If your heart still smolders for Westeros, read these books next
Can't get enough of Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon? We've got you covered.
During its 8-year run, the hit TV show Game of Thrones captured the cultural imagination like only a few other series have. Dark, violent, and immersive, it tells the story of a kingdom defined by prophecy, war, and catastrophe. The show's blend of action, political intrigue, magic, and emotional character arcs has made it popular even among people who aren't usually drawn to fantasy. And now House of the Dragon has picked up where GoT left off—or rather, long before it.
If you're lusting for more fiery Game of Thrones energy, the obvious place to start is with George R. R. Martin's fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, which introduced the world of Westeros. But there are many, many other worlds to explore that bring that same feeling of political and often petty intrigue playing out at the grandest epic scale.
A Time of Dread
A Time of Dread is the first book of Gwynne's Of Blood and Bone triology and full of in-depth world building, looming war, giants, humans, and creatures in between. The story follows a race of warrior angels, the Ben-Elim, that came to rule through defeating a mighty demon hoard and protect their peace brutally. With rumours swirling that a threatening force, the Kadoshim, is rising, it's a time of shifting loyalties and world-changing dangers where difficult choices need to be made.
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The Rage of Dragons
Battles galore, a clever twist on dragon lore, an unrelenting protagonist, and a blend of African and European mythology. And so much fighting.
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Half a King
Book 1 of the Shattered Sea triology follows Yarvi, a one-handed prince who has vowed to regain a throne he never wanted. Born a weakling in the eyes of his father, Yarvi is alone in a world where a strong arm and a cold heart rule. To survive, he must sharpen his mind to a deadly edge. Gathering a tribe of fellow outcasts, he finds they can do more to help him become the man he needs to be than any court of nobles could. But even with loyal friends at his side, Yarvi finds that his path may end as it began.
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The Poppy War
This richly imagined epic fantasy is inspired by the history of 20th Century China, and it's full of detailed worldbuilding and intricate magic. The world Kuang creates is defined by warring political factions, the shadow of looming war, military elitism, and cultural prejudices about magic. The story follows war orphan Rin who, to everyone's surprise (including her own) is accepted as a student at the most famous military academy in the empire. It's a series full of complex political drama, woven through with intrigue, infighting, and family secrets.
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The Fifth Season
N.K. Jemisin's groundbreaking Broken Earth trilogy takes place in the Stillness: a world rocked by sudden, cataclysmic seismic events. Under the constant threat of earth-shattering disaster, the civilizations of the Stillness have created their own art and literature, cultural customs, food traditions, and religions. We're introduced to Essun, a woman with the power to manipulate rock, as she navigates a hostile, constantly changing world. The story is gripping and emotional, and set in a world that feels real enough to touch.
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His Majesty's Dragon
Naomi Novik's Temeraire series is essentially a dragon-infused historical adventure series about the Napoleonic Wars—and yes, it's as fun as it sounds. In the first of nine action-packed installments, His Majesty's Dragon, Captain Will Laurence of the Royal Navy accidentally bonds with a dragon, and thus begins a surprising new life as a member of the Aerial Corps.
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The Priory of the Orange Tree
Queen Sabran's realm is faltering, and she needs to produce an heir to avoid utter devastation. Ead, one of the queen's ladies-in-waiting, is a secret member of a magical society doing everything she can to protect the queen. Tané is a dragonrider faced with an impossible choice. As the lives of these three characters intersect, the tension in the kingdoms rises to a fever pitch.
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She Who Became the Sun
If it's politics in a fantasy setting you can't get enough of, you're going to want to run to She Who Became the Sun, which is chock-full of political machinations and twists you won't see coming. It's a creative reimagining of the founding of the Ming Dynasty in China, focusing on a woman who assumes her dead brother's identity and uses it to claim her destiny of greatness.
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The Jasmine Throne
Set in a fantasy kingdom inspired by ancient Indian history and epics, blending romance, adventure, and magic, The Jasmine Throne is a story of two women who unite against a common enemy. Malini is a princess who's been unjustly imprisoned by her brother; she's desperate for revenge. When she discovers that one of her servants, Priya, has been hiding her true (and powerful) identity, a dangerous plan take shape that will gain them both their freedom—but with world-changing consequences for the empire.
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