# Science Fiction Like A Song of Ice and Fire? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 23, 2014, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508 "2014-01-23T06:39:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Meloy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58f4c7/32.png) [@Meloy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meloy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/1 "2014-01-23T06:39:41Z")
I know ASoIaF is fantasy and I have already looked up a number of novels and series similar to it but I am curious if there are any works of science-fiction similar to it out there. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/2 "2014-01-23T12:08:17Z")
Similar in what way? ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/3 "2014-01-23T12:15:39Z")
Similar in a worldbuilding sense? Or the multiple POV of the same events? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/4 "2014-01-23T12:21:37Z")
> [@grude](#): > > Similar in a worldbuilding sense? Or the multiple POV of the same events? If it’s similar in the multiple-character points of view thing (and in the “Killing Off the People You Start to Find Interesting and Like” way) there’s always Harry Turtledove’s _World War_ series (along with its follow-up _Colonization_ series and the one-shot _Homeward Bound_): > **[Worldwar series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worldwar)** > > The Worldwar series is the fan name given to a series of eight alternate history science fiction novels by Harry Turtledove. Its premise is an alien invasion of Earth during World War II, and includes Turtledove's Worldwar tetralogy, as well as the Colonization trilogy, and the novel Homeward Bound. The series' time span ranges from 1942 to 2031. The early series was nominated for a Sidewise Award for Alternate History in 1996. > Worldwar deals with a military invasion that begins on or around May... ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/5 "2014-01-23T13:06:01Z")
I’ll second Turtledove and suggest the South Victorious series, which brings us through (what seems like) a day-by-day recounting of the Twentieth Century by an endless cast of indistinguishable characters from WWI through WWII in an alternate where the Confederacy won the Civil War. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/6 "2014-01-23T13:19:32Z")
If you mean a fictional but realistic medieval setting in which “magic” is real but people act like people and the story is full of political machinations, then I would recommend the Deryni series by Katherine Kurtz. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/7 "2014-01-23T13:27:09Z")
Or you can go big, and try out Dan Simmons’s _[Hyperion Cantos,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperion_Cantos)_ which is huge, sprawling, with complex characters, multiple points of view and terrific world-building. Plus lots of action. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/8 "2014-01-23T16:55:30Z")
This may be too obvious, but _Dune_ was clearly an influence. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/9 "2014-01-23T17:10:14Z")
Gritty SF with multiple points of view and a huge plotline? The **Leviathan Wakes** trilogy qualifies, and it was actually written by a couple of George RR Martin’s close friends, plus it’s awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/10 "2014-01-23T17:33:37Z")
Eh. If it’s the drama, murder, betrayal, unbelievable egoism, and conflict you want, why settle for fiction? Real life had tons of that in the Middle Ages; you just have to find a writer who doesn’t horribly bungle the job of conveying the interesting stuff. I recommend Barbara Tuchman’s _A Distant Mirror_. It makes the whole Games of Thrones series look like…well, like a fictionalization of the events Tuchman describes. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/11 "2014-01-23T17:42:53Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > Eh. If it’s the drama, murder, betrayal, unbelievable egoism, and conflict you want, why settle for fiction? Real life had tons of that in the Middle Ages; you just have to find a writer who doesn’t horribly bungle the job of conveying the interesting stuff. > > I recommend Barbara Tuchman’s _A Distant Mirror_. It makes the whole Games of Thrones series look like…well, like a fictionalization of the events Tuchman describes. George R. R. Martin wrote a foreword to a recent edition of Maurice Deruon’s **The Iron King** , from which a blurb is cited on the cover (“This is the Original Game of Thrones”) Martin has acknowledged his debt to Druon’s work, and likes the TV adaptations of it (not available in the US, or in English). I haven’t read any of them, myself, so I don’t feel I can recommend them. > **[Grimdark Historical Fiction? The Iron King by Maurice Druon - Reactor](https://reactormag.com/review-the-iron-king-maurice-druon/)** > > The Iron King by Maurice Druon is a historical novel that is about to be read by a large number of fantasy readers, mostly on the strength of a little quote by one George R.R. Martin on its cover. Ready for it? Here it comes: “This is the original... > **[George R.R. Martin On The Inspiration For 'A Game Of Thrones'](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/george-rr-martins-inspiration_n_2945193)** > > George R.R. Martin On The Inspiration For 'A Game Of Thrones' ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/12 "2014-01-23T18:09:12Z")
I’d recommend Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosiganverse novels, starting with **Shards of Honor.** ---
**Author:** ![Goofus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7feea3/32.png) [@Goofus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Goofus)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/13 "2014-01-23T18:19:50Z")
_Otherland_ by Tad Williams is also a long slog and full of hateful characters. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/14 "2014-01-23T18:21:59Z")
If you want the series that the author of A Song of Ice and Fire allegedly cites as his inspiration, look no further than the “Accursed Kings” series by Druon: > **[The Iron King (The Accursed Kings) (Book 1): Druon, Maurice: 9780007491261:...](https://www.amazon.com/Iron-King-Accursed-Kings-Book/dp/0007491263)** > > The Iron King (The Accursed Kings) (Book 1) \[Druon, Maurice\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. The Iron King (The Accursed Kings) (Book 1) No magic, but plenty of intrigue and murder; historical fiction rather than fantasy. Edit: Ninja’d. But I’ve read 'em in translation, and they are great reads! ---
**Author:** ![Meloy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58f4c7/32.png) [@Meloy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meloy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/15 "2014-01-23T20:04:08Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Similar in what way? What **Loach** , **Alessan** , and **Left Hand of Darkness** said, that is: gritty science-fiction with multiple points of view; a huge sprawling plot-line; complex characterization; and terrific world-building in a realistic [alien] setting in which [technology] is [fantastical] but people act like people and the story is full of political machinations. ---
**Author:** ![Meloy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58f4c7/32.png) [@Meloy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meloy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/16 "2014-01-23T20:11:09Z")
I’m a big Turtledove fan. I’ve read a lot of his work and while the alternating POV is similar, I don’t think he’s otherwise at all like GRRM. > [@cher3](#): > > This may be too obvious, but _Dune_ was clearly an influence. Already on my list! 🙂 > [@Sailboat](#): > > Eh. If it’s the drama, murder, betrayal, unbelievable egoism, and conflict you want, why settle for fiction? Real life had tons of that in the Middle Ages; you just have to find a writer who doesn’t horribly bungle the job of conveying the interesting stuff. > > I recommend Barbara Tuchman’s _A Distant Mirror_. It makes the whole Games of Thrones series look like…well, like a fictionalization of the events Tuchman describes. Because I like fiction. That said, I’ve bookmarked it to to check out later. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/17 "2014-01-23T21:52:40Z")
> [@Meloy](#): > > What **Loach** , **Alessan** , and **Left Hand of Darkness** said, that is: gritty science-fiction with multiple points of view; a huge sprawling plot-line; complex characterization; and terrific world-building in a realistic [alien] setting in which [technology] is [fantastical] but people act like people and the story is full of political machinations. Then I definitely recommend **Leviathan Wakes**. There’s lots of politics going on, wonderful characters, multiple factions, moral ambiguity, and a fairly realistic setting. Indeed, the ship sequences are among the best I’ve ever read in SF. The authors are excellent at bringing things like acceleration and space maneuvering to the story in ways that are both plausible and interesting. It’s set entirely within our solar system, with no FTL travel; the most fantastic piece of tech, at least at the beginning of the story, is a fusion drive that enables spaceships to reach the outer edges of the solar system within months instead of years. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/18 "2014-01-23T22:05:35Z")
Maybe you might like Neal Stephanson’s “Cryptonomicon” and related Baroque Cycle. Sprawling, rambling, gritty, multiple POV characters, politics, technology, and so on. Except for being completely different than ASOIAF, they’ve got a lot of similarities. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/19 "2014-01-23T23:39:50Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > Except for being completely different than ASOIAF, they’ve got a lot of similarities. Well put ;). ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508/20 "2014-01-23T23:46:56Z")
It’s also for people who like military technology porn - the book is like a Tom Clancy novel gone horribly, horribly right. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-fiction-like-a-song-of-ice-and-fire/679508.md?page=2)