What to Read After Game of Thrones

Still waiting for The Winds of Winter? Here are finished (or more reliable) epic fantasy series with politics, war and grey characters.

Back to the correct Game of Thrones reading order.

1. First Law

Joe Abercrombie • 10 books

Grimdark fantasy with brilliant morally grey characters. The closest match in tone, and the trilogy is complete.

Start with The Blade Itself Buy Now See the full First Law reading order ›

2. Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn

Tad Williams • 3 books

George R.R. Martin has cited this trilogy as an inspiration for A Song of Ice and Fire. It's complete.

Start with The Dragonbone Chair Buy Now See the full Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn reading order ›

3. Malazan Book of the Fallen

Steven Erikson • 10 books

Vast, complex military epic fantasy for readers who want even more scale. The main series is complete.

Start with Gardens of the Moon Buy Now See the full Malazan Book of the Fallen reading order ›

4. Wheel of Time

Robert Jordan • 14 books

The other giant of epic fantasy: 14 books, all published.

Start with The Eye of the World Buy Now See the full Wheel of Time reading order ›

5. The Stormlight Archive

Brandon Sanderson • 5 books

Huge, modern epic fantasy. The first five-book arc is complete.

Start with The Way of Kings Buy Now See the full The Stormlight Archive reading order ›

6. The Witcher

Andrzej Sapkowski • 9 books

Politics, war and a monster hunter caught between kingdoms.

Start with The Last Wish Buy Now See the full The Witcher reading order ›

7. The Gentleman Bastard Sequence

Scott Lynch • 4 books

Con artists in a Venetian-style city, full of sharp dialogue and grey characters.

Start with The Lies of Locke Lamora Buy Now See the full The Gentleman Bastard Sequence reading order ›

8. Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel • 3 books

Not fantasy, but Tudor court intrigue at its best, following Thomas Cromwell.

Start with Wolf Hall Buy Now See the full Wolf Hall reading order ›

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I read after Game of Thrones?

Our top pick is First Law: Grimdark fantasy with brilliant morally grey characters. The closest match in tone, and the trilogy is complete. Other good next reads include Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, Malazan Book of the Fallen, Wheel of Time.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Last updated: October 2026.