With the massive success of Game of Thrones, a broad swath of people have become enamored with sprawling worlds of fantasy. As we Stark-philes know all too well, we are waiting for the next season of Game of Thrones, and seem to be hanging in limbo waiting for the next installment in the book series. Of course, this leads to a yearning to consume more smart, engaging, and provocative stories. Below are just some fantasy stories with a Game of Thrones fantasy-for-adults edge.
1. Promise of Blood
By Brian McClellan
Take the world of Game of Thrones, fast forward the setting 200 years and upgrade fighting with dragons to tangling with mighty Gods. Add political intrigue and betrayal and you’ve captured the essence of Brian McClellan’s Promise of the Blood. The first book in the Power Mage Trilogy follows Field Marshall Tamas immediately after staging a coup in the country of Adro. The setting is heavily based off revolutionary France. In this world three types of magic users exist: privileged, who can bend the full spectrum of magic at will with their hands, “knacked", who are limited to one unique magic ability like having a perfect memory, and finally the powder mages, who possess an affinity for gunpowder. Not only can they ignite powder with their minds, they can bend bullets and consume the powder for an adrenaline rush accompanied by superhuman senses and physical ability. Promise of Blood contains plenty of political intrigue and mystery to satiate fans of drama. With the country in tatters, several different factions rise to claim power. The action is visceral, smart, and suspenseful. It is quite reminiscent of Game of Thrones in that regard. The characters do not feel like the plot protects them.
2. Prince of Thorns
By Mark Lawrence
The opening of this book is sure to be divisive. We are immediately transported into the mind of Jorg Ancrath, a thirteen-year-old runaway prince who has abandoned his seat of power and cruel father (who attempted to murder him as a toddler) to pillage the countryside with a gang of bandits. This one is a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire. It would be irresponsible of me to recommend this book without making mention that the opening chapter contains the end of a rape scene that ends in murder committed by the protagonist. Like the world of Westeros in Game of Thrones, Jorg’s world is frighteningly unforgiving, visceral and brutal. This is in part due to the damaged mind of the protagonist whom we view the world through. Jorg is a sociopath. His aims boil down to inflicting pain while carving a path of revenge to his father. As the plot progresses, the book delivers stellar character development with smart, incisive prose that grabs hold of the reader and simply does not let go. The reader wants to hate Jorg, but his past is disturbing and painful, and he discovers more and more humanity inside himself. At the same time it is impossible to forgive him for his past crimes. As a dark coming-of-age story with psychological elements and a heavy dose of action and a wicked twist, Prince of Thorns succeeds brilliantly.
3. The Last Wish
By Andrej Sapknowsi
In The Last Wish, we are introduced to the world of Geralt of Rivia, the Witcher. A witcher is professional killer who is trained from youth to kill monsters of the supernatural sort. They carry a silver sword and utilize poisons, potions, and magic to brutal efficiency. Like in Game of Thrones, we do not see typical fantasy tropes like brave princes or heroic good in constant victory over evil. Geralt is a professional and as such expects timely and proportional compensation. To capitalize further on this theme, various characters showcase the broader spectrum of human emotion and motivations. There are cowards and charlatans as well as incompetents and the genuinely compassionate. A heathly dose of magic and appearances by folkloric creatures fill the experience with a greatly sense of wonder with the supernatural that Game of Thrones doesn’t supply until the later quarter of the saga. Geralt is a unique personality. At time his morality is ambiguous, and yet tends to shine through. He provides us with a unique protagonist to follow with a three dimensional personality just like those who inhabit the world of Westeros. As the tag line for the book says “not everything monstrous looking is evil, and not everything fair is good… and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth.”
4. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
By George R.R. Martin
Set several decades before the central plot of A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones), these are the stories of Sir Duncan the Tall. We meet him as a well-meaning young man just starting his life as a knight. The ensuing tales are filled with strife, shenanigans, and of course, violence. As is trademark of George R.R. Martin, these stories are filled with intriguing characters that take part in an unforgiving game. Their lives are never protected, and even our protagonist Duncan survives more than a couple encounters on sheer luck. While the stories still contain the karmic irony and compelling wit of the mega popular television and literature sagas, it is slightly lighter and deals less crushing emotional blows to the reader. In fact, many of Duncans choices often lead to uplifting solutions. Often times we are introduced to scenarios that play out as a goofy folktale – with more violence. Duncan, referred to as Dunk and his partner called Egg, stumble in and out of events both small and historical ala Forrest Gump. Duncan is a lovable character and brilliantly flawed yet well intentioned. This is a must for fans of the world of Game of Thrones and entertaining reading for anyone who enjoys fantasy.
