Now that season seven of Game of Thrones is over, the long process of waiting for season eight begins. Best case scenario, youâll wait about a year — the scripts are done and filming should start this fall — but according to other rumors, the final six episodes wonât premiere till 2019. In the meantime, hereâs a list of similar books and shows you can enjoy. (This list assumes that youâve already read A Song of Ice and Fire; no judgment if you havenât, but if youâre really jonesing for Westeros, thatâs the best place to start.) 1. Assassinâs Apprentice, Robin Hobb Fantasy author Robin Hobb often draws comparisons to George R.R. Martin, and for good reason. Her books are incredibly detailed, beautifully written fantasy novels, set in worlds so complex you feel like you could turn a corner and walk right into one. This is the first book in her Farseer Trilogy, which begins the tale of a royal bastard named Fitz who moves into his familyâs castle for assassin training. Fitzâs tales continue in two other trilogies, but if you canât get enough of his world, Hobb has two other series set in the same universe. 2. The Magicians, Lev Grossman The quickest way to describe this series is âHarry Potter for adults,â but thatâs only true for the first book (and possibly the show, which you should not watch before reading). After you get past all the magical learning at Brakebills Academy, you get to — minor spoiler alert — a fantastical world called Fillory, where talking animals arenât always as friendly as you want them to be. 3. Outlander Outlander tells the story of Claire, a British nurse transported to 1740s Scotland from the 1940s, and Jamie, the extremely handsome Scottish man who takes Claire under his protection. There are books, too, but fair warning — they are even more of them than ASOIAF books (and like GRRM, author Diana Gabaldon isnât finished with the series). 4. The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, N.K. Jemisin If youâre one of those people who wish GoT included even more details about its many religions, then this is the series for you. The first book in Jemisinâs Inheritance Trilogy, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms follows Yeine, a young woman named as an heir to the throne of a city called Sky, which is also home to enslaved gods forced to serve humans. The whole âgods among usâ thing would be quite enough for one young woman to deal with, but Yeine also has to contend with her two cousins who are also competing for the right to the throne. 5. Beauty and the BeastNo, not the animated Disney classic or the 2017 Emma Watson reboot — the 1987 live-action TV series co-written and produced by our man George R.R. Martin. If you thought Dan Stevensâs Beast costume was a hoot, wait till you see Ron Perlmanâs. Itâs like if Fabio had a baby with a panther whoâd been in a nuclear accident. Which is to say itâs perfect. 6. Uprooted, Naomi NovikThis book follows a young woman named Agnieszka who becomes apprenticed to a wizard named the Dragon as payment for the Dragonâs services to her village — he protects them from a magical, encroaching forest, they send him an assistant. Uprooted is a standalone novel, but itâs so enchanting youâll wish there were at least 10 more. 7. The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss Wizards? Check. Sprawling, many-hundred-page narrative? Yes. Extremely detailed world-building? Still yes. Much-hyped TV adaptation in the works? You bet. But again, be warned — this series isnât done yet. 8. Wolf HallFor those of you who prefer cold-blooded political machinations to ice dragon battles (I know youâre out there), this BBC miniseries based on Hilary Mantelâs novel of the same name will keep you in intrigue for days. It also stars no less than FIVE Game of Thrones alumni — Mark Gatiss (Tycho Nestoris), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Jojen Reed), Jonathan Pryce (The High Sparrow), Harry Lloyd (Viserys Targaryen), and Tim Plester (Black Walder Rivers). 9. The Twilight Zone Did you know GRRM was also worked as a writer on the first revival of The Twilight Zone? Because he did. He wrote five episodes that aired in 1986; one of these was directed by horror icon Wes Craven. 10. Kindred, Octavia Butler Octavia Butler is a true icon of science fiction so you canât really go wrong, but Kindred is one of her most well-known works. It follows a young woman transported from 1976 to antebellum Maryland, where she has to protect her slave-owning ancestor to ensure that sheâs eventually born. 11. The Grisha Trilogy, Leigh Bardugo The first book in this series, Shadow and Bone, tells the story of Alina Starkov, a young woman who discovers she has a magical talent that could save her kingdom from the dark creatures threatening to destroy it. First, though, sheâll have to figure out (1) how to use that talent and (2) who her true friends are. 12. The Last Kingdom Like Game of Thrones, but without magic and based on people who really existed. Bonus selling point: GRRM loves this show. 13. The Earthsea Cycle, Ursula K. Le Guin Ursula K. Le Guin is another icon of sci-fi and fantasy. When you want to stay in the fantasy vein of GoT, pick up The Earthsea Cycle, a series which follows various characters in the archipelago of Earthsea. The books are ostensibly YA, but Le Guin's writing will keep adults enthralled too. 14. Dangerous Women, edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois The title says it all, but this anthology includes tales about women warriors, pilots, superheroes, and more, with stories contributed by several writers mentioned elsewhere on this list. Recommended for those who are fans of the strong ladies of Westeros.
