George R.R. Martin is best known for the Song of Ice and Fire books, but many diehard fans of the author will have read his lesser-known titles — and if they haven’t, they should make them priority reads. While A Game of Thrones and its sequels are undoubtedly Martin’s greatest works, he has other interesting stories that show off his writing talents.
Some of them are from earlier in his career, but that doesn’t make them any less worthwhile. With the delays facing The Winds of Winter, these books make for a great means of revisiting Martin’s writing. From his very first published novel to his best collection of non-ASOIAF stories, these five books need to be on every Martin fan’s radar.
5
Dying Of The Light
First Published In 1977
Dying of the Light is Martin’s first full-length novel, which is already an incentive for fans of the author to check it out. Published 19 years before A Game of Thrones, Dying of the Light showcases Martin’s early writing, which is interesting to explore, if only to see how far he’s come.
However, that’s not the only reason to pick up the 1977 novel. Dying of the Light offers readers a sci-fi tale that’s set in a future where humans are living in space, though the story’s main focus is the planet Worlorn. That’s where Dirk t’Larien journeys to find his long-lost love, Gwen Delvano — though the circumstances he discovers the planet and Gwen in are far from expected.
Martin’s novel follows Dirk as he attempts to protect Gwen from another man she’s tied to, all while grappling with who to trust and the greater threats headed their way. Dying of the Light blends elements of classic Westerns into its narrative, making it stand out against similar sci-fi stories.
Dying of the Light isn’t the fantasy fare readers have come to expect from Martin, but it does showcase his detailed world-building and character work. Additionally, readers familiar with A Song of Ice and Fire will be able to pick up on certain themes and motifs that appear in his first novel and crop up later as well.
Those who haven’t read Martin’s first novel should make it a point to, as it’s both a fun experience and reveals a lot about the author’s early writing style. From there, they can pick up his next couple of books as well, both of which feature unique concepts that set them apart from his later work.
4
Fevre Dream
First Published In 1982
Fevre Dream might be Martin’s best novel that isn’t set in the Song of Ice and Fire universe, and it’s especially worthwhile for readers looking for well-written vampire books. Fevre Dream is Martin’s second published novel, and it came out in 1982 — though it holds up surprisingly well today.
The vampire story is set prior to the American Civil War and follows riverboat captain Abner Marsh as he’s dragged into a journey down the Mississippi River — one that takes him to much darker places than he anticipated. This mission unfolds at the request of Joshua York, who has secrets beyond Marsh’s imagination.
Fevre Dream takes readers on this lush, nightmarish journey alongside Marsh, using fast pacing and high stakes to keep them invested. Martin’s 1982 novel does an excellent job of hooking its audience, then pushing them to learn more about the mission Marsh has undertaken.
Like Martin’s later books, Fevre Dream excels when it comes to writing style and characterization, making it a must-read for fans of A Song of Ice and Fire. It also puts a unique spin on the typical vampire narrative, something that would be worth checking out, regardless of the author. The fact that it’s from one of the best minds in the fantasy genre just offers even more reason to dive in.
3
The Armageddon Rag
First Published In 1983
The Armageddon Rag is one of the most interesting additions to Martin’s backlist, as it’s the book he thought would be his big break before A Game of Thrones — and it’s also the one that put his career as a novelist on hold temporarily. Despite earning Martin his first six-figure advance, The Armageddon Rag wasn’t that successful when it was published in 1983.
And The Armageddon Rag continues to divide readers today, as some fans of Martin’s work enjoy the fantasy thriller more than others. The Armageddon Rag follows a former music journalist, Sandy Blair, as he begins investigating a crime that pulls him into the world of the supernatural. A story about the end of the world that’s set in the ’80s, The Armageddon Rag is also a clear nod to the ’60s, its culture, and its music scene.
This can make the novel difficult for some modern readers to get into, but its premise is still fun enough that it’s worth giving a chance. The book blends its central mystery with its fantasy elements nicely, and it offers more of Martin’s excellent character work throughout.
The Armageddon Rag does have some notable flaws, including its pacing and unsatisfying resolution. Fans of Martin’s work shouldn’t go into it expecting the author at his best, but the novel still has enough strengths to make it worth reading.
2
Dreamsongs
First Published In 2007
In addition to penning several novels outside the Song of Ice and Fire universe, Martin has also written quite a bit of short fiction. And those looking to dig into his shorter works should pick up Dreamsongs: Volume 1 — and then Dreamsongs: Volume 2 if they find themselves impressed by the first collection.
Both Dreamsongs: Volume 1 and Volume 2 feature an array of stories from the author, and although they’re all distinct, none of them feel noticeably weaker than the others. When it comes to short fiction collections, there’s often an imbalance; readers tend to gravitate towards some narratives while feeling less enthused about others.
Dreamsongs doesn’t suffer from this as much as other collections, perhaps because it’s a compilation of Martin’s best stories, several of which have even won awards. Digging into Dreamsongs will immerse readers in engaging narratives they can work through quickly. As these stories span Martin’s career, picking up Dreamsongs also demonstrates his growth in a way diehard fans will find interesting.
1
Tuf Voyaging
First Published In 1986
Tuf Voyaging is another one of Martin’s early works that leans sci-fi rather than fantasy, and it compiles multiple pieces of short fiction into one compelling book. That setup alone distinguishes it from Martin’s other titles, making it a perfect choice for fans of episodic storytelling.
All the stories in Tuf Voyaging follow Haviland Tuf, a space trader who is traveling from planet to planet. He attempts to do good, equipped with the last remaining seedship of the Ecological Engineering Corps. The book’s synopsis rightfully describes him as “an unlikely hero,” and anyone familiar with Martin’s later novels knows he excels at writing such characters.
And the character work is one of the highlights of Tuf Voyaging, but it’s not the only one. Martin touches on important subjects throughout this book, and he also injects humor and charm into its narratives. Fans of George R.R. Martin should check it out, even though it’s very different from his well-known fantasy stories. It’s a nice change of pace.
- Birthdate
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September 20, 1948
- Birthplace
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Bayonne, New Jersey, USA
- Professions
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Author, Screenwriter, Television Producer
- Height
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5 feet 6 inches
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