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 itself as a monumental work of fiction. The saga, which has captivated audiences through a series of bestselling novels and the groundbreaking HBO series *Game of Thrones*, continues to dominate pop culture. The success of HBO's follow-up series, *House of the Dragon*, further underscores its enduring appeal. With the full release of *House of the Dragon: Season 2* now available for streaming, there's no better time to delve into the rich world of Westeros as envisioned by its creator. For those new to the *A Song of Ice and Fire* series and its accompanying books, we've crafted this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the novels in chronological order.

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• 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 to date. Fans eagerly await the completion of the series with two more volumes on the horizon: The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. While Martin continues to work on these books, some fans have turned to AI, such as ChatGPT, to envision potential endings. However, the completion of the series by Martin himself remains uncertain.

In addition to the main saga, Martin has enriched the universe with several companion works, including three Dunk & Egg novellas (collected in 2015's A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms), three Targaryan-focused novellas (compiled and expanded in 2018's Fire & Blood), and a comprehensive guide titled The World of Ice & Fire.

Game of Thrones Book Sets

For those who cherish physical media, collecting the Game of Thrones books in a set can be a rewarding experience. A particularly appealing option is the leather-bound edition, currently available at a discount during Amazon's book sale.

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

These brief plot synopses are designed with new readers in mind and contain only mild spoilers, focusing on broad plot points and character introductions.

1. Fire & Blood

Fire & Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones

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Fire & Blood, the source material for HBO's House of the Dragon, chronicles the 300-year reign of the House Targaryen in Westeros. Unlike the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, it's not told from the perspectives of characters involved in the plot but rather as a historical account by Archmaester Gyldayn, who lived near the end of the Targaryen era and into Robert Baratheon's reign. The events recounted start 300 years before A Game of Thrones and span approximately 150 years, with the second volume planned to cover the remaining 150 years of the Targaryen dynasty.

Every Dragon in Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon

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Fire & Blood covers the reigns of six Targaryen rulers, starting with Aegon I Targaryen's conquest of Westeros. It includes the pivotal event known as The Dying of the Dragons (also called The Dance of the Dragons), which forms the narrative backbone of House of the Dragon. The book expands on 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 and illustrated version of Fire & Blood.

2. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms collects three novellas featuring Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) and his squire Aegon V Targaryen (Egg). Set about 90 years before A Game of Thrones, these tales will serve as the basis for the upcoming TV series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. While not essential to the main saga, they offer delightful additional adventures in the Seven Kingdoms. The novellas included are The Hedge Knight (1998), The Sworn Sword (2003), and The Mystery Knight (2010).

3. A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones

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Published in 1996, A Game of Thrones introduces readers to the intricate world of Westeros, its surrounding regions, and its major families. Set during Robert Baratheon's reign, following his rebellion against the Targaryens, the novel kicks off the War of the Five Kings, where five contenders vie for the Iron Throne. Themes of political intrigue, betrayal, and familial conflict are central to this and subsequent books.

Every IGN Game of Thrones Review

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The story is told through multiple points of view, alternating each chapter. The point-of-view characters in A Game of Thrones (excluding the prologue) are 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.

4. A Clash of Kings

A Clash of Kings

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A Clash of Kings continues the saga with the ongoing War of the Five Kings. The contenders rally their forces, the Lannisters consolidate power in King's Landing, Jon Snow ventures beyond the Wall, and Daenerys navigates the complexities of a foreign land. The point-of-view characters (excluding the prologue) are 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

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In A Storm of Swords, the third novel, the War of the Five Kings nears its end, 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 (excluding the prologue and epilogue) are 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

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A Feast for Crows follows the events of A Storm of Swords and runs concurrently with A Dance with Dragons. While key characters like Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen are absent from this volume, A Feast for Crows focuses on new and returning characters in King's Landing, the Iron Islands, and Dorne as winter approaches. The book was split due to its length, with each focusing on half the characters. The point-of-view characters (excluding the prologue) are 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

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A Dance with Dragons reintroduces the characters missing from A Feast for Crows and continues from A Storm of Swords. Martin describes these books as parallel, divided geographically rather than chronologically, though A Dance with Dragons eventually moves beyond the events of A Feast for Crows. The narrative follows a new Lord Commander at the Night's Watch, Daenerys grappling with leadership, the Greyjoys moving east, and a Martell facing peril. The point-of-view characters (excluding the prologue and epilogue) 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, readers have been eagerly awaiting its sequel, The Winds of Winter.

Bonus: The World of Ice & Fire

The World of Ice and Fire

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The World of Ice & Fire serves as a companion compendium to the A Song of Ice and Fire novels. This richly illustrated volume delves into the 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 detailed information on the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, 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 has announced the upcoming release of A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition, set to arrive 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

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The Winds of Winter

Martin has two more novels planned to complete the A Song of Ice and Fire saga, starting with The Winds of Winter, which follows A Dance with Dragons. Martin has shared preview chapters and blogs, indicating point-of-view chapters from 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 series, tentatively titled 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 remaining 150 years of the Targaryen dynasty.

Future Dunk & Egg Novellas

Martin has expressed his desire to write more Dunk & Egg novellas, though they will follow the completion of The Winds of Winter. He has outlined plans for stories set in Winterfell, titled "The She-Wolves," and another in the Riverlands called "The Village Hero." Additionally, Martin has ideas for more adventures, including potential titles like The Sellsword, The Champion, The Kingsguard, and The Lord Commander. An HBO series based on these novellas, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is in development, with Season 1 set to adapt The Hedge Knight and expected to premiere on Max and HBO in late 2025.

For more, explore our list of the best fantasy books or consider purchasing one of the best reading lights.