Books similar to Ice and Fire series

molinari said:
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)
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Glenn Cook - Black Company - ticks all boxes though perhaps the view of the world is a little narrower. Very gritty and dark.

Steven Erikson - Malazan Book of the Fallen - very edgy and dark, as much as SoIaF, immensely detailed world and full of twists though it has a lot more magic and demons in.

Joe Abercrombie - First Law Trilogy (then following books) - ticks all boxes, view starts narrow but the works expands more and more with each book. Very gritty like SoIaF as well.

Robert Jordan - wheel of time - heavily magic based but a very rich and interesting world with a truly epic scope.

These are (arguably) the better fantasy series around and match what you need.

Ooh also maybe look at Peter V Brett, great series in the offing there with book 3 about to land soon.
 
As said, Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy is excellent.

For me the best fantasy has to offer.

Also Terry Pratchett's Discworld books should suit, but you probably already know.
 
If you liked the depth of Martins books you may like these by Steven Erikson, The Malazan Book of the Fallen It starts with Gardens of the Moon, which is first of Ten so far. Good magic, deep plots, assassins, kingdoms at war etc.

Or the Raymond E. Feist series of books about the Riftwar Saga starting with a classic called Magician. Some of his first books are really good and the Continuity with the characters is done well through out the series.
 
jamesblade said:
If you liked the depth of Martins books you may like these by Steven Erikson, The Malazan Book of the Fallen It starts with Gardens of the Moon, which is first of Ten so far. Good magic, deep plots, assassins, kingdoms at war etc.

Or the Raymond E. Feist series of books about the Riftwar Saga starting with a classic called Magician. Some of his first books are really good and the Continuity with the characters is done well through out the series.
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Apart from the newer books where (amongst other things) forgets his characters are married, characters change names as books continue and I'm sure in one of them a character suddenly appeared halfway round the world without any reason within a few pages. (he wasn't a magician :p)

I loved his books and they were pretty special but after the deamonwar saga (with Von Darkmoor) they went straight off a cliff from fantastic to detestable, IMO of course :)
 
No1newts said:
Apart from the newer books where (amongst other things) forgets his characters are married, characters change names as books continue and I'm sure in one of them a character suddenly appeared halfway round the world without any reason within a few pages. (he wasn't a magician :p)

I loved his books and they were pretty special but after the deamonwar saga (with Von Darkmoor) they went straight off a cliff from fantastic to detestable, IMO of course :)
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Agreed, Up to Demon war they were still good but then it did get a bit "Dragged out" as if he was struggling a little.. First few series are definitely worth a read though.
 
Steven Erikson series "The Malazan Book of the Fallen" consist of 10 books which I have read 5 of, is regarded as similar to the Ice and Fire series.

So similar in fact think of them as AMD and Nvidia, they hate each other with a passion becuase they are so silmilar. (The authors are friends but the fan bois hate each other)

Meaty books tho... only reason why I only got half way through the series is becuase a single chapter could take you two and a half hours to read easily!
 
jamesblade said:
If you liked the depth of Martins books you may like these by Steven Erikson, The Malazan Book of the Fallen It starts with Gardens of the Moon, which is first of Ten so far. Good magic, deep plots, assassins, kingdoms at war etc.

Or the Raymond E. Feist series of books about the Riftwar Saga starting with a classic called Magician. Some of his first books are really good and the Continuity with the characters is done well through out the series.
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Absolutly this! Was gona say the Rift war saga is epic!

Book 3, Macros the Black! :eek:
 
jamesblade said:
If you liked the depth of Martins books you may like these by Steven Erikson, The Malazan Book of the Fallen It starts with Gardens of the Moon, which is first of Ten so far. Good magic, deep plots, assassins, kingdoms at war etc.

Or the Raymond E. Feist series of books about the Riftwar Saga starting with a classic called Magician. Some of his first books are really good and the Continuity with the characters is done well through out the series.
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My thread pops back up :).
I got the Riftwar Saga in the Amazon sale before Christmas. I read Magician and I think I enjoyed it, but it felt like a book written for teenagers (no offense meant to teenagers!). Perhaps because the characters started off as kids, but I didn't really warm to any of them, and there didn't feel like a great deal of depth to the story. Lots of jumping ahead in time, loads of sub plots which could have been expanded further, and some parts which were very dull. The time span of the book could have been 3 really good books in itself. I will read the following 2 books, but they are down on my list at the moment.

As it happens, I got Gardens of the Moon for Christmas so I'll be reading that soon, but I'm currently in the middle of Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes, a superb novel set during the Vietnam war.
 
molinari said:
My thread pops back up :).
I got the Riftwar Saga in the Amazon sale before Christmas. I read Magician and I think I enjoyed it, but it felt like a book written for teenagers (no offense meant to teenagers!). Perhaps because the characters started off as kids, but I didn't really warm to any of them, and there didn't feel like a great deal of depth to the story. Lots of jumping ahead in time, loads of sub plots which could have been expanded further, and some parts which were very dull. The time span of the book could have been 3 really good books in itself. I will read the following 2 books, but they are down on my list at the moment.

As it happens, I got Gardens of the Moon for Christmas so I'll be reading that soon, but I'm currently in the middle of Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes, a superb novel set during the Vietnam war.
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Lucky man getting to start Malazan series from fresh!

Look at it online and you might be able to find where the Esselmont novels fit in the timeline to afford an even better experience.
 
molinari said:
My thread pops back up :).
I got the Riftwar Saga in the Amazon sale before Christmas. I read Magician and I think I enjoyed it, but it felt like a book written for teenagers (no offense meant to teenagers!). Perhaps because the characters started off as kids, but I didn't really warm to any of them, and there didn't feel like a great deal of depth to the story. Lots of jumping ahead in time, loads of sub plots which could have been expanded further, and some parts which were very dull. The time span of the book could have been 3 really good books in itself. I will read the following 2 books, but they are down on my list at the moment.

As it happens, I got Gardens of the Moon for Christmas so I'll be reading that soon, but I'm currently in the middle of Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes, a superb novel set during the Vietnam war.
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The last book in the Rift War Saga is the best in the series.
 
Robert Jordan, Wheel of Time, been reading the series for 19 years, and boy they tick 90 percent of your boxes.

Highly complex and you get your money's worth.

I was going to suggest the Recluce Series by L E Modessit Jnr, but noted your stipulation on magic, however I find most of Recluce books quite good to read.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Magic-R...KJ8G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357748810&sr=8-1

Cheers Von
 
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Another recommendation for Joe Abercrombie. Try the First Law trilogy. Not as deep as Song of Ice and Fire but no less enjoyable in my opinion.
 
steelhead31 said:
I recommend highly the first two books of a trilogy by Patrick Rothfuss, The Name Of The Wind, and The Wise Man's fear, a great story and excellent writing, cant wait for the third book to be completed.
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'I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. My name is Kvothe. You may have heard of me'

Now if that doesnt grab you im not sure what will ( its the preface to the name of the wind)
 
I think I've actually got enough recommendations to last till the next Song of ice etc. now.

Just got the First Law Trilogy, then it'll either be back for more of the Dark Tower Saga or starting Malazan Book of The Fallen. That's at least 12months, probably 18months of reading for me! :-)
 
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