The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
This is the obvious place to start, since the Wheel of Time series is kicking off soon as Amazon’s answer to HBO’s success with epic fantasy. A group of friends in a small town get launched into the wider world of magic, politics, and the ancient battle between good and evil when sorceress Moiraine arrives looking for the prophesied Dragon Reborn. Sprawling across a whopping 13 books, it can feel bloated and draggy at times, but also thrilling, intense, and brilliant. Jordan sadly passed away before he could complete the series, so the last books are written by Brandon Sanderson, who appears on this list in his own right as well.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Yes, it’s a single volume, but it’s a 900+ page single volume that spans continents, centuries, and a wide cast of characters. It has action, magic, politics, religion, battles, and dragon-riding, too. It takes inspiration from another English source: the legend of St. George and the Dragon, rather than the War of the Roses. But this isn’t the princess-rescuing tale you think you know; it’s a wild, complex, and sweetly sapphic epic.

A Chorus of Dragons by Jenn Lyons
If the intense politics and character-driven drama were your favourite parts of GoT, fear not, for the Chorus of Dragons series may be even more twisted and intense. The magic is also bigger, there are more dragons, and the march of the undead to do battle with the living happens every few years, not every few millennia. It’s like GoT on PCP.

Oh, and if you’re worried that this series will end up with a perpetually delayed finale just like G. R. R. Martin’s or Patrick Rothfuss’s, I wouldn’t fret too much. Lyons is an absolute powerhouse, and she’s released three of the five (massive) volumes in two years. Would someone please give this woman her own miniseries?

The Shadow by Lila Bowen aka Delilah Dawson
If all the crazy monsters, cults, magic, and sweeping vistas are what you like best about GoT, then try The Shadow series. It’s set in an alternate version of the American West, so you won’t have any of English or Tolkenian tropes. Instead there’s Rhett, a pansexual, biracial transman chosen by destiny to hunt monsters. Only, he’s a monster too, a shapeshifter who will have to learn to hold his own among human cowpokes and rangers as well as alchemists, dragons, Chupacabra, and—my personal favourite nightmare—something called the Cannibal Owl. Rhett’s found family is just as loyal (and just as persnickety) as the Starks, too.

The Broken Earth by N. K. Jemisin
As massive in skill as in scale, these books each won a Hugo for their brilliance. Shifting POV and delving far into the past to try to save the future, these books ask questions about systems of power and delve into the lives of those who have immense power—and immense lack thereof, too. If GoT leaves you wondering what’s happening to all the people who aren’t kings and khaleesis, or find the relentless endurance of its characters compelling, try this trilogy.

The Belgariad and The Malloreon by David and Leigh Eddings
GRRM is what happens to Tolkien in a grittier, less noble world. The Belgariad is what happens if Tolkien had a sense of humour. All the tropes like thief, sorcerer, barbarian, chosen one, etc. are represented and given wry twists, but it’s not really satire or Pratchett-esque absurdity. It’s serious fantasy without quite so much doom and gloom. These books are also classic 80s and 90s works, so parts might feel a little dated, but the bones are strong.

The Books of Pellinor by Allison Croggon
This is like LOTR if all the singing were the main point of everything. Bards are the magic-users in this world, and they use their power to bring healing, justice, and prosperity to the land. But darkness is now rising and evil is creeping into even the ranks of the Bards. If you want to see how people draw together to fight a much larger threat even while dealing with smaller, more immediate crises, these books will scratch that itch.

The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
Sanderson doesn’t really write anything but epics, so honestly you could choose even a standalone novel of his, like Warbreaker or Elantris. It’s most fitting, though, to highlight his epic-to-incorporate-all-epics, which is a planned ten volumes, each of which are massive and complex. Sanderson is incredibly consistent, so know that you’ll get lots of great action and meticulous plotting that results in some great twists. He’s very chaste, though, so don’t expect anything at the level of twincest.

The Great Book of Amber by Roger Zelazny
Although four of Zelazny’s books equal one of Martin’s, I’d still say this hefty tome is worthy of inclusion on a list of epics. Corwin is one of nine brothers and seven sisters vying for the throne of Amber, the ultimate kingdom of which our world and all others are merely shadows. Playing with the concept of Platonic ideals, Corwin and his siblings can warp reality to bring it closer to the “ideal” realm. If you like the family drama and the swordfighting, here are the books for you. Also, there are a bunch of, ah, sibling relationships. Lannicest fans, I don’t really understand you but there you go.

