Tired of Waiting For Winds of Winter? Try These Series A Song of Ice And Fire Fans Will Love

[@AdamThayer]

*Coughs in Malazan* Oh, Beru Fend. The Bridgeburners are still waiting for you to finish their tale, Mike...

[@mikesbookreviews]

I like many a thing about Malazan, but I wouldn't call it similar to GRRM at all. Erikson's world is incredibly unique.

[@wyluli-dt9wv]

@@mikesbookreviews It is that. I've read the first three Malazan novels and the story has been amazing. The imagination it took to put that world together is astounding. Its too bad the books are so poorly written. I can only imagine what someone like Guy Gavriel Kay or Robin Hobb could do with a story like that. Their character work in an amazing story like Malazan would put any other fantasy series to shame.

[@BridgeburnerToni]

Malazan hype.

[@szabodaniel18]

Hi Mike! There is a historical fiction series, George mentioned sometimes, which was inspired him as well (it is highlighted on the Goodreads page of the series and on the book covers, that this is the original GOT, said by Martin). That's why I read. This series is "The Accursed Kings" from Maurice Druon. I can confirm, this is the closest series to Martin's saga, if somebody like political intrigue, and conflicts between different characters' intentions. You should definitely give it a try!

[@Kellen81]

My dad brain has mostly forgotten First Law after a decade plus; I just started reading it again and having a great time with it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah I re-read it for the first time in years right before A Little Hatred came out. So good.

[@RedFuryBooks]

A great list, Mike! I've recently moved Memory, Sorrow and Thorn a lot higher in my TBR and hope to get to it very soon!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I think you'll love it, knowing how much you like Hobb.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’m predicting that once you read Second Apocalypse, you’ll likely put it near or at the top of your list of series like ASOIAF. Wars of Light and Shadow is unique, but I’d compare it more to Realm of the Elderlings than ASOIAF. Great video, Mike!

[@mikesbookreviews]

See? Things like that get me overly excited to read it.

[@HeavyTopspin]

Just don't expect to power through these books. Very philosophical and thought-provoking, you'll often find yourself going back to re-read entire chapters. I'm not a "take notes and mark passages while reading" person, but this series made me wish I was.

[@Chance.Dillon]

You put me on memory sorrow and thorn last yearish when I found KZbin. First fantasy series I read and finished and it is still in the top ten since

[@DuckRon626]

I read The Faithful and The Fallen and I agree with you. A reallfine series. I’m halfway through Memory, Sorrow and Throne. Really love this series. I haven’t read Bernard Cornwell’s Warlord Chronickles, but, I am reading his Saxon Sories(The Last Kingdom) and I highly recommend it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Destiny is All.

[@Ollidor]

I read memory sorrow and thorn through and it’s blown my mind, I needed something with classic tropes and bit more light but with a serious story and stakes. That’s what it gave me and more. It’s beautiful

[@lars68764]

I’m 65% in the dragon bone chair but to me it feels so slow!.. I like in but im at a point where I want things to get to the next level before I DNF this one 😅

[@BrianBell7]

Love this video as it reminded me how you've smashed my TBR over the years! Still have to hit Tad Williams....someone just sent me the entire Dandelion Dynasty, so I'll be hitting that too at some point.

[@beanenator]

I can’t wait to hearing your thoughts on the second Apocalypse. It’s definitely easier to get through then Malazan but man it will take you to some places.

[@tehcarey]

You're how I discovered the First Law and loved it, thank you! I've already got a couple friends reading it now

[@hobbitonman]

I'm currently reading Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, specifically The Dragonbone Chair (almost finished). While I understand that some people may find the pace slower, I'm seriously enjoying the journey. Mikes description of GRRM and Tolkien is exactly how I was planning to coax my friends into at the very least listening to the audiobooks. I already feel like its incredibly underrated because some people bounce off of it. I would point out some people bounce off Tolkien...just saying.

[@andrewlavigne44]

The trilogy is interesting because each book feels less like Tolkien and closer to GRRM/modern fantasy as sort of a loss of innocence.

[@anthonym.7653]

MST by Tad Williams is one of the best fantasy trilogies (or four 😂) of all time. When I recommend it to others and even tho MST came first, I tell them to imagine if George & Robin Hobb got married and had a kid who decided to write a fantasy series. I hear mixed stuff on Gwynne so I am hesitant but I really want to try the Cahill series. Sounds right up my alley.

[@mynameismudd5054]

What is MST?

[@anthonym.7653]

@@mynameismudd5054 Memory Sorrow & Thorn trilogy by Tad Williams.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I can get behind this.

[@spbuckley2294]

And I can recommend the audio book - these books are really long and the audio books have fantastic narrator - Andrew Wincott

[@abnushagnasty805]

Yep I agree. All those series definitely remind me of ASOIAF. The Bladeborn Saga by Edge and the Five Warrior Angels by Durfee reminded me of Martin’s writing style as well. Not by much but those series did make me think of ASOIAF when I read them. Great video. Thanks.

[@jonhorton8266]

Five warrior Angels is an amazing series, I read it end of year/beginning of this year.

[@ggarciac1989]

loved your comments on your last one piece reaction... cant wait for the next one.. cheers

[@FlochIsKing]

I highly recommend The Dagger and the Coin series, one of my favorites, with one of my favorite fantasy characters of all time. It's very underrated and underhyped, though it's true that the first book can be a bit rough to get through if you're not used to many povs in different parts of the world. The 3rd and 5th books are the best of the series in my opinion. To me this series is the one closest to ASOIAF, it does scratch that itch.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Sounds awesome!

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

@FlochisKing who is your favorite character? I'm reading Dagger & Coin right now, book 4.

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

@FlochIsKing

[@FlochIsKing]

@@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD Geder for sure! Cithrin is also a favourite, but Geder in the 3rd and last book just STEALS the show.

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

@@FlochIsKing He's certainly an interesting character. I do like Cithrin quite a bit and Clara. The relationship between Marcus and Yardem is so fun!!

[@matthewschwoebel8247]

Wurts 11-book series started a few years before Martin and completed last year. It is on my re-read (first 5 books) and then read (last 6 books) list. Definitely interested in your take. I remember liking the first 5.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, I messed up on the timeline for that one.

[@ptannous27]

Agreed The First Law is one of the few series aside from ASOIF and LOTR I get the yearly each to read over again. And although it’s more sci-fi I think anyone who likes ASOIF would like Red Rising.

[@mikesbookreviews]

For sure

[@thepagesofsamantha]

haven't taken the plunge into asoiaf yet, so maybe I'll start with some of these to get warmed up! I've been wanting to read gwynne and williams for a long time now, and Ryan's series sounds really good (just got the first book on KU) these recs are awesome Mike, thank you! hopefully I'll be confident enough to dive into asoiaf soon!

[@horonin]

Great video! I already had all of these on my TBR since I have been watching you a while, but glad to know I am still on the right track!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hey, what's the rush? Build up that backlog!

[@horonin]

@@mikesbookreviews My wife makes fun of me because I have a spreadsheet and around 500 books on it right now. Most of those are parts of series but I love having plenty of choice!

[@TysonRowell]

The Kingsbridge series by Ken Follett reminds me of ASOIAF, except without dragons, and with less magic.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I would have recommended that one but have still only read Pillars. Planning World Without End this fall.

[@Sighience]

@@mikesbookreviewsI’m gonna start reading the kingsbridge series starting next month for the birthday, I’m pumped!

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

Good recs. Dagger and Coin, Dandelion Dynasty and Second Apocalypse are definitely all series to consider. Dandelion Dynasty's unlike any fantasy series I've ever read in what Ken Liu achieves there. Second Apocalypse is basically Dune without the sci-fi elements. I'm excited to start Wars of Light and Shadow very soon myself!

[@mikesbookreviews]

These are all things that sound excellent!

[@andrewlavigne44]

Interesting to note that Tad Williams' four book sequel to Memory, Sorrow and Thorn will feel even closer to GRRM. The tone is much darker from the start (close to the third book Green Angel Tower), you are immediately given a huge section of locations and POVs (like 5 POVs in the first 60 pages? by the end of book 1 there are about 15 POVs total), the focus is less on adventure style questing and more on scheming, and grayer characters. Williams says he approached it as his original trilogy was responding to and commenting on Tolkien, the new books are the same to GRRM/grimdark.

