The latest season of Game of Thrones came to an end this weekend. This means that you need to get your grand fantasy fix from somewhere else, possibly until 2019. Of course, you can go back and re-read the entire A Song of Ice and Fire series , but you could also take the time to explore a totally different fantasy world.Fantasy novels have a deep history, and there are thousands of wonderful novels that you might not yet have come across. Here are 5 standout fantasy novels released in 2017 by some big time authors that you should check out, which should be more than sufficient to keep you engaged while you anticipate the final season of Game of Thrones.

1. Sufficiently Advanced Magic (Arcane Ascension)

In this novel there’s a lot of action, magic, creatures, and excitement from the very beginning. In Sufficiently Advanced Magic , you get to follow Corin through the Academy, so if magic schools and learning how to use magic is your thing I think you’d really love this book.

Five years ago, Corin Cadence’s brother entered the Serpent Spire — a colossal tower with ever-shifting rooms, traps, and monsters. Those who survive the spire’s trials return home with an attunement: a mark granting the bearer magical powers. According to legend, those few who reach the top of the tower will be granted a boon by the spire’s goddess. He never returned. Now, it’s Corin’s turn.

There were several nice twists to the end of the book and significant character development. You’ll surely be surprised

2. Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor)

Mark Lawrence’s newest book Red Sister comes in a completely new setting. With ‘Assassin’ fantasy sub genre trending right now, Lawrence puts his own ferociously dark impression on the genre with Red Sister.

Red Sister is not as twisted as his Broken Empire books, which by most measures is not saying much since it’s likely darker and far more brutal than most of the ‘Assasin’ fantasy you’ll read.

This book also just might be Mark Lawrence’s best work, masterfully combining the profound, fascinating world building of the Broken Empire with the nuanced characterization of his Red Queen’s War series. Quite clearly, Red Sister makes for a startlingly good read and certainly one of the must-read fantasy books of 2017.

3. City of Miracles (The Divine Cities)

City of Miracles is the third and final book of the Divine Cities trilogy which started with the outstanding City of Mirrors.

This book stars Sigrud je Harkvaldsson. Revenge. It’s something Sigrud je Harkvaldsson is very, very good at. Maybe the only thing. So when he learns that his oldest friend and ally, former Prime Minister Shara Komayd, has been assassinated, he knows exactly what to do – and that no mortal force can stop him from meting out the suffering Shara’s killers deserve.

Authored by Robert Jackson Bennet, who’s one of the more most skilled, creative, and gifted wordsmiths in the fantasy genre who always concentrates on telling a richly schemed tale, pushed by powerful, intricate characterization, City of Miracles is a sad farewell to one of the best fantasy trilogies written in the last decade.

4. Sins of Empire (Gods of Blood and Powder)

Brian McClellan begins another trilogy set in the same world as his ‘Powder Mage’ trilogy, but ten years after.

Sins of Empire is also Brian McClellan’s best work so far, with mixed social themes, an interesting setting, compelling and detailed characters, a unique magic system, and breathtaking action scenes.

This novel is filled with some old and new characters, but still keeps the overall vibe of the wild west landscape on the brink of an industrial revolution.

5. With Blood Upon the Sand (Song of Shattered Sands)

Sequel to his last book Twelve Kings in Sharakhai, Bradley P. Beaulieu’s With Blood Upon the Sand delivers in every way.

If you want a well-written, intricately framed novel set in an exotic landscape connected by exotic magics, this series is something you’ll need to read. The forefront of a new fantasy sub genre called silk road fantasy, this novel features fascinating scenes of desert and wind.

Captivatingly unique, but an excellent read. If you’ve read the first novel in the series , picking this one up is a no brainer. And if you haven’t read the first book, then make sure you do.