A Song of Ice and Fire stands as a landmark in fantasy literature, captivating readers for nearly three decades. George R.R. Martin’s epic saga has soared in popularity through its bestselling novels and HBO’s wildly successful adaptation. The cultural phenomenon continues with HBO’s acclaimed series, House of the Dragon.
With House of the Dragon: Season 2 now streaming, it’s the perfect moment to explore the source material and immerse yourself in Westeros through Martin’s vision. For newcomers to A Song of Ice and Fire and its companion works, this guide outlines the chronological reading order for all Game of Thrones books.
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Game of Thrones books in chronological orderGame of Thrones books by release dateUpcoming GoT booksHow Many Books Are in the A Song of Ice and Fire Series?
George R.R. Martin has released five novels in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. He is currently working on two additional volumes: The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. While these remain unfinished, some fans have used AI tools like ChatGPT to speculate on possible endings for the saga. Uncertainty lingers among readers about whether Martin will complete the series himself.
In addition to the main novels, Martin has published companion works, including three Dunk & Egg novellas (compiled in 2015’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms), three Targaryen-focused novellas (expanded in 2018’s Fire & Blood), and a comprehensive world guide called The World of Ice & Fire. Details on these follow below.
Game of Thrones Book Collections
For collectors and fans of physical books, purchasing a Game of Thrones book set is a great option. Several sets are available, but the leather-bound collection stands out as a stunning display piece, currently featured in Amazon’s ongoing book sale.
A Song of Ice and Fire Box Set
Contains the set of 5 books.$85.00 save 46%$46.00 at AmazonHow to Read the Game of Thrones Books in Chronological Order
Designed for new readers, these brief plot summaries include only light spoilers, such as general story arcs and character introductions.
1. Fire & Blood
Fire & Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones
View at AmazonFire & Blood, the foundation for HBO’s House of the Dragon, chronicles the 300-year rule of House Targaryen in Westeros. Unlike the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, it is written as a historical account by Gyldayn, an archmaester of the Citadel who lived from the end of the Targaryen dynasty into Robert Baratheon’s reign.
While Gyldayn’s narrative aligns with the timeline of A Song of Ice and Fire, the events it describes begin 300 years before A Game of Thrones, covering roughly the first 150 years of Targaryen rule. The second 150 years are expected to be explored in Fire & Blood Volume 2.
Every Dragon in Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon
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Fire & Blood covers the reigns of six Targaryen kings, starting with Aegon I Targaryen’s conquest of Westeros. Within this period, The Dance of the Dragons, a key storyline in HBO’s House of the Dragon, unfolds.
Fire & Blood incorporates and expands on three previously published novellas by Martin: 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, a recently released illustrated and condensed version of Fire & Blood, offers a visually rich alternative.
2. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
View at AmazonA Knight of the Seven Kingdoms collects three novellas featuring Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk), a hedge knight, and his squire, Aegon V Targaryen (Egg). Set approximately 90 years before A Game of Thrones, their tales will inspire the upcoming HBO series of the same name.
While not essential to the main A Song of Ice and Fire storyline, these novellas offer thrilling adventures and fresh perspectives on the Seven Kingdoms for eager readers.
The collection includes The Hedge Knight (1998), The Sworn Sword (2003), and The Mystery Knight (2010).
3. A Game of Thrones
A Game of Thrones
View at AmazonPublished in 1996, A Game of Thrones launched the A Song of Ice and Fire saga. It introduces readers to Westeros, its noble families, and a vivid cast of heroes and villains.
Set during Robert Baratheon’s reign, following his rebellion and the fall of the Targaryen dynasty, the novel ignites the War of the Five Kings, where five contenders vie for the Iron Throne. Political intrigue, betrayal, family conflict, and violence define the story, themes that echo throughout the series.
Every IGN Game of Thrones Review
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The narrative unfolds through alternating character perspectives, excluding the prologue. The point-of-view characters include Eddard Stark, Catelyn Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen, whose arc takes place across the Narrow Sea in Essos.
Martin’s novella Blood of the Dragon reuses material from Daenerys’ chapters in A Game of Thrones, so it is not included here.
4. A Clash of Kings
A Clash of Kings
View at AmazonA Clash of Kings advances the War of the Five Kings. Rival kings gather their forces, the Lannisters tighten their grip on King’s Landing, Jon Snow ventures beyond the Wall with the Night’s Watch, and Daenerys explores a distant land.