[@MichaelRSchultheiss]

Glad to see some love for R. Scott Bakker, my favorite author! Definitely agree with the ASOIAF comparisons, though I give Bakker the edge for darkness, prose styling, and philosophical depth.

[@jonathankoan]

Kevin J Anderson’s “Wake of the Dragon” series is the closest in tone and feel for me, although Kevin has more fantastical elements going on in his books. They’re fairly short compared to most fantasy books And it’s a complete trilogy, so that series is my favorite comp for A Song of Ice and Fire.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm still scarred by what KJA is doing to Dune.

[@slay.187]

@@mikesbookreviews😂

[@jonhorton8266]

Five warrior angels is a series you should check out. Morally grey characters, buckets of blood, non stop action, amaazing world building. One of thew few series where everyone could wind end up dead and it would make sense. One of the series that i felt consistently was amazing from beginning to end.

[@victormossiii1196]

Eventually, I will read ASOIAF! I am currently reading Brian Durfee's "Five Warrior Angels" Series. It has great pov chapters! I am in the second book "The Blackest Heart" and it is great! Mike, I would recommend Matt Dinniman's "Dungeon Crawler Carl" Series as some good books to read in between series (kind of like you do with books by RA Salvatore and Jim Butcher). I know that you are not much of an audiobook guy, but the Narrator is hilarious!

[@Severian1]

I’ll add a little known book, a very long one too with an added twist. Ash: A Secret History, by Mary Gentle. That book has a lot of weird things going on with its frame story(the added twist) and it’s as dark and foul as they come but it somehow doesn’t wallow in the darkness. Love that book.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'll look it up!

[@bookreadingbilly8329]

The Prince of nothing trilogy is like Malazan but scaled down and condensed into 3 books. I’ve not got round to reading the aspect emperor series yet. It’s dark with a capital D

[@mikesbookreviews]

Can't wait.

[@darktower0603]

I recommend The Chronicles Of Thomas Convenant The Unbeliever by Stephen R. Donaldson. Ten book series. One of my favorites.

[@kingzzz6509]

I’ve read The First Law Trilogy (which I liked, but not loved. I think I would like it better on a re-read), and The Faithful and the Fallen (which became my second favorite series of all time). I’ve read the first two books and the first two novellas in The Bound and the Broken (I’ve enjoyed it, but not to the same level as you Mike). I’m really excited to read Warlord Chronicles and Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. I also should probably read A Song of Ice and Fire, haha. I’m just going to read the first three books this winter and see what I think.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Highest of recommends.

[@davidaldinger3666]

The Cornwell books are alway my palette cleanser after reading a long book or series. It’s all great. The Saxon stories, the Warlord chronicles, Sharpe, Starbucks chronicles, Grail Quest. Just fantastic action writing.

[@toddJM1015]

I know I'm probably not the only one who may mention this, and it's not Fantasy, but I've always put The Expanse up there as a sweeping, epic series that will give you vibes of ASOIAF. Sci-Fi, yes, but it has a lot of what many people love about ASOIAF, including a cast of awesome characters and a feeling that no one is really safe. And it's finished, with what I consider one hell of a great finale.

[@joshuasavoy7443]

First Law Trilogy was incredible!

[@joyhana3542]

Ah! It doesn't get mentioned much, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn is boss! I love Dragonbone Chair! Thanks for mentioning, it needs more love!

[@Griffnix]

Finished up The Fatemarked Epic by David Estes and that reminded me of A Song of Ice and Fire. It's not as grand in scope or as adult but the template is there. Five counties on the brink of war with each other and a prophesy of a greater threat.

[@clarkkentnaruto4322]

Hey Mike. Thanks for reminding me to start each of those series, which I have never read or listened to. I have not listened to any of the Song of Ice and Fire series, or Dune yet. If I wasn't so distracted by 3 different light novels series, I would start one of those series that you mentioned right now. Right now I am hooked on the Spice and Wolf, Full Metal Panic series, and the Apothecary Diaries series. I am also still trying to finish listening to the Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Happy reading!

[@clarkkentnaruto4322]

@@mikesbookreviews Thanks Mike.

