Done with all 5 books. What is next?

[Sean Scott]

Now that I'm done with all 5 books of A song of Ice & Fire, I wonder what recommendations for another series of books you have? Doesn't need to be by RR Martin, but something close to as good would be great

[Dionna]

Read GRRM's Dunk & Egg series, they take place in Westeros about 100 years before the events in ASoIaF. You actually get a glimpse of a four year old Walder Frey in one book.

Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles and the Mayfair Witches trilogy are excellent reads.

[Sean Scott]

Dionna wrote: "Read GRRM's Dunk & Egg series, they take place in Westeros about 100 years before the events in ASoIaF. You actually get a glimpse of a four year old Walder Frey in one book.

Anne Rice's Vampire ..."

Thank you, I may visit Dunk & Egg. How do you like the series compared to Game of Thrones?

[Dionna]

I count Dunk & Egg as the prequel to ASoIaF. Several characters in D&E are referred to, and a small few, are still alive in recent installments. My only complaint is that they are only short stories.

[Gianluca]

You should definitely read the Dunk & Egg novels before moving to another series.
Anyways, if you're looking for something similar, the closest thing I can think of would be The First Law Trilogy.
However, if you'd like to try a more traditional (but still very original) kind of Epic Fantasy, check out Brandon Sanderson, starting from The Way of Kings and Mistborn Trilogy Boxed Set.
For a less heroic, darker kind of Fantasy I would recommend Chronicles of the Black Company and The Warded Man.

[Bill]

The Malazan book of the fallen by Steven Erikson is really good. It is a finished 10 book series. It is on a even larger scale than song of ice and fire as it brings gods and ascendents into the mix as well. It has really amazing characters and great battle scenes.

http://www.goodreads.com/series/49674...

If you enjoy this series there is also a 5 book series by Ian C. Esslemont called the novels of the malazan empire. Erikson also wrote 6 novellas that follow 3 characters who pop up in the original series and is writing two additional trilogies in the same world.

[Kenneth]

I agree with Gianluca on anything by Brandon Sanderson however I would start with Mistborn Trilogy Boxed Set

Personally I did not enjoy the Black Company, but it may have just been because I am really critical of 1st person POVs. They have to be written extreme carefully and i just don't think the effort was there

[Kat]

The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. My all time favorite series. 14 novels, plus a prequel.^_^

is the prequel

is the first novel.

[Gianluca]

Kat wrote: "The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. My all time favorite series. 14 novels, plus a prequel.^_^"

The Wheel of Time is one of my favorite series as well! But I don't think a new reader should start from New Spring (the prequel). It's not meant to be an introduction to the series, and I think it would be pretty confusing for someone who has no knowledge of the world and characters. Not to mention that it contains information considered to be spoiler in the first 2-3 books.
Personally, I read it after Towers of Midnight (while waiting for A Memory of Light to be released), and I think it would be best enjoyed after book 3 or book 4.

Anyways, I second this recommendation! It's a truly epic and memorable story. Though, anyone who wishes to start this series should keep in mind that it's really long - most of its 15 novels are over 800-900 pages long - and reacquires a lot of dedication from the reader. More than worth it, in my opinion.

[Gianluca]

Kenneth wrote: "I agree with Gianluca on anything by Brandon Sanderson however I would start with Mistborn Trilogy Boxed Set

Personally I did not enjoy the Black Company, but it may have just been because I am re..."

I'm sorry to hear it because the writing style in The Black Company is one of my favorite things about it. But, yeah, I guess it's not for everyone.

[Kenneth]

I still finished it, it wasn't the worse thing i've ever read and a lot of people really love it.

@Sean if you are considoring reading it don't pass it up on just my behalf.

[Paulina]

Dionna wrote: "I count Dunk & Egg as the prequel to ASoIaF. Several characters in D&E are referred to, and a small few, are still alive in recent installments. My only complaint is that they are only short stories."

Just curious - is Lyanna Stark in any of these short stories?

[Scannerdarkly]

Lina wrote: "Dionna wrote: "I count Dunk & Egg as the prequel to ASoIaF. Several characters in D&E are referred to, and a small few, are still alive in recent installments. My only complaint is that they are o..."

nah they're based 89 years before GoT...

[James]

Try "The First Law" series by Joe Abercrombie. It's a trilogy and three stand-alone stories. His books are dark and gritty with a subtle sense of twisted humor. Definitely worth a look if you like GRRM's stuff.

[Amber]

I always recommend Patrick Rothfuss to people who asks this question in ASOIAF forums.
I thought Kingkiller Chronicles was amazing.

I never thought about Vampire Chronicles before, but thats is a great one too. I totally see the similarity now that it's been mentioned.

[Courtney]

Anyone know what the Hedge Knight (dunk & eggs trill I believe) is so expensive? Is it out of print? Amazon has it for $60+

[Dionna]

Courtney wrote: "Anyone know what the Hedge Knight (dunk & eggs trill I believe) is so expensive? Is it out of print? Amazon has it for $60+"

You'll find them in the collection of short stories.
http://www.amazon.com/Legends-Stories...

http://www.amazon.com/Legends-II-Drag...

http://www.amazon.com/Warriors-1-Geor...

[Courtney]

Dionna wrote: "Courtney wrote: "Anyone know what the Hedge Knight (dunk & eggs trill I believe) is so expensive? Is it out of print? Amazon has it for $60+"

You'll find them in the collection of short stories.
..."

