Reading Order of Game of Thrones Books
Searching for the top Game of Thrones book sequence? There’s a lot of orders to pick from, so it can be hard to know which one’s the best. This article will give you an idea of every book in the series. Plus, it’ll talk about their order and the ideal way to read them.
Chronological Reading Order
Ready to embark on the Game of Thrones book series? Keep this reading order in mind:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
- The Winds of Winter (forthcoming)
- A Dream of Spring (forthcoming)
We recommend following the order of the books’ publication, as each one builds upon the last with references to events and characters from the previous ones. Have a great time reading this epic tale!
A Game of Thrones
Ready for a wild ride? A Game of Thrones is the first book in George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series! It’s recommended you start with this one before moving to the rest. Here’s the reading order:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
- The Winds of Winter (Future Release)
- A Dream of Spring (Future Release)
For a complete understanding of the plot, characters, and storyline, it’s important to follow this order. Some fans suggest reading books four and five together, as they take place during the same timeline. Get ready for political intrigue, plot twists, and unexpected deaths!
A Clash of Kings
A Clash of Kings is the second book in the Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin. If you haven’t read any of the books, it’s best to start with A Game of Thrones. It’ll give you a better understanding of the characters and plot, plus, it’ll help with the world-building. But if you’ve already read the first book, then A Clash of Kings should be your next pick.
This book continues the story of the first book with new conflicts and challenges for the characters. Remember, it’s best to read the books in the published order to properly appreciate the story and character development. Pro tip: Take your time with each book and take notes on the key characters and events to keep track of everything.
A Storm of Swords
A Storm of Swords is the third book in George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series. It follows the stories of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and their struggle for the Iron Throne.
If you’re new to the series, it’s best to read the books in this order:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
- The Winds of Winter (coming soon)
- A Dream of Spring (coming soon)
This way, you will be able to understand the plotlines and character developments in order.
So, begin your journey to the Seven Kingdoms from the beginning and get lost in the world of Westeros!
A Feast for Crows
“A Feast for Crows,” the fourth book of the Game of Thrones series, follows key characters like Cersei Lannister, Jaime Lannister, Sansa Stark, and Arya Stark. They experience the aftermath of the War of the Five Kings.
To understand it, it’s suggested to read the first three books in order:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
Afterwards, readers can move on to “A Feast for Crows.”
However, some opt for a combined reading order. This intertwines “A Feast for Crows” with the next book, “A Dance with Dragons,” to make a smoother, chronological experience.
A Dance with Dragons
Dance with Dragons is the 5th book in the Game of Thrones series. It continues the story of the power struggles among the Seven Kingdoms. If you want to read the books in order, here is the recommended sequence:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
This is the original publication order and the way the story should be experienced. For audiobook fans, Roy Dotrice narrates the Game of Thrones series, a great option to enjoy the story!
The Winds of Winter (upcoming)
The Winds of Winter is the future 6th part of the A Song of Ice and Fire book series by George R.R. Martin.
For a chronological reading, it is best to follow this order:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
- The Winds of Winter (to be released).
This way, readers can understand the complex and related plots with the different characters, and appreciate the in-depth world-building and character growth George R.R. Martin has made.
A Dream of Spring (upcoming)
Do you want to read “A Dream of Spring”, the unreleased book in the Game of Thrones series?
The reading order depends on if you choose chronological or publication order.
For chronological, start with “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”. Then “A Game of Thrones”, “A Clash of Kings”, “A Storm of Swords”, “A Feast for Crows”, “A Dance with Dragons”. Lastly, “A Dream of Spring” when released!
For publication order, start with “A Game of Thrones”. Followed by “A Clash of Kings”, “A Storm of Swords”, “A Feast for Crows”, “A Dance with Dragons” and “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”.
Note: “A Dream of Spring” hasn’t been released yet. The reading order may change with its release! Enjoy your reading!
Published Order
Are you wondering what order to read the Game of Thrones books? Start with A Game of Thrones. Then, move onto A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons.
Some readers might look for different orders; especially if they want to follow certain characters. However, the published order is the best one.
The books are written as one continuous narrative. Each book starts where the last one left off. There are multiple plot points and character interactions that run through all the books.
Starting from A Game of Thrones, to A Dance with Dragons will give you the best story to fully enjoy George R.R. Martin’s world of Westeros.
A Game of Thrones
Want to try reading the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series? Here’s a suggested order:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
- The Winds of Winter (upcoming)
- A Dream of Spring (upcoming)
This follows the books’ release & narrative order, giving you a linear reading experience. But you could also go with a combined chronological order. Whichever you prefer, it’s best to read all the books to get the full experience.
