For a first read, read the five published A Song of Ice and Fire novels in publication order: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, then A Dance with Dragons. “Game of Thrones books” is a common name for George R. R. Martin’s novel series; the books themselves are published as A Song of Ice and Fire.
What order should I read the Game of Thrones books?
Follow the main novels in this order. The publication years below are listed in George R. R. Martin’s official bibliography.
- 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 author’s book gallery identifies these as Books One through Five, and Penguin Random House presents the same sequence on its official series page.
Do I read A Feast for Crows before A Dance with Dragons?
Yes. Read A Feast for Crows before A Dance with Dragons on a first pass. Readers sometimes discuss the two books’ overlapping chronology, but that is a reason some choose to experiment with an interleaved chapter order on a reread—not a reason to replace the straightforward publication order for a first read.
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What to buy for the complete published sequence
The official A Song of Ice and Fire Box Set: Books 1–4 contains the first four novels: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords and A Feast for Crows. Add A Dance with Dragons separately to complete the five published main novels.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where companion books fit
Martin’s bibliography also includes works such as The World of Ice & Fire, Fire & Blood and the Dunk and Egg novellas. These are companion or prequel reading, not substitutes for Books One through Five. After the main novels, choose them according to what you want next: Westerosi history or additional prequel stories.
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- IMMERSE YOURSELF IN WESTEROS: Experience the world of A Song of Ice & Fire as a sworn brother of the Night's Watch.
- NIGHT'S WATCH STARTER SET: Command the dedicated defenders of the Wall in epic battles against the forces beyond.
- AUTHENTIC MINIATURES: Highly detailed miniatures of iconic Night's Watch characters bring the oath-bound warriors to life.
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- COMPLETE SET: Begin your journey with all essentials included - rulebooks, miniatures, tokens, and more!
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- The ultimate collector's item for fans of the epic fantasy series that inspired HBO's Game of Thrones --a boxed set featuring gorgeous leather-cloth-bound editions of the first five novels! An immersive entertainment experience unlike any other, A Song of Ice and Fire has earned George R. R. Martin--dubbed "the American Tolkien" by Time magazine--international acclaim and millions of loyal readers.
- Now the monumental saga gets the royal treatment it deserves, with each book wrapped in bound leather-cloth covers and packaged together in an elegant display case. This one-of-a-kind boxed set includes: A GAME OF THRONES A CLASH OF KINGS A STORM OF SWORDS A FEAST FOR CROWS A DANCE WITH DRAGONS "One of the best series in the history of fantasy."-- Los Angeles Times Winter is coming.
- st of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon in far-off King's Landing. There Eddard Stark of Winterfell rules in Robert's name. There his family dwells in peace and comfort: his proud wife, Catelyn; his sons Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; his daughters Sansa and Arya; and his bastard son, Jon Snow.
- Far to the north, behind the towering Wall, lie savage Wildings and worse--unnatural things relegated to myth during the centuries-long summer, but proving all too real and all too deadly in the turning of the season. Yet a more immediate threat lurks to the south, where Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, has died under mysterious circumstances.
- Now Robert is riding north to Winterfell, bringing his queen, the lovely but cold Cersei, his son, the cruel, vainglorious Prince Joffrey, and the queen's brothers Jaime and Tyrion of the powerful and wealthy House Lannister--the first a swordsman without equal, the second a dwarf whose stunted stature belies a brilliant mind. All are heading for Winterfell and a fateful encounter that will change the course of kingdoms.
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