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http://www.blastr.com/2013-7-1/12-book-series-are-sci-fi-equivalent-game-thrones

Wondering what to do while you're waiting for the rest of George R.R. Martin's saga?

We've got nearly a year to wait until the fourth season of Game of Thrones hits HBO, and who knows how long until the sixth book in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series is released, so we have to do something to fill the void.

1. The Culture by Iain M. Banks
2. The Otherland series by Tad Williams
3. The Uplift Universe by David Brin (on whose Facebook I found this)
4. The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold
5. The Xeelee Sequence by Stephen Baxter
6. The Night's Dawn Trilogy by Peter F. Hamilton
7. The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov
8. The Darkover Series by Marioan Zimmer Bradley
9. The Deathstalker Series by Simon R. Green
10. The Dragonriders of Pern Series by Anne Macaffrey
11. The Dune Series by Frank Herbert
12. The Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons

I've read parts of all those, other than #2 and #9. Anyone read those? Opinions?

Anyone else have suggestions for science fiction series that would provide welcoming to reader sof ASoIaF readers, pining away for The Winds of Winter?

 

[bndadm]

I've read parts of all those, other than #2 and #9. Anyone read those? Opinions?

Anyone else have suggestions for science fiction series that would provide welcoming to reader sof ASoIaF readers, pining away for The Winds of Winter?

I've read The Otherland series. I had some issues with pacing in the second and third book. I also have a hard time recalling the fourth, but I had been reading the series straight through so I think it was just fatigue. It does have resolution and it amps up quite a bit.

Because large sections of book 2 and 3 are set in "themed" worlds in cyberspace, if those types of movies/settings don't appeal to you because they aren't directly sci-fi, you may find yourself struggling through.

 

[Kaladin]

Is Stephen King's Dark Tower series not sci-fi enough for this list? I know it's a mix of fantasy and sci-fi, but it's more sci-fi in my opinion.....and certainly is a Game of Thrones equivalent.

 

[Maledict]

None of those are like Game of Thrones.

Some of them are excellent - the one's I've read on that list are all generally superb books and are fantastic examples of great sci-fi. But they aren't the equivalent of Game of Thrones because I don't think anyone has written a sci-fi version of Game of Thrones.

Game of Thrones isn't just a good book, it deliberately subverted a lot of the standard tropes of the genre (whilst also emphasizing others through a different lens), whilst also portraying a much more brutal and realistic fantasy world. I can;t think of a Sci-fi series off the top of my head that has done that.

Regardless - there are some amazing books on that list.

 

[Bleepey]

None of those are like Game of Thrones.

Some of them are excellent - the one's I've read on that list are all generally superb books and are fantastic examples of great sci-fi. But they aren't the equivalent of Game of Thrones because I don't think anyone has written a sci-fi version of Game of Thrones.

Game of Thrones isn't just a good book, it deliberately subverted a lot of the standard tropes of the genre (whilst also emphasizing others through a different lens), whilst also portraying a much more brutal and realistic fantasy world. I can;t think of a Sci-fi series off the top of my head that has done that.

Regardless - there are some amazing books on that list.

What does it subvert and emphasize in particular?

 

[Cyan]

None of these are really scifi "equivalents" to GoT. They're just good series. At least, the ones I've read:

2. The Otherland series by Tad Williams

Sprawling scifi epic centered around a Huck Finn-style river journey. Both the middle books feel like the middle books of a trilogy.

4. The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold

Wonderful space opera with some military SF flavorings. Centered on characters and deep human themes. One of my absolute favorites.

7. The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov

Classic "big idea" SF. Not really much focus on characters or even a single plotline, at least at first.

10. The Dragonriders of Pern Series by Anne Macaffrey

No clue why this is on the list. They're fun books, but they're light fantasy fare with some SF trappings, and mostly aimed more at a YA audience.

11. The Dune Series by Frank Herbert

Only read the first one, which seems to fit the requirements. I understand it goes downhill from there.

12. The Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons

Same as above: only read the first, and I understand it goes downhill. Much more literary SF than anything else on the list. Deeply focused on characters, on language, and on interesting story structures.

 

[Sillverrr]

I read the first Dune book about eight years ago, then stopped because I'd heard that the sequels were vastly inferior. Also, Frank Herbert, for all his obvious literary genius, refused to let the equally awesome Iron Maiden name a song after the book. His loss. In hindsight I regret my decision to stop, as Dune is stupendous. Sandworms, political intrigue, plot twists, etc.