A Clash of Kings
A Clash of Kings is the second novel in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. For those unsure of the order of the Game of Thrones books, it is recommended to read them in publication order.
This is as follows:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast of Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
- The Winds of Winter (upcoming).
Following the publication order will help you comprehend the story as the author intended. Note that events in later books are not shown in the TV series. Reading the novels in order will give a better understanding of Westeros.
A Storm of Swords
Reading The Game of Thrones series can be confusing. Here’s the best order:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
- The Winds of Winter (not out yet)
- A Dream of Spring (not out yet)
Follow this order and you’ll stay spoiler-free!
Tip: Enjoy the ride as you explore Westeros!
A Feast for Crows
A Feast for Crows is the fourth book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin. It should be read after the first three books.
The correct order to read them is:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
It’s important to follow the order for the best experience. Some people prefer to start with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, but this may lead to confusion and plot spoilers.
For the best way to enjoy the series, stick to the advised order and dive into the amazing storytelling and characters of Game of Thrones.
A Dance with Dragons
A Dance with Dragons is the fifth book in the Game of Thrones series. To get the full story, it should be read in order of the first four books:
- A Game of Thrones.
- A Clash of Kings.
- A Storm of Swords (split into two volumes: Steel and Snow; Blood and Gold).
- A Feast for Crows.
- A Dance with Dragons.
In addition, there are prequel novellas like The Hedge Knight and The Tales of Dunk and Egg. These do not need to be read to understand the main series, but they can be read at any time.
Combined Reading Order
For the best reading adventure of A Song of Ice and Fire series, you can follow a combined reading order. It’s designed to link up different storylines and show all of George R. R. Martin‘s ideas.
The sequence is:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords: Part One- Steel and Snow
- A Storm of Swords: Part Two- Blood and Gold
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons: Part One- Dreams and Dust
- A Dance with Dragons: Part Two- After the Feast
This order will give you the clearest vision of Westeros and its characters. What are you waiting for? Dive into this epic series and explore the world of dragons, magic, and politics.
Pro tip: Take it slow and enjoy each chapter. The series requires patience and focus.
A Game of Thrones
Ready to explore George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire? First, you must know the reading order of The Game of Thrones Books. Here it is:
- A Game of Thrones.
- A Clash of Kings.
- A Storm of Swords.
- A Feast for Crows.
- A Dance with Dragons.
- The Winds of Winter (not published yet).
- A Dream of Spring (not published yet).
It’s best to read these books in order. That way, you can enjoy the plot and characters without spoilers from later books.
A Clash of Kings
A Clash of Kings is the 2nd book in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. To get the full experience, readers should read in chronological order. Here’s the sequence:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
- The Winds of Winter (upcoming)
- A Dream of Spring (upcoming)
For an even more immersive experience, check out The World of Ice and Fire. It reveals the history and myth of Westeros!
A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow
Wondering what order to read the Game of Thrones books in?
It’s recommended to follow the publication order.
Third book is A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow. It continues the events from the first two books. This book takes place in Westeros. A complex and interwoven story follows multiple characters. They navigate political and social turmoil of the Seven Kingdoms.
Reading in publication order allows you to understand plotlines and character relationships. Start with A Game of Thrones. Then, A Clash of Kings. Finally, A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow. This provides best reading experience and allows you to enjoy the full scope of the story.
A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold
A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold is the second half of George R. R. Martin’s third novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. It begins with “Epilogue – The Lion” and ends with “Appendix”.
To read the Game of Thrones books in the right order, you should start with:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow (Part 1)
- A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold (Part 2)
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
- The Winds of Winter (yet to be released)
- A Dream of Spring (yet to be released)
This way, you can understand the story without spoiling anything from previous or upcoming books.
A Feast for Crows
A Feast for Crows is the fourth book in George R.R. Martin’s epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire. To fully enjoy it, you need to read the books in the correct order.
Here is the recommended reading order:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
ADWD has two timelines, so it’s important to read AFFC first. However, keep in mind that AFFC’s timeline is concurrent with ADWD’s. So, you might come across character names and plotlines that haven’t been introduced yet, even though you’re already up to book four.
By following this order, you can remain lost in the world of the Seven Kingdoms and beyond, without any confusion or spoilers.
A Dance with Dragons
To read the Game of Thrones books in chronological order, start with A Game of Thrones, followed by A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons and The Winds of Winter (when released).
