--- title: Best Books to read if You Like Game of Thrones description: In honor of Game of Thrones' most sacred number, here are seven books to read while you wait to return to Westeros. canonical: https://time.com/5333651/best-books-like-game-of-thrones/ author: Megan McCluskey article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2018-07-20T12:30:55.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T04:57:41.907Z article:section: Entertainment og:title: 7 Epic Books to Read While You Wait for More Game of Thrones og:description: Find your Westeros away from Westeros og:url: https://time.com/5333651/best-books-like-game-of-thrones/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt431443813fbbc9d7/698935c08fd2ee1c9d35c2a1/all-books-game-of-thrones.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: all-books-game-of-thrones og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 7 Epic Books to Read While You Wait for More Game of Thrones twitter:description: Find your Westeros away from Westeros twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt431443813fbbc9d7/698935c08fd2ee1c9d35c2a1/all-books-game-of-thrones.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # The 7 Best Books to Read While You Desperately Await More _Game of Thrones_  by [Megan McCluskey](/author/megan-mccluskey/)  ## Megan McCluskey Staff Writer Jul 20, 2018 12:30 PM CUT   by [Megan McCluskey](/author/megan-mccluskey/)  ## Megan McCluskey Staff Writer Jul 20, 2018 12:30 PM CUT In the midst of the long winter known as the wait for the final season of [_Game of Thrones_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007HJ84ZK/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B007HJ84ZK&linkId=b14b54848c9cfc22422aca3d96617424 "undefined"), it’s important to find ways to stay entertained. And while [George R.R. Martin](http://time.com/5308458/george-r-r-martin-game-of-thrones-prequel-title/ "undefined") may not be putting out [_The Winds of_ _Winter_](http://time.com/5160226/george-r-r-martin-winds-of-winter-release-date/ "undefined"), the next installment in his [_A Song of Ice and Fire_ series](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345535529/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0345535529&linkId=90b61eccfa01bada34b4bc57b70854ef "undefined"), anytime soon, there are more than enough books that incorporate elements of his writing—medieval lands, complex heroines and political scheming—to keep your mind off of the Iron Throne. In honor of _Thrones_‘ most sacred number, here are seven books to read while you wait to return to Westeros. ## _The Name of the Wind_  Patrick Rothfuss’s ongoing [_Kingkiller Chronicle_ trilogy](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AYP2012/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01AYP2012&linkId=7b0699c4ac1f2fe4cd7e59aca4e3054a "undefined") is currently being adapted for the screen by none other than _Hamilton_ genius Lin-Manuel Miranda, so there’s no better time to hop on this particular fantasy bandwagon. Each of the first two books, [_The Name of the Wind_ ](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0756404746/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0756404746&linkId=ffa8fbaa6cb9f9e459a0dac3435a055f "undefined")and [_The Wise Man’s Fear_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0756407915/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0756407915&linkId=75a5812d8a094e79cf609d7cceff330c "undefined"), takes place over the course of one day as the traveling musician-turned-wizard-turned-barkeep Kvothe recounts his quest to track down the mysterious evil beings responsible for his parents’ murder. Unfortunately, Rothfuss has yet to announce a release date for the third and final book—supposedly called [_The Doors of Stone_](https://www.newsweek.com/kingkiller-chronicle-book-3-patrick-rothfuss-pat-doors-stone-833222 "undefined")_—_which means you may be in for a bit of a _Thrones_\-esque wait for the series’ conclusion. But there’s plenty of adventure to keep you occupied in the meantime. **Buy now:** [_The Name of the Wind_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0756404746/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0756404746&linkId=ffa8fbaa6cb9f9e459a0dac3435a055f "undefined") ## _The White Queen_  Considering Martin’s _A Song of Ice and Fire_ series was loosely inspired by real events that took place during the Wars of the Roses, there’s no better way to get your fix of King’s Landing political intrigue than by immersing yourself in Philippa Gregory’s retelling of the ruthless 15th-century battle for the throne of England. **Buy now:** [_The White Queen_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1476735484/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1476735484&linkId=4e57ca5cd4fe93bf1b0cc9b204ce32f0 "undefined") ## _Throne of Glass_  _Throne of Glass_ begins with renowned assassin Celaena Sardothien being freed from a life sentence of slavery on the condition that she fight as Prince Dorian Havilliard’s competitor in his father’s tournament to determine a new King’s Champion. From there, internationally popular YA author Sarah J. Maas weaves a story of magic, murder and mystery that is nearly impossible to put down. Not to mention that Hulu is turning the series—the eighth and final book of which is set to