[@andromeda1157]

Currently reading faithful and the fallen on book 2 right now absolutely love it!

[@Sighience]

Tad Williams is about to release the 4th and final book In the sequel series to Memory, Sorrow and Thorn; the series name is The Last King of Osten Ard. It’s gotten really good reviews an Durfee raves about it

[@paulgreen2401]

Thanks for the upload, Mike. I know you won't mind me recommending Pierce Brown's Red Rising series, even if it at first seems an unlikely fit for a fantasy book list, but hear me out; The saga has multiple 'houses', vast lore, morally grey characters in the dozens, its own terminology and languages, a ton of political scheming and betraying, locations that resemble GRRM's world (the Rim), plenty of archaic weapons and 'traditional' duels, and the first book in the series reads far more like a fantasy novel (once the main location is set) than a sci-fi one, making a perfect transitional book if you have a particular aversion to planetary travel and advanced technology. Knew you'd mention The First Law (I actually prefer it to ASOIAF) and you'll get no push-back from here.

[@patrickvose2536]

Dandelion dynasty is freakin awesome. I think you’d really love that. Book two is one of my favorites ever

[@samofWinterfell]

I love the snowy icy blue vibe

[@user-ys6wt5fh4g]

I can't believe no one has mentioned J. V. Jones Sword of Shadows series. It even has a final book that's been in writing limbo for over a decade. It's the most ASOIAF-adjacent series I've ever run across, right down to the multiple character viewpoints and excessive tribal politics and mythology. Go check it out!

[@shadowdancenz]

You could have a pocket book of quotes from Joe's books. I love them. English humour and wry sarcasm is not always understood. But Joe nails it and it works perfectly in these books with these characters

[@michaelleitner1245]

It constantly had me chuckling when barbaric, snot slinging characters would quip sophisticated sarcasm.

[@akellerhouse83]

I'm two books into Dagger and Coin. I'm planning to read the 3rd one in August. I can definitely see the GRRM influences. It has its own thing going on, though. So which series is better? First Law or Memory Sorrow and Thorn? I have Wisdom of Crowds left to read in First Law and I'm considering picking up MST next. Maybe.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Quite different. Tad is more in the Robin Hobb vein of slow burn fantasy with beautiful word play. Whereas Joe captures the moral ambiguity and cruel world like GRRM does.

[@joshuaswain8468]

Mike or anyone else-have you read any good ASOIAF fanfiction? Not smut stuff but actually stories in the world. I’ve been tempted to try either a Roberts Rebellion or Blackfyre Rebellion stories.

[@heidi6281]

Mike, Daughter of the Empire is the book most like Game of Thrones with its “ Game of the Council”. Besides being written before GOT, when Janny Wurts was asked recently would she help GRRM finish his series, she stated that she was one of the authors to review the original manuscript for GRRM. Hmm, out of all the authors that GRRM asked to take a looksie it was the author of Daughter of the Empire!!! I think you should read it, not necessary to read the Magician beforehand and it can be treated as a stand-alone!!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, I got that one backwards. I guess I just don't think of Janny as that aged. She has way more energy that I ever could.

[@jellevanbreugel325]

oh wow, did not know that. Daughter of the Empire trilogy is excellent!!! Do think you should Magician first though...

[@heidi6281]

@@jellevanbreugel325 I do not think you need to know anything about Magician to read Daughter. I loved the Magician!!! I would say to all , read The Magician then straight to Daughter… for the best reading experience. Silverthorne is not really needed for plot & Darkness is so bad I almost never planned to read Empire I was so put off.

[@jellevanbreugel325]

@@heidi6281 agree, magician then Empire. Magician first gives you a nice glimpse on the empire. And hey! Sethanon story ain't that bad! 😂😂

[@weregretohio7728]

I'm still trying to figure out how to feel about Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn (or, rather, The Dragonbone Chair about 600 pages into it). ASOIAF doesn't feel like a knockoff, at the very least, but yeah, a 90s cross between Tolkein and Martin. It is one heck of a molasses drip.

[@greentriangler]

The Second Apocalypse is criminally underrated. Bakker makes you infer a lot of what is happening and has happened in the past; it reads like Gene Wolfe combined with Dune. You only need to read the first trilogy. Ignore Bakker's rambling essays on his site and just read the series. But be prepared for it to be absolutely brutal.

