Cyberpunk is my favorite subgenre of science-fiction and who better to read than William Gibson, the father of cyberpunk? He’s one of the genre’s most popular and innovate writers, but also one of its best. Ever since I’ve read Neuromancer, I’ve been obsessed with William Gibson books.

Over thirty years ago, he published Burning Chrome and Neuromancer and changed the face of science-fiction forever.

Neuromancer was a fantastic debut novel, receiving both the Hugo and Nebula award and maintains a loyal fan base to this day. The main reasons that William Gibson’s novel was entirely different from other science-fiction books at the time. Neuromancer was sleek, grim and, most of all, it was cool and full of exciting new concepts. It took us into an urban wonderland, one full of stunning technology and weird characters.

Most interesting, however, when Gibson’s works were first published, the internet wasn’t what it is today. There were no public websites, no YouTube, and no social media. Back then, it was nothing but an information network used by no one but academics.

Yet, Gibson is more than just an innovator, he’s a master of the genre. His body of work is considered by many essential reading.

While Neuromancer is by far his most popular book, all of his works are worth reading and are rightfully regarded classics in their own right.

For this list, I decided not to order the William Gibson books from my least to most favorite, but to go in chronological order. I think it’s the best way to organize his work and to showcase his evolution as a writer. I will, however, provide you with a detailed description of each William Gibson book and share their individual merit. If you’re interested in other science-fiction recommendations, you should check out my list of the best books like Dune and the best science-fiction books.

Table of Contents

• Burning Chrome
• Neuromancer
• Count Zero
• Mona Lisa Overdrive
• The Difference Engine
• Virtual Light
• Idoru
• All Tomorrow’s Parties
• Pattern Recognition
• Spook Country
• Zero History
• The Peripheral
• Agency

Burning Chrome

Burning Chrome is a collection of short stories dating from 1977 to 1985, comprising ten stories in total. Some stories are written by William Gibson, others are collaborations with other writers, such as John Shirley, Bruce Sterling and Michael Sawnwhick.

The most famous story in the collection, the titular Burning Chrome, stands out amongst all of them. It is here that Gibson coined the term cyberpunk.

Johnny Mnemonic, a story about a data trafficker who underwent cybernetic surgery to have a data storage system implanted in his head, is a fantastic read. It’s also our introduction to Molly Millions, one of the main characters in Neuromancer.

Other interesting stories include ‘The Winter Market,’ which centers on such topics as humanity, immortality, consumerism and shows us a frighteningly fascinating version of our future. New Rose Hotel’s the first introduction to the Sprawl universe, centering on corporate espionage. One of the most interesting stories is The Gernsback Continuum, in which a photographer hallucinates the futurism of the past superimposed on the present.

My favorite, however, was The Belonging Kind, by far the strangest story in the collection and one that’s less cyberpunk, but a weird fiction horror story.

Overall, all the stories in Burning Chrome are worth reading. I think it’s one of the best science-fiction short story collections out there and one of the best early William Gibson books. We can already see William Gibson’s interest in anything cyberpunk or cyberspace.

Burning Chrome is essential reading for anyone who’s interested in cyberpunk and it serves as a perfect introduction for his work.

Neuromancer

“The sky was the color of television turned to a dead channel.”

And with this fantastic opening line begins the most popular of all William Gibson books out there.

Neuromancer, written in 1984, is the first novel in The Sprawl Trilogy. It’s not only William Gibson’s debut novel, but THE cyberpunk novel. The William Gibson book that started it all and its influence cannot be understated.

It’s written as a film noir novel, but set in a gritty future full of technological wonders, and invented technological slang. While invented slang can always be tricky, Neuromancer’s has aged extremely well, and even now, forty years after its publication, it still holds up and feels fresh today.

The novel’s plot introduces us to Case. He used to be a skilled hacker and data thief, colloquially called a console cowboy. He used to be one of the best until he stole from his employers. As punishment, his central nervous system was damaged, making him unable to enter cyberspace. He now spends his days in Chiba City as a low-level hustler, drinking, getting high and getting into the occasional bar fight.

This all changes when he’s approached by Molly Millions, a ‘street samurai,’ on behalf of a man named Armitage. Case eventually agrees to work with them on the condition that his central nervous system’s restored. As the job continues, however, more and more strange details are revealed and Case wonders who his real employer is.

Over the course of the novel Case and Molly travel from Japan to the Sprawl and eventually outer space.

Neuromancer’s one of the strangest and most gripping William Gibson books. We get to know sociopathic hologram creators, rouge AIs, space-Rastafarians, and an insane young woman who’s the heiress of a billionaire business clan.

As brilliant a William Gibson book as Neuromancer is, it’s not free of faults. The biggest is William Gibson’s style and his technological vocabulary. Both things take some time getting used to, and an online glossary might make for a more pleasant reading experience.

And yet, Neuromancer’s one of the most brilliant debuts of all time and one of the most important science-fiction novels of the 20th century. It’s a must read for any fan of William Gibson books, science-fiction and cyberpunk.

Count Zero

Count Zero’s the second novel in The Sprawl Trilogy and the sequel to Neuromancer. It’s, however, only loosely related and features an entirely different cast of characters.

The novel’s plot is set seven years after the events of Neuromancer and follows three distinct plotlines which are only brought together by the novel’s end. This style should become a staple in later William Gibson books.

The first plot revolves around Marly, an art specialist. Her life has taken a turn for the worse after a certain scandal. She gets a second chance when she’s hired by a wealthy man to find a certain art piece. Before long, however, she realizes things are too good to be true, and she finds herself in danger.

The second plotline revolves around Turner, a mercenary. On his new job, he and his colleagues are hired by a man named Mitchel. When things turn sour, Turner is forced to keep Mitchel’s daughter Angie alive.

The third and final plotline revolves around Bobby Newmark, a wannabe console cowboy who goes by the handle Count Zero. He almost dies during his first job, but is saved by a woman only known as The Virgin. Soon enough, however, he finds himself entangled in a much bigger plot.

