If you’re wondering how many Game of Thrones books there are, the answer depends on what you mean by “books.” In the narrowest sense, the core series is George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, which currently has five published novels. In broader use, people often include companion books, prequels, and tie-ins.
Below is a clear reading guide to the main series and the most relevant related books, so you can tell what counts, what doesn’t, and where to start.
How many Game of Thrones books are there in the main series?
There are five published novels in George R. R. Martin’s main series, A Song of Ice and Fire. A sixth novel, The Winds of Winter, has been announced but not published, and a seventh book is planned for the series. The TV show Game of Thrones was adapted from these novels.
What are the five published Game of Thrones books?
The main novels are the backbone of the story readers usually mean when they ask about Game of Thrones books. They follow the political, military, and personal struggles of noble houses and other figures across Westeros and beyond.
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
These books are long-form epic fantasy novels, and the series is known for shifting viewpoints, court intrigue, warfare, shifting alliances, and a world where power is often unstable and costly.
Why the book count can be confusing
Many readers hear “Game of Thrones books” and assume there are only the novels tied directly to the HBO series. But the franchise also includes related histories, illustrated editions, and novellas set in the same fictional world. That is why the total number can vary depending on the category you include.
Which books are related to Game of Thrones but not part of the main series?
Several books expand the world of Westeros without being part of the central A Song of Ice and Fire storyline. These are useful if you want more history, background, or side stories, but they are not required to follow the main plot.
Major companion and prequel works
- The World of Ice & Fire — a companion history of the world and its dynasties
- Fire & Blood — a fictional history of House Targaryen
- Dunk and Egg novellas — shorter prequel stories set earlier in the same world
These books deepen the setting, especially the history of the Targaryens, the political structure of the Seven Kingdoms, and the long background that shapes the main saga.
How the novellas fit in
The Dunk and Egg stories are often collected together and are sometimes discussed as “Game of Thrones books,” though they are technically separate from the main sequence. They offer a more intimate, character-driven look at the same universe and are usually easier to read than the dense main novels.
What is the best reading order for Game of Thrones books?
If you want the simplest path, read the main novels in publication order. That preserves the intended buildup of characters, mysteries, and political developments, and it avoids confusion about timeline jumps or historical references.
Recommended reading order for beginners
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
After that, you can branch into the companion material. Many readers choose Fire & Blood or The World of Ice & Fire next, while others prefer the Dunk and Egg novellas because they are shorter and more self-contained.
Should you read the prequels first?
You can, but it is usually better not to. The prequels assume some familiarity with the world’s history and dynastic tensions, and reading them first may reduce the impact of later revelations in the main series. For most readers, publication order is the clearest route.
What makes the series more than just fantasy adventure?
One reason the books became so influential is that they combine epic fantasy with political realism, moral ambiguity, and a large ensemble cast. The series is not built around a single hero’s journey; instead, it examines how power works when many characters want the throne, survival, or revenge.
Important themes in the books
- Power and legitimacy — who has the right to rule, and who can enforce it
- Honor versus survival — characters often face impossible choices
- Family and inheritance — bloodlines shape the political world
- War and consequence — conflict is shown as costly, not glamorous
- Memory and history — the past continually shapes the present
These themes help explain why the books appeal to readers beyond fantasy fans. They function as political fiction, tragedy, and world-building all at once.
Character-driven storytelling
The series is famous for its rotating point-of-view structure. Rather than following one narrator, the novels move among many characters, which creates a layered view of the same events and allows the reader to see how divided the world really is.
How do the books compare to the TV series?
The HBO adaptation brought the story to a much wider audience, but the books and show are not identical. The novels contain more internal detail, more characters, and more historical background, while the show streamlines some storylines and changes others as it progresses.
Why readers still turn to the books
Many readers prefer the novels because they offer richer political context and a slower, more textured sense of the world. The books also leave room for unresolved plotlines and future developments that the television series had to conclude on its own terms.
What to expect as a reader
The books are dense, expansive, and sometimes deliberately unsettling. They reward patience, attention to shifting alliances, and a willingness to follow multiple characters across different regions and conflicts.
Who should read Game of Thrones books?
These books are a strong fit for readers who enjoy epic fantasy, court politics, morally complex characters, and large-scale world-building. They may also appeal to readers who like historical fiction in spirit, even though the setting is entirely invented.
Best fit for
- Readers who enjoy long, immersive series
- Fans of political intrigue and dynastic conflict
- Readers comfortable with multiple viewpoints and complex timelines
- Fantasy fans who want a grittier, less idealized world
If you prefer brisk pacing, a single central hero, or tightly contained novels, the series may feel demanding. But if you enjoy sprawling fiction with multiple layers of conflict, it can be deeply rewarding.
Quick answer: how many Game of Thrones books are there?
There are five published main Game of Thrones books in A Song of Ice and Fire, with a sixth announced and a seventh planned. If you include related prequels and companion books, the total rises beyond the core series, depending on how broadly you define the franchise.
If you want more reading ideas after Westeros, you may also enjoy exploring how many books are in the Harry Potter series or thinking about how many books make a home library.