George R. R. Martin is a celebrated fantasy author known for his epic series A Song of Ice and Fire, which inspired the hit TV series Game of Thrones. His complex characters and dramatic plots earned him international acclaim.
If you enjoy reading books by George R. R. Martin then you might also like the following authors:
Joe Abercrombie writes gritty, realistic fantasy. His book features morally grey characters, dark humor, and messy politics. If you enjoyed the complex characters and ruthless plot twists in Martin's stories, Abercrombie might be just your type.
Steven Erikson creates richly detailed worlds with deep histories and many interconnected storylines. His novel Gardens of the Moon, the first in the series Malazan Book of the Fallen, offers epic battles and complex characters.
If Martin's large cast and intricate plotting appeal to you, Erikson's work will feel like familiar territory.
Robin Hobb is known for deeply emotional storytelling. Her book Assassin's Apprentice introduces readers to characters whose struggles and relationships form the heart of the narrative.
Fans of the character-driven arcs in Martin's novels will find Hobb's stories moving and richly rewarding.
Brandon Sanderson crafts imaginative, well-structured stories with unique magic systems and surprising twists. In Mistborn: The Final Empire, readers experience a fresh approach to fantasy, including innovative world-building and engaging plots.
Sanderson is a great choice if you enjoy the careful plotting and detailed worlds of Martin's writing.
Patrick Rothfuss is a poetic and thoughtful writer who explores his characters' inner worlds. His novel The Name of the Wind follows the deeply personal tale of Kvothe, a gifted but flawed protagonist.
If you enjoy Martin's layered characters and vivid storytelling, Rothfuss may become another favorite.
If you enjoy the detailed world-building and complex storylines of George R. R. Martin, Robert Jordan might become one of your favorites too. Jordan skillfully creates expansive landscapes and deep mythology in his epic series, The Wheel of Time.
His characters are diverse and flawed, navigating politics, magic, and destiny. The first book, The Eye of the World, will introduce you to his engrossing storytelling and layered narrative style.
Tad Williams writes fantasy that is rich, vivid, and wonderfully immersive. With The Dragonbone Chair, the first novel of his series Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, Williams creates an intriguing political fantasy loaded with memorable characters, complex plots, and ancient mysteries.
His thoughtful exploration of power, betrayal, and humanity’s failings will resonate well if you appreciate Martin’s character-driven storytelling and thoughtful plots.
Fans of George R. R. Martin's complicated characters and intricate plots will probably love Scott Lynch and his popular book, The Lies of Locke Lamora. Lynch offers striking humor, witty dialogue, and plenty of twists and turns.
His stories feel fresh, following clever thieves and charismatic rogues through intriguing schemes and dangerous adventures in a gritty, vivid world.
Mark Lawrence writes gritty, morally ambiguous fantasy filled with intensity and dark themes. In his book Prince of Thorns, Lawrence presents Jorg, a brutal and complex antihero struggling with power, vengeance, and harsh realities.
His sharp and fast-paced storytelling, along with his ability to explore darker aspects of human nature, will speak to readers who enjoy the realism and grim atmosphere of Martin’s work.
Glen Cook is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy gritty, militaristic fantasy combined with darker, realistic storytelling.
His well-known book, The Black Company, introduces readers to a hardened mercenary crew dealing with complicated alliances, shifting truths, and morality that is anything but clear-cut.
Cook’s style is straightforward, gritty, and realistic, making him an author worth trying for anyone who appreciates Martin’s more down-to-earth take on fantasy.
If you enjoy George R. R. Martin's detailed world-building and complex political intrigue, Daniel Abraham might be just what you're looking for.
In his series, The Long Price Quartet, Abraham crafts a thoughtful fantasy story full of subtle characters and morally challenging situations. His writing digs deep into personal relationships and political maneuvering, painting a vivid world of ambition and consequence.
Guy Gavriel Kay is a master at blending historical themes with subtle magic, creating moving stories filled with elegant prose and emotional depth. In Tigana, he explores themes like memory, identity, and rebellion against tyrants.
Kay’s storytelling works beautifully for readers who appreciate Martin’s character complexity and bittersweet narratives.
Frank Herbert is widely known for his influential science-fiction masterpiece, Dune.
If you admire the intricate world-building and political plots found in Martin's novels, Herbert’s epic exploration of power struggles, ecological themes, and spirituality could be an engaging next read. His rich, layered storytelling will pull you into an unforgettable saga.
N. K. Jemisin writes beautifully imaginative and socially insightful stories that tackle complex themes of power, oppression, and survival.
Her trilogy, beginning with The Fifth Season, provides readers with powerful characters navigating both personal and global struggles in a world faced with apocalypse.
Jemisin’s thoughtful exploration of human nature and society’s harsh realities may resonate strongly if you like the depth and emotional complexity in Martin’s works.
R. Scott Bakker creates richly detailed worlds filled with thoughtful philosophical questions along with dark, gritty storytelling. His series, starting with The Darkness That Comes Before, offers an intense blend of political intrigue, warfare, and morally ambiguous characters.
Readers drawn to Martin’s realistic and often grim representation of power struggles will likely find Bakker’s books equally captivating.