Count Zero’s a well-enough follow-up to Necromancer, but comes with a share of problems. It’s dense in parts and slow in others. The biggest problem, however, are the different plotlines. They feel almost like stand-alone stories until they come together for a rushed climax. This made their connections and the big reveal much less impactful than it could’ve been.

While not as great as Neuromancer, and the weakest in The Sprawl Trilogy, Count Zero is still worth reading for fans of William Gibson books.

Mona Lisa Overdrive

The third and final novel in The Sprawl Trilogy.

The novel’s set eight years after the events of Count Zero. It features both new characters, but also returning characters from the series’ earlier entries.

Once more, we follow multiple, separate plotlines.

One centers around Angie Mitchel, who returns from Count Zero and has thus become a Sense/Net superstar. There’s one thing that’s special about her: she’s able to tap into cyberspace without the usage of a computer. Before long, Angie’s being contacted by a strange, ghostly figure residing in cyberspace.

Another follows a young woman named Mona, a former prostitute who’s got a high resemblance to Angie. She’s hired for a gig which involves, unbeknownst to her, forced surgery to make her look like Angie.

In another one we get to know Kumiko, the daughter of a Japanese yakuza boss who’s sent to London when her father gets involved in a gang war. She falls under the care of a powerful man and meets Sally Shears, who turns out to be Molly. Before long, she takes the girl under her wing.

The last plotline follows Slick Henry, a man who lives at a place named Factory in a large, deserted industrial area. He’s hired by an acquaintance to look after the comatose ‘Count’ Bobby Newmark who hooked himself up into a super-capacity cyber-hard drive known as an Aleph.

Eventually, all those plotlines converge in a fantastic final.

Mona Lisa Overdrive stands out for its fantastic writing that can almost be called poetic in places. Yet, the book also requires much more attention than Count Zero.

The biggest difference to its prequel, however, is the handling of the different plotlines. They are much more inter-connected and these connections become more and more apparent over the novel’s cause. This makes each one of them seem important and doesn’t give the climax the rushed feeling of Count Zero’s.

Overall, Mona Lisa Overdrive feels much more realized than Count Zero and its inclusion of characters from both prior novels makes it a worthy final to The Sprawl Trilogy.

Mona Lisa Overdrive is by many regarded as the best of the earlier William Gibson books.

The Difference Engine

The Difference Engine is an alternate history novel co-authored with Bruce Sterling.

It’s quite a different, but also interesting novel that makes cyberpunk into something both new and old.

The novel’s set in an advanced 1855 London in which computers, here called engines, have been developed. The story revolves around a set of perforated cards which can only be read by a specialized engine.

Yet, not all is well in this London. The Luddites, a group of technology-hating fanatics, have set their sight on the cards. Before long, however, they come into the possession of Ada Lovelace, the Queen of Engines, and the daughter of Prime Minister Lord Byron. Yet, only one man, Edward Mallory, a scientist, knows what the cards are really for.

Before long, all their paths converge and lead to a violent showdown.

The Difference Engine is one of the oddest William Gibson books, and its pacing can be slow. While its plot is complex and interesting, it’s partway ruined by a rather weak conclusion.

Where it stands out, however, is the fusion of a Victorian era setting, computers and cyberpunk makes it incredibly imaginative. If not for the plot or its conclusion, the book’s worth reading for the world-building and ideas alone.

While The Difference Engine is different and one of the weaker William Gibson books on this list, it’s still worth reading for fans.

Virtual Light

Virtual Light is the first novel in William Gibson’s second series, The Bridge Trilogy. It introduces us to another fantastically imaginative future dystopia. It’s another cyberpunk novel, but one not set in as distant a future as The Sprawl Trilogy.

Virtual Light is set in 2006 and presents us with a grim, near-future California. After a devastating earthquake, the San Francisco Bay Bridge is inoperative and abandoned, making the area a giant shantytown.

The novel’s plot is relatively simple. Our protagonist Chevette Washington is a bicycle messenger who lives in said shantytown. Eventually she comes upon a pair of ‘virtual light’ glasses which feed images directly to the optic nerve. Unbeknownst to her, however, the glasses contain an extremely valuable secret and their owner will do anything to get them back.

Another character’s Berry Rydell, a former rent-a-cop who lost his job because of a hacker’s prank. Having hit rock-bottom, he teams up with Lucius Warbaby to track down the glasses.

Before long, however, Berry learns of an evil corporate scheme which involves not only his new partner but also his former employers.

While the plot might not sound as intriguing as those of other William Gibson books, Virtual Light stands out for its world-building. We can recognize both the popular culture and the social trends that form this new world. Even a decade and a half after the novel’s initial release, it remains frighteningly relatable.

Virtual Light is a fantastically William Gibson book that comes with a witty plot and outstanding world-building and is a must read for fans.

Idoru

Idoru’s the second novel in The Bridge Trilogy. It’s another highly imaginative work of near-future fiction, even more so than its prequel.

We get to know Rez, the star of the extremely successful band Lo/Rez. He’s just announced he’s going to get married to a new Japanese pop star, Rei Toei. There’s one problem, however, she’s an Idoru, a wholly synthetic being who only exists in virtual reality.

Colin Laney, on the other hand, has hit rock bottom. He used to work as a private investigator for Slitscan, a TV network. It was his job to search the internet for data to find clues, patterns and paradigms. After being involved in a suicide, however, he’s forced to give up his job and join in with another group, Out of Bounds. Their primary goal is to show the world what a morally deprived place Slitscan really is. It’s now Laney’s task to get to the bottom of Rez’s interest in marrying Rei.

There’s also Chia Pet McKenzie, an active fan of Lo/Rez. When she visits Japan to investigate some rumors related to the band. There she gets involved with the Russian criminal underground and is used to smuggle illegal nanoware.

While these characters and plotlines sound interesting enough, the greatest part of Idoru is William Gibson’s ability to create a strangely different, yet understandable, future.

Idoru’s setting is brilliantly realized and might be the most fleshed out of all William Gibson books to date. We see high-tech hotel rooms, futuristic airplanes, and even the infamous Walled City of Kowloon which is recreated in cyberspace.

