Game of Thrones Books: Chronological Reading Order Revealed

A Song of Ice and Fire has established itself as a landmark series in the world of fiction over the last 27 years. George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy saga has captured the public's imagination through a series of bestselling novels and the groundbreaking HBO adaptation, Game of Thrones. The cultural impact continues with the success of HBO's latest series, House of the Dragon.

Now, with all of House of the Dragon: Season 2 available for streaming, it's the perfect time to delve into the source material and explore Westeros through George R.R. Martin's detailed storytelling. For those new to A Song of Ice and Fire and its companion books, we've crafted this guide to help you read the Game of Thrones books 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. 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 turned to AI, like ChatGPT, to speculate on possible 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 A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms in 2015), three Targaryen-focused novellas (expanded in Fire & Blood in 2018), and a comprehensive world compendium titled The World of Ice & Fire.

Game of Thrones Book Sets

For fans who cherish physical books, a set of the Game of Thrones books is an excellent choice. The most visually appealing set is the leather-bound edition, currently available at a discounted price 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 summaries are designed for 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

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Fire & Blood serves as the source material for HBO's House of the Dragon and chronicles the 300-year reign of the House Targaryen in Westeros. Unlike the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Fire & Blood is presented as a historical recounting by Archmaester Gyldayn, who lived during the late Targaryen era and into Robert Baratheon's reign.

While the narrative framework of Fire & Blood is set around the beginning of A Song of Ice and Fire, the actual events covered span the first 150 years of the Targaryen dynasty, starting with Aegon I Targaryen's conquest. The second volume of Fire & Blood will cover the remaining 150 years.

Every Dragon in Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon

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Fire & Blood covers the reigns of six Targaryen rulers, culminating in the civil war known as The Dance of the Dragons, which is the focus of House of the Dragon. This book incorporates and expands upon 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 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 compiles 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, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. While not essential to the main saga, they offer additional adventures and perspectives within the Seven Kingdoms.

The novellas included are The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight.

3. A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones

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Published in 1996, A Game of Thrones introduces readers to the world of Westeros and its key families and characters. Set during Robert Baratheon's reign, it follows the aftermath of Robert's Rebellion and the fall of the Targaryen dynasty, leading into the War of the Five Kings. The novel explores themes of political intrigue, betrayal, and conflict.

Every IGN Game of Thrones Review

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The story 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 in Essos.

4. A Clash of Kings

A Clash of Kings

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A Clash of Kings continues the War of the Five Kings, with various factions vying for power. The narrative follows the Lannisters' efforts to consolidate control in King's Landing, Jon Snow's journey beyond the Wall, and Daenerys' adventures in Essos.

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.

5. A Storm of Swords

A Storm of Swords

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A Storm of Swords marks the near-end of the War of the Five Kings, focusing on the aftermath and new conflicts. The Stark children face various challenges, Jon Snow explores beyond the Wall, and Daenerys learns to lead in the East.

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.

6. A Feast for Crows

A Feast for Crows

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A Feast for Crows runs concurrently with A Dance with Dragons, focusing on characters in King's Landing, the Iron Islands, and Dorne as winter approaches. Due to the book's size, Martin split the narrative into two volumes, each covering different 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.

7. A Dance with Dragons

A Dance with Dragons

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A Dance with Dragons brings back characters absent from A Feast for Crows and continues the story after A Storm of Swords. It covers events at the Wall, in Essos, and introduces new developments in the ongoing saga.

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.

Bonus: The World of Ice & Fire

The World of Ice and Fire

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The World of Ice & Fire is a comprehensive companion to the A Song of Ice and Fire series, offering a detailed history of Martin's world from the Dawn Age to the Targaryen reign and Robert's Rebellion. It includes family trees, illustrations, and information on the Seven Kingdoms, the Free Cities, 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 for November 4, 2025. This follows the illustrated edition of the third book, released five years earlier.

A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition

Out November 4, 2025
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The Winds of Winter

The sixth book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, The Winds of Winter, will follow the events of A Dance with Dragons. Martin has shared preview chapters and confirmed point-of-view characters including 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, A Dream of Spring, is planned to conclude the saga, pending Martin's 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 interest in writing more Dunk & Egg novellas, though these will not be published until after The Winds of Winter. He has outlined plans for stories set in Winterfell and the Riverlands, tentatively titled "The She-Wolves" and "The Village Hero," respectively. Additional potential titles include The Sellsword, The Champion, The Kingsguard, The Lord Commander, and others.

An HBO series based on the Dunk & Egg novellas, titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is in development, with Season 1 adapting The Hedge Knight. The series, 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.