As a huge fan of Elden Ring, I often find myself craving more of that deep, immersive, and sometimes brutally challenging fantasy after I've put down the controller. Beating the game with a dance pad is impressive, but what about diving into worlds built with the same care and epic scale? If you loved the lore crafted by George R. R. Martin and the rich, unforgiving world of the Lands Between, you're in luck. The fantasy genre is brimming with series that capture that same spirit. Let me share some incredible book series that feel like a natural next step for any Tarnished. After all, why should the adventure end when the game does?
The Cosmere
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if the Erdtree's influence stretched across multiple planets? That's the scale of The Cosmere, the ever-expanding universe by Brandon Sanderson. Sanderson is a master of creating intricate, rule-based magic systems—think of it as the lore behind your favorite sorceries and incantations, but with the depth of a full scholarly text. For Elden Ring fans, the high fantasy elements here are a perfect match. Where should you start? I'd point you straight to The Stormlight Archive. This series is a masterpiece of modern fantasy, featuring characters as complex and compelling as any you'd meet in Roundtable Hold. We're talking about figures like Dalinar Kholin, a leader grappling with his past, and Kaladin Stormblessed, whose struggles feel incredibly human. The world is filled with distinct cultures and races, like the warlike Alethi and the mysterious Parshendi, making it feel as lived-in as the Lands Between. It's a commitment, but isn't that what we love about these deep worlds?
The Wheel of Time
Remember the sheer awe of facing a Runebear or a Fallingstar Beast for the first time? The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (and completed by Brandon Sanderson) delivers that same sense of epic scale and terrifying adversaries. The tone can shift from peaceful to perilous in a heartbeat, much like traversing from Limgrave into Caelid. If you loved wielding flashy spells like Comet Azur or unique weapons, you'll find plenty of that here. The magic system, which draws from elemental forces, allows for some truly spectacular large-scale battles. Characters launch barrages of power that would make even the most adept sorcerer nod in respect. Just a heads-up: the TV adaptation is quite different from the books, so I highly recommend diving into the original text for the full, unfiltered experience.
The Elric Saga
Are you a fan of Maliketh's Black Blade or the general aura of tragic, cursed power in Elden Ring? Then you must meet Elric of Melniboné and his sentient, soul-drinking sword, Stormbringer. Michael Moorcock's Elric Saga is foundational dark fantasy. Elric is the archetypal antihero—a frail albino emperor sustained by sorcery and his symbiotic, often controlling relationship with his blade. Stormbringer is arguably one of the most influential swords in all of fiction, inspiring weapons like Frostmourne from Warcraft. The dynamic between Elric and his weapon is a central tragedy; they are locked in a struggle for mastery, descending into villainy and horror together. It's a raw, macabre series that perfectly captures the grimdark aesthetic Elden Ring fans appreciate.
A Song of Ice and Fire
This one feels almost too obvious, right? But hear me out. Since George R. R. Martin helped shape the foundational mythos of Elden Ring, diving into his own world offers a fascinating look at his creative process. A Song of Ice and Fire shares that deep borrowing from Norse mythology and Arthurian legend, wrapped in a layer of gritty, medieval realism. Just as Elden Ring can lull you with beauty before unleashing a Grafted Scion, Martin's series lulls you with political intrigue before delivering shocking, unforgiving brutality. The sense that no one is truly safe, that grand ideals often crumble, and that history is a cycle of rise and fall—these themes resonate powerfully between the book and the game.
The Dark Elf Trilogy
For those who love the immersive, dungeon-crawling feel and detailed world-building of Elden Ring, R.A. Salvatore's The Dark Elf Trilogy is a fantastic choice. Set in the Forgotten Realms (the Dungeons & Dragons universe), it follows Drizzt Do'Urden, a drow ranger who rejects the evil society of his birth. The descriptions of the vast Underdark and thrilling combat sequences are incredibly vivid. You don't need to know a single thing about D&D to enjoy it; the story of exile, identity, and survival stands powerfully on its own. It's like following the journey of a Tarnished through a fully realized, hostile world.
The First Law
Do you enjoy the morally ambiguous characters in Elden Ring? The ones where you're never quite sure if they're helping you or using you? Joe Abercrombie's The First Law series is the pinnacle of grimdark fantasy, renowned for its gritty realism and fantastically flawed characters. Everyone exists in shades of gray, and battles often feel like evil versus evil. Abercrombie brilliantly subverts classic fantasy tropes, much like Elden Ring subverts player expectations. The protagonists commit acts that will leave your jaw on the floor, challenging every assumption you have about heroes and villains. If the blend of horror and fantasy in places like the Mountaintops of the Giants appealed to you, this series is a perfect match.
The Black Company Chronicles
Looking for something that captures the bleak, desperate atmosphere of Dark Souls and Berserk, which heavily inspired Elden Ring? Glen Cook's The Black Company Chronicles is essential reading. It follows a mercenary company through a war-torn, dark fantasy world, told from the ground-level perspective of its annalist. The horror here is visceral and psychological. The second book, in particular, has a creeping, Lovecraftian dread that would feel right at home in the depths of the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds. Cook takes the classic "hero's journey" and twists it into something raw, new, and utterly compelling for readers who prefer their fantasy without the polish.
The Lord of the Rings
It's the foundation for so much modern fantasy, including Elden Ring. J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings shares that deep well of Norse myth and Arthurian legend. While it's likely a coincidence both stories center on a ring, the familiar concept makes it an easy entry point. The similarities in vibe are undeniable—have you seen the Night Cavalry and not thought of the Nazgûl? The books offer a depth the movies can't fully capture, with richer lore, more scenes, and a profound sense of history. Reading it feels like understanding the ancient, crumbling history that the ruins in Elden Ring only hint at.
The Runelords
Runes are central to Elden Ring's power structure, aren't they? Gathering Great Runes to restore order is the core quest. David Farland's The Runelords features one of the most unique magic systems I've ever encountered, entirely centered on runes. In this world, individuals can receive "endowments" of attributes like strength, speed, or even beauty from willing donors, transferred via runic magic. It creates a fascinating and brutal social hierarchy. The concept that all runic power may have originated from a single, primeval source will feel wonderfully familiar to any Tarnished who has sought the Elden Ring. It's a hidden gem with lore that will instantly hook you.
Malazan Book of the Fallen
Finally, for those who want the ultimate challenge—a series as dense, complex, and unforgiving as a level 1 run. Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen is legendary for its unparalleled world-building and unflinching dark fantasy. Erikson doesn't hold back. You'll encounter horrors that make the Omens look tame: think necrophiliac cannibals and landscapes of pure nightmare fuel. Yet, amidst the darkness, there is incredible magic (drawn from "warrens") and epic, large-scale combat. It's a series that demands your attention and rewards it with a scope that truly feels like an entire world's history unfolding. If you finished Elden Ring and thought, "I want more, and I want it darker and deeper," this is your answer.
So, fellow Tarnished, the journey doesn't have to end. Each of these series offers a new realm to explore, new horrors to face, and new lore to uncover. Which one will you choose to venture into next? The pages are waiting, and who knows what great runes or cursed blades you might find within them. 📚✨