Within the last decade, Game of Thrones achieved what many series can only aspire to do: become a cultural juggernaut, forever imprinted into society’s collective memory.
But before Emilia Clark’s expressive face became synonymous with the silver-haired Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons’ features only existed in the imagination of George R.R. Martin and the millions of fans of the A Song of Ice and Fire book series.
If you’re eager to dip your toes in the pages of this fantastic book series or have wondered how many Game of Thrones books there are, rest assured—it is much more straightforward than it seems.
Main Entries in the Song of Ice and Fire Book Series
The main story of A Song of Ice and Fire is a high fantasy work of fiction that encompasses five books to date. They are the quintessential pillars of the series and the primary material source for the Game of Thrones series.
The epic storyline follows multiple characters and points of view through Westeros and Essos, two continents marked by complex court politics, battlefield woes, and interpersonal misfortunes shadowed by the looming threat of imminent supernatural tragedy.
A Game of Thrones
The first book in the series, A Game of Thrones lent its name to the HBO series, even long after the show surpassed the events depicted in its pages.
After his head advisor dies in mysterious circumstances, the king summons his old friend, Lord Eddard Stark, to assume the vacant position. Wary of courtroom politics and intrigue, he is reluctant to leave the cold north to dive south, yet embarks on the journey alongside his family to serve his new role.
His fears prove well-funded as he encounters treachery and secrets threatening to destroy his family—and the kingdom. Meanwhile, across the sea, a young, disposed prince plots to reclaim his family’s throne at any cost, even his sister.
A Clash of Kings
Peace is dead, beheaded in front of the Great Sept of Baelor. Now, with the stain of blood, the kingdom is divided once again—and with the lack of a king, only chaos reigns supreme.
A Clash of Kings features the power struggle derived from A Game of Thrones’s events. Across the Seven Kingdoms, unity has fallen, and five contenders have risen to arms to defend their right to be called kings. In the far north, in the fields beyond their control, a king poses a threat unlike any before, while across the sea, a queen establishes herself after rising from the ashes.
A Storm of Swords
Even as King Joffrey Baratheon sits on the throne, his power remains nominal. At the same time, the War of the Five Kings continues to rage on—one contender less. However, things change as the pieces on the board make their moves. Pawns become queens or knights, and for good or bad, the war must end.
A Storm of Swords has been considered the magnum opus in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, with masterful plot progression and heart-wrenching plot twists, where trustworthy allies prove to be treacherous enemies and conniving villains showcase their heroism.
A Feast for Crows
As a new king is crowned, the Lannister faction enjoys its pyrrhic victory, now more broken than ever. But even in a dying fire, the embers still burn—and they claim for revenge.
Originally intended to be only one book alongside A Dance with Dragons, A Feast for Crows expands the plot and widens the range, focusing for now on the epicenter of Westeros’ politics. With the Martells of Dorne and the Greyjoys of the Iron Isles joining the game of thrones, it’s time to see how war continues long after it is over.
A Dance with Dragons
Far away from the heart of Westeros—in the cold north, distant east, and rough seas—things change. The stories intertwine as newfound revelations promise to shake up the quest for the Iron Throne.
A Lannister crosses the ocean to meet the famed Daenerys Targaryen, busy trying to reign from her new throne. Two young princes may alter the game forever. In the north, Jon Snow faces unmeasurable challenges and countless enemies, both alive and dead.
Spinoffs, Novellas, and Prequels
While waiting for the upcoming (yes, it will come out) Winds of Winter, you can satisfy your craving for more Planetos adventures with the following side stories, each expanding the already rich world built from George R. R. Martin’s mind.
Tales of Dunk and Egg Series
An ongoing collection of novellas, Tales of Dunk and Egg is set approximately a century before the start of the Song of Ice and Fire series. It follows the adventures of hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire, a bald kid nicknamed Egg—both destined to become emblematic figures in Westerosi history.
It comprises three novellas thus far: The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight.
If you’re interested, consider reading it between A Storm of Swords and A Feast for Crows.
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The Princess and the Queen
Originally published in the Dangerous Women anthology series, The Princess and the Queen is a short novella detailing the origins behind the Dance of the Dragons, a civil war between two factions of dragon-riding Targaryens set over 150 years before the main story.
The novella is written as if it were a detailed historical book recalling the succession war between Crown Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and her half-brother Aegon Targaryen, the latter backed up by Rhaenyra’s stepmother, Queen Dowager Alicent Hightower.
The Rogue Prince
Although it was published after The Princess and the Queen, The Rogue Prince works as a prequel to the former.
It follows the complex relationship between reigning king Viserys I and his charming yet dangerous brother Daemon and how these mishaps plant the seeds for the civil war involving Visery’s firstborn daughter, Rhaenyra, and his eldest son, Aegon.
The Sons of the Dragon
The last of the novellas is also the first, at least chronologically—it dates back to the very first Targaryens to rule the Seven Kingdoms.
Upon his death, Aegon the Conqueror leaves behind two sons: his successor, Aenys, and his younger brother, Maegor. In this tale, somewhat reminiscent of Cain and Abel, you follow the stories of both brothers, knowing they are both destined to sit on the throne and succumb to it.
Supplementary Material to Explore the World of a Song of Ice and Fire
If you find yourself intrigued by the fascinating world built by George R.R. Martin’s imagination, you can explore it thoroughly with the supplementary material released to date.
Fire & Blood tells the complete story of House Targaryen in the manner of a historical document. It includes The Princess and the Queen, The Rogue Prince, and The Sons of the Dragon, with the former two inspiring the current HBO hit series House of the Dragon.
Meanwhile, The World of Ice and Fire is a companion book that, while not written exclusively by Martin, works as a complete history guide featuring maps, family trees, and historical supplements.
Would You Like to Visit the Pages of Westeros?
How many Game of Thrones books are there depends on your eagerness to explore the world they are in—or how optimistic you are about George R. R. Martin finishing the series.
While the main storyline is just five books, Martin’s rich worldbuilding and intricate relationships are worth exploring and respecting, as they are among the most valuable and revered in high fantasy fiction.
Feel free to check out must-read books by celebrated authors: Anne McCaffrey, Anne Lamott, Pat Conroy, Kurt Vonnegut, and Arthur Conan Doyle. Hope you elevate your reading experience with these diverse and compelling recommendations from BookScouter.
