The Blade Itself
Joe Abercrombie
Cynical, violent and darkly funny, with flawed characters who would fit right into Westeros. Fans of Martin's moral greyness will relish Abercrombie's torturers, barbarians and scheming wizards.
10 books to read next
Books Like A Game of Thrones
If you loved A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Readers love A Game of Thrones for its morally grey characters, ruthless political scheming and the sense that no one is safe. Told through rotating points of view, it builds a vast, lived-in world rooted in medieval history, where magic creeps slowly back in at the edges. Families feud over power and honour, loyalties shift, and choices carry brutal consequences. It is long, dense and immersive, rewarding readers who enjoy intricate plotting, large casts and grounded, gritty fantasy over clear-cut heroes and villains.
Gritty epic fantasy
The Black Company
Glen Cook
A grim, soldier's-eye view of war in a fantasy world, where mercenaries serve dark masters. It shares Martin's unsentimental take on violence and loyalty.
Prince of Thorns
Mark Lawrence
A brutal, morally dark young prince claws his way toward power. Readers who found Martin's ruthless characters compelling will be gripped by this shocking, fast-moving tale.
Political scheming and dynasties
The Poppy War
R. F. Kuang
Inspired by twentieth-century Chinese history, it blends war, empire and shattering consequences. Like Martin, Kuang refuses to soften the cost of power and conflict.
The Traitor Baru Cormorant
Seth Dickinson
A cold, clever tale of a woman infiltrating an empire through accounting and intrigue. Perfect for readers who loved the Small Council plotting more than the battles.
Vast worlds, many viewpoints
The Eye of the World
Robert Jordan
A sprawling, multi-volume epic with huge casts and detailed cultures. If the scale of Westeros hooked you, Jordan's world offers years of immersive reading.
The Way of Kings
Brandon Sanderson
Multiple viewpoints, warring highprinces and an ancient threat returning. It echoes Martin's slow-building dread and layered worldbuilding, with an inventive magic system.
Gardens of the Moon
Steven Erikson
Dense, ambitious military fantasy dropping readers into an empire at war. Those who enjoyed piecing together Martin's history will love Erikson's demanding depth.
Real history behind Westeros
The sunne in splendour
Sharon Kay Penman
A rich novel of the Wars of the Roses, the conflict that inspired Starks versus Lannisters. Full of family loyalty, ambition and tragedy.
Wolf Hall
Hilary Mantel
Thomas Cromwell navigates Henry VIII's dangerous court. Readers who loved watching characters maneuver for survival will find Mantel's intrigue equally tense.
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