How to Read the Game of Thrones Books in Chronological Order

A Song of Ice and Fire has established itself as a cornerstone of modern fiction over the past 27 years. George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy series has captured the imagination of readers worldwide through its bestselling novels and the groundbreaking HBO adaptation, Game of Thrones. The series' cultural impact continues to thrive, fueled in part by the success of HBO's prequel 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 explore the rich world of Westeros through George R.R. Martin's original works. For those new to the A Song of Ice and Fire series and its companion books, we've crafted this comprehensive guide on how to read all 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 (compiled and expanded in 2018's Fire & Blood), and a comprehensive world guide, The World of Ice & Fire. More details on these works are provided below.

Game of Thrones Book Sets

For collectors and fans of physical media, purchasing a set of the Game of Thrones books is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the saga. The most visually appealing option is the leather-bound set, currently available at a discount during the Amazon 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

With series newcomers in mind, these brief plot synopses 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, 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 narrated by an archmaester of the Citadel named Gyldayn, who recounts the history of the Targaryen dynasty. Although Gyldayn's account is set around the beginning of A Song of Ice and Fire, the events covered span 300 years before A Game of Thrones and cover roughly 150 years of Targaryen rule. The second 150 years will be explored in the forthcoming Fire & Blood Volume 2.

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 and his conquest of Westeros. It includes the pivotal event known as The Dying of the Dragons, or The Dance of the Dragons, which is dramatized in HBO's House of the Dragon. This volume incorporates and expands on three previously published ASoIaF novellas: The Princess and the Queen, or, the Blacks and the Greens (2013), The Rogue Prince (2014), and The Sons of the Dragon (2017). Additionally, The Rise of the Dragon offers 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 approximately 90 years before the events of A Game of Thrones, these tales will form the basis for the upcoming TV series, also titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. While not essential for understanding 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 ASoIaF series. It introduces readers to the world of Westeros, its surrounding regions, prominent families, and a cast of complex characters. The story unfolds during the reign of Robert Baratheon, following his rebellion against the Targaryen dynasty. It sets the stage for the War of the Five Kings, a conflict marked by political intrigue, betrayal, and familial tensions. 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.

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 with the ongoing War of the Five Kings. Various claimants rally their forces, the Lannisters consolidate power in King's Landing, Jon Snow ventures beyond the Wall with the Night's Watch, and Daenerys navigates her path in a foreign land. The novel features point-of-view chapters from 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 in the series, A Storm of Swords, largely concludes the War of the Five Kings, though some conflicts linger. As peace returns to the Seven Kingdoms, the Stark children face their own trials, Jon Snow explores beyond the Wall with the wildlings, and Daenerys learns to lead. The point-of-view characters include 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. This novel focuses on new and returning characters navigating the political landscape in King's Landing, the Iron Islands, and Dorne as winter descends on Westeros. Due to the book's length, Martin split the narrative into two volumes, each telling the complete story for half the characters. The point-of-view characters in A Feast for Crows 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 beloved characters absent from A Feast for Crows and picks up after the events of A Storm of Swords. Martin notes that A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons are parallel narratives, divided geographically rather than chronologically. The story advances beyond A Feast for Crows, making it the furthest in the ASoIaF timeline. Key events include the Night's Watch under a new Lord Commander, Daenerys grappling with leadership, the Greyjoys moving eastward, and the emergence of a new claimant to the Iron Throne. The point-of-view characters are Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Bran Stark, Arya Stark, Theon Greyjoy, Quentyn Martell, Davos Seaworth, Barristan 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 an expansive companion volume to the ASoIaF novels. This richly illustrated book delves into the history of Martin's world from the arrival of the First Men in Westeros during the Dawn Age, 12,000 years before A Game of Thrones, through the Targaryen reign and Robert's Rebellion. It includes detailed family trees for the Targaryens, Starks, and Lannisters, as well as comprehensive 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 to launch on November 4, 2025. This edition follows the illustrated version of the third book and promises to bring the story to life with stunning visuals.

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 continue the story from A Dance with Dragons. Martin has shared several preview chapters and blog posts, confirming point-of-view chapters for characters such as Tyrion, Cersei, Sansa, Arya, Theon, and Barristan Selmy. Despite being "13 years late," Martin emphasizes that The Winds of Winter remains a priority, with the manuscript expected to exceed 1,500 pages.

A Dream of Spring

The final book in the ASoIaF series, A Dream of Spring, is planned to conclude the epic tale, provided Martin completes and publishes it.

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's 300-year reign.

Future Dunk & Egg Novellas

Martin has expressed his desire to write more Dunk & Egg novellas, though these will follow the completion of The Winds of Winter. He has outlined plans for additional stories, including a fourth novella set in Winterfell featuring the "She-Wolves," and another tentatively titled The Village Hero set in the Riverlands. Martin has "notes and fairly specific ideas" for further adventures, with potential titles such as The Sellsword, The Champion, The Kingsguard, The Lord Commander, and more.

An HBO series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is in development, with Season 1 adapting the first novella, The Hedge Knight. The show, led by Steve Conrad, is slated 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.