Sim, Martin foi inspirado por Maurice Druon, entre outros. Leia o que Martin tem a dizer sobre o livro na introdução da reimpressão:
My own series draws on both traditions . . . and while I undoubtedly drew much of my inspiration from Tolkien, Vance, Howard, and the other fantasists who came before me, A Game of Thrones and its sequels were also influenced by the works of great historical novelists like Thomas B. Costain, Mika Waltari, Howard Pyle . . . and Maurice Druon, the amazing French writer who gave us the The Accursed Kings, seven splendid novels that chronicle the downfall of the Capetian kings and the beginnings of the Hundred Years War.
Ele também diz na capa:
'This was the original game of thrones' George R.R. Martin