Below is the complete list of Game of Thrones books in order of publication, which is the recommended reading order for the officially titled A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin....
Read All the Game of Thrones Books in Order
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Read A Song Of Ice and Fire Books in Publication Order
- A Game of Thrones (1996)
Buy on Amazon - A Clash of Kings (1998)
Buy on Amazon - A Storm of Swords (2000)
Buy on Amazon - A Feast for Crows (2005)
Buy on Amazon - A Dance with Dragons (2011)
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Read Game Of Thrones Graphic Novels Books in Publication Order
- A Game of Thrones, Volume 1 (2011)
Buy on Amazon - A Game of Thrones, Volume 2 (2013)
Buy on Amazon - A Game of Thrones, Volume 3 (2013)
Buy on Amazon - A Game of Thrones, Volume 4 (2014)
Buy on Amazon - A Clash of Kings, Volume 1 (2018)
Buy on Amazon - A Clash of Kings, Volume 2 (2019)
Buy on Amazon - A Clash of Kings, Volume 3 (2021)
Buy on Amazon - A Clash of Kings, Volume 4 (2022)
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Read Game Of Thrones Collection Books in Publication Order
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2013)
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Read Game Of Thrones Non-Fiction Books in Publication Order
- The Art of George R.R. Martin’s a Song of Ice and Fire (2005)
Buy on Amazon - The Art of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice & Fire, Volume Two (2011)
Buy on Amazon - A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Companion Cookbook (2012)
Buy on Amazon - The Lands of Ice and Fire (2012)
Buy on Amazon - The Wit & Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister (2013)
Buy on Amazon - The World of Ice & Fire (2014)
Buy on Amazon - The Official Game of Thrones Cookbook (2024)
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Game of Thrones Series by George R. R. Martin
The epic fantasy saga commonly associated with Game of Thrones is officially titled A Song of Ice and Fire, a sprawling series created by George R. R. Martin. The story began in 1996 with the publication of A Game of Thrones, introducing readers to the continent of Westeros—a politically fractured land where noble houses compete for power while an ancient supernatural threat slowly rises in the far north.
Reading the series in publication order is essential because the narrative unfolds as one continuous, interwoven story. Each novel expands the political intrigue, character relationships, and mythological elements of Martin’s world. Plot threads introduced early in the series often take multiple books to fully develop, making chronological reading the most coherent way to experience the story.
The currently published books in the main series are:
- 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 opening novel establishes the central conflict: a struggle for the Iron Throne following the death of King Robert Baratheon. Noble families—including House Stark, House Lannister, and House Baratheon—become entangled in a web of alliances, betrayals, and shifting loyalties. At the same time, distant storylines introduce Daenerys Targaryen, the last surviving member of a once-ruling dynasty, who begins rebuilding her claim to power across the Narrow Sea.
Martin’s storytelling is notable for its large ensemble cast and rotating point-of-view structure. Each chapter follows a different character, allowing readers to see the unfolding conflict from multiple perspectives. This technique adds depth to the narrative and highlights how individual decisions ripple outward across the political landscape of Westeros.
The series gradually broadens in scale. Early books focus heavily on court intrigue and regional warfare, but later installments reveal deeper layers of history and mythology. The looming threat of the White Walkers—mysterious beings beyond the northern Wall—adds a supernatural dimension to what initially appears to be a purely political drama.
One of the defining aspects of A Song of Ice and Fire is its rejection of traditional fantasy conventions. Heroes and villains are rarely clear-cut, and major characters face real consequences for their choices. Martin’s willingness to subvert expectations—particularly regarding character survival and shifting alliances—became one of the series’ most recognizable traits.
Several recurring themes shape the narrative:
- The corrupting influence of power
- The instability of political alliances
- Honor versus survival in times of war
- The cyclical nature of history and conflict
Publication order also preserves the gradual expansion of Martin’s worldbuilding. Regions such as the Iron Islands, Dorne, and the Free Cities become more prominent as the story progresses, introducing new cultures, political factions, and historical tensions.
The immense scope of the story eventually led to parallel timelines in the fourth and fifth books, with A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons covering overlapping periods from different character perspectives. Reading them in publication order reflects how Martin originally structured this narrative expansion.
Beyond the novels, the series inspired the HBO television adaptation Game of Thrones, which brought global attention to Martin’s world. Despite differences between the books and the show, the novels remain the core of the story’s intricate political and mythological narrative.
Across its published volumes, A Song of Ice and Fire builds a vast and detailed fantasy world where personal ambition, dynastic struggle, and ancient forces collide. Experiencing the books in publication order preserves the slow reveal of hidden histories, evolving alliances, and the mounting tensions that define Martin’s epic saga.