Over the past 27 years, George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, has cemented its place as a monumental work of fiction. The saga has captured the imaginations of readers and viewers alike, propelled by a series of bestselling novels and HBO's groundbreaking adaptation, Game of Thrones. The cultural impact of the series continues to thrive, bolstered by the success of HBO's follow-up series, House of the Dragon.
With all of House of the Dragon: Season 2 now available to stream, it's the perfect time to immerse yourself in the source material and explore Westeros through the eyes of its creator. For those yet to delve into the A Song of Ice and Fire novels and their companion books, we've crafted this comprehensive guide on how to read the Game of Thrones books in chronological order.
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- Game of Thrones books in chronological order
- Game of Thrones books by release date
- Upcoming GoT books
How Many Game of Thrones Books Are There in the Series?
George R.R. Martin has published five novels in his A Song of Ice and Fire saga. He is currently working on two more volumes: The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. While fans eagerly await these final books, some have even used AI, like ChatGPT, to imagine potential endings for the series, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding Martin's completion timeline.
In addition to the main series, Martin has enriched the universe with several companion works. These include three Dunk & Egg novellas, collected in 2015's A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, three Targaryen-focused novellas, expanded upon in 2018's Fire & Blood, and a comprehensive world guide titled The World of Ice & Fire. More details on these works can be found below.
Game of Thrones Book Sets
For fans who appreciate physical media, purchasing a set of the Game of Thrones books is an excellent way to enjoy the series. Several sets are available, but the leather-bound edition stands out for its aesthetic appeal and is currently featured in an Amazon book sale.
A Song of Ice and Fire Box Set
52 Contains the set of 5 books.
$85.00 save 46%
$46.00 at Amazon
How to Read the Game of Thrones Books in Chronological Order
With series newcomers in mind, these brief plot synopses contain only mild spoilers such as broad plot points and character introductions.
- Fire & Blood
Fire & Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones
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Fire & Blood serves as the historical backdrop for HBO's House of the Dragon, chronicling the 300-year reign of House Targaryen in Westeros. Unlike the main A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Fire & Blood is narrated as a historical account by Archmaester Gyldayn, who lived during the end of the Targaryen dynasty and into Robert Baratheon's rule. The book covers the first 150 years of Targaryen history, with the second half expected to be detailed in Fire & Blood Volume 2.
Fire & Blood spans the reigns of six Targaryen rulers, beginning with Aegon I Targaryen's conquest of Westeros. It includes the pivotal event known as The Dying of the Dragons, or The Dance of the Dragons, which is the central story of House of the Dragon. Fire & Blood also incorporates and expands upon three previously published ASoIaF novellas: The Princess and the Queen, The Rogue Prince, and The Sons of the Dragon. A condensed and illustrated version of Fire & Blood, titled The Rise of the Dragon, has also been published.
Every Dragon in Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon
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- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms compiles three novellas featuring the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) and his squire Aegon V Targaryen (Egg). Set approximately 90 years before the events of A Game of Thrones, these stories will form the basis for the upcoming TV adaptation, also titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. While not essential to the main narrative, these novellas offer additional insights and adventures within the Seven Kingdoms.
The collection includes The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight.
- A Game of Thrones
A Game of Thrones
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Published in 1996, A Game of Thrones is the inaugural novel of the ASoIaF series. It introduces readers to the world of Westeros, its surrounding regions, and the intricate web of families and characters that drive the narrative. Set during Robert Baratheon's reign, following his rebellion against the Targaryens, the book initiates the War of the Five Kings, a conflict marked by political intrigue, betrayal, and familial tensions.
The story unfolds through alternating points of view, featuring characters such as Eddard Stark, Catelyn Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen, whose journey takes place across the Narrow Sea in Essos.
Every IGN Game of Thrones Review
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- A Clash of Kings
A Clash of Kings
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A Clash of Kings continues the saga, focusing on the ongoing War of the Five Kings. The various claimants to the throne rally their forces, while the Lannisters consolidate power in King's Landing. Jon Snow ventures beyond the Wall with the Night's Watch, and Daenerys navigates the challenges of a foreign land.
The point-of-view characters in this novel include Catelyn Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Theon Greyjoy, and Davos Seaworth.
