Over the past 27 years, George R.R. Martin's *A Song of Ice and Fire* has become a monumental work of fiction, capturing the imagination of readers worldwide. Its ascent to cultural prominence was bolstered by a series of bestselling novels and an HBO adaptation that achieved unprecedented success. The saga's influence continues to thrive, thanks in part to the equally captivating follow-up series, *House of the Dragon*. Now, with all of *House of the Dragon: Season 2* available for streaming, it's the perfect time to explore Westeros through the intricate storytelling of its creator. For those new to the *A Song of Ice and Fire* universe and its companion books, this guide will help you navigate the chronological order of the *Game of Thrones* books.
Jump to:
- 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 books, some have even used AI tools like ChatGPT to envision potential endings. However, there remains uncertainty about whether Martin will complete the series himself.
Martin has also enriched the A Song of Ice and Fire universe with several companion works, including three Dunk & Egg novellas (collected in 2015’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms), three Targaryen-focused novellas (collected and expanded upon in 2018’s Fire & Blood), and a comprehensive world compendium titled The World of Ice & Fire. More details on these works are provided below.
Game of Thrones Book Sets
For fans who cherish physical media, a book set is an excellent way to immerse yourself in the Game of Thrones world. The most visually appealing set is the leather-bound edition, currently available at a discounted price during the Amazon book sale.
A Song of Ice and Fire Box Set
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
These brief plot synopses contain only mild spoilers, focusing on broad plot points and character introductions, perfect for newcomers.
- Fire & Blood
Fire & Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones
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Fire & Blood, the source material for HBO’s House of the Dragon, is a detailed history of the Targaryen dynasty's 300-year reign in Westeros. Unlike the main A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Fire & Blood is narrated by Archmaester Gyldayn, who recounts the Targaryen history from his perspective at the end of their reign and into Robert Baratheon’s era. The book covers the first 150 years of Targaryen rule, with the second volume expected to cover the remaining period.
Fire & Blood includes and expands upon three previously published A Song of Ice and Fire novellas: The Princess and the Queen, or, the Blacks and the Greens (2013), The Rogue Prince (2014), and The Sons of the Dragon (2017). The Rise of the Dragon offers a condensed and illustrated version of Fire & Blood.
- 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 about Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) and his squire, Aegon V Targaryen (Egg). Set roughly 90 years before A Game of Thrones, these stories will also inspire the next Game of Thrones TV series, also titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. While not essential, these novellas offer delightful additional adventures in the Seven Kingdoms.
The collection includes The Hedge Knight (1998), The Sworn Sword (2003), and The Mystery Knight (2010).
- A Game of Thrones
A Game of Thrones
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Published in 1996, A Game of Thrones introduces readers to the world of Westeros, its prominent families, and its colorful cast of characters. Set during Robert Baratheon's reign, the novel initiates the War of the Five Kings, a conflict that drives the narrative forward with political intrigue, betrayal, and familial struggles.
The story alternates between the perspectives of key characters such as Eddard Stark, Catelyn Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen, who embarks on her journey in Essos.
- A Clash of Kings
A Clash of Kings
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A Clash of Kings continues the saga of the War of the Five Kings. As various factions rally their forces, the Lannisters consolidate power in King’s Landing, Jon Snow ventures beyond the Wall, and Daenerys navigates the challenges of a foreign land.
The novel features perspectives from 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 installment, A Storm of Swords, sees the War of the Five Kings nearing its end. As peace returns to the Seven Kingdoms, the Stark children face new challenges, Jon Snow journeys with the wildlings, and Daenerys learns the intricacies of leadership.
The narrative is driven by the perspectives of 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 book left off and runs concurrently with A Dance with Dragons. Focusing on new and returning characters in King’s Landing, the Iron Islands, and Dorne, this novel explores the political machinations as winter descends on Westeros.
Due to its size, Martin split the narrative into two books, with A Feast for Crows covering half the characters. The point-of-view characters include 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 A Feast for Crows and continues the narrative from A Storm of Swords. As Martin explains, the two books are parallel, divided geographically rather than chronologically, though A Dance with Dragons eventually progresses beyond A Feast for Crows.
This novel follows 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. A Dance with Dragons was published in 2011, and fans have been eagerly awaiting the next installment, The Winds of Winter.
Bonus: The World of Ice & Fire
The World of Ice and Fire
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The World of Ice & Fire serves as a comprehensive companion to the A Song of Ice and Fire novels. This richly illustrated book provides a detailed history of Martin's world, spanning from the arrival of the First Men during the Dawn Age to the Targaryen reign and Robert’s Rebellion. It includes family trees, information on the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, the Free Cities of Essos, and lands beyond.
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 recently unveiled the cover for the next illustrated edition of A Song of Ice and Fire. A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition is slated for release on November 4, 2025, following the illustrated edition of the third book.
A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition
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The Winds of Winter
Martin has two more novels planned to complete his seven-book saga. The next installment, The Winds of Winter, will continue the narrative from A Dance with Dragons. Martin has shared preview chapters and blog posts, confirming point-of-view chapters from Tyrion, Cersei, Sansa, Arya, Theon, Barriston Selmy, and others. He has stated that The Winds of Winter will diverge significantly from the television series. Despite being "13 years late," Martin considers it "still a priority," estimating it to be about 75% complete and predicting a length of over 1,500 pages.
A Dream of Spring
The final book in the series is tentatively titled A Dream of Spring, awaiting Martin's completion and publication.
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 reign.
Future Dunk & Egg Novellas
Martin has plans to write additional Dunk & Egg novellas, though he will prioritize finishing The Winds of Winter first. He has outlined two upcoming stories, tentatively titled The She-Wolves (set in Winterfell) and The Village Hero (set in the Riverlands). Martin 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 duo's adventures, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is in development, with Season 1 adapting The Hedge Knight. Led by Steve Conrad, the show is set to premiere on Max and HBO in late 2025.
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