I have also read both Hyperion books, and the first Endymion. The former are quite superb, and should satisfy anyone craving good characterisation with imaginative world building and an intriguing plot. Several POV characters, a time-spanning mystery and a satisfying conclusion. And that's just the first book. Endymion did not "do it" for me, however. One day I will get around to reading the fourth book, but I kinda felt that the characters I cared about reached the end of their journey by the end of The Fall of Hyperion.

 

[AColdDay]

What does it subvert and emphasize in particular?

It definitely subverts Plot Armor

 

[Cyan]

... a satisfying conclusion. And that's just the first book.

*narrows eyes*

 

[Ferrio]

Only read the first one, which seems to fit the requirements. I understand it goes downhill from there.
.

I'd disagree. The direction shifts, which I think throws off lots of people. People all wanted it to be about Paul, which the series is not. It does get vastly weirder though, especially after God Emperor of Dune.

 

[Sillverrr]

*narrows eyes*

Well, without giving any spoilers, I liked the ending and could happily have left it at that. The second book was no where near as good after all. I don't need answers to every question if the journey was enjoyable in its own right. Also, supposedly the author starts retconning everything by the fourth book (I haven't read it so I can't vouch for this), but he did start explaining away stuff in Endymion that I'd rather have left to my own imagination. But I guess that's just me. A majority of people want deliberate answers, which is fair enough.

 

[Iceman]

Only read the first one, which seems to fit the requirements. I understand it goes downdune from there.

sorry. on a pun kick.

 

[Cyan]

Well, without giving any spoilers, I liked the ending and could happily have left it at that. The second book was no where near as good after all. I don't need answers to every question if the journey was enjoyable in its own right. Also, supposedly the author starts retconning everything by the fourth book (I haven't read it so I can't vouch for this), but he did start explaining away stuff in Endymion that I'd rather have left to my own imagination. But I guess that's just me. A majority of people want deliberate answers, which is fair enough.

It's not even about wanting deliberate answers, it's about wanting some kind of ending at all.

 

[Lafiel]

I always try to sell people on The Vorkosigan Saga by telling them the main character is like Tyrion from Game of Thrones!

 

[Kaladin]

At least this post reminded me that Tad Williams is on my authors to read list.

 

[shock33]

1. The Culture by Iain M. Banks

Wouldn't necessarily describe these as a series, they are all in the same universe (literary universe) but in no way similar to game of thrones. Several of them are excellent though

2. The Otherland series by Tad Williams

Agree with the other comments, suffers quite a bit in pacing in the middle (incidentally, I preferred his first series Memory, Sorrow and Thorn

6. The Night's Dawn Trilogy by Peter F. Hamilton

Fantastic.....

Spoiler

Until the ending....urgh

7. The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov

One of my favourite series

11. The Dune Series by Frank Herbert

Great up to God Emperor, then it gets weird/different/crap, roll a dice and take your pick

12. The Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons

First two books were great, second two good

Recent books/series I've read and enjoyed:

• Broken Empire series, by Mark Lawrence, difficult to start with but once it caught me I went through the first two books one after the other, third due out in August I think
  
• First Law series by Joe Abercrombie and further books in the same universe, pretty much loved them all
  
• Monarchies of God series by Paul Kearney, loved these

 

[Ventilaator]

It definitely subverts Plot Armor

Seriously. I don't give half a shit what genre it is, if there's another series that ignores Plot Armor as much as GoT does then I want to hear about it.

 

[Neffarias_Bredd]

What culture series books would you guys recommend I start on and read?

 

[Sillverrr]

It's not even about wanting deliberate answers, it's about wanting some kind of ending at all.

If you want a proper ending, read the rest of the books. It's part of a series after all. Had I not continued I would definitely have wanted more closure. However, the first book stands head and shoulders above the others, and in retrospect I'd prefer to have jumped off with an open-ended conclusion than suffer the increased technobabble and religious bent that followed.

To clarify further, I like the whimsical ending note, and the homage it pays to a classic old film while suggesting the journey to follow. Someone else might roll their eyes and view this as a cop out - for this you have the other books to detail that adventure. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion.

 

[Cyan]

Someone else might roll their eyes and view this as a cop out - for this you have the other books to detail that adventure.

This was basically my response. Zero closure (except for the minor detail of the spy reveal) and the completely ridiculous Wizard of Oz thing. Totally out of step with the tone of the rest of the book.

