For nearly three decades, George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series has captivated readers worldwide, becoming a cornerstone of modern fantasy literature. Its intricate world, compelling characters, and unpredictable plotlines have propelled it into the cultural mainstream, further cemented by the phenomenal success of HBO’s Game of Thrones adaptation and its prequel series, House of the Dragon.
With House of the Dragon Season 2 captivating audiences, there’s no better time to delve into the rich source material that started it all. If you’re new to Westeros and Essos or simply looking to navigate the expansive world of A Song of Ice and Fire books in order, this guide is for you. We’ll walk you through the chronological reading order, ensuring you experience the saga as it unfolds, along with exploring companion books that enrich the world and lore.
Dive Into the World of Westeros:
How Many Books are in A Song of Ice and Fire?
The core A Song of Ice and Fire series comprises five published novels to date. George R.R. Martin is currently working diligently on the highly anticipated final two installments: The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. The wait for these concluding volumes has been long, and fans eagerly anticipate the resolution to this epic tale. The series’ enduring popularity even led to creative fan endeavors, with some using AI models like ChatGPT to imagine possible endings, highlighting the deep desire for closure in A Song of Ice and Fire. The question of whether Martin will ultimately complete the series remains a topic of much discussion and speculation within the fan community.
Beyond the main novels, Martin has also enriched the A Song of Ice and Fire universe with several companion works. These include three Dunk & Egg novellas, offering earlier glimpses into Westeros history (now collected in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms), three Targaryen focused novellas, which expanded into the comprehensive history Fire & Blood, and a detailed world compendium, The World of Ice & Fire. We’ll explore these fascinating additions further below.
Game of Thrones Book Sets for Collectors
For those who appreciate the tactile experience of physical books, owning the Game of Thrones series as a set is a fantastic way to collect and display these literary treasures. Several boxed sets are available, offering the complete collection in various editions. For a truly impressive display piece, consider the leather-bound edition, a luxurious addition to any bookshelf. Keep an eye out for deals, especially around major shopping events like the Amazon book sale, where you might find attractive discounts on these sets.
A Song of Ice and Fire Box Set
Image: A beautifully crafted leather-bound box set of A Song of Ice and Fire books, perfect for collectors and fans of the series.
A Song of Ice and Fire Box Set
This box set includes all five currently published books in the A Song of Ice and Fire series in a collectible format.
[$85.00 save 46%
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Reading the Game of Thrones Books in Chronological Order
For readers wanting to experience the history of Westeros in the order events unfold within the world’s timeline, the chronological order is the ideal approach. This order includes prequel novels and novellas that predate the main A Song of Ice and Fire saga, offering a deeper understanding of the Targaryen dynasty and Westeros’s history.
To guide new readers, the synopses below contain only minor spoilers, focusing on general plot points and character introductions.
1. Fire & Blood
Fire & Blood: A Targaryen History Book Cover
Image: The book cover of Fire & Blood, featuring a dragon, highlighting its focus on Targaryen history.
Fire & Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones
Fire & Blood, the inspiration behind HBO’s House of the Dragon, serves as a comprehensive historical account of House Targaryen’s 300-year reign over Westeros. Unlike the point-of-view narrative style of the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Fire & Blood adopts a historical approach. It’s presented as the work of Archmaester Gyldayn of the Citadel, who chronicles the Targaryen dynasty from Aegon the Conqueror to the events leading up to Robert’s Rebellion.
While Gyldayn’s writing is set around the beginning of A Song of Ice and Fire, the events within Fire & Blood commence 300 years prior to A Game of Thrones. The first volume covers approximately 150 years of Targaryen rule, culminating in the Dance of the Dragons, the fiery civil war depicted in House of the Dragon. Fire & Blood Volume 2 is anticipated to cover the remaining 150 years of Targaryen dominance.
Fire & Blood expands upon and incorporates three previously released A Song of Ice and Fire novellas: The Princess and the Queen (2013), The Rogue Prince (2014), and The Sons of the Dragon (2017). For a more concise and visually engaging experience, The Rise of the Dragon offers an abridged and illustrated version of Fire & Blood.
2. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Book Cover featuring Dunk and Egg
Image: The book cover of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, showcasing the characters Dunk and Egg in a medieval setting.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a collection of three novellas centered on the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk), a humble hedge knight, and his squire, Aegon V Targaryen (Egg). Set roughly 90 years before the events of A Game of Thrones, these stories offer a more grounded perspective on Westeros, exploring themes of chivalry, justice, and the lives of common folk. These novellas are set to be adapted into a new Game of Thrones spin-off series, also titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
While not essential to understanding the main A Song of Ice and Fire storyline, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms provides enriching background and introduces key historical context. It’s a must-read for fans eager to delve deeper into the world and explore different facets of Westeros.