Idoru’s a slow novel, but this is also its greatest strength. It gives William Gibson time to speculate, to showcase the merging of culture with social and technological trends and how they affect people.

Idoru’s a dark and disturbing masterpiece, a typical William Gibson book, and a fantastic read.

All Tomorrow’s Parties

All Tomorrow’s Parties is the last novel of The Bridge Trilogy and similarly to Mona Lisa Overdrive, he brings back characters from both earlier installments. Colin Laney’s back, so is rent-a-cop Berry Rydell and bicycle messenger Chevette Washington.

Once more, the novel features multiple plotlines which are slowly converging over the course of the novel.

Colin Laney’s ability to sift through data on the internet allows him to discern upcoming historical nodal points. These nodal points are incredibly rare, and they only appear when the world as we know it changes. They are seldom noticed, but Laney has the feeling he’ll notice the next one. He’s afraid it will bring too big a change, and that it’s going to happen exactly on San Francisco’s Bay Bridge.

To focus entirely on his new obsession, he leaves his normal life behind. He hides at a Tokyo subway station and tries his best to keep what he believes to be a worldwide disaster at bay.

He soon meets Berry Rydell, who’s sent to investigate a murder committed by a man able to hide from Laney’s predictive powers.

Yet other characters, including Chevette Washington, will soon be involved in the novel’s complex plot as well. Even the Idoru makes an appearance, as it finally wants to free itself from its owners.

All Tomorrow’s Parties is one of the most celebrate William Gibson books and features some of his finest prose. His language has become more honed, less purple, but fantastically vibrant.

While the novel’s themes and topics aren’t revolutionary, it’s a fantastically wild ride full of the eccentric characters we’re used to from William Gibson.

All Tomorrow’s Parties also marked a turning point for Gibson. It represents William Gibson’s move away from 80s cyberpunk to a commenter on the near future and mainstream success.

All Tomorrow’s Parties is by many regarded as one of the best, if not the best of all the William Gibson books out there.

Pattern Recognition

Pattern Recognition is the first novel in The Blue Ant Trilogy and one of William Gibson’s all-time best-sellers.

It’s quite different from earlier William Gibson books. The most striking difference is its contemporary setting. It’s less a science-fiction novel and more a thriller about our desire to find order and patterns. Even the technology featured in this novel and the rest of The Blue Ant Trilogy is entirely grounded in reality.

The novel’s plot centers on a girl named Cayce Pollard, an intuitive market-research consultant or ‘coolhunter.’ She earns a living evaluating potential products and advertising campaigns. When she rejects the new logo of Hubertus Bigend, a marketing tycoon and the man at the top of the Blue Ant Corporation, she earns his respect. Yet she makes an enemy of his graphic designer.

Later on, Cayce’s hired by Hubertus again. She’s tasked to investigate a strange snippet of found footage that’s become an internet cult hit.

At first, she treats it as a standard job. When her apartment’s broken into and her computer’s hacked, however, she realizes this job is much more sophisticated and dangers that she thought. Soon, Casey’s forced to explore the deepest crevices of the internet.

Her investigation leads her to Tokyo and even Russia. Yet all this seems to be related to her father, an ex-CIA agent who went missing and is presumed dead after the 9/11 attacks.

While Pattern Recognition can be slow, especially in its later half, William Gibson’s style and the many mysteries the plot holds make it a fantastic read. There’s also Hubertus Bigend, who’s one of the most intriguing characters Gibson ever created.

Pattern Recognition is one of the newer William Gibson books, but one I recommend to any fan of his work.

Spook Country

Spook Country is the sequel to Pattern Recognition and the second novel in The Blue Ant Trilogy.

It’s again set in the same modern-day world as Pattern Recognition and can be seen as a deconstruction of our paranoid, fragmented, post-modern world.

Once more, the novel features a multitude of characters.

Tito’s a man in his late twenties and born in Cuba. He’s a translator, fluent in Russian, lives in a single room in a NoLita warehouse and earns a living transferring delicate information.

Hollis Henry, on the other hand, is a journalist who works for the Node magazine. Yet, Node doesn’t exist yet, but has already more buzz than most other successful magazines. She’s supposed to do a story on a new art form that only exists in virtual reality. She soon realizes that what she’s investigating is much more dangerous.

Milgrim’s a junky addicted to anti-anxiety drugs and pharmaceuticals. He thinks if he doesn’t get his drugs from a man named Brown, he won’t last the day. Yet, Brown’s a man of many secrets. When his curiosity gets the better of him, Milgrim soon knows too much about Brown and finds his life in real danger.

Soon these characters become involved in a story revolving around a mysterious cargo container with CIA-connections. It constantly appears and disappears on the worldwide Global Positioning network, but never makes it to port.

It’s right at the Global Positioning network where we learn of our last character, Bobby Chombo. He’s a talented specialist, but a strange, quiet, unbalanced man.

Spook Country’s a novel that stands out for its fantastically interesting characters and its action scenes. Even more so, it comes with William Gibson’s imaginative style and trademark metaphorical language. Another one of the best modern William Gibson books.

Zero History

Zero History is the last book in and culmination of The Blue Ant Trilogy.

It’s a fantastically quirky tale that deals with modern fashion and brand positioning.

Once more we meet Hubertus Bigend, who played a big role in the prior entries in the series. His newest venture leads him into the field of military fashion, a branch he believes immune to market fluctuations. Yet, when a new pair of trousers of suspiciously similar design to his own, he sets out to find their mysterious designer. To do this, he hires a group of characters, some of which we already know from the prior entries in the series.

One is Hollis Henry, who returns from Spook Country. She vowed to never get involved with Hubertus again. Yet, she’s broke, and she knows Hubertus is willing to pay a lot of money for her work.

Milgrim also returns from Spook Country. He’s a man that can vanish at a moment’s notice, but also fluent in Russian. Having his addiction paid for and cured by Hubertus, he knows he can’t back out when hired by Hubertus.

Garreth, the last member of the group, is a man who thinks and knows he owes Hubertus nothing. Yet, he’s also Hollis’ boyfriend and soon finds himself involved in the book’s events as well.

