Game of Thrones Books in Order
Game of Thrones follows the power struggle between noble families vying for control of the Iron Throne and the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, while an ancient supernatural threat emerges from the frozen North. The story weaves together multiple plotlines including the exiled Daenerys Targaryen's quest to reclaim her birthright with her dragons, Jon Snow's journey at the Wall defending against the White Walkers, and the brutal political machinations of houses Stark, Lannister, and others. The series explores themes of power, honor, betrayal, and survival in a medieval fantasy world where magic gradually returns and no character is safe from death.
A Game of Thrones
Adapted as Season 1 of HBO's Game of Thrones: When Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell is summoned south to serve as the King's Hand, he uncovers a deadly secret about the royal children that threatens to tear the Seven Kingdoms apart. Beyond the Wall, an ancient evil stirs while the Night's Watch stands as the realm's forgotten shield. Across the Narrow Sea, the last Targaryen princess dreams of reclaiming her throne with dragons long thought extinct. As summer ends and noble houses play their game of thrones, the wise words of House Stark prove prophetic: Winter is Coming, and with it, a darkness that cares nothing for crowns or bloodlines.
Published: 2010
A Clash of Kings
Adapted as Season 2 of HBO's Game of Thrones: Five kings claim the Iron Throne as war engulfs Westeros. Tyrion Lannister uses his wit to defend King's Landing while his nephew Joffrey's cruelty grows unchecked. Stannis Baratheon turns to dark magic through a mysterious red priestess who sees visions in her flames. As Jon Snow ventures beyond the Wall with the Night's Watch, he discovers the wildlings are fleeing south from something far worse than winter. Meanwhile, Daenerys Targaryen leads her growing dragons through the dangerous cities of Slaver's Bay, learning that conquering is easier than ruling. In the game of thrones, you win or you die, but what if the game itself is about to end?
Published: 2011
A Storm of Swords
Adapted as Seasons 3-4 of HBO's Game of Thrones: The War of the Five Kings reaches its bloodiest peak as weddings become massacres and honor becomes a death sentence. Jaime Lannister's journey with Brienne of Tarth transforms the Kingslayer into something unexpected, while his sister Cersei plots to secure her son's throne at any cost. Beyond the Wall, Jon Snow must choose between love and duty as the wildling army marches on Castle Black. In the East, Daenerys conquers cities with her dragons but learns that breaking chains is simpler than forging new ones. As crows feast on the dead and winter's grip tightens, the realm bleeds while an ancient enemy grows stronger with every corpse.
Published: 2011
A Feast for Crows
Partially adapted in Seasons 5-6 of HBO's Game of Thrones: With kings dead and kingdoms broken, the survivors scramble for power over the corpse of Westeros. Cersei Lannister rules through paranoia and wine, seeing enemies everywhere while creating them with every decision. Brienne searches for the Stark girls in a land where broken men prey on the innocent. In the Iron Islands, ancient ways resurface as the ironborn choose a new king with dark ambitions. The Faith Militant rises again, bringing religious zealotry to King's Landing's corrupted heart. As crows feast on the war's aftermath, new players enter the game while winter creeps ever southward, promising that the worst is yet to come.
Published: 2011
A Dance With Dragons
Partially adapted in Seasons 5-6 of HBO's Game of Thrones: In the North, Jon Snow's efforts to save the realm put him at odds with the Night's Watch's ancient vows. Tyrion Lannister navigates the deadly politics of Essos while seeking Daenerys, who struggles to rule Meereen as former slaves and masters tear the city apart. Stannis marches through snow and starvation, convinced he's destined to save Westeros even as his army freezes. Young Bran Stark journeys beyond the Wall to embrace powers that might save or damn them all. As dragons dance in the sky and the dead march ever closer, ice and fire approach their inevitable collision while the realm's fate hangs by threads of prophecy and blood.
Published: 2011
Game of Thrones Reading Order
George R. R. Martin's Hit Series
A Song of Ice and Fire Reading Order: Complete Guide to George R.R. Martin's Epic
Last updated: August 2025
George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire isn't just a fantasy series; it's a sprawling epic that redefined what fantasy literature could be. With multiple published novels, companion books, prequel novellas, and an ever-expanding universe, knowing where to start can feel as daunting as claiming the Iron Throne itself. Here's your complete guide to navigating Westeros and beyond.
Quick Answer: Start Here
For first-time readers: Read the main series in order, then explore the expanded universe.
