How to use this page
- Read the five main novels in publication order. There are no alternate paths.
- All companion material is optional. The main series stands completely on its own.
- The series is unfinished. Two more main books are planned but have no release dates.
Main series
Five books have been published. Read them in publication order. Each book builds directly on the events of the previous ones.
- A Game of Thrones (1996) Amazon
- A Clash of Kings (1998) Amazon
- A Storm of Swords (2000) Amazon
- A Feast for Crows (2005) Amazon
- A Dance with Dragons (2011) Amazon
Note on books 4 and 5: A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons cover overlapping story timelines from different character perspectives. Some fan guides suggest interleaving chapters from both books chronologically - this is not recommended. Read them in publication order as intended.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms collects the three Dunk and Egg novellas: The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight. They follow a young hedge knight named Dunk and his small squire Egg roughly 90 years before the events of the main series. A fourth novella in this series is reportedly in progress.
Any time after finishing book three. Most readers enjoy them most after completing all five main books, but they make an excellent break between volumes too. They contain no significant spoilers for the main series in either direction.
Yes. The Dunk and Egg novellas are widely considered some of Martin's best writing. They are lighter in tone than the main series - more adventure and less political intrigue - and accessible to anyone who knows the world. Highly recommended.
Fire and Blood
Fire and Blood (2018) is a history of House Targaryen written in an in-world academic style, covering events roughly 300 to 130 years before the main series. HBO's House of the Dragon is adapted from this book.
Any time. It contains no spoilers for the main series and the main series contains no spoilers for it - they cover different periods of history. Most readers find it more enjoyable after finishing the main five books, when the Targaryen history carries more weight.
If you watched House of the Dragon and want more, this is the source material. The show adapts the first half of the book's events. You do not need to have read the main ASOIAF novels to enjoy it.
Other companion material
An illustrated in-world reference covering the history, geography, and cultures of the known world. A lore companion for dedicated fans. Best appreciated after completing the main five books.
AmazonTwo shorter pieces also set in Targaryen history, originally published in anthologies and later included in Fire and Blood. If you read Fire and Blood, you already have this content.
Series status
The series is unfinished. Five of a planned seven books have been published. The sixth book, The Winds of Winter, has been in progress since 2011 with no confirmed release date as of 2026. The seventh and final book, A Dream of Spring, is planned after that. George R. R. Martin is known for long gaps between volumes - four years between books one and two, five between two and three, five between three and four, six between four and five. Starting the series now means accepting that completion may still be some years away.
FAQ
Do I need to read the companion books?
No. The five main novels are a complete and self-contained experience. The companion books are optional enrichment for readers who want more of the world after finishing the main series.
Is there a box set of the main series?
Yes. Box sets of the five published books are available.
Should I interleave Feast for Crows and Dance with Dragons?
No. Some fan guides provide a combined chapter-by-chapter reading order that interleaves both books by timeline. This is not recommended for a first read. Read A Feast for Crows in full, then A Dance with Dragons in full. This is the intended reading experience and the combined approach adds confusion without meaningful benefit.
Is this page spoiler-free?
Yes. All recommendations avoid plot details and major reveals.