be released this fall—into a TV show. **Buy now:** [_Throne of Glass_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1619630346/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1619630346&linkId=1d15fa0997bf6cc34d63c4d1bb7260e5 "undefined") ## _The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger_  [_The Dark Tower_ series](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1501163566/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1501163566&linkId=e901aaa6f74f6bdf33e86b337998bc88 "undefined") may not have the medieval setting of _Thrones_, but Stephen King’s self-proclaimed “magnum opus” is the perfect choice for all fans who have made the HBO Sunday night jump to [_Westworld_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQMOY2U/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01MQMOY2U&linkId=d6156fd8cb2efccee65ab125adc3c302 "undefined") in its absence. Beginning with _The Gunslinger_, the eight-volume fantasy-western saga follows Roland Deschain—the last surviving member of an order of gun-wielding knights—on his quest to find the Dark Tower, an edifice that stands at the nexus of all time and space. Along the way, Roland battles a slew of monsters and demons that only the master of horror himself could dream up, making for a truly wild ride. **Buy now:** [_The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018ER7JRC/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B018ER7JRC&linkId=92804cab116cb0d43c8d8e48fedd184d "undefined") ## _An Ember in the Ashes_  Under the tyrannical rule of the ancient Rome-inspired Martial Empire, Laia and her family do everything they can to fly under the radar. But when her brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to become a rebel spy at the elite military academy in exchange for his rescue. It’s there that she meets Elias, the Empire’s most promising soldier, and Sabaa Tahir’s heart-pounding debut novel—the first in a four-book series—becomes truly mesmerizing. **Buy now:** [_An Ember in the Ashes_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595148043/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1595148043&linkId=8d579a1194e6b3035a808b9aac59d11b "undefined") ## _Alanna: The First Adventure_  Arya Stark fans will quickly find themselves getting attached to Alanna of Trebond—a girl of noble birth who disguises herself as a boy in order to become a knight—when they dive into this first installment in [_The_ _Song of the Lioness_ series](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1481416499/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1481416499&linkId=50762dc8c11ccb8d4efd7820c55a830f "undefined"). In fact, Tamora Pierce’s fierce young heroine may be one of the few who could give the younger Stark sister a run for her money. **Buy now:** [_Alanna: The First Adventure_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1442426411/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1442426411&linkId=14a8b897375897c86f0ef838998f6c2f "undefined") ## _Assassin’s Apprentice_  Described by Martin himself as “fantasy as it ought to be written,” Robin Hobb’s [_Farseer_ trilogy](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015YFRWM4/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B015YFRWM4&linkId=755cea9996e556559dd0d097dbdf4b5f "undefined") features a protagonist with some striking similarities to the Stark children. As the “bastard” son of the noble Prince Chivalry, Fitz is rejected by not only his family, but the entire royal court. His only comfort growing up is his telepathic bond with animals, an old magic known as “The Wit.” But all that changes when Fitz enters into the king’s service and begins training in the ways of an assassin. **Buy now:** [_Assassin’s Apprentice_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FBFMG6/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B000FBFMG6&linkId=038092bdcc4c223e053872d74611a992 "undefined") ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5333651/best-books-like-game-of-thrones/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5333651/best-books-like-game-of-thrones/"},"headline":"The 7 Best Books to Read While You Desperately Await More Game of Thrones","datePublished":"2018-07-20T12:30:55.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:57:41.907Z","description":"Find your Westeros away from Westeros","url":"https://time.com/5333651/best-books-like-game-of-thrones/","keywords":["Books","game of thrones"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt431443813fbbc9d7/698935c08fd2ee1c9d35c2a1/all-books-game-of-thrones.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Megan McCluskey","jobTitle":"Staff Writer","url":"https://time.com/author/megan-mccluskey/"}],"articleSection":"Entertainment","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt431443813fbbc9d7/698935c08fd2ee1c9d35c2a1/all-books-game-of-thrones.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"all-books-game-of-thrones","caption":"","creditText":"","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/entertainment/","name":"Entertainment"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/books/","name":"Books"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5333651/best-books-like-game-of-thrones/","name":"The 7 Best Books to Read While You Desperately Await More Game of Thrones"}}]}] ```