Now that of Game of Thrones is over, the long process of waiting for season eight begins. Best case scenario, youâll wait about a year — the and filming should start this fall — but according to , the final six episodes wonât premiere till 2019. In the meantime, hereâs a list of similar books and shows you can enjoy. (This list assumes that youâve already read A Song of Ice and Fire; no judgment if you havenât, but if youâre really jonesing for Westeros, thatâs the best place to start.)
1. , Robin Hobb
Fantasy author often draws comparisons to George R.R. Martin, and for good reason. Her books are incredibly detailed, beautifully written fantasy novels, set in worlds so complex you feel like you could turn a corner and walk right into one. This is the first book in her Farseer Trilogy, which begins the tale of a royal bastard named Fitz who moves into his familyâs castle for assassin training. Fitzâs tales continue in two other trilogies, but if you canât get enough of his world, Hobb has two other series set in the same universe.
2. , Lev Grossman
The quickest way to describe this series is âHarry Potter for adults,â but thatâs only true for the first book (and possibly the show, which you should not watch before reading). After you get past all the magical learning at Brakebills Academy, you get to — minor spoiler alert — a fantastical world called Fillory, where talking animals arenât always as friendly as you want them to be.
3.
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Outlander tells the story of Claire, a British nurse transported to 1740s Scotland from the 1940s, and Jamie, the extremely handsome Scottish man who takes Claire under his protection. There are books, too, but fair warning — they are even more of them than ASOIAF books (and like GRRM, author Diana Gabaldon isnât finished with the series).
4. , N.K. Jemisin
If youâre one of those people who wish GoT included even more details about its , then this is the series for you. The first book in Jemisinâs Inheritance Trilogy, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms follows Yeine, a young woman named as an heir to the throne of a city called Sky, which is also home to enslaved gods forced to serve humans. The whole âgods among usâ thing would be quite enough for one young woman to deal with, but Yeine also has to contend with her two cousins who are also competing for the right to the throne.
5.
This content is imported from YouTube.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
No, not the animated Disney classic or the 2017 Emma Watson reboot — the 1987 live-action TV series co-written and produced by our man George R.R. Martin. If you thought Dan Stevensâs Beast costume was a hoot, wait till you see Ron Perlmanâs. Itâs like if Fabio had a baby with a panther whoâd been in a nuclear accident. Which is to say itâs perfect.
6. , Naomi Novik
This book follows a young woman named Agnieszka who becomes apprenticed to a wizard named the Dragon as payment for the Dragonâs services to her village — he protects them from a magical, encroaching forest, they send him an assistant. Uprooted is a standalone novel, but itâs so enchanting youâll wish there were at least 10 more.
7. , Patrick Rothfuss
Wizards? Check. Sprawling, many-hundred-page narrative? Yes. Extremely detailed world-building? Still yes. Much-hyped in the works? You bet. But again, be warned — this series isnât done yet.
8.
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
For those of you who prefer cold-blooded political machinations to ice dragon battles (I know youâre out there), this BBC miniseries based on Hilary Mantelâs will keep you in intrigue for days. It also stars no less than FIVE Game of Thrones alumni — Mark Gatiss (Tycho Nestoris), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Jojen Reed), Jonathan Pryce (The High Sparrow), Harry Lloyd (Viserys Targaryen), and Tim Plester (Black Walder Rivers).
9.
This content is imported from YouTube.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Did you know GRRM was also worked as a writer on the first revival of The Twilight Zone? Because he did. He that aired in 1986; one of these was directed by horror icon Wes Craven.
10. , Octavia Butler
Octavia Butler is a true icon of science fiction so you canât really go wrong, but Kindred is one of her most well-known works. It follows a young woman transported from 1976 to antebellum Maryland, where she has to protect her slave-owning ancestor to ensure that sheâs eventually born.
11. , Leigh Bardugo
The first book in this series, Shadow and Bone, tells the story of Alina Starkov, a young woman who discovers she has a magical talent that could save her kingdom from the dark creatures threatening to destroy it. First, though, sheâll have to figure out (1) how to use that talent and (2) who her true friends are.
12.
This content is imported from YouTube.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Like Game of Thrones, but without magic and based on people who really existed. Bonus selling point: GRRM this show.
13. , Ursula K. Le Guin
Ursula K. Le Guin is another icon of sci-fi and fantasy. When you want to stay in the fantasy vein of GoT, pick up The Earthsea Cycle, a series which follows various characters in the archipelago of Earthsea. The books are ostensibly YA, but Le Guin's writing will keep adults enthralled too.
14. , edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois
The title says it all, but this anthology includes tales about women warriors, pilots, superheroes, and more, with stories contributed by several writers mentioned elsewhere on this list. Recommended for those who are fans of the strong ladies of Westeros.