Before long, the identity of Hubertus’ competitor’s revealed, and we learn just how ruthless a man he is.

Zero History brings The Blue Ant Trilogy to a fantastic conclusion. What makes this William Gibson book stand out, however, is not only the inclusion of former characters but also Gibson’s style. It’s become more refined, but also simpler than in his earlier books. This is especially noticeable in the portrayal of brands. They are often more fully realized and expanded on than actual characters, make the book a strange, but interesting read.

Zero History’s a fantastically weird book, one quite different from the earlier William Gibson books on this list, but still an absolute treat for fans.

The Peripheral

The Peripheral is the first novel in William Gibson’s newest series, The Jackpot Trilogy, and also his first to feature a post-apocalyptic scenario.

This novel can be best described as a slow-burn science-fiction thriller.

It features two different timelines. One’s set a decade from ours before the coming of an apocalypse, the so called ‘jackpot.’ The other’s set in a post-apocalyptic London, decades after the jackpot.

The first timeline follows Flynne Fisher, a woman living in rural America. Her brother’s an ex-marine suffering from neurological damage, and who pilots drones in games to earn cash. One day, Flynne is covering a shift for her bother and witnesses a gruesome murder. This event brings her into contact with inspector Ainsley Lowbeer, who’s investigating the events related to the murder.

Wilf Netherton, on the other hand, lives in the future, post-apocalyptic London. He’s a disgraced publicist, but soon gets involved in the disappearance of his newest client’s daughter.

Both investigations kick the story into motion.

The most interesting aspect of the novel, however, is the inclusion of time-travel. There are specific drones called ‘peripherals’ which allow people to travel between different timelines. Soon enough, Flynne reaches out from Wilf’s past to change her own future.

The Peripheral can be called William Gibson’s return to his science-fiction roots. It’s a novel full of weird, sexy, tech, fleshed out characters and foreshadows a post-scarcity, post-apocalyptic society.

Even if the time-travel mechanics are odd, it’s a great novel that stands out amongst other science-fiction works of today.

Agency

Agency’s William Gibson’s newest novel and the second in The Jackpot Trilogy.

We get to know a woman named Verity Jane. She works as a beta tester, a so-called ‘app whisperer.’ Strapped for cash, she accepts a job from a suspicious tech company to work on their newest customer service system.

She soon discovers that this software is actually an AI named Eunice. Yet Eunice is more than a simple AI and is much more developed and intelligent. Even more interesting, he’s got plans of his own.

When the two of them work together, Verity does her best to hide Eunice’s rapid development from her employer. This soon makes not only her but also Eunice their target.

Even worse, however, agents from the post-apocalyptic future, too, have an interest in Eunice. It’s here we meet Wilf Netherton again. He becomes tasked against his knowledge in aiding Verity on her journey, even if it means bringing large-scale changes to his future world.

Agency’s a novel full of intriguing concepts and characters. Yet, the shifting narratives and the involvement of time travel can make it hard to follow.

William Gibson’s at the top of his game in terms of cyberpunk imagination and description, but the complicated nature of the book might leave you with more questions than answers.

This, of course, doesn’t mean that Agency is a bad William Gibson book. I still highly recommend it for fans of his work and of modern cyberpunk.

Game of Thrones is probably the most popular fantasy series of modern times. That’s the reason many people are looking for other books like Game of Thrones.

With its debut, it revolutionized and revitalized an entire genre. While it’s set in a medieval world, magic and magical creatures are mostly a thing of the past.

Instead, it’s a much more realistic series, one that focuses on political intrigues and power struggles. Its world, however, is dark, full of villains and anti-heroes.

That world comprises Westeros, the land of the Seven Kingdoms, and Essos, a continent to the east. The events in the books center on the various ruling families of the Seven Kingdoms.

When the hand of the king is murdered, Eduard Stark is called to King’s Landing to become the new hand of the king. This event sets in motion a variety of plots and ploys for the Throne of the Seven Kingdoms. At the center of these events are the children of Eduard Stark. Over the course of the books, we follow them as they try to survive and find their way in a world that becomes more and more violent.

Even though Game of Thrones was adapted as an HBO series, I highly recommend reading the books. Unfortunately, they remain unfinished to this day.

Game of Thrones is one of the greatest achievements in fantasy and has a reason to be as popular as it is. For this reason, I created a list of 21 other fantasy books and series for fans of books like Game of Thrones.

If you’re interested in more book recommendations, check out my list of books like Lord of the Rings, and my list of books like Dune.

Table of Contents

• The Dagger and the Coin Series by Daniel Abraham
• The Accursed Kings Series by Maurice Druon
• Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne Series by Brian Staveley
• The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
• The Witcher Saga by Andrzej Sapkowski
• The Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind
• The Faithful and the Fallen Series by John Gwynne
• The Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett
• The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson
• The Memory, Sorrow and Thorn Trilogy by Tad Williams
• The Riftwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist
• The Black Company by Glen Cook
• The Dark Star Trilogy by Marlon James
• The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe
• The Stormlight Archive Series by Brandon Sanderson
• The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss
• Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan
• The Lord of the Rings Series by J.R.R. Tolkien
• The Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence
• The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
• The Malazan Book of the Fallen Series by Steven Erikson

The Dagger and the Coin Series by Daniel Abraham

The Dagger and the Coin series is a great start for this list of books like Game of Thrones.

It’s set in a world once ruled by dragons. Now, thirteen races exist together in peace.

Trouble stirs when one nation prepares to extend its influence into the Free Cities. Now citizens of both sides have to fight and survive the chaos of war.

The Dragon’s Path, the first book in the series, centers on Marcus Wester, a former hero. He wants nothing more than to leave the battlefield behind and take up another profession. When war starts, however, he’s hired by Cithrin bel Sarcour to help her smuggle her riches not only out of a besieged city, but through a war zone.

This, however, should prove much harder than originally thought, for each army entangled in this war is looking for additional funds. They soon find themselves outmatched and surrounded.

Marcus, however, is only one of many characters in this high fantasy masterpiece.

One I came to enjoy especially, was Geder, the sole remaining heir of a noble house. More interested in philosophy, he makes for a poor soldier, but seems destined for great things.

Each other character is as developed as Marcus and Geder and gives us a unique perspective on the conflict.

What makes The Dagger and Coin series so good are the many political intrigues and military struggles.

It comes with a light and engaging writing style, and a cast of well-developed and interesting characters. It’s a fantastic read for anyone who’s looking for books like Game of Thrones.

The Accursed Kings Series by Maurice Druon

The Iron King is the first book in the Accursed King series.

While it’s not a fantasy series, it was named by George R. R. Martin as the prime inspiration for Game of Thrones.

The series follows the succession of various European monarchs that should come to lead to the Hundred Years’ War, a conflict between the House of Plantagenet in England and the House of Valois in France.

The Iron King is a portrayal of King Philip IV of France, also named Philip the Fair, the Iron King. He’s a cold and silent man, but also handsome and unblinking.

While he reigns over France with an iron hand, he can’t seem to rule his own family. His wife’s adulterous, his sons are weak and his daughter Isabella is unhappily married to an English king who prefers the company of men.

Soon enough, a net of scandals, murders and intrigues surrounds the Iron King. His downfall, however, comes from an unexpected direction. When Grand Master Jacques Molay, the last grand master of the Knights Templar, is sentenced to die at the stake, a curse is put on the king that shall destroy his dynasty.

The Accursed King series is full of political intrigues, lies, drama, deception, battles, assassinations and a disputed succession war.

It’s a fantastic series for fans of not only historical fiction but also books like Game of Thrones.

Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne Series by Brian Staveley

The Emperor’s Blade is the first book in the Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne. It’s an epic fantasy series with high-stake intrigues perfect for fans of books like Game of Thrones.

We’re introduced to the Annurian Empire. When the emperor is murdered, the land’s thrown into chaos. His children, Adare, Valyn and Kaden, are scattered across the land.

At the capital, Adare tries to find her father’s murder, but court politics run rampant and are more than a bit dangerous.

Valyn is training as a soldier, and an ocean away when he hears the news of his father’s death. Yet, he soon realizes that his life, too, is in danger.

The last, Kaden, studies at a remote monastery, set on learning the ancient powers of the disciples of the Blank God. Yet, can he remain alive along to master them?

While each individual path is dangerous, a bigger, even more dangerous conspiracy is at play.

The Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne is a series full of magic, moral dilemmas, power struggles and intrigues. It’s a fantastic series for those who are looking for books like Game of Thrones, especially those interested in intrigues and power play.

The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King

Stephen King’s Dark Tower series is without a doubt his magnum opus. The series was inspired by nothing other than the Lord of the Rings and is at the center of Stephen King’s vast universe.

The first book in the series, The Gunslinger, introduces us to Roland Deschain. He follows the enigmatic figure of the Man in Black through a decaying fantasy world. This, however, is only part of Roland’s quest for he’s set to reach the Dark Tower itself, a legendary building at the center of all universes.

The Dark Tower series come with a cast of interesting characters, villains, locations and an epic quest.

Yet, the series differs from the other recommendations on this list. While it’s a fantasy series, it can be best described as part spaghetti western, part Arthurian legend brought together by a tolkienesque flavor.

Stephen King is at its absolute best in The Dark Tower series and those who are looking for something different from your typical epic fantasy series should check it out.

The Witcher Saga by Andrzej Sapkowski

Blood of the Elves is the first book in The Witcher Saga.

After multiple video game adaptions and a Netflix series, The Witcher Saga has become massively popular in recent years.

Set in a fictional medieval Poland, it tells the story of Geralt of Rivia. He’s a witcher, a monster hunter with superhuman and magical abilities who lives far longer than normal humans.

His objective is simple: to rid the world of monsters.

Years before the events of Blood of the Elves, the Empire of Nilfgaard attacked the Kingdom of Cintra. This forces Ciri, the Princess of Cintra, to flee. Before long, she comes under the protection of Geralt.

Yet, political trouble causes the onset of a new war, as well as other events which all seem to center on Ciri.

Over the course of the novel, Geralt meets a variety of characters, including his former lover, Yennefer, a powerful sorceress.

The Witcher Saga comprises multiple novels, but also collections of short stories loosely related to the events of the main series. All of those, however, are very much worth reading.

It’s a fantastic series and highly recommended for fans of books like Game of Thrones.

The Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind

The Sword of Truth is a series of twenty-two epic fantasy novels. Wizard’s First Rules is the first book in the series and was published back in 1994.

Interestingly enough, most of the novels in the series are connected via a general timeline and ongoing events, but can be read as standalone. Only the final three were intended as a trilogy.

The events of Wizard’s First Rule follow Richard Cypher. After his father’s murder, he meets a mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell. She turns out to be a confessor sent from the Midlands and appoints Richard the role of ‘Seeker of Truths.’ She hands him a magical sword which amplifies his strength, agility, but also his anger.

From this point onward, the two travel the land. Over the course of the series they meet a variety of unique characters, including Nicci, Cara and Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander. Yet, they also meet various adversaries, defeat oppressors and those who want to unleash evil on the world.

The Sword of Truth is another classic in the realm of fantasy. It’s proven massively popular ever since first published. It’s one of the longest, as well as most influential, fantasy series out there. Those who are looking for a truly long, epic fantasy series and books like Game of Thrones should check it out.

The Faithful and the Fallen Series by John Gwynne

Malice is the first novel in The Faithful and the Fallen series.

Long ago, the Banished Lands were a place of violent Battles. It was there the armies of men and giants fought brutal battles. Yet, while the giant clans were disbanded, their fortresses remain. However, in recent times, the giants began stirring again and giant wyrms are seen roaming the skies.

Those who notice the signs see a greater threat coming, one much more dangerous than the wards of the past.

High King Aquilus summons his fellow leaders, seeking alliances to help fight in the coming conflict. Yet, many are skeptical and have their own troubles.

The novel’s events, however, center on Corban, who wants nothing more than to learn the art of war and use his sword to protect the king’s realm. Before he knows it, however, he’s thrown into the emerging conflict.

