Book Like a Song of Fire and Ice

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I only mention because there is a thread about a book that someone gave 5 stars too and it turned out to be a fake review.

[Karen]

As far as I know, they are all real. Some of the reviews are very detailed, and the details fit with the book. If you go to my author website, you'll find two sample chapters posted for The Steel Queen. Perhaps they will give you a better way to judge the reviews. http://www.karenlazinger.com/

[Mach]

You are the author?

[Karen]

Yes. I was inspired by George Martin to write a complex read with complex plots set in a medieval world with limited magic. I started writing 8 years ago and never stopped. I've written the first four books of the saga, with the first book, The Steel Queen, published last month. One of my reviewers wrote "You'll empathize with the good and pray they prevail but you'll truly feast on the bad who are utterly compelling."

[Nick]

I might have to give your book a shot then Karen, I know a lot of authors have been inspired by GRRM and have written great works from that inspiration, maybe yours will be too.

[Karen]

Thanks Nick! Let me know how you like it. I'm always keen to get feedback from readers who love GRRM.

[Yulia]

I would recommend to read russian author Вера Камша - Хроники Этерны
You may find it has very much incommon with The Song

[Karen]

But is it in English?

[Yulia]

Karen wrote: "But is it in English?"

It hasn't been translated yet, but I hope it'll be soon.

[Randy]

try Adrian Tchaikovsky's Shadows of the Apt (Empire in Black and Gold is the first book). Epic fantasy, but the neat twist is that the characters have taken insect qualities (wasp are warriors, beetles are industrious builders, mantis are killers). Very odd, but it works. Fantasy themes still exist (e.g., good vs. evil), but b/c the world is so different and the author is using something besides elves, dwarfs and dragons, it makes it all the more interesting.

[Benjamin]

First 5 books or so of Wheel of time series was great, after that I went down hill fast. Another point is Jordan made a promise to fans to not write other books till wot was finished, which he ended up lying about, and eventually died before he could finish the series. A shame cause first few books were great, and series had huge promise, and he ended up failing in the end.

He had a huge impact though, Terry goodkinds series is almost a total rip off of it. To this day I have no repect for that idiot, someone should tell him to get his own ideas instead of stealing other people's.

[Arby]

Insurrection by Robyn Young
it's not medieval fantasy but rather historical fiction but it's a great read. i enjoyed it much. it is based on the life of King Robert the Bruce.

it's an ongoing trilogy of which the second book is projected to be released next year.

[Liz]

I am almost finished "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss, and I want to thank the posters here for recommending it. What a gloriously entertaining and engaging read this is! I want to recommend it to these posters.

Although the story is not like SoIaF, the scope, characterizations are reminiscent of those works. The detail the author puts into creating a different world is superb, right down to currency and dialect of different regions.

It is exciting, and, despite being 700 pages long, a very quick read!

[Ross]

Does anyone here rate The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind? Quite an engrossing series I found it, read through from start to finish:)

Oh yeah and btw, does anyone have any idea where the Warhammer series starts? It looks interesting as a blending of sci-fi and fantasy but I'm not sure where to begin.

[Martin]

I recommend the Black Magician trilogy by Trudi Canavan, absolutely brilliant!

[[deleted user]]

I just downloaded a sample of the first book from Kindle based on your comment. I've read the first chapter and will hold my opinion until I complete the sample.

[Jon]

Thanks now I have lots of to reads

[Rpk]

I have to say that I've tried many of the non-SoIaF suggestions and they just pale in comparison.

Of all that I've tried, only has 'The Passage' ended up being somewhat enjoyable (and of course that book being in a completely different genre).

At least A Dance with Dragons will be released soon.

[Jon]

Thanks!

[Jon]

Assasins apprentice on my to read list

[Jax]

Jessie (.bibliophile. .anonymous.) wrote: "Brandon Sanderson has a new series out, The Stormlight Archives, with the first The Way of Kings already out and it is ENGROSSING. Perhaps a bit slow in the beginning, it becomes a book you cannot ..."

I have Mistborn by Sanderson, is that the same as the ENGROSSING one?

[Kevin]

How about something that is not fantasy, but on the same line as Song of Ice Fire, Pillars of the Earth.

[Jax]

or Mary Stewart's Arthur books...or Bernard Cornwell's Arthur books.

:)

Those are super good too.

[Stangmark]

the chronicles of amber by Roger Zelazny and discworld by Terry Pratchett are very enjoyable "not so mainstream" fantasy fiction series

[Natalie]

Arby wrote: "Insurrection by Robyn Young
it's not medieval fantasy but rather historical fiction but it's a great read. i enjoyed it much. it is based on the life of King Robert the Bruce.

it's an ongoing tril..."

This sounds really interesting!

[Morena]

I read Assassin's apprentice and I don't understand how can anyone recommend it in this threat. It's like being introduced to Edward Cullen after admitting that you love men like Harald Hardrada. I was hoping to find suggestions for fantasy books that feel real because they are written well, the characters aren't half-assed and the plot is jaw dropping. That said there are only 2 books that I can recommend
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: by Susanna Clarke (It takes place amidst real historical events but there is more to some Brits than the eye betrays.)
I Lucifer: by Glen Duncan (this little book is not a fantasy but at least it is supernatural with Lucifer walking among us)

[Mach]

The Lion of Senet by Jennifer Fallon definetly something fans of this series will love.

[Karen]

Stepping a little bit out of the box, I highly recommend Legacy by Susan Kay. It is historical fiction about Queen Elizabeth I and it is absolutely fabulous, both the prose and the story. Kay channels Elizabeth, she doesn't just write about her. This may seem like an odd suggestions but sits well with great epic fantasy works.

[Gabriel]

Sharon Penman's book, The Sunne in Splendour, is great way to get a feel for the War of the Roses.The Sunne In Splendour

[Nick]

I have to add Brandon Sanderson's 'The Way of Kings' on here, it was just an awesome start of the Stormlight Archives series that may actually come to rival A Song of Ice and Fire! It really is a must read.

[Kerry]

Adriana, I feel your pain.... have you tried Malazan series?
I'd also recommend (and am suprised I don't see) the Dragonbone Chair series by Tad Williams. Or if you have a year, his Science Fiction (I'm not normally a fan, but this was an exception for me) The Otherwold series. And the Joe Abercrombie Blade Itself books are good, not as strong, but quick reads.

[Rbette1299]

Julie wrote: "There are so many great series out there. It is hard to compare them apples to apples as each author's style is different. What I liked most about GRRM's writing style is that you are surprised...."

Richard wrote: "Song of Ice and Fire is my favorite series, so nothing compares exactly. I have gotten my older kids and many friends to read it and all love it. It is more realistic and much more accessible tha..

YES! Elizabet Moon is my second favorite author. Her series, The Deed of Paksennarian, is a fantastic read. It is more in line with LOTR epic fantasy than GRRM. Being ex-military, Moon describes the warrior mentality most excellently. She has believable characters that grip you and she does not shirk the gory details of war, murder and mayhem.

I liked Guy Gavriel Kay but not as much as GRRM.

I have to say the Steven Erikson's Malazan series is my favorite series. The first book in the series is the worst, but it is necessary to read because a lot of threads from there are important later on. Just push through the first book. He does the best world building ever and he makes you care for his characters and when they die you cry.

Two other authors that I like a lot but not necessarily in GRRM, Erikson or even Moon's class are Robert V.S. Redick with his Chathrand Series. The story takes place on a gigantic war boat in more than one time dimension with engaging characters.

Also, Scott Lynch and his Lies of Locke Lamora is an excellent read. It is an engrossing tale of an engaging rogue who is a con man, a conjurer, a wicked juggler of words and knives. GRRM liked enough to write a forward comment. GRRM is kind of a stand alone author as he is willing to do truly despicable things to his characters over and over. Most authors are less grim.

[Gabriel]

I actually liked Erikson's first book. I think what I find hard about him is getting started. It takes me about 40-100 pages to get into and accept where the story takes place from last time. He does not stay with the same characters in each book and it is hard not get lost in the beginning. Once you clear that hurdle it goes pretty fast, well for 1000 page book.

[Mark]

on ky phone, so having a hard time finding whether it was listed bit

[Mark]

Not sure if it was mentioned but Glen Cook's Black Company series is outstanding.

[Nick]

Has anyone mentioned "The Gentleman Bastard" series by "Scott Lynch"? I believe this is to be a 7 part series.

I am currently on the first of two published, called "The Lies Of Locke Lamora" and I am loving it so far. It is similar to ASOIAF in very subtle ways, but based in a completely different time and setting.

[Nick]

The Lies of Locke Lamora and Red Seas Under Red Skies are great books but it has been a long wait for the third book... like waiting for Dance...

[Maggie]

There are no books like ASOI&F. There's only ASOI&F.
;P

[Ross]

Yes it is a rather long wait for The Republic of Thieves, might have to refresh the GB series before reading it.

[Kevin]

Maggie wrote: "There are no books like ASOI&F. There's only ASOI&F.
;P"

Well said!

[Ross]

^^ What he said
Although I wonder if there are similar historical fiction books that do what ASOIAF does.

[Nick]

I'd say Bernard Cornwell's historical fiction books would come closest because of the realistic world and awesomeness for the most part. But Historical Fiction and Fantasy have some big differences... "magic" and a totally different world are the top 2 that come to mind.

[Ross]

Absolutely, but as we see magic really doesn't play that big a part in ASOIAF,and the fact that it primarily deals with political intrigue and hierarchical shifts bring ASOIAF close to historical fiction territory in my view.

[Nick]

That is true for the most part but there are dragons, shadow baby assassins, giants, seeing of futures, bringing back the dead, skin changers, wights, and probably a few more things that I am missing. Martin does down play the role of "magic" in his series much more than most fantasy series that I know of, and that just makes ASOIAF that much better. :D

[Ross]

Agreed, he seems to use magic as and when, more like part of the world handled in a rather matter of fact way, rather than magic defining or eclipsing the world. The fact that legends and myths are coming back into reality, The White Walkers are a case in point, serves to lend the world of Westeros and the rest a deeper socio historical background, and like the explorers we are, we slowly get a glimpse of a more complex, multilayered world, which is how worlds ought to be.

[Morena]

Kerry wrote: "Adriana, I feel your pain.... have you tried Malazan series?
I'd also recommend (and am suprised I don't see) the Dragonbone Chair series by Tad Williams. Or if you have a year, his Science Fic..."
Thank you Kerry, I was actually looking for Dragonbone Chair at home since we used to have it but someone didn't return the book to us, it's on my list for sure, we also have his SF books and since I loved all teh DUNE books I am willing to give it a shot. Thank you once more. By the way I just finished The Graveyard Book and it was so far the best that I've read by Gaiman.

[Razmatus]

Anyone here thinks that WW might just be some kind of mishap caused by some ancient sorcerers' mistakes?

[Tim]

Razmatus can I direct you here: www.westeros.org (if you aren't already a member) search for the heresy thread in the forums, some good discussions about that sort of thing.

[Nick]

I have to now recommend Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings, which is a fantastic start of his Stormlight Archives series! Even on this site the book is actually rated higher than any A Song of Ice and Fire book individually.

[Razmatus]

Tim wrote: "Razmatus can I direct you here: www.westeros.org (if you aren't already a member) search for the heresy thread in the forums, some good discussions about that sort of thing."

i am member on there lol :)