Over the past 27 years, George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, has become a cornerstone of modern fiction. This saga, which skyrocketed to fame through a series of bestselling novels and HBO's groundbreaking adaptation, continues to captivate audiences. The release of HBO's successful follow-up series, House of the Dragon, further cements its place in popular culture. Now, with all of House of the Dragon: Season 2 available to stream, it's the perfect time to delve into the rich tapestry of Westeros as envisioned by its creator. For those new to the series, we've crafted a comprehensive guide to 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 the next two volumes, The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. While fans eagerly await these final installments, some have even turned to AI, like ChatGPT, to imagine possible endings. However, the completion of the series by Martin remains uncertain.
In addition to the main series, Martin has enriched the world of Westeros 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 in 2018's Fire & Blood), and a world compendium titled The World of Ice & Fire. We'll explore these further in the sections below.
Game of Thrones Book Sets
For enthusiasts of physical media, purchasing a Game of Thrones book set is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the series. Among the various sets available, the leather-bound edition, currently on sale at Amazon, stands out as a collector's item.
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
With 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 series, it's presented as a historical account by Archmaester Gyldayn, who lived towards the end of the Targaryen dynasty and into Robert Baratheon's time. The narrative covers 150 years, starting with Aegon I Targaryen's conquest, and includes the tumultuous period known as The Dance of the Dragons, which is the focus of House of the Dragon. Fire & Blood incorporates and expands on three previously published novellas: The Princess and the Queen, The Rogue Prince, and The Sons of the Dragon. The Rise of the Dragon is a condensed, illustrated version of this history.
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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This collection features three novellas centered around Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) and his squire, Aegon V Targaryen (Egg). Set approximately 90 years before A Game of Thrones, these stories will form the basis for the upcoming TV series of the same name. While not essential for the main storyline, they offer delightful side adventures in the Seven Kingdoms. The novellas included are The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight.
- A Game of Thrones
A Game of Thrones
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The inaugural novel of the series, A Game of Thrones, introduces readers to the intricate world of Westeros. Set during Robert Baratheon's reign, following his rebellion against the Targaryens, it launches the War of the Five Kings. The story unfolds through multiple points of view, featuring characters like Eddard Stark, Catelyn Stark, their children, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen, who journeys across the Narrow Sea.
Every IGN Game of Thrones Review
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- A Clash of Kings
A Clash of Kings
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Continuing the War of the Five Kings, A Clash of Kings follows the escalating conflict as various claimants vie for the Iron Throne. The narrative expands to include new perspectives, such as Theon Greyjoy and Davos Seaworth, alongside the familiar voices of the Stark family, Jon Snow, Tyrion, and Daenerys.
- A Storm of Swords
A Storm of Swords
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The third novel, A Storm of Swords, sees the culmination of the War of the Five Kings. The Stark children face various trials, Jon Snow ventures beyond the Wall, and Daenerys begins to assert her leadership in the East. This volume introduces new perspectives like Jaime Lannister and Samwell Tarly.
- A Feast for Crows
A Feast for Crows
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A Feast for Crows picks up after A Storm of Swords and runs parallel to the next book, A Dance with Dragons. Due to its length, Martin split the story into two volumes, each focusing on different characters and regions. Feast follows the political machinations in King's Landing, the Iron Islands, and Dorne, introducing new viewpoints like Cersei Lannister, Brienne of Tarth, and several Greyjoys and Martells.
- A Dance with Dragons
A Dance with Dragons
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A Dance with Dragons reunites readers with characters absent from Feast, such as Jon Snow, Tyrion, and Daenerys. It continues the saga beyond the events of Feast, exploring new developments at the Wall, in Essos, and across Westeros. This novel includes a diverse range of perspectives, from Theon Greyjoy to Melisandre.
Bonus: The World of Ice & Fire
The World of Ice and Fire
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This comprehensive companion book offers a detailed history of Westeros, from the arrival of the First Men to the Targaryen reign and beyond. It's filled with illustrations and genealogical charts, making it an excellent resource for fans seeking deeper understanding of the series' world.
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 next illustrated edition in the series, set to release on November 4, 2025. This follows the successful illustrated edition of the third book.
Out November 4, 2025
A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition
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The Winds of Winter
The sixth book in the series, The Winds of Winter, remains eagerly anticipated. Martin has shared preview chapters and blog posts, confirming it will feature perspectives from key characters like Tyrion, Cersei, Sansa, Arya, Theon, and Barriston Selmy. Despite being "13 years late," Martin assures fans that the novel remains a priority, with an estimated length of over 1,500 pages.
A Dream of Spring
The final book in the A Song of Ice and Fire saga, A Dream of Spring, awaits completion and publication.
Fire & Blood Volume 2
Martin is also working on the second volume of Fire & Blood, which will cover the latter half of the Targaryen dynasty's 300-year reign.
Future Dunk & Egg Novellas
Additional novellas featuring Dunk and Egg are in Martin's plans, though they won't be published until after The Winds of Winter. The fourth novella, set in Winterfell and involving the Stark women, is tentatively titled "The She-Wolves," while another, "The Village Hero," is set in the Riverlands. Martin has also outlined potential titles for future stories, including The Sellsword, The Champion, The Kingsguard, and The Lord Commander.
An HBO series based on these novellas, titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is in development, with the first season adapting The Hedge Knight. The series, led by Steve Conrad, is slated for a late 2025 premiere on Max and HBO.
For more, check out the best fantasy books reading list or pick up one of the best reading lights.
