7 Fantasy Books Better Than Game Of Thrones

While many consider Game of Thrones and George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire to be among the best fantasy stories, there are other fantastic novels worth exploring. With fans eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, The Winds of Winter, it’s a great time to discover some of the all-time greatest fantasy books.

It’s unusual for a single novel to become the foundation for a major series, let alone a whole collection of related entertainment. But that’s exactly what happened with A Game of Thrones, first published in 1996. It has already led to three popular TV shows, and the brand still has a bright future with Warner Bros.

Game of Thrones was a landmark television show that brought a realistic and mature feel to the fantasy genre, attracting a wide audience. It stood out from other popular series like Harry Potter, thanks to its complex storylines, well-developed characters, and high-stakes drama. Both the show and the original books were known for their surprising and unpredictable plots.

While A Game of Thrones might not be the absolute best fantasy book, and A Song of Ice and Fire not necessarily the greatest series, it’s hard to define what even makes a fantasy story the best these days, given how diverse the genre has become. That said, these seven books certainly deserve to be considered among the very best.

1Q84 (2009-2010)

Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84 offers a unique take on fantasy, unlike something like Game of Thrones. Murakami is famous for blending magic and realism into his stories, and this massive novel is a prime example. At its heart, it’s a love story between two characters, Tengo and Aomame, but the book also incorporates elements of crime and serious literary fiction, creating a genre-bending experience.

The story unfolds against a surreal and imaginative setting. It starts in 1984 with a strange shift into an alternate version of reality, called 1Q84. Filled with unusual elements like tiny people, two moons, and mysterious air cocoons that blur the line between what’s real and what isn’t, 1Q84 is a notably literary and unique novel.

Several films have drawn inspiration from Haruki Murakami’s stories, but none have directly adapted this particular novel. However, the book is full of vivid imagery and scenes that would translate well to the big screen.

I think 1Q84 is a really special fantasy novel. It’s not about dragons and epic quests like some books – it feels more inspired by authors like Mikhail Bulgakov and Kobo Abe, with a focus on atmosphere and ideas. Honestly, I believe it’s one of the most unique and truly great fantasy novels I’ve ever read.

The Name Of The Wind (2007)

I absolutely loved Patrick Rothfuss’ first book! It’s seriously gorgeous writing and, honestly, I think it might be the best beginning to a fantasy series I’ve ever read. I really connected with Kvothe’s story – who hasn’t struggled with money? – but it’s also so gripping because you know something big is coming, and the way Rothfuss tells it, jumping between different time periods, just builds the suspense perfectly.

As a huge movie and book fan, I was completely captivated by this novel. The characters felt so real, the world was genuinely magical, and the writing was just beautiful. Following Kvothe’s journey was a total thrill, and it really opened up this incredible, unique world that I didn’t want to leave.

On its own, The Name of the Wind is a truly exceptional fantasy novel. Unfortunately, it’s held back by how much it borrows from other stories. The second book, The Wise Man’s Fear, was good, but not quite as strong. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the third and final book in the series for a long time.

Patrick Rothfuss released the final book in his Kingkiller Chronicle series in March 2011, just four months before George R.R. Martin published A Dance with Dragons, the latest installment in A Song of Ice and Fire. Although fans have been frustrated with Martin’s delay in finishing his series, Rothfuss has kept his readers waiting even longer for the next book.

The Way Of Kings (2010)

The Way of Kings is a fantastic beginning to a truly impressive fantasy series with all the potential to become a major television hit. The novel boasts a remarkably original magic system and compelling characters, like Kaladin, who is unfairly bound to service, and the witty Shallan. There’s a lot to enjoy within its pages.

Apple TV is bringing Brandon Sanderson’s epic Cosmere universe to the screen, starting with a television series based on his novel, The Stormlight Archive. The story plunges viewers into a thrilling and unique world filled with massive creatures, warring enemies, mystical spirits, and incredibly high stakes.

But above all, the story itself is exceptionally compelling. Following Kaladin’s journey as he climbs the ranks and witnessing Dalinar’s battle against Sadeas, Stormlight is full of epic tales, and this book presents them beautifully. Despite its length – over 1000 pages – the story moves quickly and keeps you engaged.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf (2019)

After being disappointed by the overly bright look of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit movies, award-winning author Marlon James was inspired to create his own fantasy story, rooted in African myths and culture. Black Leopard, Red Wolf is the first book in a planned trilogy and is a remarkable work of fiction.

James’ debut fantasy novel is a dark, complex story about Tracker and his companions as they search for a lost boy. It’s a strikingly original and often disturbing world, filled with intricate details that create a truly unique atmosphere.

Though often compared to Game of Thrones, James’ fantasy novels are truly unique. Black Leopard, Red Wolf is challenging and sometimes disorienting—it’s not a light read—but ultimately a rewarding one.

The Malazan Book Of The Fallen (1999-2011)

Steven Erikson’s The Malazan Book of the Fallen is a complex and rewarding fantasy series. Spanning ten books, starting with Gardens of the Moon in 1999, Malazan creates a world that’s even more gritty, violent, and unforgiving than the one in Game of Thrones.

One of the biggest challenges with reading the Malazan series, besides its size, is that author Steven Erikson doesn’t explain everything for you. He starts the story right in the middle of the action, and it can be difficult to figure out who the characters are, how the magic system works, or even who’s fighting whom on your first time through.

Getting back into the world of Malazan is a truly satisfying experience. The stories of characters like the Bridgeburners, the T’lan Imass, Karsa Orlong, and the Crippled God are incredibly intricate and imaginative. Malazan is easily among the greatest fantasy novels ever written.

The Wheel Of Time (1990-2013)

Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time was incredibly influential in the fantasy genre. For years, many authors relied heavily on elements from J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, often without adding much originality. Books like The Sword of Shannara especially felt too similar to Tolkien’s work.

Jordan launched The Eye of the World with a classic setup: a peaceful land threatened by darkness, sending heroes on a grand adventure through a vibrant world. However, the story soon became much more detailed and intricate, exploring the clashes between powerful groups like the Aes Sedai and their use of magic.

The Wheel of Time book series, with its fourteen volumes, is a stunning and groundbreaking achievement in epic fantasy, offering a fresh and adaptable approach to the genre. While the Prime Video television adaptation unfortunately ended before telling the full story, the books themselves remain a complete and superior experience.

The Lord Of The Rings (1954-1955)

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is still considered the best example of fantasy writing today. This classic story of the battle between good and evil was inspired by Tolkien’s time in the war, as well as his passion for languages and mythology, resulting in a world that is both intricate and captivating.

Tolkien’s work remains incredibly influential. His detailed world-building continues to inspire major projects like the television series The Rings of Power and two new Lord of the Rings films, proving that interest in his stories has only increased over time.

While Game of Thrones is a fantastic show and definitely among the best in its genre, J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings still stands as the most influential and important fantasy work ever written. In fact, Game of Thrones owes a great deal to Lord of the Rings and wouldn’t be what it is without that earlier inspiration.

2026-05-04 21:44