Anyway, my understanding is that this wasn't a deliberate story decision, but that the novel had to be cut in half for publication purposes. So, whatevs I guess.

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion.

Well, that depends on what it is.

 

[gofreak]

Love the Culture novels and it was the first that sprung to mind when reading the title, even if in a slightly looser sense. Each book is rather self-contained.

 

[TheKaeptain]

One day I will read the culture novels.

 

[John Dunbar]

It definitely subverts Plot Armor

unless you're

Spoiler

daenerys

.

 

[Moz La Punk]

Is Stephen King's Dark Tower series not sci-fi enough for this list? I know it's a mix of fantasy and sci-fi, but it's more sci-fi in my opinion.....and certainly is a Game of Thrones equivalent.

Agreed. Wish I could read it all for the first time. Hell, wish HBO would make a series out of this.

 

[Mifune]

I have also read both Hyperion books, and the first Endymion. The former are quite superb, and should satisfy anyone craving good characterisation with imaginative world building and an intriguing plot. Several POV characters, a time-spanning mystery and a satisfying conclusion. And that's just the first book. Endymion did not "do it" for me, however. One day I will get around to reading the fourth book, but I kinda felt that the characters I cared about reached the end of their journey by the end of The Fall of Hyperion.

Endymion was not even in the same zipcode as the Hyperion books but by the end I had come around and enjoyed it. Rise of Endymion, on the other hand, is pretty wretched. Avoid like the plague. I hate to be one of those people who tell you what to do with your time, but avoid like the plague. I am angry with myself for ignoring this same advice from countless other fans of the books.

 

[charsace]

I like ASOIAF, but to me its overrated. I rank a few of those series and some others over it. I also think the tv show is only half as good as the books and at best the show above average Compared to other HBO dramas the only one I can say its better than is True Blood.

A writer I recommend is Elizabeth Moon. Her books are great reads (especially the Paksenarrion universe) that don't get a lot of attention.

 

[JDSN]

Absurd that The First Law series isn't on that list, although that's more of subversion of Lord of the rings in the first book, but it has lots of elements that Game of thrones would love, hell, it can be even bleaker at times.

 

[Ratrat]

What culture series books would you guys recommend I start on and read?

I started with Use of Weapons. I understand that the stories are all independent, with the exception of a few neat references.

 

[nitewulf]

What culture series books would you guys recommend I start on and read?

I would suggest either Excession or The Use of Weapons, but they are all pretty excellent.

I am re-reading the Foundation series, but it has not aged well, at all.

I would add the Revelation Space series.

 

[genjiZERO]

Sound read A Fire Upon the Deep and A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge

 

[kinn]

I would add the Revelation Space series.

Listen to this person.

 

[bndadm]

Endymion was not even in the same zipcode as the Hyperion books but by the end I had come around and enjoyed it. Rise of Endymion, on the other hand, is pretty wretched. Avoid like the plague. I hate to be one of those people who tell you what to do with your time, but avoid like the plague. I am angry with myself for ignoring this same advice from countless other fans of the books.

Yes, I was supremely dissapointed in the direction the Endymion series went in the end (much like the final Foundation book I found completely out of step with the series). I loved the first two Hyperion books but I'll be damned if I understood the answers (if there were any) to the core mysteries of the series. Left me wanting.

I got into all the Dune books by Frank Herbert, even when they went into slightly crazy directions. I just found that universe fascinating. Too bad the drek coming out with the Dune title since has tarnished it all.

 

[jorma]

I would add the Revelation Space series.

yeps

 

[Bazza]

What culture series books would you guys recommend I start on and read?

Read them in the order they were released, it gives you a better understanding of the culture universe, if you just jump in the middle somewhere something might be mentioned that could have been described in detail in an earlier book.

 

[Iph]

Subscribed. I'm trying to read at least the Dune series this year. Just started Chapterhouse. Needs me some more good sci-fi. Thx OP!

 

[wildfire]

So I can read Game of Thrones without actually spoiling myself?

1. The Culture by Iain M. Banks

And right off the bat I find this list to be suspect. Culture is about macro interstellar interactions with views from individual characters who aren't followed throughout.

I don't know much about the other books aside from Foundation and Pern and those are not great series to cite as a sci-fi riff on Game of Thrones either.

Is Stephen King's Dark Tower series not sci-fi enough for this list? I know it's a mix of fantasy and sci-fi, but it's more sci-fi in my opinion.....and certainly is a Game of Thrones equivalent.

