Abercrombie
The Blade Itself
✦
The First Law
Joe Abercrombie - 10 books
Same moral ambiguity, faster pace, and the series is actually finished.
grimdark
Series - Books in order
A Song of Ice and Fire books in order
by George R.R. Martin - 5 books - 1996-2011 - Updated June 2026
A Song of Ice and Fire is the fantasy series that became Game of Thrones. Five of a planned seven novels have been published. The series is famous for complex political intrigue, moral ambiguity, and killing characters you love.
Martin
A Game of Thrones
✦
1
Martin
A Game of Thrones
✦
1
Start with this book
Most readers should start with A Game of Thrones. It gives you the cleanest entry point before continuing through the full series order.
5 books - read in publication order
Show orderPublication order
Contains affiliate links| # | Book | Published | Rating | Where to read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Game of Thrones A Game of ThronesStart | 1996 | 4.4 | Kindle $9.99Paperback $12.99Audible $14.99Bookshop $16.00 |
| 2 | A Clash of Kings A Clash of Kings | 1998 | 4.3 | Kindle $9.99Paperback $12.99Audible $14.99Bookshop $16.00 |
| 3 | A Storm of Swords A Storm of Swords | 2000 | 4.5 | Kindle $9.99Paperback $12.99Audible $14.99Bookshop $16.00 |
| 4 | A Feast for Crows A Feast for Crows | 2005 | 4.0 | Kindle $9.99Paperback $12.99Audible $14.99Bookshop $16.00 |
| 5 | A Dance with Dragons A Dance with Dragons | 2011 | 4.1 | Kindle $9.99Paperback $12.99Audible $14.99Bookshop $16.00 |
A Game of Thrones
4.4
KindlePaperbackAudibleBookshop
A Clash of Kings
4.3
KindlePaperbackAudibleBookshop
A Storm of Swords
4.5
KindlePaperbackAudibleBookshop
A Feast for Crows
4.0
KindlePaperbackAudibleBookshop
A Dance with Dragons
4.1
KindlePaperbackAudibleBookshop
Our recommended reading order
Read in publication order. A Storm of Swords is the consensus best book. Books 4 and 5 run in parallel (different POV characters, same timeline). The Winds of Winter has no confirmed release date.
Martin
A Game of Thrones
✦
Best book to start with
A Game of Thrones
Book #1, and still the best on-ramp. It sets up everything that makes this series work.
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Frequently asked questions
Five published (A Game of Thrones through A Dance with Dragons). Two more are planned: The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring.
George R.R. Martin has been working on it since 2011. No release date confirmed as of 2026.
The books are better. The show diverges significantly after season 4 and many fans disliked the ending. The books may have a different ending.
Contains affiliate linksUpdated June 2026