Some fans prefer to follow the combined reading order. This involves reading chapters of A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons parallel, since they cover the same timeline from different points of view.
The combined order looks like this:
- A Feast for Crows: Chapters 1-21
- A Dance with Dragons: Chapters 1-10
- A Feast for Crows: Chapters 22-45
- A Dance with Dragons: Chapters 11-30
- A Feast for Crows: Chapters 46-65
- A Dance with Dragons: Chapters 31-48
- A Feast for Crows: Chapters 66-86
- A Dance with Dragons: Chapters 49-73
This parallel order makes for a smoother and more enjoyable reading experience for people who were upset with the timeline splitting in the original publication order.
Factors to Consider while Deciding Reading Order
George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire book series is finally here! Readers are stuck in a dilemma. What order should they read the books in? Several factors should be considered.
Timeline of events, character perspectives and the author’s preference are some of these factors. Let’s look at what needs to be taken into account while deciding the reading order.
Personal Preference
What’s the best order to read the Game of Thrones books? No one size fits all. But think about these things when deciding.
- Chronological or publication order?
- Characters you care about? Follow their story?
- Story pacing – fast or slow?
- Length and commitment?
It’s up to you. Choose what fits your preferences and priorities.
Author’s Intended Order
When choosing the order to read a book series like Game of Thrones, it’s important to take the author’s intended order into account. Here are factors to think about:
- Publication Order: This is the order the books were published in. Reading in this order can show readers how the author’s writing and storytelling changed with time.
- Chronological Order: This is the order in which the events in the story occur. Reading this way can help readers understand the world-building and backstory of the series better.
- Mix It Up: For some series, one specific order works best. But for others, readers can enjoy the series in different orders according to their liking. Game of Thrones is one series that can be read in both publication and chronological order, depending on preference.
Pro tip: Consider reading the series in a mix of both chronological and publication order – you’ll get to see how the author’s writing changed over time and still follow the story from start to finish.
Storyline and Plot Cohesiveness
The Game of Thrones book series consists of 5 published novels, with two more to come. Every book has its own plot and story. So, it’s essential to think about cohesion when deciding how to read them. Here are some factors to consider:
- Publication order. This is the safest and simplest way to go.
- Chronological order. This way, you read the books in the order of the events.
- Character’s point-of-view order. This is based on the character development and story arcs.
Each approach has its pros and cons. It’s up to you.
Pro tip: Whatever you choose, take your time and enjoy the details and subplots which make the Game of Thrones series so thrilling.
Series Completion Status
Are you a “Game of Thrones” fan and curious about the book order? Consider these:
- Publication: Begin with “A Game of Thrones,” followed by “A Clash of Kings,” “A Storm of Swords,” “A Feast for Crows,” and “A Dance with Dragons.”
- Chronological: Start with “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” then “A Game of Thrones,” “A Clash of Kings,” “A Storm of Swords,” “A Feast for Crows,” and “A Dance with Dragons.”
- Combined: This order combines chronology and publication – “A Game of Thrones,” “A Clash of Kings,” “A Storm of Swords,” “A Feast for Crows,” “A Dance with Dragons,” and end with “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.”
Choose your reading order and dive into the Iron Throne!
TV Adaptation Influence
The Game of Thrones book series has been adapted into a TV show. This affects how you read them. Here are a few things to consider before picking a reading order:
- Personal preference: Depending on your likes, you might read them in the order they were published, or the way the TV show follows – a different timeline.
- Avoiding spoilers: If you’re watching the TV show with reading the books, read the book first – to avoid any spoilers.
- Narrative flow: You may want to read the books in a certain order for the story to make sense. For example, A Dance with Dragons is the fifth book, but it overlaps with book four, A Feast for Crows.
Pro tip: Reading the books in the order they were published gives you a complete experience without any spoilers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What order should I read the Game of Thrones books in?
The recommended order is to read the books in the order they were published.
2. What is the order of the Game of Thrones books?
The order of the books is: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons, and The Winds of Winter (which has not yet been released).
3. Should I read the Game of Thrones books before watching the TV show?
It is recommended to read the books first for a deeper understanding of the world and characters, but it is not necessary to enjoy the TV show.
4. Can I skip any of the Game of Thrones books?
Skipping books is not recommended as each book builds upon the previous ones and contains important plot points.
5. What is the prequel to the Game of Thrones books?
The prequel to the Game of Thrones books is Fire and Blood, which tells the history of the Targaryen Dynasty.
6. When will The Winds of Winter be released?
The release date for The Winds of Winter has not been announced yet.