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.
Publication Order of A Song Of Ice and Fire Books
- A Game of Thrones (1996)
A Game of Thrones was published in 1996 and is listed as book #1 in the Game Of Thrones series. - A Clash of Kings (1998)
Published in 1998, A Clash of Kings is listed as book #2 in the Game Of Thrones series. - A Storm of Swords (2000)
A Storm of Swords is a 2000 release and appears as book #3 in the Game Of Thrones series. - A Feast for Crows (2005)
In the Game Of Thrones series, A Feast for Crows is book #4 and was published in 2005. - A Dance with Dragons (2011)
A Dance with Dragons was first published in 2011; within the Game Of Thrones series, it is listed as book #5.
Publication Order of Game Of Thrones Graphic Novels Books
- A Game of Thrones, Volume 1 (2011)
A Game of Thrones, Volume 1 was published in 2011 and is listed as book #6 in the Game Of Thrones series. - A Game of Thrones, Volume 2 (2013)
Published in 2013, A Game of Thrones, Volume 2 is listed as book #7 in the Game Of Thrones series. - A Game of Thrones, Volume 3 (2013)
A Game of Thrones, Volume 3 is a 2013 release and appears as book #8 in the Game Of Thrones series. - A Game of Thrones, Volume 4 (2014)
In the Game Of Thrones series, A Game of Thrones, Volume 4 is book #9 and was published in 2014. - A Clash of Kings, Volume 1 (2018)
A Clash of Kings, Volume 1 was first published in 2018; within the Game Of Thrones series, it is listed as book #10. - A Clash of Kings, Volume 2 (2019)
A Clash of Kings, Volume 2 was published in 2019 and is listed as book #11 in the Game Of Thrones series. - A Clash of Kings, Volume 3 (2021)
Published in 2021, A Clash of Kings, Volume 3 is listed as book #12 in the Game Of Thrones series. - A Clash of Kings, Volume 4 (2022)
A Clash of Kings, Volume 4 is a 2022 release and appears as book #13 in the Game Of Thrones series.
Publication Order of Game Of Thrones Collection Books
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2013)
In the Game Of Thrones series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is book #14 and was published in 2013.
Publication Order of Game Of Thrones Non-Fiction Books
- The Art of George R.R. Martin’s a Song of Ice and Fire (2005)
The Art of George R.R. Martin's a Song of Ice and Fire was first published in 2005; within the Game Of Thrones series, it is listed as book #15. - The Art of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice & Fire, Volume Two (2011)
The Art of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice & Fire, Volume Two was published in 2011 and is listed as book #16 in the Game Of Thrones series. - A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Companion Cookbook (2012)
Published in 2012, A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Companion Cookbook is listed as book #17 in the Game Of Thrones series. - The Lands of Ice and Fire (2012)
The Lands of Ice and Fire is a 2012 release and appears as book #18 in the Game Of Thrones series. - The Wit & Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister (2013)
In the Game Of Thrones series, The Wit & Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister is book #19 and was published in 2013. - The World of Ice & Fire (2014)
The World of Ice & Fire was first published in 2014; within the Game Of Thrones series, it is listed as book #20. - The Official Game of Thrones Cookbook (2024)
The Official Game of Thrones Cookbook was published in 2024 and is listed as book #21 in the Game Of Thrones series.
About Game of Thrones
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.