[Mance]

I have just read aSoS. Is there any other writers as good as GRRM. If so could you tell me. Who is next best? Is there any other REALLY good series by other authors?

[Barbarossa]

Well opinions will diferr very much on this.
Personally i like Martin best, too. Though the Lord of the rings will always be my favorite, not because other books aren't better, but because no other book will ever have the same impact on me (that has to do with the time of life i read LOTR).

Next behind Martin i would put Robin Hobb and Guy Gavriel Kay:

Hobb has written 2 trilogies so far, with a third just starting.
Her first trilogy was called "the farseer saga"
It should appeal to a fan of Martin. It's told in first person by a royal bastard who is trained to be an assassin.
The characters are well drawn, and as with Martin not very heroic. As with Martin there are surprises and no happy endings.

Hobb's second trilogy are the "lifeship traders".
It's set in the same world as the FS but in a different corner.
Unlike the FS it's told from multiple points of view. In the centre of the story are the plight of a family of lifeship traders. Lifeships are made from a kind of magical wood and come alive when enough members of the owning family have died on deck. They have their own personality and are considered family.

G.G. Kay write mostly stand alone novels not series. He's sparse with magic, much like "Game of thrones" and his novels often read like historical novels set in fantasy worlds.
His characters are well drawn, his language almost poetic. Like Martin he doesn't shirk away from sex and violence but they are always a part of the story.

I would reccomend to start with "Tigana"
Other books: A song for Arbonne
Lions of Al'rashan
The Saratine mosaic: Sailing to Sarantium (vol 1)
Lord of Emperors (vol 2)
The Fionvar tapestry trilogy

[FitzChivalry]

I agree about Robin Hobb, probably would appeal to Martin lovers.

But about Kay, don't trust that if you liked Martin you'd like Kay too, i didn't, i read only Tigana though, but it was so boring and slow moving that i never picked another Kay book since.

I could recommend David Gemmell though to Martin lovers, his plots are less grand, but he writes great battle and his world and characters are as gritty and realistic as Martin's.

[Bardos]

I like neither Hobb, nor Kay, but I love Martin.

People are... rich and varient, Barbarosa, don't judge so easily... http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Rupert Avery]

I'm here to say read Raymond E Feist next.
Why?
Because his books are great.Different style yes but still very good.

[Barbarossa]

Umm Bardos, where did I judge?
Didn't I start with "opinions will diferr very much on this"? Didn't i use qualifiers like should and propably?
It's your absolute right to have a different opinion, but I think it would help someone asking for a reccomendation, if you didn't just state you disagreed, but why you did so.
I certainly tried to explain why I think as I do.
From earlier posts of you, i know you like your main characters to be heroic, i certainly don't for once. I don't say either of us is "right" but the information should help someone asking for advice to evaluate the advice he gets.

As to Rupert you too should explain why you reccomend Feist. Personally I think him entertaining enough, but not all that great.
Personally i doubt it will appeal to someone who looks for a second Martin. Of course i coiuld be wrong.

[Bardos]

Ok, Barbarosa. Apparently, I misgudged you.
Friends? http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif