Begin at the only safe entry point
Start with A Game of Thrones and continue in numbered order; later books assume knowledge of the earlier alliances, betrayals, and character histories.
Book Series · 5 Books
A Song of Ice and Fire Books
In order from A Game of Thrones to A Dance with Dragons.
George R. R. Martin's unfinished adult epic fantasy follows rival families fighting for power while an ancient supernatural danger grows beyond the Wall.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read A Song of Ice and Fire
Read the five published novels in numbered order, beginning with A Game of Thrones and ending with A Dance with Dragons. The story, viewpoint characters, and political conflicts continue across the books, so this is not a series to read out of sequence.
The series is not complete. This page counts only the five novels published as of August 12, 2026, rather than announced or planned future books.
Sources: Penguin Random House's official series list, George R. R. Martin's official five-book collection.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
This is adult fantasy, not a young-reader counterpart to the television series. It includes graphic battle violence, torture, executions, sexual violence and coercion, incest, explicit sexual situations, forced marriage, pregnancy and childbirth, abuse of children, slavery, frequent death, and strong language. The large cast, shifting viewpoints, political complexity, and unfinished story also make it a substantial commitment for mature readers.
Where to start
Where Should a New Reader Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$379
Book #1 · Chapter Book · 1996
A Game of Thrones
In a land of endless seasons, power struggles and dark forces threaten the realm.
835 pages· 292,727 words
$3.99Save 5%
Mass Market Paperback
Summary: In a world where summers span decades and winters a lifetime, the Starks of Winterfell face rising threats from beyond the Wall. As sinister forces gather, lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, vie for power in a deadly game. Amidst plots and betrayals, a dragon prince seeks a throne, and a woman embarks on a perilous journey. Who will survive the game of thrones?
In reading order
A Song of Ice and Fire Series
5 books · Published 1996–2011
#1
Sale price
$379
A Game of Thrones
Chapter Book · 1996
In a land of endless seasons, power struggles and dark forces threaten the realm.
#2
Sale price
$3420
A Clash of Kings
Chapter Book · 1998
Chaos erupts as six factions vie for the Iron Throne amidst prophecy and war.
#3
Sale price
$3420
A Storm of Swords
Chapter Book · 2000
Five vie for power as the dead rise and kingdoms clash in a storm of swords.
#4
Sale price
$1049
A Feast for Crows
Chapter Book · 2005
In a land of uneasy peace, new plots and alliances emerge. Who will survive the feast for crows?
Sale price
$3800
A Dance with Dragons
Chapter Book · 2011
Power struggles and hidden threats loom as the Seven Kingdoms teeter on the brink of chaos.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the A Song of Ice and Fire series?
There are 5 books in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. It began with A Game of Thrones in 1996, and the newest book, A Dance with Dragons, was published in 2011.
What order should you read the A Song of Ice and Fire books in?
Start with A Game of Thrones and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #5.
Which A Song of Ice and Fire book is the longest?
A Dance with Dragons is the longest book in the series at 414,788 words (1016 pages).
Which A Song of Ice and Fire book is the shortest?
A Game of Thrones (Book #1) is the shortest at 292,727 words (835 pages).
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring A Song of Ice and Fire to life.
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