A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin is a fantasy narrative of epic proportions. Drawing upon the War of Roses and other wars in history for inspiration, the series is intricately plotted, with a huge cast of morally grey characters, complex political intrigue, vivid worldbuilding, and enough twists and turns to keep you turning the page. As of 2025, the series is still incomplete, and with the disappointing finale to A Game of Thrones, fans are desperate for the author’s “official version of events”.
So, while you wait for The Winds of Winter, wondering which of your favorite characters will meet an untimely end, you might want to explore other speculative works of similar caliber. Whether you’re a reader or writer, it’s always worthwhile to check out the works that influenced your current read. In fact, to learn from an artist, it’s often advised to not just study their books, but also analyze the books they were inspired by. George R.R. Martin in his blog actually responds to his fans’ emails asking him for book recommendations while waiting for the next installment.
With several celebrated reads and cult classics to choose from, George R.R. Martin’s favorite books discussed below provide a crash course on genre history—a gold mine for devoted fantasy fans!
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Fantasy novelist Lev Grossman hailed George R.R. Martin as the “American Tolkien”—it’s not a small compliment given that Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings laid the groundwork for epic fantasy fiction. Tropes such as the fight between good and evil, a far-reaching quest laden with adventure, a wise wizard guardian, found family dynamics—which seem commonplace now—were all explored in the six books that comprised The Lord of the Rings.
The story begins quite literally with fireworks in the idyllic village of the Shire and follows Frodo and his friends who are tasked with carrying the One Ring across Middle Earth and casting it into the fires of Mount Doom where it was forged—while preventing Sauron, the Dark Lord, and his minions from gaining power. With vividly evocative prose and a cast of memorable characters, reading (and rereading) Tolkien is a magical experience like no other.
The Once and Future King
A lot of sword-and-sorcery novels as well as contemporary fantasy reads are deeply influenced by Arthuriana. But if you’re curious about the legends of King Arthur, Merlin and the Knights of the Roundtable, you must definitely check out T.H. White’s The Once and Future King that does some very interesting things with the mythos. It not only masterfully retells the popular legends that have sprung up around these figures but also subverts reader’s conceptions about chivalry, honor, loyalty and power. Engaging and entertaining, The Once and Future King is a must-read.
Watership Down
Having raised entire generations of rabbits for the last decade or so, I’m naturally partial to Richard Abhram’s adventure novel for children that features a lot of rabbits as the principal characters. But Abrams takes it a step further and imbues his fictional rabbits with their own culture, history and lore. The plot is somewhat episodic and follows a group of rabbits who flee from the destruction of their warren, migrate to a new location and set up their defences there. While rabbits have often been depicted as cute, meek and adorable creatures, the ones in Watership Down are highly fierce, brave and memorable.
A Wizard of Earthsea (The Earthsea Cycle Series Book 1)
Like Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Le Guin’s works including the Earthsea Cycle have also played a key role in shaping the genres of fantasy and science fiction. A Wizard of Earthsea, the first book in the Earthsea series, follows Ged, a boy from a remote island who trains to become a highly accomplished wizard. It’s a charming coming-of-age tale that explores themes of power, responsibility and death, and can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike. Simple yet profound, the Earthsea books remain classics for a reason.
The Name of the Wind
Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and Rothfuss’s The Kingkiller Chronicles share some things in common. Both are fantasy epics with larger-than-life characters, full of adventure, intrigue and romance. Both series are woefully incomplete, with no sign of their promised sequels on the horizon. But don’t let that deter you.
The Name of the Wind is an utterly invigorating read, filled with lyrical prose, coming-of-age elements and plenty of adventures as we learn all about the infamous Kingkiller’s backstory—his humble origins, magical education and quest for revenge. It’s grand entertainment—and told by a highly charismatic and unreliable narrator, no less.
Gormenghast
If you’re looking for something a lil’ different, veering towards the weird and the Gothic, you might want to check out Peake’s Gormenghast novels, which are highly atmospheric and influenced by medieval aesthetics. Much of the story takes place in a strange, sprawling castle, and although the early books don’t contain a lot of “fantasy” elements per se, Gormenghast is definitely an incredible feat of the imagination—balancing irony and whimsy in equal measure. Overall, a uniquely refreshing and rewarding read.
The Lies of Locke Lamora
Martin is highly appreciative of his contemporaries and calls this age to be the “golden age of epic fantasy." Alongside Rothfuss, Abercrombie, and Daniel Abraham, he also mentions Scott Lynch’s Locke Lamora series, which is perfect for readers who enjoy stories about impossible heists, daring robberies and the risk-laden lives of con artists.
The Lies of Locke Lamora is the first entry in Lynch’s Gentleman Bastard series and follows the journey of an orphan thief who slowly rises through the ranks and becomes a key figure in the city’s criminal underworld. Enthralling, entertaining and filled with deceptive twists and turns, The Lies of Locke Lamora is one hell of a roller coaster ride.
