Game of Thrones Meets Wicked In The Fantasy Series That Needs to Be on Your TBR

Published Oct 28, 2026, 5:05 PM EDT Amanda Kay Oaks is a writer and lifelong book nerd. She has been writing about books on the internet for over 10 years, with prior bylines at Book Riot and ComicBook.com. Though she reads across most genres, Amanda Kay is particularly fond of romance, cozy fantasy, and books with strong female characters. If there's one thing Game of Thrones and Wicked have in common, it's that the villains are never quite who you expect. Gregory Maguire's novel gives readers an entirely new perspective on the notorious Wicked Witch of the West, one that inspired the iconic musical. And of course, George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones series became one of the most popular fantasy TV adaptations in recent memory. With Winds of Winter still quite a ways off, and the film adaptation of Wicked all wrapped up, readers are no doubt eager to find more fantasy novels infused with misunderstood villains and political intrigue. Thankfully, there's a fantasy trilogy in progress that fits the bill. Better yet, the final book in the series is set to release in March 2027. So, if you jump into the series now, you won't have long to wait for its epic conclusion. The series in question is the Queens of Villainy trilogy by Stephanie Burgis. It began in 2025 with Wooing the Witch Queen, which introduced us to our not-so-villainous queens. Then, we got book two, which delved deeper into the trickery and deceit of the fae realm while slowly expanding the simmering political tension. Now, everything comes to a head in the final novel, coming in spring 2027. So if you're looking for a read that will scratch that Game of Thrones itch and deliver a Wicked-level retelling of what's right and wrong, this series is a must-read. The Queens of Villainy Series Blends Political Strategy With Magic and Spice for a Winning Formula As its title suggests, the Queens of Villainy series follows a trio of so-called "Witch Queens." But as we learn in the first installment, evil is in the eye of the beholder. The notorious Witch Queen Saskia gained her reputation as a wicked sorceress when she overthrew her uncle. Her notorious status as a villainess is just part of her ongoing strategy to protect the borders of her kingdom from the encroaching empire. Sound familiar? Like Elphaba in Wicked, Saskia isn't actually evil at all. She, too, is pitted against an evil ruler determined to have his way. Little does she know that the very same archduke she despises has entered her castle in disguise. But like Saskia, Fabian isn't all that he appears. This first book gives readers a lovely slow-burn romance, but it also sets up the broader story arc. Saskia and her fellow Queens of Villainy have kingdoms to protect from the empire that would invade them and eradicate their more magical residents. Alongside the simmering slow burn, a full-on war between nations is also brewing, unless the Queens of Villainy can outsmart their opponents without coming to bloodshed. In book two, we get another side of that conflict from the perspective of another notorious villain - the Fae Queen, Loralei. This enemies-to-lovers romance delves deeper into the political machinations of the Queens of Villainy and their enemies, including the general who leads the enemy forces. And for those who enjoy a good magical competition, there's a deadly contest that would give Carl and Donut a run for their money. With two books already out, the series is heading for its epic conclusion in early 2027, giving you just enough time to catch up before the trilogy is complete. You can purchase Wooing the Witch Queen here. Critical Reception to Wooing the Witch Queen and Enchanting the Fae Queen Bramble Both Wooing the Witch Queen and Enchanting the Fae Queen have performed well with readers. Book one earned an average of 3.7 stars on Goodreads, with well over 7,000 reviews. Book two, meanwhile, clocks in at a slightly higher 3.75 stars. While that's not quite a ubiquitous 5-star average, it does prove that plenty of readers have enjoyed the first two installments in this trilogy. And they're not the only ones. The first installment also managed to beat out fellow finalist Onyx Storm to win the 2026 Romantic Novelists' Association Romantasy Award. That's no small achievement, given just how much of an impression Yarros' romantasy series has made in recent years. Along with its impressive critical reception, the Queens of Villainy series has enjoyed a good bit of commercial success. The first book received a stunning special edition release via OwlCrate, which sold out its entire print run. That level of hype for Wooing the Witch Queen carried over to the 2026 release of Enchanting the Fae Queen, which hit the USA Today Bestseller list. It, too, got a special OwlCrate release. Clearly, romantasy fans are very here for the Queens of Villainy. And soon, we'll be treated to the final installment. You can purchase Enchanting the Fae Queen here. What to Expect From Book Three, Melting the Ice Queen Bramble If you're interested in a trilogy that combines the spice and political intrigue of Game of Thrones with a reclamation of maligned women along the lines of Wicked, the release date for Melting the Ice Queen should be on your calendar. This third and final installment will round out the trilogy, giving readers the story of the third infamous Queen of Villainy. Melting the Ice Queen follows Queen Ailana of Nornne, who readers will recognize from the first two books. Like her fellow Queens of Villainy, Ailana isn't evil so much as determined to keep her kingdom safe from the encroaching empire. To ensure Nornne's safety, she does the unthinkable, entering into a political marriage of convenience with High Priestess Clothilde, a part of the very Serafin Empire she's battling against. In this conclusion to the trilogy, readers won't just get a thrilling sapphic romantasy centered on the marriage of convenience trope. We'll also be treated to the epic conclusion of the war that's been brewing through the first two books. In other words, the game of thrones that our Queens of Villainy have been playing will finally come to an end. But who will remain standing when all is said and done? Melting the Ice Queen will bring back beloved characters from the first two books, delving deeper into the Ice Queen's backstory and the complex struggle for power at the heart of the Serafin Empire. In a time with so many long-running fantasy series with no end in sight, it's exciting to see a trilogy you can actually finish by early 2027. You can pre-order Melting the Ice Queen here. Release Date November 22, 2024 Runtime 160 Minutes Director Jon M. Chu Cast Cynthia Erivo Elphaba Thropp Writers Gregory Maguire, Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox, L. Frank Baum