5 Suggested Epic Fantasies to Read while waiting for Winds of Winter
With the recent news that “Winds of Winter” won’t be released before season 6 of the Game of Thrones TV series, it seems that book fans will have to keep on waiting. Waiting can be a drag, especially when you’ve been waiting for almost 5 YEARS to find out if your heart will be broken (once again). So here are a few series that could sate your craving for some epic fantasy in the meantime.
The last book of “A Song of Ice and Fire” series as well as the source material of the hit HBO TV series “Game of Thrones”, was released way back in 2011 and left things hanging. Fans around the globe have been left with things way up in the air (or lying in the snow), making them itch for the next installment in one of the best epic fantasy series of our time. And with the recent news that 6th book in the series, “Winds of Winter”, won’t be released before season 6 of the TV series (scheduled to pick up on April of this year), it seems that book fans will have to keep on waiting, with possibility of spoilers adding insult to injury.
Waiting can be a drag, especially when you’ve been waiting for almost 5 YEARS to find out if your heart will be broken (once again). So here are a few series that could sate your craving for some epic fantasy in the meantime:
1. The Kingkiller Chronicles (by Patrick Rothfuss)
A trilogy, which is essentially an autobiography, that follows music-playing, magic-using Kvothe and his various adventures (or misadventures) on his way to becoming a legend of his world. Starting with “The Name of the Wind”, followed up by “The Wise Man’s Fear”, and awaiting the release of the last book in the series “Doors of Stone”, it has a rich lore which will keep you entertained with its humor, interesting magic system, and colorful characters. The amazing author, Patrick Rothfuss, serves us truly genuine moments which will get us attached to the characters and make sure that the books will leave lasting impressions. Find out the truth on how legends are made!
2. The Mistborn Series (by Brandon Sanderson)
Imagine Frodo failing to destroy the ring or Harry Potter falling to You-Know-Who. This is the premise of this series: The Hero went on his quest to save the world, the Hero failed, the Dark lord rules. What happens to the world if the Hero failed to save it? Set in a somewhat post-apocalyptic world, the Mistborn trilogy boasts a unique magic system as its characters struggle with a seemingly hopeless world. With lots of unforgettable moments, you’ll accompany the characters through their struggles, hopes and those rare happy moments.
Mistborn has been so well-loved that a second series, set in the same world, is on its way to being completed as well!
3. The Malazan Book of the Fallen (by Steven Erikson)
Comprised of a daunting 10 books, The Malazan Book of the Fallen series boasts one of the most interestingly intricate magic system and enormous cast of characters, all of whom struggle with the complicated politics and challenges of their arcane world. You’ll be able to explore the world from the perspectives of the colorful characters, from those of wizards, soldiers, and even gods!
The rich lore of the Malazan World is further enhanced by a separate six-part Novel Series called the Novels of the Malazan Empire. So if you’re looking for a truly immersive reading experience, then perhaps this series is for you!
4. The Wheel of Time (by Robert Jordan)
If you thought 10 books was many, get ready for 14! One of the best fantasy epics, this series features a “chosen one” on his road to face the Evil One and save the world… or perhaps destroy it in the process. Starting things with “Eye of the World”, the series takes you on a heck of a ride with its unique cast of characters as travel companions, each hailing from a different culture, background and having different goals. The Wheel of Time hosts a traditional “Good versus Evil” scenario, showcasing eastern influences, but introduces its own twists and plays with the concepts of the hand of fate and free will.
It’s also worth noting that around midway to completing the series, the author unfortunately passed away. Luckily, another great author by the name of Brandon Sanderson was asked to complete the series with the original author’s note in hand and did a fantastic job at it.
5. The Stormlight Archive (by Brandon Sanderson)
Imagine living in a world where your eye color would determine your place in society. Brandon Sanderson introduces us to yet another amazing world of the Stormlight Archive, which is planned to be an 10-book long series, with currently 2 books published and book 3 set to be released in 2017.
Filled with knights, magic, politics, and conflicts. This series focuses on memorable characters as they struggle to change their fates and the fates of the people of their world. Full of emotional moments, which will tug at those strings to your feelings, this series will make you look forward to each character’s development. If you want excitement and action, then this series could be the one for you.
These are just a few of the great epic fantasies out there! Just check them out, see which one speaks to you and dive right in. You can even go classic and pick up the Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, and the like.
The point is keep exploring other world and you won’t be bored. GRRM said it himself, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies… The man who never reads lives only one.” – GRRM, A Dance with Dragons
Before you know it, you’ll feel the Winds of Winter coming in.
Image Sources:
www.goodreads.com
www.bbc.co.ok
http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones