'Winds of Winter': Similar books to read while waiting for a release date

The long wait for the release of “Winds of Winter” continues, with still no surety that it will be out this year. Author George R.R. Martin is close to finishing the book, but is not sure he will be able to deliver the book soon. While the fans wait, there is always the option of picking up another series that is similar to “A Song of Ice and Fire.”

A fan on Reddit suggests picking up the “Conan” series by Robert E. Howard. The adventures of Conan the Cimmerian was made famous in Hollywood by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Unlike “A Song of Ice and Fire,” each of Howard’s books is a novella that tells one short tale of the young warrior.

There is magic and sorcery, powerful wizards, beautiful princesses, and there is also gritty action in the novels. Apart from J.R.R. Tolkien, who wrote “Lord of the Rings” among other books, Martin was also influenced by Howard’s writings.

While waiting for the release of “Winds of Winter,” the fan has read “The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian” and is preparing to read more books from the popular series. The fan said that after reading the book it becomes clear how Martin’s book series is inspired by Howard’s work.

For fans who are not keen on reading something other than Martin’s work can always pick up the “Dunk and Egg” series, which is based in Westeros and is a prequel to “A Song of Ice and Fire.” The author is also currently promoting the “Wild Cards” series.

Another recommendation by the fans is “The Accursed Kings” by Maurice Duron. The French novels have been adapted for a miniseries in France. The forward to the translation has apparently been written by Martin.

Apart from working on “Winds of Winter,” Martin is also working on some other projects for HBO. The “Game of Thrones” TV series will soon come to an end, and the studio needs some other interesting shows to take its place.