Thank you Dionna! Much more in my price range!

[H]

This may b totally off from every1 else but I'm a constant reader & don't really care 4 series BUT just under the heading of "series" I'd recommend the Dark Tower series from Stephen King but each book is a commitment as they r long... Another recommended series I think is cool if not kinda um salacious ;) is any VC Andrews series... There r several families 2choose from each a series, I began with the beginning... Flowers in the Attic. That takes place @ Foxworth Hall & the grandmother

[Katey]

I also have to recommend The First Law Trilogy. These books were amazing and I did not want the trilogy to end. I also thoroughly enjoyed The Lies of Locke Lamora and The Night Angel Trilogy.

But if you haven't started The Blade Itself, run (don't walk) to get it ASAP! Few characters have elicited the response that one of Abercrombie's character did!

Edit - also!! The Name of the Wind is a delicious read too!

[Gabriel]

This post has been done twice. I knew of one, but found another along the way.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

I think I have couple of suggestions in there.

[Eyehavenofilter]

I'm trying to fond the dunk and egg series but can't seem to.

[Dionna]

Dionna wrote:

You'll find them in the collection of short stories.
..."

Eyehavenofilter wrote: "I'm trying to fond the dunk and egg series but can't seem to."

The links are located on my post a few posts up.

[S]

Sean Scott wrote: "Now that I'm done with all 5 books of A song of Ice & Fire, I wonder what recommendations for another series of books you have? Doesn't need to be by RR Martin, but something close to as good woul..."

You've probably read LOTR, by now, so try TITUS GROAN and GORMENGHAST by Mervyn Peake. They really deserve to be better known.

[Silvana]

Anyone read the graphic novels? There are two came out already, but only covering AGoT.

[Karen]

If you are looking for a big sweeping epic medieval fantasy with complex characters and complex plot twists, then consider reading The Silk & Steel Saga. Inspired by GOT, this medieval tale is full of knights and swords, castles and monasteries, sorcery and seduction. The Steel Queen

[Dantezgirl]

Oh, right up my ally then Karen! Thanks a bundle :)

[Karen]

Enjoy! :)

[Ruth]

My Pendragon Chronicles books are Arthurian fantasy, but they too were inspired by ASoIaF. A critique partner of mine back in the day called the first book, Yseult, "High Mud Fantasy." Not as dark as Abercrombie and co, though, if that's what you're looking for. Two books out now, working on the third and a prequel.

[S]

Anyone mention the Belgarath and Polgara books by the Eddings? They are a little more YA than Tolkien and certainly Martin, but for my money they outclass Erikson, Feist, McCaffrey, Jordan, etc.

[Amber]

Yah, Belgariad and Mallorean, just finished those.
They were okay but, nothing like ASOIAF in my opinion. Since you must have read them I totally have a question for you because I was really annoyed at the ending actually -


PEOPLE DON'T READ THIS IF YOU HAVE ANY INTENTION OF READING THIS SERIES BECAUSE IT WILL RUIN THE ENDING
(view spoiler)[ What the hell was up with Poledra, Polgara's mom? In Belgariad, she was totally dead, she even talks to Garion about going past the veil of death and all tha B.S. after he saves Horse. Then Mallorean rolls and around and it's like...oh whatevs, she was just out being a Wolf the gods told her too. I was like...huh? So I'm wondering, what am I missing here? Did they really just slap such a huge discrepency out in the open like that? Or am I interpretting this wrong?! (hide spoiler)]

I did quite enjoy Belgarath the Sorcerer though, you don't really need to read the entire series to enjoy it either.

[Cuthbert]

Yup, I thought that was cheating, because Bel is told "She's gone", after his wife has given birth. and we and he are meant to think she's dead, but she's literally gone, like, out of the room. (She's the wolf that says "How remarkable".) I haven't read these books in a long time so my memory is hazy. I did think the Belgariad was better than the Malloreoan, and yes, you can you can read only the prequels and they still make sense.

[[deleted user]]

Katey wrote: "I also have to recommend The First Law Trilogy. These books were amazing and I did not want the trilogy to end."

You know he's got at least three other books that take place in that same universe and involve some of the same peripheral characters, right? If you couldn't get enough of the original trilogy, you should check out The Heroes, Best Served Cold and Red Country.

I agree that Abercrombie is a great follow up to ASoIaF if you loved the great characterization and moral complexity of GRRM's series. If what you loved was the intricate and detailed world-building, Abercrombie comes up a bit short IMO.

[Ruth]

Andy wrote: "I agree that Abercrombie is a great follow up to ASoIaF if you loved the great characterization and moral complexity of GRRM's series. If what you loved was the intricate and detailed world-building, Abercrombie comes up a bit short IMO."

This. I could never really get into the Blade series and I couldn't figure out why. I think you've hit the nail on the head. :)

[Jack]

I recommend The Witcher Saga by Andrzej Sapkowski, a few books are out in English and the rest have been fan translated from Polish. The guys who translated them did an amazing job. If anyone is interested I can point you to the website with the translated ebooks that have not been released in the States. Just PM me for the link

[S]

How bout HIS DARK MATERIALS? Yes, it's YA, but brilliant, but warning: if you thought H. POTTER was blasphemous, you'll find DARK MATERIALS downright sacrilegious. It's the anti-NARNIA.