For over two 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 plot twists have propelled it into popular culture, further cemented by the groundbreaking HBO adaptation, Game of Thrones, and its acclaimed prequel series, House of the Dragon.
With House of the Dragon: Season 2 now available, there’s no better time to immerse yourself in the rich lore of Westeros by delving into the books that started it all. If you’re new to A Song of Ice and Fire and wondering where to begin, this guide will walk you through the reading order of all Game of Thrones books in chronological order, ensuring you experience the saga as intended.
How Many Game of Thrones Books Are There in the Series?
The core A Song of Ice and Fire series currently comprises five published novels. George R.R. Martin is diligently working on two highly anticipated additions: The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring, which will conclude the planned seven-book saga. The wait for these final installments has been long, leading some fans to jokingly wonder if ChatGPT could finish the series, or if Martin will ever complete the epic tale.
Beyond the main novels, the A Song of Ice and Fire universe is enriched by several companion works. These include three Dunk & Egg novellas, collected in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which offer earlier glimpses into Westerosi history. There are also three Targaryen-focused novellas, expanded into the comprehensive history book Fire & Blood, detailing the Targaryen dynasty. Lastly, The World of Ice & Fire serves as an in-depth world compendium, packed with lore and history. We’ll explore these further below, providing a complete picture of the A Song of Ice and Fire reading order.
Discovering Game of Thrones Book Sets
For those who appreciate the tactile experience of physical books, owning the Game of Thrones series as a set is a great option. Several attractive box sets are available, allowing you to collect the published books at once. For a truly impressive display piece, consider the leather-bound edition, often featured in book sales on platforms like Amazon.
A Song of Ice and Fire Box Set showcasing the complete collection of five novels.
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.
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How to Read the Game of Thrones Books in Chronological Order
For readers seeking to experience the Game of Thrones saga in the order of events as they unfold in Westeros history, the chronological approach is ideal. This reading order starts long before the events of A Game of Thrones, providing a deep dive into the Targaryen dynasty and the history that shapes the main series. Note: Plot synopses are designed for newcomers and contain only minor spoilers, focusing on broad plot points and character introductions.
1. Fire & Blood
Fire & Blood cover art depicting a dragon in flight, hinting at the Targaryen history within.
Fire & Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones
Fire & Blood serves as the historical foundation for HBO’s House of the Dragon, chronicling the 300-year reign of House Targaryen in Westeros. Unlike the point-of-view narrative style of the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Fire & Blood is presented as a historical account written by Archmaester Gyldayn of the Citadel. Gyldayn, writing near the end of the Targaryen dynasty and into Robert Baratheon’s reign, recounts events starting 300 years before A Game of Thrones.
The book covers approximately the first 150 years of Targaryen rule, beginning with Aegon the Conqueror’s arrival in Westeros and his subsequent conquest. Key events include the brutal civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, the very conflict depicted in House of the Dragon. Fire & Blood expands upon previously released novellas: The Princess and the Queen, The Rogue Prince, and The Sons of the Dragon. For a more visually engaging and condensed version, The Rise of the Dragon is also available, offering an illustrated overview of this historical period. Exploring Fire & Blood first provides invaluable context for understanding the Targaryen legacy and its impact on the events of A Song of Ice and Fire.
2. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms book cover featuring Dunk and Egg, promising tales of adventure and chivalry.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 hedge knight, and his squire, Aegon V Targaryen (Egg). Set approximately 90 years before A Game of Thrones, these stories offer a closer look at Westeros and the lives of its people outside of the grand political schemes of the main series. These novellas are also set to be adapted into another Game of Thrones spin-off series, also titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
While not essential for understanding the core A Song of Ice and Fire plotline, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms provides enriching background and introduces themes and historical figures that resonate within the main saga. The collection includes The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight, all offering engaging tales of chivalry, mystery, and the complexities of Westerosi society.
3. A Game of Thrones
A Game of Thrones book cover, the iconic start of the epic fantasy series.
A Game of Thrones
A Game of Thrones, published in 1996, is the novel that launched the entire A Song of Ice and Fire phenomenon. It serves as the reader’s initial entry into Westeros, introducing its diverse landscapes, powerful noble families, and a vast array of memorable characters, both heroic and villainous.
Set during the reign of King Robert Baratheon, following Robert’s Rebellion and the fall of the Targaryen dynasty, A Game of Thrones sets the stage for the War of the Five Kings. This conflict erupts as various claimants vie for the Iron Throne, leading to political intrigue, betrayals, familial conflicts, and widespread bloodshed – defining themes throughout A Song of Ice and Fire. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, with chapters alternating between characters such as 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 draws heavily from Daenerys’s chapters in A Game of Thrones, making it redundant for this reading list.
4. A Clash of Kings
A Clash of Kings book cover, hinting at the escalating conflicts and power struggles.
A Clash of Kings
A Clash of Kings directly follows the events of A Game of Thrones, intensifying the War of the Five Kings. The self-proclaimed kings gather their armies, the Lannisters consolidate their power in King’s Landing, Jon Snow ventures north of the Wall with the Night’s Watch, and Daenerys Targaryen navigates the complexities of a foreign land.
The point-of-view characters expand in A Clash of Kings, including Catelyn Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Theon Greyjoy, and Davos Seaworth, offering a broader perspective on the unfolding conflicts across Westeros and beyond.
5. A Storm of Swords
A Storm of Swords book cover, suggesting a pivotal and dramatic turning point in the saga.
