as they sound interesting too, along with The Chronicles of Amber series which I hadn't heard of.
 
molinari said:
Thanks for the suggestions. I've got quite a long Wishlist now which will probably keep me busy for the next year!

The Wheel of Time series is mentioned a lot but the magic is putting me off, although I might give the 1st one a try. I'll also take a look at David Gemell and Bernard Cornwell as they sound interesting too, along with The Chronicles of Amber series which I hadn't heard of.
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Well, to be absolutely honest with you there is quite a bit of magic from certain characters but to balance it out there are several other main characters that bring other things to the table and it isn't magic. I would definitely recommend it because it meets your other requirements pretty much perfectly, especially the rich and detailed world and twists and turns part :D Robert Jordan really created something else with the series.
 
I found Robin Hobb's Assassin trilogy to be excellent, and meets the criteria in the OP.

Edit: oops, I'm actually referring to the Farseer trilogy.
 
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For Tad Williams, you could try the dragonbone chair trilogy, it's excellent, not too much in terms of magic but great fantasy, and certainly very rich and twisty. I've read the trilogy several times now, and it is one of very few fantasy series which reward multiple re-readings imo.

For something dark and gritty with limited magic (most of the way through) you could try Joe Abercrombie and the first law trilogy - just finished this and enjoyed it immensely.

Jordan's (and Sanderson now) WoT though is an epic and well worth reading through - will keep you going for ages and if you start now you should be done nicely in time for the publication of the final volume next april. It does get a little slow in the middle, but it picks up again towards the end. Don't let the magic put you off too much, it is done in an interesting way.
 
Pumpkinstew said:
Well, I read book one of the Liveship Traders (Hobb) and found it tedious beyond description.
I also read the first two books of Tad Williams Otherland novels (not actually fantasy novels admittedly) and wasn't that impressed either.

I'd point you towards David Gemill or Bernard Cornwell personally.
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A lot of people who like traditional fantasy tend not to like Hobb. I suspect the reasons are: a) the small scale of Hobb's books, and b) her tendency to deal with real, flawed, small people, rather than fantasy stereotypes. That said, the Liveship books are slow to get going, and suffer from the major problem that the villain is a far better-drawn character (and far more interesting) than any of the "good" people.


Realistically, there are no other books like the Martin series - it's one reason they have been such a hit. Even the usual stampede of clones hasn't happened, because the rip-off would be obvious. Certain aspects of Joe Abercrombie's books are reminiscent, but on a much smaller scale with a much smaller cast. I'd actually advise you to read a bit real history - particularly the Wars of the Roses, which are where the feel of SoIaF comes from.
 
Tad Williams is very good, yes.
The Memory, Sorrow & Thorn trilogy definitely ticks your boxes, but definitely suffers from being his early work. Gets a little drawn out in places, but very readable.

The Otherland series is VR/ the internet on steroids, and whilst brilliant writing, is possibly not what you're after. To actually read these books, you need to be a bit of an internet geek, as well as have a very long memory.

Finally, the Shadowmarch series is back to what you're looking for. Only got as far as the first two, and whilst very good again, simply isn't up to the same standard as Otherland. (I'm being picky)

-Leezer-
 
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