George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” book series has become one of the most popular and well-known pop culture properties of the last decade or so. Spanning several novels, companion books, and now multiple TV shows, the universe is massive, far-reaching, and not slowing down anytime soon!
Like many other books in the fantasy genre, “A Song of Ice and Fire” spins a sprawling and epic tale of a fantasy world filled with danger, intrigue, betrayals, and plenty of supernatural elements. Set in a kingdom ruled by a precarious royal dynasty with powerful nobles and houses plotting to obtain power for themselves, Westeros is a dangerous and complicated place. Martin has also further expanded this rich universe with prequels like “Fire and Blood,” the basis for the upcoming TV series “House of the Dragon,” and other spinoff materials.
The mainline series of books is the foundation for HBO’s adaptation “Game of Thrones,” although the TV series, by necessity, wound up writing far beyond where the books currently left off. The fifth and most recent book was published in 2011, with two more books (tentatively titled “The Winds of Winter” and “A Dream of Spring”) still to come – although no release dates have been officially announced. Until then, here’s a brief rundown of the entire series so far, what to expect from each, and what order to read them in!
Game of Thrones Books in Order
- “A Game of Thrones”
- “A Clash of Kings”
- “A Storm of Swords”
- “A Feast for Crows”
- “A Dance with Dragons”
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"A Game of Thrones"
The first novel, “A Game of Thrones,” introduces us to the world of Westeros, where dragons once flew, magic lurks in mysterious places and a number of great noble houses scheme for power. Robert Baratheon is the king, and after his chief adviser dies, he recruits his reluctant friend, Ned Stark, to take the position. Ned and his family walk into a court filled with deadly secrets – first among them, Queen Cersei’s affair and the illegitimacy of her children. Ned’s attempt to unravel the lies lead to several deaths, a succession crisis, and a splintering of the kingdom.
Meanwhile, to the north, Ned’s illegitimate son Jon joins the Night’s Watch, a group dedicated to defending the Seven Kingdoms against the terrors beyond the great Wall. And across the sea, Daenerys Targaryen, the last of the previous royal house, begins her own quest to return to the throne.
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"A Clash of Kings"
As the title suggests, a civil war rages in “A Clash of Kings.” Cersei’s sadistic young son Joffrey takes the throne, while both of Robert’s younger brothers, Stannis and Renly, make their own claims on the throne with the help of various allies. In the North, Robb Stark declares the region’s independence, while his younger sisters, Sansa and Arya, find themselves in precarious situations. Sansa is held hostage by the Lannisters under the guise of her “engagement” with Joffrey. Meanwhile, Arya flees the chaos undercover and learns of a secret brotherhood.
Far to the north, Jon Snow is ordered to infiltrate the society of “wildlings” who live beyond the wall but deals with unexpected results in the process. Across the sea, Daenerys – now the “mother” of three newly hatched dragons – encounters new obstacles in her quest to build power.
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"A Storm of Swords"
The War of the Five Kings turns brutal and deadly in “A Storm of Swords.” An ill-fated romantic decision on Robb’s part leads to devastation for his family and kingdom. Jaime Lannister is sent on a prisoner exchange, accompanied by Brienne of Tarth, only for their journey to take some shocking turns. Joffrey is convinced to break his engagement to Sansa and marry Margaery Tyrell instead, but the aftermath of the wedding puts his uncle Tyrion in grave danger. We also meet Prince Oberyn Martell and learn more about his home of Dorne.
Elsewhere, Daenerys grows her army by freeing a massive number of slaves. North of the Wall, Jon learns more about the dangerous “Others” from the wildlings, but soon finds himself dealing with conflicted loyalties.
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"A Feast for Crows"
“A Feast for Crows” scatters the characters of the series even further, as more and more plots branch off. The Lannisters’ power only grows as other claimants to the throne are killed, but Cersei’s paranoia and cruelty could be her own undoing. Sansa and Arya both attempt to leave their Stark identities behind for their own safety, with mixed results.
In other regions, the Greyjoy and Martell families face power plays of their own. A prophecy about Daenerys and her dragons continues to circulate, although her own point of view is largely absent in this novel, as is Jon’s.
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"A Dance with Dragons"
As of right now, “A Dance with Dragons” is the most recent published title in the planned seven-book series. House Stark has largely lost all its power, with the remaining siblings scattered and the brutal House Bolton taking over. Sansa faces an uncertain future, while Arya goes deeper into her assassin training, and Bran begins to uncover his supernatural powers of “greensight.”
Exiled and in danger, Tyrion learns more about Daenerys – including the fact that the spymaster, Varys, has reportedly helped hide Dany’s presumed-dead nephew, meaning there’s another Targaryen heir out there. Daenerys herself struggles to consolidate power, with her followers fighting among themselves, and her dragons causing problems. Cersei faces a trial by combat, and Jon’s attempt to change some of the Night Watch’s practices and loyalties puts him in grave danger.