Essential reading order:
- A Game of Thrones (1996)
- A Clash of Kings (1998)
- A Storm of Swords (2000)
- A Feast for Crows (2005)
- A Dance with Dragons (2011)
- The Winds of Winter (forthcoming)
- A Dream of Spring (planned)
Then explore:
- Fire & Blood (Targaryen history)
- The World of Ice and Fire (companion book)
- Dunk and Egg novellas (90 years before main series)
Why Reading Order Matters
Unlike many fantasy series, ASOIAF's structure makes reading order crucial:
- Books 4 and 5 split geographically rather than chronologically, creating a unique challenge
- Massive cast requires context from previous books to understand motivations
- Companion works contain spoilers for the main series
- Prequels assume knowledge of the main story's world
- The show diverged significantly from the books after Season 4
Starting anywhere but A Game of Thrones will leave you hopelessly lost in a world where every detail matters.
Complete Reading Order Options
Option 1: Standard Publication Order (Strongly Recommended)
The Main Series:
1. A Game of Thrones
The book that launched a thousand theories introduces the Stark family as King Robert Baratheon arrives at Winterfell with an offer that will shatter the realm. When Bran Stark witnesses something he shouldn't, it triggers events that will plunge the Seven Kingdoms into war. Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys Targaryen receives three dragon eggs as a wedding gift. Winter is coming, and with it, secrets that have slept for thousands of years.
2. A Clash of Kings
Five kings claim the Iron Throne as war erupts across Westeros. Tyrion Lannister plays the game of thrones in King's Landing while Daenerys searches for ships and allies in Qarth. Jon Snow ventures beyond the Wall with the Night's Watch, and Arya Stark begins a journey that will transform her from highborn lady to faceless assassin. Dark magic stirs as a red comet bleeds across the sky.
3. A Storm of Swords
The War of the Five Kings reaches its bloody climax in the series' most shocking book. Weddings turn to massacres, alliances shatter like glass, and the Night's Watch faces its greatest threat. Heroes fall, villains triumph, and Martin proves no character is safe. This is the book that broke a million hearts and established ASOIAF as fantasy's most unpredictable series.
4. A Feast for Crows
In the war's aftermath, crows feast on the dead while the living scramble for power. This book follows characters in the southern regions: Cersei's paranoid rule in King's Landing, Brienne's quest for Sansa, Jaime's redemption arc, and new POVs in Dorne and the Iron Islands. Slower paced but rich in political intrigue and character development.
5. A Dance with Dragons
Running parallel to Feast, this follows the northern characters: Jon Snow's controversial leadership at the Wall, Daenerys's struggles to rule Meereen, Tyrion's journey across Essos, and Bran's training beyond the Wall. The two books converge in their final chapters as Martin sets the stage for the series' climactic acts.
6. The Winds of Winter (forthcoming)
The long-awaited sixth book promises to resolve the cliffhangers from Dance while advancing toward the final conflict. Winter has come, and with it, the Others march south while dragons dance and wolves howl.
7. A Dream of Spring (planned)
The planned conclusion to the epic, where all threads converge for the final battle between ice and fire.
Option 2: Combined Reading Order for Books 4 & 5
Because Feast and Dance split geographically rather than chronologically, some fans have created combined reading orders:
"Boiled Leather" Reading Order:
Alternates chapters from both books in chronological order. Only recommended for re-reads, as it spoils the intended revelation structure.
"A Ball of Beasts" Order:
Another combined approach, slightly different chapter arrangement.
Verdict: First-time readers should read as published. Save combined orders for re-reads.
Option 3: Complete Westeros Experience
Phase 1: Main Series (Required)
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
Phase 2: Historical Context (Enhances Understanding)
6. Fire & Blood (Targaryen history)
7. The World of Ice and Fire (illustrated companion)
Phase 3: Dunk and Egg Adventures (Prequel novellas)
8. The Hedge Knight
9. The Sworn Sword
10. The Mystery Knight
11. The She-Wolves of Winterfell (forthcoming)
12. The Village Hero (forthcoming)
Phase 4: Additional Materials
13. The Princess and the Queen (novella)
14. The Rogue Prince (novella)
15. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (collected Dunk & Egg)
The Expanded Universe Explained
Fire & Blood
A complete history of House Targaryen from Aegon's Conquest to the Dance of the Dragons. Written as an in-world history book, it provides context for the main series while telling its own epic tales of dragon riders and civil war. Best read after the main series due to spoilers and references.
The World of Ice and Fire
A lavishly illustrated companion book covering the known world's history, geography, and cultures. Written as an in-world text by a maester, it deepens your understanding of Martin's incredibly detailed world. Contains minor spoilers, so save for after Book 3 minimum.
