Newbie needing help please

[alexhar]

Hi

New to forum. I am an avid reader but new to SF / fantasy but have just finished reading the Game of Thrones books and am looking for something of a similar ilk.
All help appreciated and all recommendations explored.

Many thanks

Alex

[thatollie]

What in particular did you like about A Game of Thrones?

[alexhar]

The initial great story line together with the developing interesting characters. At times difficult to keep all the threads together but I reread the books whilst waiting for latest offering so managed to keep on top of plot, I think!

The swordplay / medieval theme, castles, great families, alliances et al, I just lapped it up.The concept of the wall, loved it. Even the geography intrigued me, I thought he used map of UK for inspiration.

At first the mention of magic, dragons etc sort of threw me as it was not my usual reading material but I gradually warmed to it although in some chapters it sort of overwhelms me.
All in all, really enjoyed books and even the TV series, just looking for something similar ish to look at next.

[Mouse]

Robin Hobb's Assassin books maybe. JV Jones's Sword of Shadows.

[alexhar]

Many thanks Mouse

[springs]

David Eddings, he's a little lighter than Martin, but good fun.

[Lord Soth]

Sorry but I don't think Edding's in quite to that level. Perhaps Joe Abercrombie would be closer to GRRM, but personally if you managed Game of Thrones I suggest you try Steven Erikson Malazan series.

Its big (10 big books) and confusing, but IMO he is one of the best out there.

[Coragem]

Originally Posted by Lord Soth

Perhaps Joe Abercrombie would be closer to GRRM

Definitely, start with Joe Abercrombie!!! Either his trilogy (The Blade Itself, etc.) or The Heroes for a taster. You'll love it.

Other options: Scott Lynch (The Lies of Locke Lamora) or Paul Kearney (e.g. The Ten Thousand) or Guy Gavriel Kay (Song for Arbonne, The Lions of Al-Rassan).

If your like George RR Martin definitely try his horror/vampire novel, Fevre Dream.

I would avoid Eddings if you enjoy Martin's intrigue and character shades of grey. Also, I would avoid The Mazalan series until you're very, very well established in fantasy reading (it's challenging!).

Coragem.

[alexhar]

Many thanks to everyone........a lot of food for thought, am a bit of a bookaholic so will probably end up reading them all!!!

[ratsy]

I would highly recommend Robin Hobb. Joe Abercrombie as well for a little dirty, gritty action. Brandon Sanderson is IMO the best of the bunch these days. I just read the Acacia Trilogy by David Anthony Durham and it was fantastic. Also Greg Keyes , Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series is a good read.

Personally i have only read the first of the Malazan but that was a few years ago so I need to re-read it before I get back into it. Great premise but from what I hear, a challenge.

[Warren_Paul]

I second Joe Abercrombie and Steven Erikson, and Brandon Sanderson. All of them are fantastic.

Try Tad Williams, I really liked his Shadowmarch series.

I really liked Kate Elliot's Crossroads Trilogy too, it's quite political with brilliant characters.

I might get flamed for this, but also maybe Wheel of Time? It's another epic series if you don't mind looking past the padding to see the great story within.

[Grunkins]

Erikson, Abercrombie, Lynch will all scratch that itch to a degree. But none of them will recreate the Song of Ice and Fire feeling. I would say stay away from Eddings. And Sanderson is not at all similar to the others, he's more YA epic fantasy of the Robert Jordan school.

[MaxTastic]

I second, third and fourth the Scott Lynch parade. TLOLL is as gritty as they come.