The collection comprises the novellas: The Hedge Knight (1998), The Sworn Sword (2003), and The Mystery Knight (2010).
3. A Game of Thrones
A Game of Thrones First Book Cover in the Series
Image: The iconic book cover of A Game of Thrones, the first novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, featuring a direwolf sigil.
A Game of Thrones
Published in 1996, A Game of Thrones marks the beginning of the epic A Song of Ice and Fire saga. It serves as the reader’s initial immersion into Westeros, introducing its diverse landscapes, noble houses, and a vast cast of unforgettable characters – heroes and villains alike.
Set during the reign of King Robert Baratheon, following his rebellion against the Targaryen dynasty, A Game of Thrones ignites the War of the Five Kings. As various claimants vie for the Iron Throne, the novel masterfully weaves together political intrigue, betrayal, family conflicts, and brutal warfare – themes that resonate throughout the entire series.
The narrative unfolds through multiple points of view, shifting between chapters and offering intimate perspectives from key characters. In A Game of Thrones, these POV characters include Eddard Stark, Catelyn Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen, whose story begins across the Narrow Sea in Essos.
George R.R. Martin’s novella Blood of the Dragon primarily consists of repurposed content from Daenerys’s chapters in A Game of Thrones, and is therefore not included in this chronological reading list.
4. A Clash of Kings
A Clash of Kings Second Book Cover in the Series
Image: The book cover for A Clash of Kings, the second book, depicting a stag and lion, symbols of the warring factions.
A Clash of Kings
A Clash of Kings directly continues the tumultuous events of the War of the Five Kings. The self-proclaimed kings solidify their power bases, the Lannisters strive to maintain control in King’s Landing, Jon Snow ventures north of the Wall with the Night’s Watch, and Daenerys grapples with the challenges of a foreign land and her growing destiny.
Expanding the scope of the first novel, A Clash of Kings introduces new POV characters, further enriching the narrative tapestry. These characters include Catelyn Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Theon Greyjoy, and Davos Seaworth, providing a multifaceted view of the escalating conflicts and shifting allegiances.
5. A Storm of Swords
A Storm of Swords Third Book Cover in the Series
Image: The book cover of A Storm of Swords, the third book, showing a sword amidst a storm, hinting at the intense conflicts within.
A Storm of Swords
A Storm of Swords, the third novel in A Song of Ice and Fire, brings a significant turning point to the War of the Five Kings, effectively bringing many of its core conflicts to a head, though lingering tensions and new power struggles remain.
As the war begins to subside in the Seven Kingdoms, the Stark children face individual trials and tribulations, scattered across the land and beyond. Jon Snow’s journey takes him deeper into the mysteries and dangers north of the Wall, while Daenerys continues her path toward leadership and power in the East.
The POV cast expands further in A Storm of Swords, including Catelyn Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Davos Seaworth, Jaime Lannister, and Samwell Tarly, offering an even wider range of perspectives on the unfolding drama.
Similar to Blood of the Dragon, Martin’s novella Path of the Dragon is derived from Daenerys chapters in A Storm of Swords and is not listed separately here.
6. A Feast for Crows
A Feast for Crows Fourth Book Cover in the Series
Image: The book cover for A Feast for Crows, the fourth book, featuring crows circling, symbolizing themes of death and decay.
A Feast for Crows
A Feast for Crows picks up directly after the events of A Storm of Swords but runs concurrently with the fifth novel, A Dance with Dragons. Due to the sheer volume of material, Martin made the decision to split the narrative geographically. A Feast for Crows focuses on events in King’s Landing, the Iron Islands, Dorne, and the Riverlands, while the storylines of characters like Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen are reserved for A Dance with Dragons.
As winter descends upon Westeros, A Feast for Crows delves into the political maneuvering and power vacuums left in the wake of the War of the Five Kings. New and returning characters navigate treacherous landscapes, both political and physical.
The POV characters in A Feast for Crows 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.
Martin’s novella Arms of the Kraken is primarily sourced from the Iron Islands chapters within A Feast for Crows and is therefore omitted from this list.
