7 Completed Fantasy Book Series That Will Make You Give Up on The Winds of Winter

Waiting for The Winds of Winter has become a tradition for fantasy fans, but it doesn’t have to keep your reading list frozen in place. The good news is that some of the greatest epic fantasy series ever written are already complete, with unforgettable journeys and endings you can actually experience today.

From sprawling kingdoms and ruthless political intrigue to ancient magic and legendary heroes, these stories deliver everything fans of George R. R. Martin love. Better yet, you won’t be left hanging after the final page of the latest installment.

Here are seven completed fantasy book series that might just make waiting for The Winds of Winter a little easier—or make you forget about it altogether.

1 The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (15 books)

The Wheel of Time is the kind of epic fantasy that reminds readers why sprawling worlds are worth getting lost in. Robert Jordan wove an unforgettable tale of prophecy, war, political intrigue, and one of the richest magic systems in the genre.

After Jordan’s passing in 2007, Brandon Sanderson completed the final three novels using Jordan’s extensive notes. The massive cast evolves over thousands of pages, with every major storyline building toward a finale that rewards the investment.

Unlike The Winds of Winter, this is an epic you can start today knowing the story reaches a satisfying conclusion. It’s the closest any series has come to filling the void left by the book. It delivers the same thrill of unraveling political conflicts and watching seemingly insignificant moments grow into world-changing events—but with the guarantee of knowing every major storyline reaches a meaningful end.

2 The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb (16 books)

The Realm of the Elderlings is a masterpiece that proves epic fantasy doesn’t need constant battles to leave a lasting impact. Robin Hobb crafted one of the genre’s most unforgettable protagonists in FitzChivalry Farseer, whose journey unfolded across decades of political intrigue, royal conspiracies, magical bonds, and heartbreaking sacrifice.

Rather than relying on shocking twists, Hobb built emotional stakes so powerful that every victory and loss feels intensely personal. If what keeps you coming back to A Song of Ice and Fire is its complex characters rather than just its plot, The Realm of the Elderlings may become the series you can’t stop thinking about instead.

What stays with readers the most isn’t the grand events but how deeply Hobb made one care about every action and choice. Few fantasy series have left fans as emotionally invested in a character’s life as this one, and that connection is what makes it so unforgettable.

3 Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson (10 books)

Malazan Book of the Fallen is the ultimate choice for readers who think no fantasy series can match the sheer scale of the Game of Thrones books. Across ten novels, Steven Erikson throws you into a world of ancient empires, immortal beings, gods, and massive military campaigns that demand your full attention.

Its intricate storytelling rewards patient readers with jaw-dropping reveals, unforgettable characters, and one of the most ambitious finales in modern fantasy. By the time you reach the last page, you’ll likely be too busy processing Malazan’s epic conclusion to keep checking for news about The Winds of Winter.

This isn’t an easy read, and the learning curve is steep, but that’s exactly what made the experience so rewarding. The deeper readers venture into Malazan’s world, the more they appreciate its immense scope and the confidence Erikson had in letting them piece everything together on their own.

4 Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn by Tad Williams (3 books)

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn is essential reading for ASOIAF fans because it reminds us of Tad Williams’ influence on George R.R. Martin.

The author fused political intrigue, ancient prophecies, memorable villains, and richly developed kingdoms into a story that feels classic yet modern at the same time. You’ll spot echoes of Martin’s work throughout the series, from the layered characters to the slow-burning conflicts that reshape an entire continent.

The biggest difference is that Williams actually brought every major storyline to an epic conclusion, making this an ideal cure for readers still waiting on The Winds of Winter. It delivers the same sense of long, carefully built narrative momentum that ASOIAF promises, the same ideas and storytelling techniques that would later become hallmarks of Martin’s novel series, but this one actually resolves those sprawling threads in a way that gives closure rather than prolonging uncertainty.

5 The First Law by Joe Abercrombie (10 books)

The First Law is what happens when epic fantasy trades prophecy and honor for grit, sarcasm, and brutal honesty. Spanning ten interconnected books, Joe Abercrombie delivered a world where heroes are selfish, villains are relatable, and everyone is just trying to survive the consequences of bad choices.

What really makes this work is how consistently it commits to consequences—actions don’t just drive plot; they permanently influence people in ways that feel believable, even when the world itself leans into cynicism and chaos.

Fans also get to enjoy the sharp dialogue, shocking twists, and interesting characters that make every storyline feel deeply grounded. Once you’ve experienced its completed arcs and darkly satisfying endings, waiting around for The Winds of Winter starts to feel like a very different kind of fantasy altogether.

6 The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen R. Donaldson (10 books)

Stephen R. Donaldson’s The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant is a long-running fantasy saga centered on Thomas Covenant, a leper from the real world who is suddenly transported into a mysterious realm called the Land. The story follows his repeated returns to this world as he is drawn into battles against powerful forces threatening the Land’s survival, while also confronting his own issues.

Unlike traditional hero journeys, this completed series focuses on psychological conflict and uncomfortable questions about belief and responsibility, pulling your attention away from Martin’s long-delayed novel and into something far more immediately satisfying.

Indeed, this is such a strong alternative while waiting for The Winds of Winter since it gives a similarly uneasy and morally complicated reading experience.

7 The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin (6 books)

The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin follows Ged, a gifted but impulsive mage, as he grows from a reckless young wizard into a wiser figure forced to confront the shadow he unleashed through his own pride. The novel is often described as a coming-of-age story charting Ged’s journey to understanding and responsibly wielding his power, while also facing and accepting the reality of death.

His true maturation comes not from mastering magic, but from learning the limits of control and the necessity of balance between light and shadow. That philosophical restraint gives the series a kind of clarity that makes it especially filling if you’ve been stuck in the perpetual anticipation of unfinished epics.

For those still waiting for The Winds of Winter, this one offers a complete and emotionally satisfying arc with real closure that can make you appreciate the appeal of finished stories over uncertain ones.

Book Series	Author
The Wheel of Time	Robert Jordan
The Realm of the Elderlings	Robin Hobb
Malazan Book of the Fallen	Steven Erikson
Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn	Tad Williams
The First Law	Joe Abercrombie
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant	Stephen R. Donaldson
The Earthsea Cycle	Ursula K. Le Guin

Have you read any of these books? Let us know in the comments!