If you were drawn to the way Dying of the Light explores the meaning of belonging and the choices that define us—especially through Dirk t’Larien’s struggle with loyalty, love, and the impermanence of human connection—you’ll be captivated by The Dispossessed. Le Guin follows Shevek, a physicist torn between two worlds with conflicting ideologies, as he grapples with questions of freedom, duty, and the nature of utopia. The novel’s thoughtful examination of identity and society will deeply resonate with you.

If the vividly imagined planet of Worlorn and its dying cultures fascinated you in Dying of the Light, you’ll be enthralled by The Left Hand of Darkness. Le Guin’s novel transports you to the icy world of Gethen, where human ambassador Genly Ai must navigate intricate customs and entirely new forms of gender and society. The sense of alienness and depth of worldbuilding here will immerse you every bit as much as Martin’s fading festival world.

If you appreciated the subtle political tensions and the sense that every character in Dying of the Light has their own agenda, Downbelow Station will grip you. Cherryh’s story plunges you into the heart of a space station caught between warring factions, where loyalties shift, alliances are tested, and survival demands shrewd negotiation—echoing Martin’s knack for complex, high-stakes intrigue.

If Dirk t’Larien’s flawed, sometimes desperate decisions in Dying of the Light intrigued you, you’ll be captivated by Gully Foyle in The Stars My Destination. Foyle is a driven antihero whose single-minded quest for revenge leads him through a series of morally gray choices. Bester’s classic not only matches Martin’s psychological depth but also delivers a protagonist whose ethics are as ambiguous as they are compelling.

If the intricately layered cultures, rituals, and sense of place in Dying of the Light drew you in, you’ll find Embassytown utterly absorbing. Miéville constructs a city at the edge of space where language itself is alien, and human colonists must navigate the mysterious customs of the native Ariekei. The worldbuilding is lush and integral to the plot, echoing the immersive setting of Martin’s novel.