The Dragaeran Books by Steven Brust
These books ask—and answer—the question of what happens if the hero of an epic is a thief and assassin rather than a noble chosen one. Vlad Taltos, minor mafioso, thief, for-hire killer and occasional witch, has a sword and a dragon.

He also has bills to pay, people to kill, and enemies to avoid. Good thing he also has some powerful friends. These books are perfect for anyone whose favourite character is Arya/A Girl, or who appreciates Littlefinger’s schemes. Vlad does become a reluctant do-gooder in later books despite his best efforts, drawn into not just the machinations of the gods and god-like sorcerers, but also the work of political organisers and social justice reformers that really put these books ahead of their time in some ways.

This list is by no means exhaustive, and is only meant to get you started. What other epics would you recommend? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Books For People Still Missing ‘Game of Thrones’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Books these days are either surrounded by hype, or they’re just…not. The presence of book community on social media sites as Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube have led to a lot more popularity around books and reading culture, and we all fall victim to buying stacks on stacks of fresh reads because they’ve been so prevalent on every one of our social media platforms. So, I took the time to compile a list of mostly fantasy (some sci-fi) books that whilst not “underrated” in the normal sense of the world, are perhaps a bit older, and may have been left largely untouched by the hype-trains we are all so familiar with.

Either way, if you’re looking for a new book, or even if you’re not, and you haven’t read these guys, give them a go!

1. Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

Yes, this is definitely a rather bias choice, because it’s my favourite book of all time. But Finnikin of the Rock is amazing, and I definitely don’t see enough people talking about it. Finnikin and his guardian, Sir Topher, have not seen their beloved homeland of Lumatere for ten years. Not since the dark days when the royal family was brutally murdered and the kingdom put under a terrible curse. But after a prophetic dream, Finnikin is summoned to meet Evanjalin, a young woman with an incredible claim; the heir to Lumatere is alive, and she knows how to bring them home.

This book is about lost people, the bonds between family and friends, and what happens to populations when they’re left without a home. It’s moving, funny, and full of action and romance, and I think everyone should read it.

2. Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher

The first book in the Codex Alera series, we are introduced to the world of Alera, where for a thousand years, the people have been united against the aggressive and threatening races that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the furies: elementals of earth, air, fire, water, and metal. Following young boy, Tavi, who lives in a village far away from danger and politics, but who has a few struggles of his own. At 15, Tavi cannot Furycraft, but one night, after he saves a slave in a storm, he is thrust into a destiny far greater than he could have ever imagined.

Furies of Calderon is full of magic, and absolutely enchanting characters. Written as an experiment in what would happen if you combined Pokemon with the Holy Roman Empire, it’s a wild ride from start to finish.

3. The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

It’s hard to describe The Eye of the World without giving too much away, but the first book in Robert Jordan’s epic Wheel of Time series sees farm boy Rand, along with a few friends, whisked away from the village they’ve lived all their lives by Moiraine, the mysterious Aes Sedai. What follows is the beginning of an epic adventure full of magic and set in an absolute masterpiece of a world that will leave you on the edge of your seat and desperate for the next book. “What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.”

4. Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston

Okay, I’m breaking my own rule here, because this book is definitely sci-fi, not fantasy. But given that these genres get lumped together in bookstores, I’m lumping them together here as well. One of the newer releases on this list, and an Anastasia-inspired story to boot, Heart of Iron is the tale of Ana. A young girl is found floating in space many years ago by the Captain of an outlawed spaceship, with no memory of her past, and an android by her side. Now seventeen, Ana is desperate to find a way to fix D09, her android best friend, who keeps glitching uncontrollably. As she embarks on this reckless quest with a spoiled Ironblood boy by her side, they battle to keep themselves alive, but what they uncover in a lost corner of the universe will change all their lives completely. And Ana is faced with a terrible decision: to save the boy she loves, or protect the kingdom that wanted her dead.

Now, I’m not going to say that the romance in this book isn’t more than a bit cheesy, but space pirates! Adventure! Lost Princesses! Who wouldn’t want to give this a go?

5. Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Our second novel by Jim Butcher on this list, and urban fantasy this time! Meet Harry Dresden: a sarcastic PI and police consultant, and… wizard. Consulting on a grisly double murder for the Chicago P.D, Harry finds himself hunting for a mage who isn’t afraid to use black magic to get what he wants. And perhaps worse, he’s hunting for a mage who knows his name, and is hunting him right back.

Now tell me that you don’t want to read about a wisecracking wizard-for-hire with the most rotten luck imaginable?

6. Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks

Alright, now I’ll be honest with you here, I haven’t actually read this one myself. But, it’s on my TBR and I’m planning on starting it after I finish off my current read, so I’m putting it on here! Plus, the reviews on Goodreads seem fairly controversial, so it counts.

For Azoth, survival is precarious. Something you never take for granted. As a guild rat, he’s grown up in the slums, and learned to judge people quickly – and to take risks. Risks like apprenticing himself to Durzo Blint, the city’s most (in)famous assassin. But to be accepted, Azoth must turn his back on his old life and embrace a new identity and name. As Kylar Stern, he must learn to navigate the assassins’ world of dangerous politics and strange magics – and cultivate a flair for death.

7. Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind

Once again living up to the expectation that fantasy series are both incredibly amazing, and incredibly long, and not to be confused with its poor TV adaptation Legend of the Seeker, Wizard’s First Rule is the first book in the Sword of Truth series.

In the aftermath of his father’s brutal murder, a mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell, appears in Richard Cypher’s forest sanctuary seeking help. Swept into a world he knows nothing about, and ripe with magic, danger, and politics- Richard and Kahlan find themselves battling to survive… and to not fall in love. “This is the beginning. One book. One Rule. Witness the birth of a legend”.

8. The Gift by Alison Croggon

This one follows a fairly familiar fantasy trope, with main character Maerad living as a slave in an unforgiving mountain settlement. However, unbeknown to her, Maerad possess a gift that marks her a member of the School of Pellinor. It’s only after she is noticed and rescued by Cadvan, a Bard of Lirigon, that she starts of the quest to uncover the true secrets of her destiny. Maerad and Cadvan set out on a perilous quest against dark forces which threaten to overtake the world.

The Gift (also released as “The Naming”) is told almost as a historical retelling, with the author including lore and notes on ‘historical’ texts during her appendices at the end of the novel. This book follows an incredibly well-worn plot, and somehow, here I am recommending it to you; why? Because of the characters. Cadvan and Maerad are noble, and flawed, and a little messed up. They carry the plot beautifully as they attempt to open themselves up to each other enough to work to defeat the darkness that is threatening their world.

9. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Such a true sci-fi classic that I don’t even know where to begin in describing it to you, but I’ll give it a go. Seconds before Earth is set to be destroyed to make way for an intergalactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect; out of work actor, researcher for ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ and alien. What follows is the journey through space with a few other interstellar travellers, including a chronically depressed robot, the president of the galaxy, and a girl Arthur hit on at a bar one time.

Douglas Adams writes some of the most quotable and laugh out loud lines of all time (big claim, but I stand by it), and if you only read one book on this list, make it this one. It’s funny, and a little bit existential and all around amazing.

10. Legend by David Gemmell

This is quite possibly the oldest book on this list, first published in 1984 and follows the legend of Druss, the barbarian. His prowess in battle led him to become a living legend, and the stories of him have been told countless times over the land. But he is old, and spends his time in solitude in his mountain lair, awaiting the arrival of his old enemy, Death. But the Drenai fortress of Dros Delnoch is losing the battle against barbarians of the Nadir, and Druss reluctantly agrees to leave retirement to help. But can he live up to his own legend?

This book is hailed by many as a classic in the heroic fantasy genre, and to be honest, it reads a bit like a classic. However, it also embraces themes like honour, loyalty and redemption, and it starts with a very drunk and very reluctant hero getting into a bit of mischief, so what’s not to love?

And there you have it guys! Surely there’s something on here that you haven’t heard of or that interests you, so why not add to your overflowing TBR and give one of these books a go?

Have you read any? Or would you add any others? Tell us your thoughts below in the comments!

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