Here's How to Read Every Game of Thrones Book
And what we know about the future of the series.
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The last time we talked about Game of Thrones, it was all about how much we hated the ending. Thankfully, the books the television show is based on isn't finished yet, but author George R. R. Martin already knows it won't be anything like the one we all saw on HBO. For anyone still interested in returning to the world of Westeros on the small screen, though, you're in luck. Back in 2019, HBO announced a prequel series called House of the Dragon, which follows the rise of the Targaryen family. Already it's renewed for a Season 2.
In the meantime, why not dig into the source material for one of HBO's biggest fantasy shows? There's more characters, plotlines, settings, and history than a television show can present. Plus, once you become a Westeros expert, you'll have fun spotting all the easter eggs in the prequel series, calling back to little tidbits the books probably have pages and pages of context on. There's a whole world of Game of Thrones content out there, you just have to pick up a book to see it.
So where do you start? There's currently five (five!) main Game of Thrones books out right now, and two more are on the way. Plus, there's a prequel book, which is what House of Dragon is based on. Each book is a doorstopper (seriously, book five is over 1,000 pages), so you'll want to clear your schedule to get through them all. Scroll down below for all the Game of Thrones books currently out, the order to read them in, and information about what each book covers.
Bantam Fire & Blood (Game of Thrones Prequel)
The book covers major Targaryen conquests, plus the history of all the notable descendants, whose actions influence the first novel A Song of Ice and Fire.
Bantam A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)
The first book in the actual A Song of Ice and Fire series follows nine perspectives (including Jon Snow, the Stark family, and Daenaerys) and introduces readers to Westeros and Essos.
Spectra Books A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 2)
Spectra Books A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 2)
Season two of Game of Thrones consists of munch in A Clash of Kings. Here, Joffrey takes the throne and the War of the Five Kings begins. Jon Snow meets the Wildlings, and Daenarys takes her three newly hatched dragons to Qarth.
Bantam Books A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 3)
Bantam Books A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 3)
A Storm of Swords has much of its content spread over season three, four and five of the television show. In the third book, the War of the Five Kings escalates and famously includes the Red Wedding (which on Game of Thrones, almost included Martin himself).
Bantam A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 4)
Much of A Feast For Crows appears in season five of Game of Thrones. Arya Stark begins training with the mysterious Faceless Men, the War of the Five Kings draws to a close, and both Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth begin their search for Sansa Stark.
Bantam A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 5)
Here, Bran meets the Three-Eyed Raven, Theon Greyjoy is tortured by Ramsey Bolton, Jon Snow is killed after a mutiny at the Watch, and Tyrion Lannister is smuggled out of King's Landing. And that's just a few of the characters in this doorstopper of a book.
Of course, you can also just buy 'em all together.
The Winds of Winter and More
A Song of Ice and Fire isn't anywhere near finished. Game of Thrones far surpassed the content in the ongoing series, but George R.R. Martin has promised the series will end far differently than how it did in the show. As soon as we get more news on The Winds of Winter, the next book in the series, we'll update this space.
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