Yet, there’s also a dark prophecy who tells of the coming of two champions, one of light, the other of dark.

Malic was first released in 2012, making The Faithful and the Fallen series one of the newest entries on this list.

Yet, since its release, it’s become extremely beloved by many fantasy fans out there.

While John Gwynne’s writing style might need some getting used to, the series plot and its characters are fantastically done and are worth reading for any fan of books like Game of Thrones.

The Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett

Any fantasy fan has heard of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Series. Titles like Mort, The Color of Magic, or Guards! Guards! Guards! are probably known even to those who’ve never read a Discworld novel.

It’s a vast series, comprising forty-one books and includes a variety of subgenres.

Yet, The Discworld Series differs from the other entries on this list of books like Game of Thrones.

Most of them are comical and Terry Pratchett uses them to play with and make fun of many tropes established by Tolkien. Yet, he also uses his comedic and fantastic stories to shed light on many real-life issues, and even historical events.

The books in The Discworld Series are an absolute delight to read and lots of fun.

I think any fantasy fan out there should give The Discworld series a try, especially those who are looking for something that’s a little less dark.

The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is one of the most popular fantasy writers of all time. He’s the man who finished Robert Jordan’s epic The Wheel of Time. Yet, the man’s a literary powerhouse all by himself.

Interestingly, with The Mistborn Series, Sanders set out to go against one of the most common tropes in all of fantasy, that of the epic quest. Instead, he set out to create a world in which the hero failed. This world’s now been stagnant for a millennium under the rule of the Dark Lord.

The plot tells the story of Kelsier who was once a hero and is now reduced to a slave, but also Vin, an orphan who was forced to become a thief.

Kelsier discovers that he’s a Mistborn, someone with great magical powers which are normally reserved for only those of nobility. When Kelsier frees himself, he gets his old crew together, including Vin. Their goal now is nothing short of overthrowing the cruel Lord Ruler.

The books come with an increasingly complex plot that features many gripping turns and twists. The greatest part, however, is Vin. Her tenacity and grit have made her one of the most beloved characters in the series.

Brandon Sanderson is popular for a variety of reasons, and The Mistborn Trilogy is one of them. It’s a fantastic series and just right for people who look for more books like Game of Thrones and even George R. R. Martin cited it as one of his influences.

The Memory, Sorrow and Thorn Trilogy by Tad Williams

Tad Williams was one of the first writers I truly came to love. The Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy is a fantastic read for any fans of books like Game of Thrones.

It’s set on the continent of Osten Ard, a peaceful land on which humans and non-humans, including the dwarf-like Qanuc and the elf-like Sithi, all live in peace.

When the health of the king, John the Presbyter, fails, this peace is threatened. For Pryrates, the read priest who sets out to accomplish his schemes.

However, an even worse, darker power, the Storm King, stirs and uses this chance to get his realm back.

The plot of the series follows the young kitchen boy Simon, who knows nothing of these events. Before long, however, he gets caught up in them and is forced to go on an adventure like no other.

Simon’s one of the more interesting protagonists on this list. He’s not a grand hero or powerful sorcerer, but merely a normal person who’s forced into events far above anything he could’ve ever imagined. Especially in the first book, The Dragonbone Chair, he feels almost like a bystander who witnesses the events at play.

The Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy is a fantastic read, one that might follow many common tropes, but distorts them well enough to make them fresh and unique. It’s a must read for fans of books like Game of Thrones.

The Riftwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist

The Riftwar Saga is another popular fantasy series comprising four books. It’s, however, part of the greater Riftwar Cycle and comprises the first series in it.

It’s set in the mythical land of Midkemia. There we get to know Pug, who becomes an apprentice to the master magician Kulgan. He proves unusually gifted in magic.

When he safes the daughter of Duke Borric, Princess Carline, Pug becomes a squire at the Duke’s court.

Before long, however, the wreck of a foreign ship is discovered. Realizing the dangers to come, Duke Borric sets out to sail for the capital, Krondor, to ask for aid.

Yet, their party’s attacked by alien invaders and war breaks out. It’s revealed those invaders entered via a rift and are denizens of another world.

Soon enough, it becomes clear that Pug’s strange magic powers might be the key to stop the conflict.

The Riftwar Saga is full of well-established tropes, including elves and dwarfs, yet it still works out fantastically. While the plot, too, pans out in a way that’s expected, it’s very well told.

The greatest thing about this series, however, are the descriptions of magic and the tactics employed during battle. Pug, too, serves to be a fantastic character and has become a favorite amongst fans of not only the Riftwar Saga, but the entire Riftwar Cycle.

While the series might not be the most original or unique on the list, everything it does, it does right. It makes a great read for fans of books like Game of Thrones.

The Black Company by Glen Cook

The Black Company is a series of dark fantasy novels comprising ten novels.

It combines elements of epic fantasy with hard and gritty military fiction.

Long ago, a supremely powerful wizard known as The Dominator created an evil empire with his wife, the Lady. Before long, however, a rebellion led by the White Rose takes place and both are imprisoned in the Barrowlands.

Four centuries later, the wizard Bomanz helps the Lady to escape from her prison. She promptly betrays her husband and restores her empire on her own. For this, she employs an elite mercenary unit called the Black Company, the last of the Free Companies of Khatovar.

The hard-bitten men take their pay and do what they must do. Yet, they have doubts and when the White Rose is reborn, they set out to find her.

What makes The Black Company such a great read is the mixture of elements of epic fantasy and military fiction. The best part, however, is the down-to-earth portrayal of the company’s members and their personalities. They are hardened, badass soldiers who talk the way you’d expect people to talk who went through countless battles.

The Black Company is a fantastic series for those who are looking for a grittier, harsher and more brutal series than others. If you’re a fan of military fantasy, it’s definitely a must-read.

The Dark Star Trilogy by Marlon James

Black Leopard, Red Wolf, is the first book in the Dark Star Trilogy. It’s by some hailed as the ‘African Game of Thrones.’

It follows a man named Tracker. He’s known for his skills as a hunter who’s able to find anything and anyone. Eventually, he’s hired to find a boy from the North Kingdom who went missing over three years ago.

Soon enough, however, he has to break one of his fundamental rules: always work alone. For he meets other people who are searching for the boy as well. They are a rag-tag group of mercenaries with secrets of their own, including a shape-shifting man known as Leopard.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf, is a novel full of African history and mysticism. It gives the story not only an inclusive but also an exotic vibe and makes it different from most other fantasy books and series on this list.

It’s a book full of unforgettable characters and a brilliant combination of politics, mythology and history, but also explores such themes as power, its limits, ambition and fundamental truths.

The only downside to the book might be James’s prose, which can fell overloaded and can take some time getting used to.

Still, Black Leopard, Red Wolf, is a great choice for those who are looking for a book like Game of Thrones not set in a medieval European world.

The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe

Gene Wolfe’s a writer well-known for his science-fantasy.

The Book of the New Sun is an epic series that’s beloved by millions of fans.

The Shadow of the Torturer is the first book in the series. Its events follow Severine, a member of the torturer guild.

His fate changes when he falls in love with Thecla, a young noblewoman. He eventually safes her from her dire fate by helping her to commit suicide.

Because of this, he’s exiled from the torturer’s guild and his home of Nessus. The head of the guild, Master Palamon, sends him to the distant metropolis of Thrax. Thus begins an adventure full of political intrigues.

The story truly starts when Severine comes in possession of a strange gem, one that a variety of people have set their sights on.

The Shadow of the Torturer and the entirety of The Book of the New Sun is a masterpiece of science-fantasy. It’s a great read for fans of books like Game of Thrones, especially for its fleshed-out world and its complex intrigues.

The Stormlight Archive Series by Brandon Sanderson

The Stormlight Archive Series is the second entry by Brandon Sanderson on this list. He’s amongst the best and most prolific writers the fantasy genre offers.

The Way of the King is the first book in the series and probably the longest entry on this list with a page count of roughly one-thousand.

The story’s set in Roshar, a storm-swept world. Long ago, this world was ravaged by the monstrous Voidbringers. Even the legendary Knights Radiant, equipped with Shardplates and Shardblades, mystical weapons which transformed men into near-invincible warriors, couldn’t counter the thread.

Centuries later, Shardblades are so thought after, that kingdoms are traded from them and wars are fought for and won by them.

One such war takes place in a ruined landscape known as the Shattered Plains. It’s a war in which ten armies fight separately against a single foe.

Brightlord Dalinar Kohlin is the commander of one such army. He’s fascinated by an ancient text called The Way of Kings. When he has strange visions of ancient times and the Knights Radient, he thinks himself going insane.

Yet, there are other characters. Kaladin, who joined the war to protect his brother and has fallen into slavery. Shallan, a young woman who wants to train under the eminent scholar and heretic, Jashna. Her motifs are less than pure, for she plans for a daring theft. Yet, her studies hint at more, a secret related to the Knights Radient and the true cause of the war.

The greatest thing about the Stormlight Archive Series is the world-building. We not only get to know the world but also complex religions, societies, and much more. While only four of the ten planned books have been released so far, they are nothing short of fantastic.

Sanderson proves once more why he’s one of the biggest names in fantasy today and why fans of books like Game of Thrones should check out his work.

The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss

The Name of the Wind is the first book in the Kingkiller Chronicles. After its release, it quickly became one of the most popular fantasy books of modern times.

Our story starts in the small town of Newarre at the Waystone Inn. There we meet a man named Kote. As it turns out, he’s the famous sword fight and magician Kvothe who’s presumed dead. A traveling biographer named Chronicler approaches him and asks him to record his life story.

Thus begins the coming-of-age story of a magically gifted child who should become a renowned swordsman and one of the most infamous magicians in the world.

We learn of Kvothe’s childhood with a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as an orphan in a crime riddled city and him entering a legendary school of magic. Eventually, we learn of his life as a fugitive after the murder of a king.

It all comes together as a fantastic and gripping story.

While the Kingkiller Chronicle might not stand out in terms of originality, its two things above all else, extremely immersive and fun.

The most interesting part, however, is the magic system, which is amongst the most original and unique on this entire list.

Another thing to note is Rothfuss’ style of writing. Kvothe himself is telling his story and often features stories within stories. This device is used brilliantly and makes for a unique reading experience.

While only two books in the series have been released so far, they are a great read and highly recommended for fans of books like Game of Thrones.

Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan

The Eye of the World is the first book in the Wheel of Time series and was published back in 1990. By now, the series comprises fifteen books in total and has become a classic of the genre.

The Wheel of Time is often praised for its characters and its extensive world-building.

When author Robert Jordan passed away, it was Brandon Sanderson who completed Jordan’s legacy and finished the last three books.

The Wheel of time is set in a fantasy world in which only woman can use magic. Any man who tries to do so as well will be destroyed by the side-effects.

The Eye of the World tells the story of three boys who are swept up in a battle between Light and Dark. One of them, however, is destined to lead the forces of light to victory.

When their small village of The Two Rivers is attacked by Trollocs, creatures which are half-man and half-beast, they have to flee. The three boys, Rand, Mat and Perin, are rescued by the Aes Sedai Moiraine. She tells them that the Dark One’s set on destroying the world and only they can stop him.

The Wheel of time is one of the longest fantasy series on this list and features a multitude of characters. It’s an epic journey and epic in scope.

Jordan’s writing is easily digestible, but very descriptive, making the books a delight to read.

While The Wheel of Time differs from Game of Thrones, fans of the series should definitely have a look.

The Lord of the Rings Series by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings is THE fantasy series and served as one inspiration for George R. R. Martin’s epic.

It’s the one book that started it all, has always been massively popular and became even more so after its movie adaptions. By now, few people haven’t heard of Frodo’s quest to destroy the One Ring.

It established many of the tropes and standards the genres known for, like elves, dwarfs, dragons, and many others. While it’s copied countless times, it remains unsurpassed to this day.

The story itself starts with Frodo Baggins, who lives in the sleepy hobbit village of the Shire. After a grand celebration, his cousin, Bilbo Baggins, leaves the village and passes a certain ring onto Frodo.