- A Storm of Swords
A Storm of Swords
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The third novel, A Storm of Swords, largely concludes the War of the Five Kings, though some conflicts persist. As the war wanes, the Stark children face various crises, Jon Snow explores beyond the Wall, and Daenerys learns to lead in the East.
The point-of-view characters in this book are Catelyn Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Davos Seaworth, Jaime Lannister, and Samwell Tarly.
- A Feast for Crows
A Feast for Crows
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A Feast for Crows picks up where the previous novel left off and runs concurrently with A Dance with Dragons. It focuses on new and returning characters navigating the political landscape in King's Landing, the Iron Islands, and Dorne as winter approaches Westeros. Due to the book's length, Martin split the narrative into two volumes, with Feast covering half the characters and Dance the other half.
The point-of-view characters in A Feast for Crows are Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Jaime Lannister, Samwell Tarly, Cersei Lannister, Brienne of Tarth, Aeron Greyjoy, Victarion Greyjoy, Arianne Martell, Asha Greyjoy, Areo Hotah, and Arys Oakheart.
- A Dance with Dragons
A Dance with Dragons
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A Dance with Dragons reintroduces the beloved characters absent from Feast and continues the narrative from A Storm of Swords. The novel is parallel to Feast but eventually moves beyond its events, making it the furthest along in the ASoIaF timeline. Key developments include a new Lord Commander at the Night's Watch, Daenerys grappling with leadership, the Greyjoys' eastward journey, and the emergence of a new claimant to the Iron Throne.
The point-of-view characters in A Dance with Dragons are Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Bran Stark, Arya Stark, Theon Greyjoy, Quentyn Martell, Davos Seaworth, Barriston Selmy, Asha Greyjoy, Cersei Lannister, Jaime Lannister, Jon Connington, Victarion Greyjoy, Areo Hotah, and Melisandre.
Bonus: The World of Ice & Fire
The World of Ice and Fire
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The World of Ice & Fire is a comprehensive companion to the ASoIaF novels, serving as an illustrated history of Martin's world. It covers the history from the arrival of the First Men during the Dawn Age to the Targaryen reign and Robert's Rebellion. The book includes family trees, detailed information on the Seven Kingdoms, the Free Cities of Essos, and beyond.
The Iron Throne as depicted by artist Marc Simonetti in The World of Ice & Fire (Image: George R.R. Martin)
How to Read the Game of Thrones Books by Release Date
- A Game of Thrones (1996)
- A Clash of Kings (1999)
- A Storm of Swords (2000)
- A Feast for Crows (2005)
- A Dance with Dragons (2011)
- The World of Ice & Fire (2014)
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2015)
- Fire & Blood (2018)
Upcoming Game of Thrones Books
A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition
Martin has announced the upcoming release of A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition, set to launch on November 4, 2025. This edition follows the illustrated treatment of the third book and promises to bring the story to life with stunning visuals.
Out November 4, 2025
A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition
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The Winds of Winter
The sixth book in the ASoIaF series, The Winds of Winter, is eagerly anticipated by fans. Martin has shared preview chapters and blogs, indicating that the novel will feature point-of-view chapters from characters such as Tyrion, Cersei, Sansa, Arya, Theon, and Barriston Selmy. Despite being "13 years late," Martin assures that the book remains a priority, with an estimated length of over 1,500 pages.
A Dream of Spring
The final book in the series, A Dream of Spring, is planned to conclude the epic saga, should Martin complete and publish it.
Fire & Blood Volume 2
Martin is also working on the second volume of Fire & Blood, which will cover the remaining 150 years of the Targaryen dynasty's 300-year reign.
Future Dunk & Egg Novellas
Martin has expressed his intention to write more Dunk & Egg novellas, though these will not be published until after The Winds of Winter. He has outlined plans for stories set in Winterfell, involving the Stark women, and another in the Riverlands, tentatively titled The Village Hero. Martin has also mentioned potential titles for future adventures, including The Sellsword, The Champion, The Kingsguard, The Lord Commander, and others.
An HBO series based on the Dunk & Egg novellas, titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is in development, with Season 1 adapting The Hedge Knight. The show, led by Steve Conrad, is slated to premiere on Max and HBO in late 2025.
For more reading recommendations, explore our best fantasy books list or consider purchasing one of the best reading lights to enhance your reading experience.