7. A Dance with Dragons
A Dance with Dragons Fifth Book Cover in the Series
Image: The book cover of A Dance with Dragons, the fifth book, depicting a dragon and a direwolf, representing the key factions and elements of the story.
A Dance with Dragons
A Dance with Dragons reunites readers with beloved POV characters absent in A Feast for Crows and continues the narrative thread from A Storm of Swords. As Martin explains, Feast and Dance unfold in parallel, separated geographically but eventually converging chronologically, with A Dance with Dragons moving slightly ahead in the timeline.
In A Dance with Dragons, Westeros and Essos are in flux. A new Lord Commander takes charge of the Night’s Watch, Daenerys confronts the complexities of ruling, the Greyjoys expand their ambitions eastward, and new threats and opportunities emerge across the known world.
The extensive list of POV characters in A Dance with Dragons includes 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, providing a panoramic view of the increasingly intricate plot.
A Dance with Dragons was published in 2011, marking a significant gap before the anticipated release of its sequel, The Winds of Winter.
Bonus: The World of Ice & Fire
The World of Ice and Fire Companion Book Cover
Image: The book cover of The World of Ice & Fire, a visually rich companion book with illustrations and historical details.
The World of Ice and Fire
The World of Ice & Fire is an indispensable companion compendium for A Song of Ice and Fire enthusiasts. This beautifully illustrated coffee table book offers an in-depth exploration of Martin’s world, tracing its history from the Dawn Age and the arrival of the First Men in Westeros (approximately 12,000 years before A Game of Thrones) through the Targaryen dynasty and Robert’s Rebellion.
The Iron Throne Depiction from The World of Ice & Fire Book
Image: A detailed illustration of the Iron Throne, as depicted by artist Marc Simonetti within The World of Ice & Fire book.
The World of Ice and Fire includes detailed family trees for Houses Targaryen, Stark, and Lannister, alongside extensive information on the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, the Free Cities of Essos, and lands beyond, making it an essential resource for understanding the vast and intricate world of A Song of Ice and Fire.
Reading the Game of Thrones Books by Release Date
For readers interested in experiencing the series as it was published and evolved, the release date order offers a different perspective. This order reflects how readers encountered the story initially and allows you to follow Martin’s writing journey.
- 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)
*A Song of Ice and Fire novels
Upcoming Game of Thrones Books to Look Forward To
The world of A Song of Ice and Fire continues to expand, with several exciting projects on the horizon for dedicated fans.
A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition
George R.R. Martin recently unveiled the cover for the upcoming illustrated edition of A Feast for Crows. A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition is scheduled for release on November 4, 2025, continuing the tradition of beautifully illustrated editions for the A Song of Ice and Fire series.
A Feast for Crows Illustrated Edition Book Cover Reveal
Image: The cover art for the upcoming illustrated edition of A Feast for Crows, showcasing new artwork and collectible design.
Out November 4, 2025
A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition
See it at AmazonSee it at Barnes & NobleSee it at Target
The Winds of Winter
The Winds of Winter is the highly anticipated sixth novel in the planned seven-book A Song of Ice and Fire saga. Picking up after the cliffhanger ending of A Dance with Dragons, The Winds of Winter promises to propel the story forward, potentially diverging further from the Game of Thrones television adaptation.
Martin has shared insights into The Winds of Winter through blog posts and preview chapters, confirming POV chapters from characters like Tyrion, Cersei, Sansa, Arya, Theon, and Barriston Selmy. Despite the long wait, Martin maintains that The Winds of Winter remains a priority, aiming for a substantial length exceeding 1,500 pages.
A Dream of Spring
A Dream of Spring is intended to be the seventh and final novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, concluding the epic saga.
Fire & Blood Volume 2
George R.R. Martin is also actively working on Fire & Blood Volume 2, the second part of the comprehensive Targaryen history, which will cover the latter half of their 300-year reign in Westeros.
Future Dunk & Egg Novellas
Martin has expressed his desire to continue expanding the Dunk & Egg novella series, further exploring the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall and Aegon V Targaryen. While these novellas are on hold until The Winds of Winter is completed, Martin envisions a substantial series chronicling their lives. Potential future titles include The She-Wolves and The Village Hero, among others.
An HBO adaptation of the Dunk & Egg stories, titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is currently in development, with the first season adapting The Hedge Knight novella, expected to premiere in late 2025 on Max and HBO.
For further reading, explore our lists of the best fantasy books and enhance your reading experience with the best reading lights.
By Jordan Sirani, Freelance Writer for IGN.