Before long, the wizard Gandalf arrives, suspecting it to be a ring of power. It’s soon revealed that it’s the One Ring and when Gandalf doesn’t return in time, Frodo has to set out by himself to destroy it.

Over the course of the first book, The Fellowship of the Ring, we witness the first part of his journey and are introduced to the group of characters who make up the fellowship.

The Lord of the Rings comes with some of the greatest world-building and richest history in all of fantasy and features some unforgettable characters.

While it’s quite different from Game of Thrones and less reliant on a character driven narrative, it’s a series any fantasy fan should read at least once.

The Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence

The Broken Empire trilogy is by some described as a mixture of Game of Thrones and Assassin’s Creed, and it does not disappoint.

It starts with an interesting diversion of a typical fantasy trope, the hero’s origin. Instead of being born into humble beginnings, our protagonist is quite different.

Jorg Ancrath is a privileged royal child, a crown prince, in fact, raised by a loving mother. When she and his brother are murdered, a nine-year-old Jorg leaves his home and father behind.

He eventually joins a band of bloodthirsty killers, becomes known as the Prince of Thorns, and leads his group in a series of raids and atrocities.

From this point onward, he uses any means possible to get what he wants, which is the throne of the Broken Empire. For this, however, he must return to his father’s castle and confront the horrors of his childhood.

Yet, treachery and intrigues await him and he must use everything he learned if he wants a chance to survive.

The Broken Empire is a series not for the faint of heart. It’s full of intrigues, heavy, shocking violence and abuse.

Yet, it’s also a series that’s well-written and well-constructed and filled with a cast of characters that’s as diverse as fantastic. The best of them all, however, is Jorg himself, who’s not a hero, but an antihero. He’s a character that few people might like, but will still come to root for.

It’s a fantastic trilogy, one I highly recommend for fans of books like Game of Thrones, especially those who liked the storyline of Arya Stark.

The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie

The First Law trilogy comprises three novels and three other standalone novels set in the same world. It’s another grimdark fantasy epic featuring a cast of morally gray characters.

The story’s set in The Union, a mystical world reminiscent of Medieval Europe.

It follows a cast of characters amid war. These characters, however, aren’t your typical heroes. They are nothing short of disturbing and antagonistic, but Abercrombie makes them into true antiheroes.

Logen Ninefingers is an infamous barbarian. After his newest feud went too far, he’s in genuine danger. Eventually, he leaves nothing but dead friends and happy enemies behind.

Nobleman Captain Jezal dan Luthar is a dashing and selfish officer. He’s got nothing more on his mind than to beat his friends at cards and dreams of glory in the fencing circles. Yet, war is coming, and he’s soon set out to the battlefields of the frozen North.

Inquisitor Glokta is a crippled torturer who wants nothing more than to see Jezal return in a box. Yet, he hates everyone equally and is bent on cutting treason from The Union one confession at a time. His last trail, however, might lead him to the rotten heart of the government, but only if he can stay alive long enough.

The last is the wizard Bayaz, an old man with a terrible temper. He might very well be the First of the Magi or nothing but a fraud. Yet, he’s the one who shall make the lives of our protagonists a lot more difficult.

Yet, there are no winners in this world. There’s only survival. At the end of the day, it might be luck which trumps over all.

The First Law trilogy is a series full of murderous conspiracies, old scores to be settled and antiheroes. It’s a series that comes with great, brutal fights, but also lots of graphical violence.

Overall, it’s a series that features a cast of fantastic characters and a clever plot that might be just right for those who like books like Game of Thrones.

The Malazan Book of the Fallen Series by Steven Erikson

The Malazan Book of the Fallen is my favorite fantasy series of all times. It’s raw, gritty, brutal and full of war. Yet, it’s also one of the most complex fantasy series out there.

It’s another series that mixes epic fantasy with hard and gritty military fiction.

Yet, it’s quite different from George R. R. Martin’s epic. While Game of Thrones is set in a realistic world, Malazan’s is full of magic, gods, different races and magical creatures.

The story centers on the Malazan Empire, which is bent on conquering the last of the free cities on the continent of Genabackis.

It’s here we’re introduced to Whiskeyjack and the remains of the Bridgeburners, an elite group of soldiers. They are sent to Darujhistan to pave the way for the incoming conquest. Unbeknownst to them, however, other powers are slowly gathering in the city.

This, however, is only the start of the first book in this epic series.

Over the course of the next books, we’re introduced to a multitude of fantastic characters, but also dangers, and, of course, The Crippled God, the series’ major antagonist.

The Malazan Book of the Fallen is a fantastic series for a variety of reasons. Its world-building is one of the most detailed and complex in all of fantasy. Malazan’s magic system, too, is entirely unique and works via magicians taping into other dimensions, so-called Warrens, to use their powers.

The most outstanding part in the series, however, are its characters. The books are populated with a cast that’s as vast as it’s fantastic. There’s Whiskeyjack, Fiddler, Kalam and Quick Ben, Anomander Rake, Duiker, Kruppe and Iskara Pust and so many more.

Even better, many of these characters are hardened soldiers or recruits bent on becoming so. Thus, they swear and joke in the sardonic way only soldiers do.

The books, however, are brutal and unforgiving. They are set in a world at war, full of monstrous creatures and ambiguous gods. No one’s safe and if you thought Martin was relentless, you’ve not read The Malazan Book of the Fallen.

The only criticism of this fantastic series is that one can get easily lost in it. There’s so much going on, there are so many characters, location and continents it can be overwhelming. This is most true for the first book in the series Gardens of the Moon, which is arguably the worst in the series. There’s no real prologue and no slow intro. Instead, we’re almost immediately thrown into the middle of a war without knowing what’s going on.

Overall, though, The Malazan Book of the Fallen is one of the greatest fantasy series ever written. While the writing can be weak in the first book, it develops tremendously in book two, which is amongst the best in the series.

If you’re looking for a series full of war, brutal battles and a cast of unforgettable characters, read Malazan.

It’s one of the greatest accomplishments in modern, epic fantasy and definitely worth reading for fans of books like Game of Thrones.