The fantasy novels that could be the next Game of Thrones As Game of Thrones’ seventh season hits its stride, fans must face up to a troubling reality. There are only […]

As Game of Thrones’ seventh season hits its stride, fans must face up to a troubling reality.

There are only ten episodes left of the penultimate season of this TV epic. And something will need to fill that blood-soaked void in the not-too-distant future.

It could be akin to Hollywood’s scramble to find a replacement for the Harry Potter franchise.

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The TV industry could do worse than turn to any of these fantasy fiction series for their next adaptations.

The Dragonriders of Pern

For source material with staying power, look no further. The late Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern saga stands at an eye-watering 22 books. The first, Dragonflight, hit shelves in 1968. The most recent, written in conjunction with McCaffrey’s son Todd, was released in 2012. It follows the titular Dragonriders, an ancient sect tasked with defending the weak against otherworldly threats.

The Kingkiller Chronicle

Patrick Rothfuss’ critically-acclaimed Kingkiller Chronicle has the Game Of Thrones knack of leaving fans waiting with bated-breath for the next instalment. The planned trilogy, of which two books are currently available, reads like an autobiography for the central character, esteemed adventurer Kvothe. Split between the present and the past, a retired Kvothe regales the reader with stories from his past.

Back in 2013, The Kingkiller Chronicle was optioned for TV by Twentieth Century Fox. By 2015, they’d canned plans – but Lionsgate have now reportedly taken on the rights, and are planning potential film and TV series, in conjunction with Rothfuss. Time to rekindle that dream?

Redwall

What could be better than a TV series about royal intrigue, murder and dragons? How about royal intrigue, murder and mice? The late Brian Jacques’ brilliant Redwall series sports enough big battles and political turmoil to rival anything Game of Thrones puts out.

With 22 books in the series, most of which are self-contained tales, Redwall follows a group of anthropomorphic animals through trials and tribulations in the titular land.

With evil otter pirates to rival Euron Greyjoy, princely mice-knights and warrior badgers The Mountain wouldn’t want to fight – TV is begging for a blockbuster adaptation.

The First Law Series

Joe Abercrombie’s fantasy series ranks among the most celebrated of the last decade. It blurs the lines between good and evil, so is more than a little reminiscent of Thrones.

The backdrop is a large-scale conflict between warring realms and kingdoms, following an ensemble cast as they make their way through a land ravaged by violence.

Malazan Book of the Fallen

This epic saga by Canadian author Steven Erikson started in 1999 with Gardens of the Moon. The prolific Erikson brought the series to a close in 2011, with The Crippled God.

There’s certainly an expansive character and sub-plot list to fill many seasons of screen-time, following a story over several thousand years in several continents.

The Black Company

Another epic with a hefty amount of source material to wade through, Glen Cook’s celebrated The Black Company is dark fantasy at its finest. Following the titular band of mercenaries over 4o years, this series features enough magic and monsters to keep even the most demanding of viewers fans happy.

There have been rumours floating of TV series for some time, though nothing concrete has yet emerged.

The Broken Empire

If fans want something as graphic, violent and downright dirty as Game Of Thrones, they needn’t look further than The Broken Empire. Mark Lawrence’s trilogy follows Jorg Ancrath and his ragtag bunch of outlaws. Jorg, a sociopath and murderer, is the rightful heir to the throne, and will stop at nothing to claim his crown.

Boundless scheming? Undead Kings? Blood and guts? It all sounds familiar.