A Song of Ice and Fire: A Comprehensive Reading Guide
George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy saga, A Song of Ice and Fire, has captivated readers for over two decades, achieving phenomenal success through its novels and HBO's acclaimed adaptations. With the release of House of the Dragon Season 2, now's the perfect time to explore the source material. This guide details the reading order for all Game of Thrones books, including companion works.
Jump to:
Chronological Reading Order | Release Date Order | Upcoming Books | Total Number of Books
The A Song of Ice and Fire Series:
Martin has published five novels in the A Song of Ice and Fire (ASoIaF) saga, with two more planned: The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. Completion of the series remains uncertain. A ChatGPT-generated completion exists, offering a fan-made conclusion.
Beyond the main novels, Martin has expanded the ASoIaF universe with companion works: three Dunk & Egg novellas (collected in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms), three Targaryen-focused novellas (expanded in Fire & Blood), and the world compendium, The World of Ice & Fire.
Game of Thrones Book Sets:
Physical book sets offer a convenient way to collect the series. A noteworthy option is the leather-bound edition.
Chronological Reading Order:
Note: Plot summaries below contain minimal spoilers.
- Fire & Blood: This prequel chronicles the 300-year reign of House Targaryen, serving as the basis for House of the Dragon. Narrated by Archmaester Gyldayn, it covers the first 150 years of Targaryen rule. A second volume is forthcoming.
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: This collection of three novellas features Ser Duncan the Tall and Aegon V Targaryen, set approximately 90 years before A Game of Thrones. A future TV adaptation is planned.
- A Game of Thrones: The inaugural novel introduces Westeros, its key families, and the characters who drive the narrative. It sets the stage for the War of the Five Kings.
-
A Clash of Kings: The War of the Five Kings intensifies, with various factions vying for power.
-
A Storm of Swords: This installment largely concludes the War of the Five Kings, leaving lingering conflicts.
- A Feast for Crows: This novel runs concurrently with A Dance with Dragons, focusing on characters in King's Landing, the Iron Islands, and Dorne.
- A Dance with Dragons: This book reunites readers with characters absent from A Feast for Crows, continuing the narrative beyond the events of Feast.
The World of Ice & Fire: This companion book provides a rich history of Westeros and Essos, offering additional context to the main series.
Release Date Reading Order:
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 Books:
- A Feast for Crows: The Illustrated Edition (November 4, 2025)
- The Winds of Winter (in progress)
- A Dream of Spring (in progress)
- Fire & Blood, Volume 2 (in progress)
- Additional Dunk & Egg novellas (in progress)
Embark on your journey through Westeros and enjoy the rich tapestry of George R.R. Martin's creation!