[@bradschwartz9084]

I just finished Dandelion Dynasty. Wall of Storms book 2 might be the best fantasy book ever written. You MUST READ THIS SERIES!

[@noname3609]

Really ? It's on my tbr for next year :))

[@jaydenduncan8388]

@@bradschwartz9084 not that it matters still planning on reading this after I finish a couple other series but is there big battles and epic moments?

[@bradschwartz9084]

​@jaydenduncan8388 the whole first book is basically a prequel. It's battle after battle. The second book has the best battle I've ever read. It's an EPIC incredible series. The best world building maybe besides game of thrones. Just read it trust me lol.

[@jaydenduncan8388]

@@bradschwartz9084 thanks for the reply👍 I’m going to start reading it after I finish the book on currently on

[@MichaelSmith-zx5lw]

This would have been the perfect time to give a shout out to Brian Lee Durfees books!

[@TMH713]

Of these recommendations, Prince of Nothing is the highest quality I’ve read….but it is such a dark story I struggle to recommend it and I don’t see myself revisiting it.

[@tomjoyce7037]

The only other series I can think of, other than Abercrombie, was Mike Shackle's Last War trilogy. Absolute loved them

[@mikesbookreviews]

Last War is excellent.

[@TheLongestTake]

You just sold me on giving Tad Williams a chance!

[@jovisible]

This is really wild. I am also from Houston and I just started Dragonbone Chair during Beryl.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy!

[@susinok]

I read the Tad Wiliams series decades ago. I remember that I loved it, but I don't remember anything else. Time for a reread.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy!

[@Banerer]

If you liked memory, sorrow, and thorn, I recommend Tad William’s Shadowmarch series as well as his sequel series to M,S,&T called the Last king of Osten Ard

[@mikesbookreviews]

I own the Otherland books.

[@kevinness9341]

The Trials of Ashmount by John Pallodino has been good.

[@jason198146]

Oooo Warlord Chronicles is the best, my absolute favorite Bernard Cornwell series ❤️

[@MackTheDogg]

Don’t get me wrong, I love Cahill’s bound and the broken. But it seems to be missing some of the more adult intensity and feels more YA at times.

[@kingzzz6509]

I think another one could be the Red Rising series. You could kind of sell it like ASOIAF in space. Even you have referred to the ending of Golden Son as the Golden Wedding. Plus, Pierce Brown is excellent at characters and action.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Pierce definitely loved ASOIAF and The First Law.

[@user-cd7ip7ec8w]

I can’t recommend the Dandelion Dynasty enough. For me it is my favourite series I have ever read

[@mikesbookreviews]

Wow!

[@brandon8667]

If you want to read Bernard Cornwell. Try Agincourt. I love that book. When I was a kid my grandpa read that book and immediately bought copies for all his grandkids. It’s a stand alone & a fast read. A young boy is forced to leave home as a runaway. Has a romance. Several battles. Sorta dark. You’d love it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I don't have that one. I do have Grail Quest and several Saxon books.

[@brandon8667]

@@mikesbookreviews Agincourt is the only one of his books I’ve read. That said, I really liked it. If you want more Cornwell but don’t want to commit a big series it’s a great choice. It’s fast paced & about 450 pages with BIG font

[@Paromita_M]

I've read or tried nearly all of the series you mentioned except Dagger and Coin. Of the ones you mentioned, I think Memory, Sorrow and Thorn is the closest to ASOIAF and I personally love it more than ASOIAF for the writing. Of the ones that get recommended to you, Second Apocalypse is one that might work. It's very bleak so it might not work either, it read like darkness for darkness' sake to me but a lot of readers who love ASOIAF love it. WoLaS is not like ASOIAF at all and not even like RoTE imo, the closest comparison is WoT. I think series that people who love ASOIAF will like - The Last King of Osten Ard (sequel series to MS&T) by Tad Williams and Shadowmarch, also by Tad Williams. The Osten Ard saga is incredible (both lore and writing) but Shadowmarch is also very good imo. Those two series would be my recommendations.

[@Paromita_M]

Edit: Two others I forgot: The Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu and ASH: A Secret History by Mary Gentle. But if I had to pick one of all, I'd say Tad Williams' works. Then Dandelion.

[@mythrium]

On my side I found some similarity for the politics/scheme, moral gray characters with The Witcher series (just have a lot more monster and magic). When i've read the 2 first books of Song of Ice and Fire I was alternating my reading with some Witcher books. I'll definitely take a look at John Gwynne, Tad Williams and Joe Abercombie (wanted to buy his trilogy for a while).

[@RekindledReader]

Brilliant - love those. Still need to try Cahill.

[@beaufloyd]

Highly recommend Cahill. If you want a short, fast paced, taste of the later books read The Fall first. If you want a more traditional slow start go with Of Blood and Fire. Enjoy!

[@RekindledReader]

@@beaufloyd I can’t wait, thanks for this. I think I have them all on deck so it’s a matter of time now…🫡

[@mikesbookreviews]

That is correct

[@ashleyholbird4287]

Cahill is THE BOMB. Second only to Sanderson! I love his action SO MUCH. Ellas story arc is amazing. Rists story arc is SO GREAT. The only thing i hate is I WANT MORE DAYNE. More! More! More dayne! Give me a 1000 page dayne book LOL

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, Ryan is kicking ass

[@littleaussierippa]

I have a terrible feeling We'll never see ASOIAF to its conclusion. I could be wrong about this, but I believe George once said that should he die before completing the series It will remain incomplete. He won't allow anyone to continue it after he's gone.

[@TheBeardedBookBeast]

Great list! I love First Law! The rest are all on my TBR to check out😁

[@Slobrojoe]

I’m around halfway through the Blade Itself, and pretty disappointed so far. Hopes it picks up in the second half

[@TBaggins96]

I felt the same way when I read it. It's a book that becomes a lot better in context of the whole trilogy.

[@KALtheHighstorm117]

Yeah Joe himself says that Blade Itself isn't perfect and that he would do a lot if things differently if he rewrote it. I haven't read them yet, but I've heard that the books only get better, especially across all nine in the full series. Some people say that Wisdom of Crowds is their favorite fantasy book ever

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's a book 1 you look back at fondly after finishing the trilogy. As a standalone it doesn't work.

[@Maximus0623]

Memory, Sorrow and Thorn is a very good series. Its influence on ASOIAF is clear, but there are plenty of unique elements in ASOIAF. I don’t think Martin ripped off MST. Instead, I’d say Williams walked so Martin could run.

[@Theoneandonlytek]

The bound and the broken or Suneater. Which new series should start now if I could only pick one?

[@Chewbaccafruit]

I just got the beast of Green Angel Tower in one volume trade paperback in the mail, as soon as I finish Wheel of Time that's next!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

That is a monstrous book. I had to split it up over 2 months.

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

I read the first book in the Dandelion Dynasty, and I enjoyed it. I'll be reading the second book soon. And I'm looking to start The Darkness That Comes Before soon.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I heard August is a good month ;)

[@StoryGirl1128]

I am absolutely loving John Gwynne and Tad Williams, and the Warlord Chronicles are great 😁

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad to hear it!

[@captnsquashypant82]

A couple other series if you’re tired of waiting for a fantasy series that will never be done. The gentleman bastards by Scott Lynch and the Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss, oh wait….

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ouch.

[@BarrySteindel]

I do not know if it is my age (60) or what. I am just finishing my 5th book this year. (4) Expanse novels and We Are Bob. You are some reader.

[@noname3609]

FIRE recommendations !!! Im impressed ! :D

[@michaelme1548]

I was a big fan of A Song of Ice and Fire but lost interest. I loved it though the first three books but books four and five were hard to get through. I haven’t read a book I have enjoyed in this series in about 20 years.

[@JosephSaltal]

In the Arthurian legend books, why does King Arthur sometimes gets Excalibur from a rock, and sometimes from a lady in a lake?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Different times in his life, depending on who is telling the story. If the blade is damaged or he loses it, throwing it in the water returns it to him. Pulling it from the stone was just proof that he was of the Pendragon bloodline.

