Well, it’s official. The Game of Thrones TV series has ended. And while for those of us who didn’t start our love affair with the series as book readers, there’s plenty of material in the collection to keep us going, we also thought we’d put together a list of some of our favourite fantasy books and series for everyone with an Iron Throne-sized hole in their hearts.

The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay

You’d be hard-pressed to go wrong with any of Guy Gavriel Kay’s work; he’s long been a staple of fantasy literature and a favourite among fans for a while. But there’s something about The Lions of Al-Rassan that is deeply compelling. Set in a land reminiscent of medieval Spain, this is an evocative and rich story of love, loyalty and adventure set against the backdrop of sweeping desert sands on the eve of a holy war.

The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon

For the uninitiated, it’s quite easy to categorise Diana Gabaldon’s epic fantasy/history series as pure romantic fiction. And while that’s not a reason to not consider something on its own, it does mean that fans of series like Game of Thrones might not immediately turn to Outlander to fill that void. Yes, this series may hinge around a (hugely compelling, by the way, how many couples do you know who could sustain their love over a 200-year time difference?) romantic relationship, but it’s also filled with time travel and treachery, set against the backdrop of the Scottish highlands and the Jacobite revolution. Pair that with a truly chilling villain who would make Joffrey’s toes curl, and you’re good to go.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

It’s refreshing to see a fantasy book with a queendom, not a kingdom. The Priory of the Orange Tree certainly delivers on all the complexities and nuances of power for a fantasy monarch; and if you have a Drogon-shaped hole in your life, well then, it also has dragons. Samantha Shannon, the internationally bestselling author of The Bone Season, has delivered a trailblazing high-fantasy epic; with thematic thrills very reminiscent of GoT – a world divided; a queendom without an heir; and an ancient enemy awakening from a long slumber…

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein

An obvious choice; but George R. R. Martin has openly acknowledged Tolkein as a direct inspiration for his own work, and it’s easy to see why. Since it was first published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, its sweeping fantasy has touched the hearts of young and old alike. Adapted as well into a blockbuster film series that was arguably well-ahead of its time, it’s a must-have for lovers of the genre.

The Captive Prince Trilogy by C. S. Pacat

Damen is a warrior hero to his people, and the rightful heir to the throne of Akielos, but when his half brother seizes power, Damen is captured, stripped of his identity, and sent to serve the prince of an enemy nation as a pleasure slave. For Damen, there is just one rule: never, ever reveal his true identity. Because the one man Damen needs is the one man who has more reason to hate him than anyone else… The Captive Prince is at times quite a dark read (just as GoT can be) – there are themes of absolute power and forced submission that can at times make for uncomfortable reading – but as our reviewer Amy states, the prose, characters and narrative are handled so seamlessly that it makes for absolutely compelling storytelling.

Sabriel by Garth Nix

Garth Nix’s fantasy masterwork is a compelling high fantasy, the gripping story of a young heroine who must do battle in Death itself to defeat a powerful enemy. Sabriel is a tale of dark secrets, deep love and dangerous magic. A natural companion read for Terry Pratchett and Philip Pullman lovers and beautifully influenced by mythology, Sabriel is undoubtedly going to appeal to all of us who will miss Arya Stark more than we can say.

The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie

A triumph of the imagination, The Raven Tower is the first fantasy novel by Ann Leckie, New York Times-bestselling and prize-winning author. One of the great, and truly compelling and inspiring things about fantasy, especially well-done fantasy, is its ability to blend hyper realistic thematic tones (politics, war, monarchy, religion) with hyper fantastical structures (mythology, magical flora and fauna, new worlds) in a seamless manner. The Raven Tower is just as complex and nuanced in its world-building as the best of them, painting a thoughtful portrait of a richly imagined fantasy world.

The Gentleman Bastard Sequence by Scott Lynch

Noted by The Guardian as a series to watch in the fallout after Game of Thrones, The Gentleman Bastard sequence, beginning with The Lies of Locke Lamora, has been called ‘a fresh, engrossing and original tale’ by George R. R. Martin himself. With hints of both Robin Hood and The Mask of Zorro to it, it’s a tale about a mysterious hero in disguise in a Baroque Venetian-esque city.

The Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb

Or, indeed, anything by Robin Hobb. Hobb is a prolific writer, an international bestseller, and a powerhouse of the genre. Beautifully written characters and some genuinely moving moments have cemented Hobb’s position as fantasy supreme leader for years now. In Assassin’s Apprentice, a despised royal bastard, Fitz, is raised as an assassin and to use magic. But his tutor, allied to another political faction, is determined to discredit, and perhaps even to kill him. Fitz must find a way to survive against all odds, because he may be destined to save the kingdom.

Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin

It’d be remiss not to mention Ursula Le Guin in a list of fantasy writers. First published in 1968, A Wizard of Earthsea has been described as a masterpiece, and Le Guin’s name has become synonymous with fantasy and speculative fiction for fans of the genres. The Earthsea series follows Ged, a goatherd who discovers he has powers over nature. But that duality of light and dark, something fantasy is so good at, is always at play; will Ged succumb to the dark forces of evil and death, or will the light prevail?

And now our watch has ended.