So you want to dive into George R.R. Martin's world but aren't sure where to start with the game of thrones books order? You're not alone. When I first picked up A Game of Thrones years after watching season one, I nearly grabbed Fire & Blood thinking it was the sequel. Total rookie mistake that cost me a spoiled plot point. Let's save you from that headache.
The Absolute Must-Read Core Series
Look, if you're going to read anything, make it the A Song of Ice and Fire books. This is Martin's main series that started it all. Five books are out so far, with two more supposedly coming... someday. Here's how they stack up:
| Book Title | Release Year | Page Count | Key Plot Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Game of Thrones | 1996 | 694 | Ned Stark becomes Hand, Daenerys gets dragon eggs, Jon Snow joins Night's Watch |
| A Clash of Kings | 1998 | 768 | War of Five Kings begins, Battle of Blackwater, Arya escapes King's Landing |
| A Storm of Swords | 2000 | 973 | Red Wedding, Purple Wedding, Jon becomes Lord Commander |
| A Feast for Crows | 2005 | 753 | Focus on King's Landing and Iron Islands, Cersei's downfall begins |
| A Dance with Dragons | 2011 | 1056 | Jon's leadership challenges, Daenerys in Meereen, Tyrion's escape |
Notice the massive gap between books? Yeah, we've all been waiting for The Winds of Winter since 2011. Martin's latest update? "It'll be done when it's done." Not holding my breath anymore.
Why Publication Order Matters
Some fans suggest reading Feast and Dance together using "A Ball of Beasts" (a fan-made combined order), but honestly? For your first read, stick to release order. The split perspectives work better thematically. When I tried the combined version on my second read, it felt disjointed. Martin wrote them separately for a reason.
Physical vs Audiobook Experience
Having consumed both, Roy Dotrice's audiobooks (all 150+ hours!) are phenomenal but he changes pronunciations between books. Physical books let you flip back to maps and family trees. Pro tip: Bookmark the appendices - you'll need them when third cousins twice removed show up.
Where Prequels Fit In Your Game of Thrones Books Order
After finishing the main books, you'll probably crave more Westeros. That's where prequels come in. But read these after the core series unless you want major spoilers.
Fire & Blood - The Targaryen Bible
This fake history book covers 300 years of Targaryen rule before Robert's Rebellion. It's packed with:
- Dragon wars (so. many. dragon. battles.)
- Iron Throne succession dramas
- Origins of major houses
- Backstory for House of the Dragon TV series
Personally, I found the textbook style exhausting until I started treating it like short stories. Read a king's reign per sitting.
Dunk and Egg Novellas
These three gems follow a hedge knight and his squire 100 years before the main series:
| Novella Title | Published In | Collection |
|---|---|---|
| The Hedge Knight | Legends (1998) | A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms |
| The Sworn Sword | Legends II (2003) | |
| The Mystery Knight | Warriors (2010) |
These are Martin's most accessible works. Lighter tone, fewer characters, and you'll recognize familiar castle names. I actually recommend these after book 3 if you need a break from bloodshed.
Companion Books - Worth Your Time?
These aren't essential for plot, but hardcore fans love them.
The World of Ice and Fire
This coffee table book has gorgeous art but reads like a dry encyclopedia. Useful for:
- Understanding house rivalries
- Geography lessons (Where exactly is Dorne again?)
- Concept art and family trees
Skip it unless you're deep into lore. The maps are incredible though - I've spent hours tracing character journeys.
Rise of the Dragon
2022's visual companion to Fire & Blood. Same info with prettier pictures. Only buy if you're collecting.
TV Shows vs Books - What You're Missing
If you've only watched HBO's adaptations, you're missing about 60% of the story. Seriously. Entire subplots got axed.
Game of Thrones TV Series (2011-2019)
The show covered books 1-5 then went completely off-book. Major differences:
| Book Element | Show Treatment | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Lady Stoneheart | Completely omitted | Massive ripple effect on Riverlands plot |
| Aegon Targaryen | Never appeared | Changes Daenerys' entire endgame |
| Dorne Plotline | Butchered in season 5 | Removed crucial political maneuvering |
House of the Dragon (2022-Present)
This adapts Fire & Blood's "Dance of Dragons" civil war section. The book reads like a historical account while the show fleshes out characters. Read the book first and you'll spot clever foreshadowing in every episode.
Game of Thrones Books Order FAQ
Should I read Fire & Blood before the main series?
No way. It spoils major reveals about Targaryen history that hit harder when discovered through main story context. Plus, reading about dragons nonstop might ruin the magic of Daenerys' early chapters.
Is Dunk and Egg necessary reading?
Not necessary, but highly recommended. They add depth to Targaryen lore and give insights into Bloodraven (that creepy tree guy Bran meets). Plus, they're just damn good stories. Only takes about 15 hours total.
What's the chronological game of thrones books order?
Technically: Fire & Blood → Dunk and Egg → main series. But this ruins narrative payoffs. Publication order works best for reveals. Martin drops hints about past events that hit differently when you don't know the full history.
How many books will there be total?
Martin originally planned six, then expanded to seven. But with Feast and Dance both splitting into two volumes geographically, who knows? My bet? We never get A Dream of Spring. Prove me wrong, George.
Are the graphic novels worth getting?
Only for collectors. The artwork ranges from stunning to questionable, and they strictly adapt existing material with no new content. Fun to flip through at Barnes & Noble but not worth $25 per volume.
Reading Tips From a Westeros Veteran
Having made every mistake possible in my game of thrones books order journey, here's what I wish I knew:
- Use maps constantly - Print out Westeros and Essos maps. Characters travel constantly and geography impacts everything.
- Track houses - Keep notes on minor houses. That random Frey mentioned in book 2? He'll be important in book 5.
- Take breaks between books - These are dense. After Storm of Swords, I needed three months off. Burnout is real.
- Spoiler minefields online - Never Google character names. Even autocomplete will ruin twists. The wiki is dangerous until you finish.
One last thing - don't rush. Savor Martin's food descriptions (seriously, the man writes feasts like he's starving), political maneuvering, and small character moments. The journey matters more than reaching the end.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be refreshing Martin's blog for Winds of Winter updates... again.
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