Next Book in the Series Browse A–Z
This site contains affiliate links. The creator of this site may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

A Song Of Ice and Fire

by George R R Martin

5 books Started 1996 Latest 2011
Publication Reading Order

The A Song Of Ice and Fire is a Epic Fantasy / Fantasy series by George R R Martin, made up of 5 books published between 1996 and 2011. It begins with A Game of Thrones (1996), and is best read in publication order. The most recent entry is A Dance with Dragons (2011), spanning 15 years of storytelling.

5books
15years active
3decades
~3.8yrs between books
2011latest release

A Song Of Ice and Fire series: frequently asked questions

What order should I read the A Song Of Ice and Fire series?

Start with A Game of Thrones (1996), the first book in the A Song Of Ice and Fire series by George R R Martin. Follow the books in publication order for the best reading experience.

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 by George R R Martin, published between 1996 and 2011.

What is the first book in the A Song Of Ice and Fire series?

The first book in the A Song Of Ice and Fire series is A Game of Thrones, published in 1996 by George R R Martin.

What is the latest book in the A Song Of Ice and Fire series?

The most recent book in the A Song Of Ice and Fire series is A Dance with Dragons (2011) by George R R Martin.

George R. R. Martin is an American author known for his epic fantasy series "A Song of Ice and Fire" and its HBO adaptation, "Game of Thrones." Born in Bayonne, New Jersey in 1948, Martin began writing short stories and novellas in the 1970s. His breakthrough came with the publication of "A Game of Thrones" in 1996, the first installment of "A Song of Ice and Fire." The series quickly gained critical acclaim for its complex characters, intricate plot, and unflinching realism. Martin has received numerous awards for his work, including the World Fantasy Award, the Hugo Award, and the Nebula Award. "A Song of Ice and Fire" has sold over 90 million copies worldwide and been translated into 47 languages. Martin's writing has been praised for its depth, scope, and ability to captivate readers on a global scale.

View all George R R Martin series →

About the Song Of Ice and Fire series

George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire is the epic that redefined modern fantasy and inspired HBO's Game of Thrones. Set across the warring Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, it follows a vast cast of nobles, bastards, knights and exiles in a brutal contest for the Iron Throne — while an ancient threat gathers in the frozen north.

Martin's revolution was to strip fantasy of its safety nets: no character is guaranteed to survive, morality is grey, and politics matter as much as swords. The result is dense, addictive, and unsparing, told through rotating point-of-view chapters.

Five books are published so far, beginning with "A Game of Thrones", with "The Winds of Winter" long awaited. Books four and five ("A Feast for Crows" and "A Dance with Dragons") run concurrently across different characters, so some readers use a combined chapter order — but publication order works perfectly well.