A Storm of Swords
A Storm of Swords, the third novel in A Song of Ice and Fire, brings the War of the Five Kings to a dramatic, albeit not complete, conclusion. While some conflicts linger, the major power struggles reach crucial turning points.
As the war’s intensity diminishes in the Seven Kingdoms, the Stark children face individual crises, both near and far, while Jon Snow journeys with the wildlings beyond the Wall, confronting new threats. In Essos, Daenerys continues to develop her leadership and power. Point-of-view characters in A Storm of Swords include Catelyn Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Davos Seaworth, Jaime Lannister, and Samwell Tarly, providing a comprehensive view of the widespread consequences of the war. Martin’s novella Path of the Dragon is derived from Daenerys’s storyline in A Storm of Swords.
6. A Feast for Crows
A Feast for Crows book cover, hinting at political maneuvering and the arrival of winter.
A Feast for Crows
A Feast for Crows picks up directly after A Storm of Swords but runs concurrently with the next novel, A Dance with Dragons. Due to the sheer scope of the narrative, Martin made the decision to split the story geographically. A Feast for Crows focuses on events in King’s Landing, the Iron Islands, and Dorne, largely excluding characters like Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen, who feature prominently in A Dance with Dragons.
As winter descends upon Westeros, A Feast for Crows explores the political landscape and introduces new and returning characters navigating the power vacuum left by the War of the Five Kings. 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. Martin’s novella Arms of the Kraken is based on the Iron Islands chapters from A Feast for Crows.
7. A Dance with Dragons
A Dance with Dragons book cover, suggesting journeys and the gathering of forces.
A Dance with Dragons
A Dance with Dragons rejoins the point-of-view characters absent from A Feast for Crows and overlaps chronologically with the events of the previous book, beginning after A Storm of Swords. As Martin explains, Feast and Dance are parallel narratives, divided geographically rather than strictly chronologically, though A Dance with Dragons eventually progresses beyond the timeline of A Feast for Crows, making it the furthest point in the A Song of Ice and Fire timeline to date.
A Dance with Dragons sees a new Lord Commander at the Night’s Watch, Daenerys grappling with the responsibilities of rule, the Greyjoys venturing east, and new threats and claimants emerging across Westeros. Point-of-view characters 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. Published in 2011, A Dance with Dragons is the latest novel in the core A Song of Ice and Fire series, with fans eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Bonus: The World of Ice & Fire
The World of Ice and Fire cover, showcasing the breadth of Westerosi history and lore.
The World of Ice and Fire
The World of Ice & Fire is a companion compendium that serves as an invaluable resource for deepening your understanding of the A Song of Ice and Fire universe. This richly illustrated book details the history of Martin’s world, starting from the arrival of the First Men during the Dawn Age approximately 12,000 years before A Game of Thrones, through the Targaryen dynasty, and up to Robert’s Rebellion.
An artistic depiction of the Iron Throne from The World of Ice & Fire, highlighting the detailed illustrations within.The Iron Throne as depicted by artist Marc Simonetti in The World of Ice & Fire (Image: George R.R. Martin)
It includes detailed family trees for Houses Targaryen, Stark, and Lannister, along with extensive information on the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, the Free Cities of Essos, and other regions. The World of Ice & Fire can be enjoyed at any point, but reading it after the main novels can enhance your appreciation for the intricate world-building and historical depth of A Song of Ice and Fire.
How to Read the Game of Thrones Books by Release Date
For readers who prefer to experience the A Song of Ice and Fire saga as it unfolded for its original audience, reading by publication date is the alternative. This approach follows the order in which the books were released, mirroring the anticipation and discoveries of readers over time.
- 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
The A Song of Ice and Fire saga continues to expand, with several highly anticipated future releases.
A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition
George R.R. Martin recently unveiled the cover for the illustrated edition of A Feast for Crows. A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition is scheduled for release on November 4, 2025, continuing the series of beautifully illustrated editions.
A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition cover, showcasing the visual richness of the upcoming release.Out November 4, 2025
A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition
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The Winds of Winter
The Winds of Winter is the highly anticipated sixth novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. Picking up after A Dance with Dragons, The Winds of Winter promises to propel the saga toward its endgame. Martin has shared insights into the novel, including confirmed point-of-view characters like Tyrion, Cersei, Sansa, Arya, and Theon. He has also indicated that the book will diverge significantly from the Game of Thrones television series, with different fates for some characters. While a release date remains unconfirmed, Martin maintains that The Winds of Winter is still a priority, despite the long wait.
A Dream of Spring
A Dream of Spring is planned as the seventh and final novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, intended to conclude the epic saga.
Fire & Blood Volume 2
George R.R. Martin has confirmed that he is working on a second volume of Fire & Blood. This volume will continue the Targaryen history, covering the latter half of their 300-year reign in Westeros.
Future Dunk & Egg Novellas
Martin has also expressed his desire to write more Dunk & Egg novellas, further exploring the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall and Aegon V Targaryen. These are planned after the completion of The Winds of Winter. An HBO series adapting the Dunk & Egg stories, starting with The Hedge Knight, is also in development, expected to premiere in late 2025 as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, led by writer Steve Conrad.
To explore more fantasy worlds, check out our list of the best fantasy books or enhance your reading experience with the best reading lights.**
Jordan Sirani covers games, shows, and movies as a freelance writer for IGN.
