10 Fantasy Novels To Read If You Love The Lord Of The Rings
6. A Song Of Ice And Fire
Ah, here it is, the series that started it all.
Though George R R Martin's epic fantasy series may have been somewhat overshadowed by the infamous HBO TV show Game Of Thrones, the five books which have made up the almost two million word series (not to mention two forthcoming books, The Winds Of Winter and A Dream Of Spring) are worth reading on their own merit.
Taking place on the fictional Westeros and Essos continents, each book in the series is divided into chapters which follow different characters' points of view, presenting a wide scope through which the world can be viewed.
Though the main thrust of the story is the dynastic war between families all fighting for the control of the throne of Westeros (loosely based on the historical English Wars of the Roses), supernatural elements associated with high fantasy creep in at the novels' peripheries.
The sprawling epic is a challenge for any fantasy fan, but one that is well worth the effort. The series is absolutely not to be slept on, and even led to Martin being proclaimed "The American Tolkien" in a Time magazine article of the same name penned by Lev Grossman -- now that's high praise!