Anyone else can offer a secondary affirmation for Dark Tower?

 

[Technosteve]

Hyperion ending made me read the second novel, i'm still looking for closure

 

[Sober]

I'm guessing I show throw any copies of Brian Herbert/KJA's Dune novels into a fiery pit, right?

I didn't make it past three chapters into the book that takes place after Chapterhouse, not sure if I should continue (this was years ago though).

 

[Fragamemnon]

5. The Xeelee Sequence by Stephen Baxter

Awesome. Baxter is tremendous at "very hard" scifi. If you want a series that's more about the setting and the science and less about characters (what he is kind of bad at), this is a great thing to read.

6. The Night's Dawn Trilogy by Peter F. Hamilton

Good series, bad ending as others have mentioned. Hamilton's Commonwealth Saga books are about as well written but have much better characters (IMO).

 

[Manmademan]

Same as above: only read the first, and I understand it goes downhill. Much more literary SF than anything else on the list. Deeply focused on characters, on language, and on interesting story structures.

Second is just as good as the first, I felt. they're really two halves of one story. Didn't read the remainder, I should at some point though.

 

[Capital_Five]

I very highly recommend Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings. There's only one book so far in a planned 10 I believe, so you're going to be doing a lot more waiting for the other books. That said, I feel like it's much closer, at least in format, to Game of Thrones than any of the other ones in that list that I've read (political intrigue, told through the view of various characters of diverse backgrounds, subtly (or not so) interconnecting story lines etc.).

 

[freenudemacusers]

Awesome. Baxter is tremendous at "very hard" scifi. If you want a series that's more about the setting and the science and less about characters (what he is kind of bad at), this is a great thing to read.

I'm almost finished with Ring and this is pretty accurate.

 

[Cyan]

Second is just as good as the first, I felt. they're really two halves of one story. Didn't read the remainder, I should at some point though.

Yeah, I'll definitely read the second one. Just got it from the library, actually.

I very highly recommend Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings. There's only one book so far in a planned 10 I believe, so you're going to be doing a lot more waiting for the other books. That said, I feel like it's much closer, at least in format, to Game of Thrones than any of the other ones in that list (political intrigue, told through the view of various characters of diverse backgrounds, subtly (or not so) interconnecting story lines etc.).

While I enjoyed Way of Kings, it really doesn't fit the bill. One of the hallmarks of GoT is the gray characters, the lack of clear delineation between hero and villain. That is not at all the case in Way of Kings.

 

[TyphoonStruggle]

Im a huge fan of dune series. It was the greatest thing I read as a kid.

My favorite is god emperor. I agree that it gets pretty weird in the latter books, but its an implementation of the storytelling.

the focus is much broader yet nuanced than game of thrones: political intrigue, ecology, philosophy, theology, causation, Greek tragedy, space opera, sacrifice, etc.

besides: (GoT spoiler)

Spoiler

game of thrones stops being good after a storm of swords anyway right?

 

[Brimstone]

War against the Chtorr by David Gerrold is classic alien invasion.


Sten by Allan Cole & Chris Bunch if you want a fun series to read that is militaristic/James Bondish sci-fi.

 

[Karakand]

Isstvan III makes the Red Wedding look tame.

 

[HK-47]

Same as above: only read the first, and I understand it goes downhill. Much more literary SF than anything else on the list. Deeply focused on characters, on language, and on interesting story structures.

I thought Ilium was the one that went downhill in the sequels.

Does everything Dan Simmons write either fall apart or just start out wretched and get worse?

 

[Machine]

War against the Chtorr by David Gerrold is classic alien invasion.

Such a good series. I really hope he finishes it before he dies.

Other sci-fi series worthy of consideration include:

Tales of Continuing Time by Daniel Keys Moran
Uplift Saga by David Brin
Galactic Center by Gregory Benford

 

[Gozan]

Does everything Dan Simmons write either fall apart or just start out wretched and get worse?

His horror books are great. The Terror, Summer of Night, Song of Kali, A Winter Haunting...

As for comparisons with GoT, Revelation Space is closer than any of the series on the list.

If we include fantasy, the J. V. Jones' Sword of Shadows is the closest thing to GoT I've read.

 

[rando14]

I always try to sell people on The Vorkosigan Saga by telling them the main character is like Tyrion from Game of Thrones!

For those who have read the Vorkosigan Saga, where would you recommend starting? Apparently the publish dates of the books don't coordinate with the internal chronological order