Books similar to Ice and Fire series
- Thread starter molinari
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Soldato
I also enjoyed the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind. Though I would recommend skipping the Omen Machine book for the time being, that starts a whole new story really.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sword_of_Truth
Not seen anyone mention it in this thread and I think it deserves one as it's a pretty long series.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sword_of_Truth
Not seen anyone mention it in this thread and I think it deserves one as it's a pretty long series.
Soldato
I have to chip in and say that the Wheel of Time series is vastly overrated IMO. Jordan was great at populating a huge world with believable characters, but his plotting is nowhere near as compelling as Martin's. I've ground to a halt at book 5 and at no point so far have I jumped from one to the next; I want to know what happens next, but I want it in three books, not thirteen 
There are some interesting suggestions in the thread though, so thanks to everyone for those. I'm currently cleansing my fantasy palate with a bit of Gemmil. Good solid, low magic bread & butter fantasy writing... not at all like Martin.
Actually I've said before that I think Martin's a shockingly poor fantasy writer, but more than makes up for it by writing the very best medieval fiction. But that's a different conversation.
There are some interesting suggestions in the thread though, so thanks to everyone for those. I'm currently cleansing my fantasy palate with a bit of Gemmil. Good solid, low magic bread & butter fantasy writing... not at all like Martin.
Actually I've said before that I think Martin's a shockingly poor fantasy writer, but more than makes up for it by writing the very best medieval fiction. But that's a different conversation.
Soldato
I found The Sword of Truth to be a poor mans The Wheel of Time for some reason. I gave up on it after the second book though so maybe it improves.
Soldato
It's not as good as the Wheel of Time granted, but I'd already read the Wheel of Time when I came to read it (amongst others). So I enjoyed it anyway
the Wheel of Time slows down a bit between books 5-10 but picks the pace back up when Sanderson takes over, and I think Sanderson has a great writing style which does the title justice.
I do think Sword of Truth is worth a look in if you're looking for something to read and have read most of the popular choices listed here.
Didnt see Gemmell books mentioned here. They tick all your boxes. I prefer high fantasy. Gemmell is very much in the world of GRRM, low magic big battles.
I didnt manage to get very far with the song of fire and ice, i have tried and tried but it didnt appeal to me. Ive also tired the Malazan but also couldnt get into it for some reason. Maybe if i didnt have such a large back log of books to get through i would be able to put more time into one of the epic series.
Abercrombies first law books are great.. fantastic, but Heroes and Best served cold are poor in comparison. Ive not tried his latest book yet.
You have also got Scott Lynchs The Lies of Locke Lamora, but i couldnt get into that either. Again i tried but failed. Its low/nil magic.
Just got the trial of Black Company but finding the grammer errors really off putting. The first page eagle has been spelled eagie which for some reason is really off putting! Apparently there are many more errors.
Im kind of going more into science fiction as its generally seems to be more adult.
I didnt manage to get very far with the song of fire and ice, i have tried and tried but it didnt appeal to me. Ive also tired the Malazan but also couldnt get into it for some reason. Maybe if i didnt have such a large back log of books to get through i would be able to put more time into one of the epic series.
Abercrombies first law books are great.. fantastic, but Heroes and Best served cold are poor in comparison. Ive not tried his latest book yet.
You have also got Scott Lynchs The Lies of Locke Lamora, but i couldnt get into that either. Again i tried but failed. Its low/nil magic.
Just got the trial of Black Company but finding the grammer errors really off putting. The first page eagle has been spelled eagie which for some reason is really off putting! Apparently there are many more errors.
Im kind of going more into science fiction as its generally seems to be more adult.
Soldato
Some great suggestions here!
I've said it before but I found Malazan book 1 to be long, boring and complicated to the point that I had to keep re-reading parts to try and suss out what was going on, admittedly I read it years ago when there was only 1 book but it really put me off.
I would second the Winter King trilogy from Bernard Cornwell, they're excellent books!
I've said it before but I found Malazan book 1 to be long, boring and complicated to the point that I had to keep re-reading parts to try and suss out what was going on, admittedly I read it years ago when there was only 1 book but it really put me off.
I would second the Winter King trilogy from Bernard Cornwell, they're excellent books!
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+1 to Bernard Cornwell's The Warlord Chronicles. If you've read those three you can also move onto his Saxon Stories(not linked but set later in history), six books so far with a 7th due September, I believe he will be writing at least 1-2 more after that and end it whenever he feels it's time.
+1 to Bernard Cornwell's The Warlord Chronicles. If you've read those three you can also move onto his Saxon Stories(not linked but set later in history), six books so far with a 7th due September, I believe he will be writing at least 1-2 more after that and end it whenever he feels it's time.
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+1 for Malazan series, its epic
I, as a fan of the Song of Ice and Fire series, would not recommend the Wheel of Time series.
I'm currently on Book 5 of the series, but the 'fighting' for the most part is just tedious. I'm not sure if it's the Kindle version or what, but when the 'magic' bits happen, it's jus so incredibly hard to visualise properly, and the descriptions are either too vague, or just plain odd.
Don't get me started on the sword 'forms'. I tend to skip to the end of these bits now.
Otherwise, story-wise it's pretty good, if a little childish in a sense due to the use of young characters who haven't really experienced women, and there's not that much focus on the violence etc.
The Farseer Trilogy is a much better recommendation for the OP, and Abercrombie's books, if you can put up with the continuous descriptions of Glokta's aches and pains.
I'm currently on Book 5 of the series, but the 'fighting' for the most part is just tedious. I'm not sure if it's the Kindle version or what, but when the 'magic' bits happen, it's jus so incredibly hard to visualise properly, and the descriptions are either too vague, or just plain odd.
Don't get me started on the sword 'forms'. I tend to skip to the end of these bits now.
Otherwise, story-wise it's pretty good, if a little childish in a sense due to the use of young characters who haven't really experienced women, and there's not that much focus on the violence etc.
The Farseer Trilogy is a much better recommendation for the OP, and Abercrombie's books, if you can put up with the continuous descriptions of Glokta's aches and pains.
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As someone who likes GRR Martin's ASOIAF, I have to say I didn't enjoy Robin Hobb's books at all.
For me, the closest in style and content would have to be Joe Abercrombie (First Law Trilogy, Heroes, Best Served Cold, Red Country ), Daniel Abraham ( Long price Quartet & The Dagger and the Coin Quintet ), Glen Cook ( The Black Company ) and some would say R.Scott Bakker, although I personally have not sampled his work.
As someone has already mentioned, there is no-one who is exactly like GRR Martin ; his combination of wit, cynicism, grittiness, historical world building and character development is unique.
You may want to check out Steven Erikson's Malazan series too ; I don't find it absolutely comparable. They have a higher complexity, a certain grittiness ... and there is a more militaristic feel with a healthy dose of high fantasy.
For me, the closest in style and content would have to be Joe Abercrombie (First Law Trilogy, Heroes, Best Served Cold, Red Country ), Daniel Abraham ( Long price Quartet & The Dagger and the Coin Quintet ), Glen Cook ( The Black Company ) and some would say R.Scott Bakker, although I personally have not sampled his work.
As someone has already mentioned, there is no-one who is exactly like GRR Martin ; his combination of wit, cynicism, grittiness, historical world building and character development is unique.
You may want to check out Steven Erikson's Malazan series too ; I don't find it absolutely comparable. They have a higher complexity, a certain grittiness ... and there is a more militaristic feel with a healthy dose of high fantasy.
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