Fantasy Books Like Game Of Thrones

So, you’ve finished Game of Thrones. You’ve mourned. You’ve raged. You’ve probably considered adopting a direwolf. Now, the void is real, right? You need something that hits the same sweet spot: backstabbing, dragons (or dragon-adjacent), and characters you’re terrified to love. Let’s fix that. Grab your coffee—or your ale, I don’t judge—and let’s chat.

The First Kingdom to Plunder

Start with The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. This is the meaner, funnier cousin of Westeros. No one is safe. No one is truly good. You’ll root for a torturer named Glokta—yes, a torturer—who hates stairs. The dialogue snaps. The battles are brutal. You’ll laugh and wince in the same paragraph. If you want cynicism with a side of sword-swinging, this is your jam.

But what if you want more politics? Try The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson. It’s all about empire, economics, and painful choices. No dragons. No magic swords. Just a woman who will bankrupt your heart. She plays the long game, like Littlefinger but with actual feelings. Warning: you’ll probably need a drink after. Worth it.

For the Dragon Lovers

Okay, you miss the fire-breathing beasts. I get it. Dive into The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon. It’s a massive, standalone dragon-fest. You get four types of dragons. Queer royalty. A secret society of knights. And a plague that makes the Grey Scale look like a pimple. It’s epic. It’s lush. It has a very long, satisfying payoff. Bring snacks.

If you want dragons and court intrigue, try The Burning series by Evan Winter. African-inspired, fast-paced, and vicious. The main character, Tau, is basically Jon Snow if he were fueled by pure rage. He’s not trying to be king. He’s trying to kill everyone. It’s bloody, it’s tight, and the dragons are terrifying. Not pets. Ever.

The Grimdark Comfort Zone

Let’s talk about The Black Company by Glen Cook. This is the grandfather of grimdark. Before Martin, there was this. It follows a mercenary company that works for the evil empire. You’ll cheer for the bad guys. The tone is gritty, the magic is weird, and the camaraderie feels real. No one has plot armor. No one. Expect whiplash when your favorite soldier dies mid-sentence.

Books Like Game of Thrones: Discover Your Next Obsession

Another brutal gem: The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne. It’s Norse-inspired, so think Vikings with giant monsters. The writing is muscular. The fights are bone-crunching. Every character is broken in some way—ex-slaves, exiled warriors, desperate mothers. It’s like if the Iron Islands had its own epic saga. You’ll want to run through a wall after reading it.

Complex Women and Terrible Families

You loved Cersei and Arya. You need more complicated women. Head to The Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu. It’s silkpunk—imagine ancient China with airships and giant war kites. The women scheme, fight, and build empires. One of them literally gets a dragon’s perspective through surgery. No, I’m not kidding. The politics are dense, like reading a chess match. But if you like long cons and family feuds, you’ll be obsessed.

For a quicker fix: She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan. It’s a reimagining of the rise of the Ming Dynasty, with a gender-bending peasant who steals a dead brother’s destiny. The ambition is savage. The violence is poetic. The main character is as ruthless as Littlefinger, but with a soul (maybe). You’ll root for her. Then you’ll question your own morals.

13 Books That Are Similar To Game of Thrones For Fans - GoBookMart

If You Want Less Rape, More Magic

Let’s be honest—Game of Thrones could be exhausting. If you want the drama without the constant dread, try The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison. No, it’s not cute. Yes, there are goblins. A young, half-goblin prince suddenly becomes emperor. He’s kind. He’s awkward. He navigates poison, betrayal, and courtly etiquette with zero fighting. It’s like if Sansa were actually smart and got the throne. Charming. Warm. No dragons, but plenty of heart.

Or go full-scale epic with The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. It’s huge. It’s complicated. You’ll need a map. But the characters hurt like Martin’s. The politics are sweeping. And the magic system? It’s like if the White Walkers had a better union. Warning: you’ll be in for four giant books. But Sanderson writes fast. So will you, once you start reading.

The Final Offer: One More Weird One

Before you go, try The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins. This is not medieval. It’s modern. A bizarre, blood-soaked story about a woman raised by a god-like librarian. She kills. She schemes. She tries to remember her own name. It’s like if Arya went to Hogwarts for assassins. Trust me. The twists will break your brain. And you’ll happily replace your direwolf for a library card.

So, there you go. You’re armed. Go forth and binge. And if you find a book that makes you sob, punch your couch, and then hug the spine? That’s the one. Send me a message when you finish. We’ll talk theories over coffee (or ale). The north remembers. And so will your to-be-read pile.