Dunk and Egg Novellas
Set 90 years before Game of Thrones, these lighter adventures follow Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg (later King Aegon V, Daenerys's great-grandfather). More traditional fantasy adventures with Martin's signature character depth. Can be read after Book 3 without spoilers.
The Princess and the Queen & The Rogue Prince
Novellas detailing the Dance of the Dragons civil war. Later expanded in Fire & Blood. Read after the main series.
Common Reading Challenges
The Meereenese Knot
Martin's famous writing problem that delayed Book 5. Multiple POV characters needed to reach Daenerys in Meereen with proper timing. Understanding this helps explain Dance's structure and pacing.
The Feast/Dance Split
Originally one massive book, Martin split it geographically:
- Feast: King's Landing, Riverlands, Dorne, Iron Islands
- Dance: The Wall, Essos, North
This means fan favorites like Jon, Daenerys, and Tyrion disappear for an entire book. Push through; they return in Dance.
Keeping Track of Characters
With over 2,000 named characters:
- Keep a notebook or use fan wikis (carefully, to avoid spoilers)
- Tower of the Hand website has spoiler-scope settings
- Don't worry about remembering everyone immediately
- Focus on POV characters first
The Show vs Books Debate
Major differences after Season 4:
- Characters alive in books but dead in show (and vice versa)
- Entire plotlines cut or invented for TV
- Different character motivations and arcs
- The show's ending may not reflect Martin's plan
Read without show expectations. They're different beasts.
Age and Content Warnings
Mature Content Throughout:
- Graphic violence and torture
- Sexual content including assault
- Incest and problematic relationships
- Child endangerment and death
- Psychological horror
- Medieval-authentic brutality
Recommended Age: 18+ (or mature 16+ with guidance)
This is definitively adult fantasy that doesn't shy away from the worst of human nature.
Reading Tips for New Readers
Take Your Time
These aren't books to rush through. Martin rewards careful readers with foreshadowing and hidden clues. Details that seem trivial often prove crucial thousands of pages later.
Embrace the Complexity
Don't expect traditional heroes and villains. Characters you hate may become favorites; heroes make terrible choices. Moral ambiguity is the point.
Trust No One
Martin's willingness to kill major characters isn't shock value; it's realistic consequences in a brutal world. No one is safe because of narrative importance.
Pay Attention to:
- Prophecies and dreams (often true but misleading)
- House words and sigils (reveal character motivations)
- Historical references (history repeats)
- Food descriptions (yes, really)
- Weather and seasons (winter is always coming)
Join the Community Carefully
The ASOIAF fandom creates brilliant theories but spoilers lurk everywhere. Finish the published books before diving into forums.
Should You Wait for the Series to Finish?
Arguments for Reading Now:
- Books 1-3 form a complete arc
- The published books are masterpieces regardless
- Join decades of theory crafting
- Experience the cultural phenomenon
Arguments for Waiting:
- Winds of Winter has no release date
- A Dream of Spring is years beyond that
- Cliffhangers from 2011 remain unresolved
- Martin is 76 years old
Verdict: Read now. The journey is worth it even incomplete.
The Perfect ASOIAF Reading Experience
First Read: Main series only, publication order. Let yourself be shocked by every twist.
Second Read: Add companion books. Notice the foreshadowing you missed.
Third Read: Everything, including combined Feast/Dance. You'll discover new layers each time.
Between Books: Dunk and Egg for lighter fare, Fire & Blood for dragon politics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to watch the show first?
No. The books came first and provide the intended experience. The show spoils major plot points while diverging significantly.
Can I skip Feast for Crows?
Never. It's slower but crucial for character development and setting up the endgame. The "boring" book becomes fascinating on re-reads.
Should I read chapter summaries?
Only if you're genuinely lost. Part of the experience is piecing together the puzzle yourself.
Are the companion books necessary?
No, but they enormously enrich the experience. Save them for after your first read of the main series.
Will the series ever be finished?
Martin continues writing. Whether he'll complete it remains fantasy's greatest question. Hope springs eternal.
Why This Series Matters
A Song of Ice and Fire changed fantasy literature by:
- Subverting every fantasy trope
- Creating morally complex characters
- Building a realistic medieval world with magic
- Showing consequences matter more than prophecy
- Proving fantasy can be literary fiction
Whether Martin finishes or not, these books have already earned their place among fantasy's greatest achievements.
When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. Ready to begin? Turn the page, but remember: the night is dark and full of terrors.
Valar Morghulis