Over the past 27 years, George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire has become a cornerstone of modern fantasy literature. The saga has captured the imagination of millions through its bestselling novels and HBO's groundbreaking adaptation, Game of Thrones. The cultural impact continues with the success of HBO's follow-up series, House of the Dragon. With the complete second season of House of the Dragon now available to stream, it's the perfect time to delve into the rich world of Westeros as crafted by Martin himself. For those yet to explore the novels and companion works, here's a comprehensive guide on how to read the Game of Thrones books in chronological order.
**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 books, some have even used AI tools like ChatGPT to envision potential endings. However, uncertainty remains about whether Martin will complete the series himself.
In addition to the main saga, 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, compiled and expanded in 2018’s Fire & Blood, and a comprehensive world guide titled The World of Ice & Fire. We'll delve into these works below.
Game of Thrones Book Sets
For fans who cherish physical books, a set of the Game of Thrones novels is a great investment. Several sets are available, but the most visually appealing is the leather-bound edition currently on sale at Amazon.
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
*The following brief plot synopses are designed for series newcomers and contain only mild spoilers such as broad plot points and character introductions.*
1. Fire & Blood
Fire & Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones
See it at Amazon
Fire & Blood, the source material for HBO’s House of the Dragon, chronicles the 300-year reign of House Targaryen in Westeros. Unlike the main A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Fire & Blood is presented as a historical account by Archmaester Gyldayn, who lived at the end of the Targaryen dynasty and into Robert Baratheon’s rule. The events in Fire & Blood span 150 years, starting 300 years before A Game of Thrones. The second volume of Fire & Blood is expected to cover the remaining 150 years of the Targaryen reign.
Fire & Blood includes and expands upon three previously published Targaryen-focused 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 recently released The Rise of the Dragon is a condensed and illustrated version of Fire & Blood.
2. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
See it at Amazon
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a collection of three novellas featuring Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) and his squire Aegon V Targaryen (Egg). Their adventures take place about 90 years before A Game of Thrones and will be the basis for the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms TV series. While not essential to the main storyline, these novellas offer additional adventures and perspectives within the Seven Kingdoms.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms compiles The Hedge Knight (1998), The Sworn Sword (2003), and The Mystery Knight (2010).
3. A Game of Thrones
A Game of Thrones
See it at Amazon
Published in 1996, A Game of Thrones introduces readers to the world of Westeros and its complex political landscape. Set during Robert Baratheon’s reign, it follows the aftermath of Robert’s Rebellion and the fall of the Targaryen dynasty. The novel sets the stage for the War of the Five Kings, where five contenders vie for the Iron Throne. Themes of political intrigue, betrayal, and familial conflict are prevalent throughout.
The story unfolds through alternating points of view, featuring characters like Eddard Stark, Catelyn Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen, who is across the Narrow Sea in Essos.
4. A Clash of Kings
A Clash of Kings
See it at Amazon
A Clash of Kings continues the War of the Five Kings. As the various claimants rally their forces, the Lannisters consolidate power in King’s Landing, Jon Snow journeys north of the Wall, and Daenerys navigates the challenges of a foreign land. The novel’s point-of-view characters include Catelyn Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Theon Greyjoy, and Davos Seaworth.
5. A Storm of Swords
A Storm of Swords
See it at Amazon
In A Storm of Swords, the third novel, the War of the Five Kings nears its conclusion, though some conflicts persist. The Stark children face various challenges, Jon Snow explores beyond the Wall, and Daenerys learns to lead. The point-of-view characters include Catelyn Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Davos Seaworth, Jaime Lannister, and Samwell Tarly.
6. A Feast for Crows
A Feast for Crows
See it at Amazon
A Feast for Crows picks up where A Storm of Swords left off and runs concurrently with A Dance with Dragons. It focuses on characters in King’s Landing, the Iron Islands, and Dorne as winter descends on Westeros. Due to its length, Martin split the narrative into two books, with A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons each telling the complete story for half the characters.
The point-of-view 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.
7. A Dance with Dragons
A Dance with Dragons
See it at Amazon
A Dance with Dragons reintroduces the characters absent from A Feast for Crows and continues the narrative from A Storm of Swords. The book is divided geographically rather than chronologically and eventually moves beyond the events of A Feast for Crows. Key developments include a new Lord Commander at the Night’s Watch, Daenerys grappling with leadership, the Greyjoys' eastward ventures, and the emergence of a new claimant to the Iron Throne.
The point-of-view characters in A Dance with Dragons include Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Bran Stark, Arya Stark, Theon Greyjoy, Quentyn Martell, Davos Seaworth, Barristan 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, for over a decade.
Bonus: The World of Ice & Fire
The World of Ice and Fire
See it at Amazon
The World of Ice & Fire is a comprehensive companion to the A Song of Ice and Fire novels. It serves as an excellent reference, filled with illustrations and a detailed history of Martin’s world from the arrival of the First Men during the Dawn Age to the Targaryen reign and Robert’s Rebellion. It includes family trees and information on the Seven Kingdoms, the Free Cities of Essos, and other lands.
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 release of A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition, set to launch on November 4, 2025. This follows the illustrated edition of the third book released five years earlier.
Out November 4, 2025
A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition
See it at Amazon
See it at Barnes & Noble
See it at Target
The Winds of Winter
Martin has two more novels planned for the A Song of Ice and Fire series. The Winds of Winter, the sixth book, will follow the events of A Dance with Dragons. Martin has shared preview chapters and blog posts about the book, confirming point-of-view chapters for characters like Tyrion, Cersei, Sansa, Arya, Theon, and Barristan Selmy. Despite being "13 years late," Martin considers it a priority and estimates it will be over 1,500 pages long.
A Dream of Spring
The final book in the series, A Dream of Spring, is yet to be completed and published.
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.
Future Dunk & Egg Novellas
Martin has expressed interest in writing more Dunk & Egg novellas. He plans to continue their adventures after completing The Winds of Winter. The fourth novella, set in Winterfell and involving a group of Stark women known as "the She-Wolves," is currently unfinished. Another novella, tentatively titled The Village Hero, is set in the Riverlands. Martin has outlined several other potential stories, including The Sellsword, The Champion, The Kingsguard, and The Lord Commander.
An HBO series based on the Dunk & Egg novellas, titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is in development, with the first season adapting The Hedge Knight. The show, led by Steve Conrad, is expected to premiere on Max and HBO in late 2025.
**For more, check out the best fantasy books reading list or pick up one of the best reading lights.**