Excluding the prologue, the point-of-view characters 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
View at AmazonThe third novel, A Storm of Swords, largely concludes the War of the Five Kings, though some rival claims and conflicts persist.
As the war wanes in the Seven Kingdoms, the Stark siblings face challenges near and far, Jon Snow journeys with wildlings beyond the Wall, and Daenerys hones her leadership in the East.
Excluding the prologue and epilogue, 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.
Martin’s novella Path of the Dragon reuses material from Daenerys’ chapters in A Storm of Swords, so it is not included here.
6. A Feast for Crows
A Feast for Crows
View at AmazonFollowing the events of A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows runs parallel to the fifth novel, A Dance with Dragons. It omits major characters like Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen, focusing instead on political maneuvering in King’s Landing, the Iron Islands, and Dorne as winter descends on Westeros.
Martin noted in an afternote that the story grew too large for one volume, leading to its division into two books—Feast and Dance—each covering all events for select characters rather than splitting the timeline.
Excluding the prologue, the point-of-view characters 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.
Martin’s novella Arms of the Kraken reuses material from the Iron Islands chapters in A Feast for Crows, so it is not included here.
7. A Dance with Dragons
A Dance with Dragons
View at AmazonA Dance with Dragons reintroduces beloved characters absent from A Feast for Crows and resumes after A Storm of Swords. As Martin explains in the prelude, Feast and Dance are geographically divided but parallel, though Dance eventually surpasses Feast’s timeline, making it the furthest point in the A Song of Ice and Fire chronology.
The novel follows a new Lord Commander at the Night’s Watch, Daenerys grappling with leadership, the Greyjoys’ eastward expansion, a Martell’s risky ambition, Brienne’s reunion with an ally, Arya’s ongoing training, Tyrion’s life on the run, and a new contender for the Iron Throne.
Excluding the prologue and epilogue, the point-of-view characters 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, A Dance with Dragons has left readers awaiting The Winds of Winter for over a decade (more details below).
Bonus: The World of Ice & Fire
The World of Ice & Fire
View at AmazonThe World of Ice & Fire is a richly illustrated companion to the A Song of Ice and Fire novels. Perfect for display, it delves into Martin’s world, tracing its history from the First Men’s arrival in Westeros during the Dawn Age (12,000 years before A Game of Thrones).
The compendium covers the Targaryen dynasty and Robert’s Rebellion, including family trees for the Targaryens, Starks, and Lannisters, plus details 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)*A Song of Ice and Fire novels
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 slated for release on November 4, 2025, following the illustrated version of the third book by five years.
Out November 4, 2025A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition
View at AmazonView at Barnes & NobleView at TargetThe Winds of Winter
Martin has two remaining novels in his planned seven-book A Song of Ice and Fire series. The sixth, The Winds of Winter, will continue the story from A Dance with Dragons.
Martin has shared blog posts and preview chapters for Winds, confirming point-of-view chapters from Tyrion, Cersei, Sansa, Arya, Theon, Barriston Selmy, and others.
He has noted that The Winds of Winter will diverge further from the HBO series. Recently, Martin called the novel, though “13 years late,” a top priority. He previously estimated being 75% complete, with the book expected to exceed 1,500 pages.
A Dream of Spring
The final A Song of Ice and Fire novel, if completed, will be titled A Dream of Spring.
Fire & Blood Volume 2
Beyond the main series, Martin is working on the second volume of Fire & Blood, a planned two-part history of the Targaryens. This volume will likely cover the latter 150 years of their 300-year reign.
Future Dunk & Egg Novellas
Martin plans to write more Dunk & Egg novellas, but only after completing The Winds of Winter. He intends to chronicle the full lives of Dunk and Egg, with a fourth novella, set in Winterfell and tentatively involving “the She-Wolves” (a group of Stark women), still unfinished as of 2024. Another novella, “The Village Hero,” set in the Riverlands, is in early development.
Martin has “notes and fairly specific ideas” for additional Dunk & Egg stories, with potential titles like The Sellsword, The Champion, The Kingsguard, The Lord Commander, and others.
An HBO series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, adapting The Hedge Knight, is in development under Steve Conrad and 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.
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