Game of Thrones Books: Chronological Reading Guide
Over the past 27 years, George R.R. Martin's *A Song of Ice and Fire* has cemented its place as a landmark work of fiction. The saga has captured the imagination of millions through its series of bestselling novels and HBO's groundbreaking adaptation, *Game of Thrones*. The cultural impact continues to thrive, bolstered by the success of the follow-up series, *House of the Dragon*.
With all episodes of *House of the Dragon: Season 2* now available for streaming, it's the perfect time to delve into the source material and explore Westeros through the eyes of its creator. For those yet to embark on the journey through the *A Song of Ice and Fire* novels and their companion books, we've crafted this comprehensive guide on how to read all 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 two more 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, there remains uncertainty 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** (collected and expanded in 2018's *Fire & Blood*), and a comprehensive world guide titled *The World of Ice & Fire*. We'll explore these further below.
Game of Thrones Book Sets
For fans who cherish physical books, purchasing a set is an excellent way to immerse yourself in the *Game of Thrones* universe. 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
52 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 series 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
74 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 *A Song of Ice and Fire* novels, *Fire & Blood* is presented as a historical account by Archmaester Gyldayn, who lived during the transition from the Targaryen dynasty to Robert Baratheon's rule. The book covers the first 150 years of the Targaryen reign, with the second volume expected to cover the remaining 150 years.
*Fire & Blood* encompasses the lives of six Targaryen rulers, starting with Aegon I Targaryen's conquest of Westeros. It includes the pivotal event known as The Dance of the Dragons, which is the focus of *House of the Dragon*. The book also incorporates and expands upon three previously published 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* is a condensed, illustrated version of *Fire & Blood*.
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
44 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). Set approximately 90 years before *A Game of Thrones*, these stories will form the basis for the upcoming TV series, also titled *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms*. While not essential to the main saga, 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
54 See it at Amazon
Published in 1996, *A Game of Thrones* is the inaugural novel of the *A Song of Ice and Fire* series. It introduces readers to the world of Westeros, its key families, and a host of memorable characters. Set during Robert Baratheon's reign, following his rebellion against the Targaryens, the book initiates the War of the Five Kings, a conflict marked by political intrigue, betrayal, and violence.
The narrative is told through alternating points of view, featuring characters such as Eddard Stark, Catelyn Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen, whose journey unfolds across the Narrow Sea in Essos.
- A Clash of Kings
A Clash of Kings
24 See it at Amazon
*A Clash of Kings* continues the saga, focusing on the ongoing War of the Five Kings. The various claimants to the throne rally their forces, while the Lannisters consolidate power in King's Landing. Jon Snow ventures beyond the Wall with the Night's Watch, and Daenerys navigates the challenges of a foreign land.
The point-of-view characters include 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
23 See it at Amazon
The third novel, *A Storm of Swords*, largely concludes the War of the Five Kings, though some conflicts persist. As peace returns to the Seven Kingdoms, the Stark children face various challenges, Jon Snow explores beyond the Wall, and Daenerys learns to lead her people.
The point-of-view characters are 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
19 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 new and returning characters in King's Landing, the Iron Islands, and Dorne as winter approaches Westeros. Due to the book's length, Martin split the narrative into two volumes, 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
29 See it at Amazon
*A Dance with Dragons* reintroduces the beloved characters absent from *A Feast for Crows* and continues the story from *A Storm of Swords*. The narrative is geographically divided but eventually moves beyond the events of *A Feast for Crows*, making it the furthest in the series' chronology.
The point-of-view characters include 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 its sequel, *The Winds of Winter*, for over a decade.
Bonus: The World of Ice & Fire
The World of Ice and Fire
18 See it at Amazon
*The World of Ice & Fire* is a comprehensive companion to the *A Song of Ice and Fire* novels. This beautifully illustrated book provides 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 for the Targaryens, Starks, and Lannisters, as well as information on the Seven Kingdoms, the Free Cities of Essos, and 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 scheduled for release on November 4, 2025, following the illustrated edition of the third book.
Out November 4, 2025
A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition
8 See it at Amazon
See it at Barnes & Noble
See it at Target
The Winds of Winter
Martin has two more novels planned to complete his seven-book saga. *The Winds of Winter*, the sixth book, will follow the events of *A Dance with Dragons*. Martin has shared preview chapters and blogs about the book, confirming point-of-view chapters for characters like Tyrion, Cersei, Sansa, Arya, Theon, and Barriston Selmy. Despite being "13 years late," Martin assures fans that *The Winds of Winter* remains a priority, with the manuscript reportedly 75% complete and expected to exceed 1,500 pages.
A Dream of Spring
The final book in the series, *A Dream of Spring*, awaits completion and publication.
Fire & Blood Volume 2
In addition to the main saga, Martin is 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 his desire to write more Dunk & Egg novellas, though these will not be published until after *The Winds of Winter*. He has outlined plans for several stories, including an unfinished novella set in Winterfell titled "The She-Wolves" and another tentatively titled "The Village Hero" set in the Riverlands. Martin has also mentioned potential titles for future adventures, such as *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. Season 1 will adapt *The Hedge Knight*, with Steve Conrad leading the project. The series is slated to premiere on Max and HBO in late 2025.
For more reading recommendations, explore our list of the best fantasy books or consider investing in one of the best reading lights to enhance your reading experience.
Latest Articles