[@bauman921]

Ryan Cahil could really take some extra time to edit, I just caught up with the bound and the broken and its good but i decent amount could just be cut out. He is a fast writer but fast doesnt mean quality, just goes to show how special someone like Brandon is where he just cranks out hit after hit like its nothing.

[@michaelpantalone171]

When you said "the body count is absurdly high" i had to rewind it cause I thought you were talking about my ex...

[@mikesbookreviews]

DANG.

[@Rasko-nado]

Mike, if you’re not aware of the series check out the Traitor Son Cycle by Miles Cameron.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I have it but not on the schedule yet

[@Alithia451]

Okay, I trust you and just the 3 Arthur books.

[@kingzzz6509]

Do you think Malazan would be an apt comparison as well?

[@mikesbookreviews]

I do not. Malazan is so incredibly unique I can't think of anything else like it.

[@prpunk787]

half way on Of War and Ruin, loving it so far!

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's so good.

[@VolodymyrChemerys0505]

I wonder whether you will start reading "The Last King of Osten Ard" this year. "Memory, sorrow and thorn" was quite a journey and your reviews were partially a reason i was hyped to read the whole "MST" even before ukrainian translation of "To green angel tower" would be released.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Will probably try Otherland first.

[@DragonWorksOfficial]

Traitor's Son Cycle by Miles Cameron is the closest to aSoIaF without being a carbon copy of it. Masters and Mages by Miles Cameron is also very good. Quillifer by Walter Jon Williams is also very close to aSoIaF, as well as The Dagger and the Coin by Daniel Abraham, who's a personal friend of G. R. R. Martin actually, also author of The Expanse as part of the S. A. Corey duo. Guy Gavriel Kay writes in the same history-seeping-from-the-pages manner, maybe a tad better prose.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I've seen that a lot. I do own the TSC.

[@JamesMcCormickIV]

winds of WINTER IS COMING!

[@tbone6924]

Great! Even if that is true, what do you think the chances are that a morbidly obese 75-year-old has to finish the series. At his writing pace the last book might come out when he is 100.

[@MattAT95]

Bless you for still believing that.

[@callum7081]

It’s likely since it’s 70% done, but the chances of getting book 7 seem very slim.

[@mikesbookreviews]

ISWYDT

[@michaelaporee260]

How are you so confident in saying that?

[@mattjones4415]

Can't wait for Ryan's Of Empires and to Dust

[@BobaFerd]

The Five Warrior Angels Series by Brian Lee Durfee kinda reminds me of ASOIAF. Lots of gray characters, epic battles, politicking, grimdark setting, different races and a pinch of magic thrown in. Great stuff!

[@PaulRamen]

Started the first law trilogy for this "if you liked" reason and was quite disappointed :( (I'm in stand bye around halfway through book n°2). I get the cool characters, but i wasn't too interested in the world

[@Alithia451]

Only similar to me is The Faithful and the Fallen, maybe even a bit better.

[@BeardofDarkness]

OH, this video alone gave me so much content for tonight!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Let’s go!

[@chibipoe]

I am not tired of waiting, but that's because I dnf'd the series after the last book's ending. :P And honestly, I would disagree on the 'every other modern fantasy series is trying to play catch-up with ASOIAF'. :) Janny Wurts' Wars of Light and Shadow definitely isn't. (predates with its start and is finished. :D) Love the MST rec though!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Sorry to hear that!

[@trojanfan4321]

Do you have plans to read the second Osten Ard series!? Last book coming out this November and I think it’s at least as good as the original trilogy.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Eventually!

[@matth268]

This is how I know h.o.t.d is good. I've caught myself searching for something to scratch that w.o.w itch.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yep! Season 1 made me re-read Fire and Blood and then I just re-read the whole series and quit being a baby about it not being done and remembering how much I loved it.

[@cathsaigh2197]

Another one that I recommend to people who like ASOIAF and Bernard Cornwell is Conn Iggulden.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I get that rec frequently

[@cathsaigh2197]

@@mikesbookreviews Some of them probably from me.

[@popsiclepunk2112]

Great video! Need that shirt!!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for watching! I got the shirt on Woot! years ago. Think it was just a 24 hour thing.

[@jamesstorie2826]

Five Warriors Angels trilogy is great!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Correct