Reader Question – Book Recommendations like “Game of Thrones”

Well, you kno wyou can’t throw Tairen Soul out there and have me not say anything, right???? It is not like Golden Dynasty – but it is an amazing fantasy series. best ever, in my opinion.

Okay – for more of the “she was thrown into a barbarian society” or “a trip to another universe” kind of GD feel? I’d say Knights of the Black Swan series. And the bonus there? You get Rammel Hawking – only the hottest freaking elf ever written (fanning self).

Let’s see – I think that Karen Marie Moning’s Highlanders are similar in feeling – fun, sexy, alpha, sometimes the girl is thrown into the past, some paranormal “stuff”.

I also read one called The Reluctant Concubine (Hardstorm Saga #1) – that had a similar feel. Not as much “fun” – more serious, for sure, but same concept of a gentle girl (a healer) finding herself sold to some barbarians in another land, and right into the hands of the warlord himself!

Jacqueline Carey’s Phèdre’s Trilogy and Imriel’s Trilogy. It has the same great world building and the court intrigue. Sex scenes are hot.

Phèdre’s Trilogy starts with Kushiel’s Dart –

The land of Terre d’Ange is a place of unsurpassing beauty and grace. It is said that angels found the land and saw it was good… and the ensuing race that rose from the seed of angels and men live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt.

Phèdre nó Delaunay is a young woman who was born with a scarlet mote in her left eye. Sold into indentured servitude as a child, her bond is purchased by Anafiel Delaunay, a nobleman with very a special mission… and the first one to recognize who and what she is: one pricked by Kushiel’s Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one.

Phèdre is trained equally in the courtly arts and the talents of the bedchamber, but, above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze. Almost as talented a spy as she is courtesan, Phèdre stumbles upon a plot that threatens the very foundations of her homeland. Treachery sets her on her path; love and honor goad her further. And in the doing, it will take her to the edge of despair… and beyond. Hateful friend, loving enemy, beloved assassin; they can all wear the same glittering mask in this world, and Phèdre will get but one chance to save all that she holds dear.

Radiance (Wraith Kings, Book 1) by Grace Draven…not a cliff hanger. She is a writer who has a lyrical bent. This particular book is wonderful right from the start. Check out her other books they have a similar bent, two people who are very different finding each other. My other suggestion is Nalini Sing’s Psy Changeling Series, as well as her Lord of the Abyss and Desert Warrior (Royal House of Shadows) which now seems to be the start of a series – a change since I read it – since the title has been added to. I knew it as Lord of the Abyss, it’s no cliff hanger, it can stand alone. Enjoy!

I just found and read Radiance and Master of Crows by Grace Draven. I didn’t remember buying them but had them on my Kindle and I felt like I hit the jackpot! If you only knew how many times I went to buy the same book twice…

Thanks for the suggestions! Currently reading the Fae Chronicles by Amelia Hutchins. I’m on Book 2 and all I can think about is what type of Fae is Ryder?! (Rhetorical question

One of my favorites, although rated PG-13, is amazing. The book series is called the Dragonbone Chair series by Tad Williams. There is a love story and the main character, as described, is Jaime Fraser-like.

Sommer – The Fae Chronicles are AWESOME!!! I am dying for the next book.

And thanks to all the suggestions. I just one clicked 3, found one sitting in my kindle unread, and added 2 more to my audible wish list. I am pumped!

Try reading ‘The Conquerer’ by Brenda Joyce.

The whole fantasy series from KA was awesome!

Raven… thanks for that suggestion! Just one clicked on amazon 🙂 Never heard of Kushiel’s dart before but it has some great reviews… also it’s 900 pages long, so good to buy before a long weekend.
Thanks again Raven!

Hey Maryse! I LOVED The Wright Brother by Marie Hall. Do you know of any similar books?

Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughn there are four books in this series. It’s similar to Golden Dynasty.

I second Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughn. And, since I’m blanking on the name this is probably not really helpful, several years ago (pre-kindle) I read a great sci-fi romance book (Star something, maybe?) about a woman (named Jenna I think) who, because of a prophecy she sees which leads her to believe it will save her people (but also lead to her death), leaves her homeland to marry/mate/bond with the leader of a barbarian society in another planet.

Johanna Lindsey’s Family Saga. It’s a sci-fi romance series, but it is still a civilized female/ barbarian male series. It’s one of those I read a billion times as a teen.

Ly’San Ter* Family Saga*

David Eddings The Belgariad series first book Pawn of Phrophecy!

I would recommend any of the Fantasyland books by Kristen Ashley as well. They have a similar feel and the setting is so fun! They provide an awesome escape from the everyday!!

I loved C.L. Wilson’s Tairen Soul series! Her newest book, The Winter King (first in a series but it IS a standalone), was amazing too. I cried so much throughout it, but what a beautiful story! I was in a book funk for a few days after that. Definitely would recommend that for those looking for fantasy world building and romance.

I just finished reading “The Warlord’s Wife” by Sandra Lake. Although the female character had a little more freedom than Cerci in The Golden Dynasty (that I LOVED), she definitive was backed into a corner and could not refuse his offer. The writing is good, the story keeps you wanting to learn more and their relationship is hot.

My favorites have already been listed, but here are some books you may consider. I’ve really enjoyed Sarah Maas’s Throne of Glass series, even though it is YA. Another good YA series would be Iron Fey from Julie Kagawa. You may enjoy Betrothed by Jill Myles, Dragon Rose by Christine Pope, the After the Crash series by Maddy Barone, Eve of Samhain (you have to give this one a few chapters), the Velesi Trilogy by L. Filloon, the Courtlight series by Terah Edun, Broken Aro by Jen Wylie, and Beauty and the Beast by K. M. Shea, Poison Study by Maria Snyder,and Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie,

Shadow Fires by Catherine Spangler!!! There is a whole series but this is the only one that I and it was goooood!

Some additions….The Winter King by CL Wilson, Thorn, Paladin by Sally Slater, Kiss of Deception, and Touch of Power by Maria Snyder,

There are books by Laurann Dohnner (Cyborgs and Zorn’s Warriors) that have that otherworldly/fish out of water quality with alpha males and fighting heroines. Way more sex than your average Johanna Lyndsay or highlander type book though so if you’re a fragile flower, don’t go there. There’s also some early work by Susanne Sizemore and Karen Marie Moning that involves time travel romance with alpha male types. Nothing will ever quite match up to Golden Dynasty, but for those who read it and didn’t read the rest of Kristen Ashley’s Fantasyland series, what are you waiting for?!