Tired of Waiting for Winds of Winter? Here Are 7 Books for Every GoT Fan
You may recognise some of the titles.
The sixth and penultimate book in George R. R. Martin's beloved A Song of Ice and Fire series has been in progress since 2011 when the author released the fifth novel.
Despite the series being adapted into an immensely popular HBO franchise, it remains unfinished. If you're tired of waiting for The Winds of Winter to be published, here are seven books you might enjoy.
1. Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman
This fantasy horror novel combines numerous appealing features: mediaeval knights and battles, demons and angels, the Black Plague, and death. Published in 2012, Buehlman's standalone novel offers a taste of the kind of gloom and bleakness today's readers have come to associate with George R. R. Martin's works.
2. The Pillars Of The Earth by Ken Follett
Centred around the construction of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge during the 13th century, this novel is the first in the Kingsbridge series and marked the author's initial foray into the historical novel genre. Written and published in 1989, it has been considered an exemplary work of literature for decades, appearing on the BBC's Big Read and Oprah's Book Club.
3. Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn by Tad Williams
This historical fantasy trilogy, which predates Martin's series, combines the traditional features of the genre, such as mythical creatures, magic, and fictional worlds, with mediaeval court intrigues and power struggles.
4. Tigana by G. G. Kay
This standalone novel follows a group of adventurous heroes attempting to liberate two fictional realms in southern Italy from their tyrannical sorcerer rulers. While based on a fantasy concept, the narrative is notably philosophical as the protagonists must devise a strategy to overthrow both mages simultaneously to prevent the survivor from seizing control of the entire land.
5. The Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell
This Arthurian trilogy is a classic of the genre. Despite its fairytale foundation, the series leans more towards historical than mythical – it's an effort to redefine King Arthur as a historical figure and unravel the mystery of his existence.
6. The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
The central series in the author's extended saga, the First Law Trilogy doesn't delve into the mediaeval period per se. It's set slightly later in history but it's as magical and enigmatic as Martin's books.
7. The Plantagenets by Dan Jones
This book isn't a fantasy. In fact, it's not even a work of fiction. This historical account of Britain's most dramatised dynasty delves into their 300-year reign, the War of the Roses, and many other historical events that inspired Martin to write A Song of Ice and Fire.