"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 series has captured the imagination of readers worldwide through its bestselling novels and HBO's groundbreaking adaptation, Game of Thrones. The cultural impact continues with the success of the follow-up series, House of the Dragon, which has kept the saga at the forefront of pop culture.

With all episodes of House of the Dragon: Season 2 now available for streaming, it's the perfect time to explore the rich world of Westeros through the original source material. For those new to the A Song of Ice and Fire novels and their companion books, we've crafted a comprehensive guide on how to 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 even used AI tools like ChatGPT to imagine 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 delve into these works below.

Game of Thrones Book Sets

For fans who cherish physical books, purchasing a set is a great way to immerse yourself in the series. The most visually appealing option is the leather-bound set, 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 for newcomers 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 serves as the historical backdrop for HBO's House of the Dragon, detailing 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 during the late Targaryen era and into Robert Baratheon's reign. The book covers the first 150 years of Targaryen rule, with the second volume expected to cover the remaining 150 years.

Every Dragon in Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon

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Fire & Blood spans the reigns 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.

2. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

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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).

3. A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones

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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, the story follows the aftermath of Robert's Rebellion and the fall of the Targaryen dynasty, leading into the War of the Five Kings. The narrative is told 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.

Every IGN Game of Thrones Review

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4. A Clash of Kings

A Clash of Kings

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A Clash of Kings continues the saga, focusing on the ongoing War of the Five Kings. The narrative follows the various kings as they rally their forces, the Lannisters' efforts to consolidate power 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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The third novel, A Storm of Swords, largely concludes the War of the Five Kings, though some conflicts persist. 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 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.

7. A Dance with Dragons

A Dance with Dragons

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A Dance with Dragons brings back the characters absent from A Feast for Crows and continues the story from A Storm of Swords. It covers events parallel to A Feast for Crows but eventually moves beyond them, making it the furthest in the series' chronology. The narrative follows 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

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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 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.

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 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, 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 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 additional stories, including one set in Winterfell titled "The She-Wolves" and another in the Riverlands called "The Village Hero." Martin has also mentioned potential titles for future novellas, 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. The first season will adapt The Hedge Knight, with Steve Conrad leading the project. The series 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.