Game of Thrones Books: How Many Are There & Reading Order
Anyone who has tried to explain the Game of Thrones book series to a new reader has hit the same wall: is it five books or seven, and why is the next one taking so long? This article settles the count once and for all, gives you the correct reading order, and explains why the confusion matters for readers waiting for the conclusion.
Published books: 5 (as of 2024) ·
Planned books: 7 ·
First book published: 1996 ·
Latest book: 2011 (A Dance with Dragons) ·
Author: George R. R. Martin ·
Series name: A Song of Ice and Fire
Quick snapshot
- Five main novels published between 1996 and 2011 (CBR (entertainment news site))
- Seven novels planned by the author (Library of Congress (U.S. government library))
- Release date for The Winds of Winter (A Wiki of Ice and Fire (fan wiki))
- Whether the series will actually reach seven books (Parade (lifestyle magazine))
- First book: 1996, latest book: 2011 – an 11-year gap between releases (CBR (entertainment news site))
- Over a decade since last book with no end in sight (Library of Congress (U.S. government library))
- Two books remain: The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring (A Wiki of Ice and Fire (fan wiki))
- Author still planning seven books (Parade (lifestyle magazine))
Seven key facts about the series at a glance – a quick reference for the core data.
| Series Name | A Song of Ice and Fire |
| Author | George R. R. Martin |
| First book | 1996 |
| Latest book | 2011 |
| Total published | 5 |
| Planned total | 7 |
| TV adaptation | Game of Thrones (2011–2019) (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)) |
How many books are there of Game of Thrones?
What is the main series called?
The core book series is A Song of Ice and Fire, written by George R. R. Martin. It started as a trilogy idea but expanded into a planned seven-volume epic.
How many books are currently published?
Five novels have been released so far, all between 1996 and 2011. In order of publication:
- A Game of Thrones (1996) (CBR (entertainment news site))
- A Clash of Kings (1998)
- A Storm of Swords (2000)
- A Feast for Crows (2005)
- A Dance with Dragons (2011)
How many books are planned in total?
Martin has stated that the full saga will run seven books. The final two are provisionally titled The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring.
The catch: only half of Martin’s planned saga is available to readers.
Is Game of Thrones 5 or 7 books?
Why do some people say 5 books?
Because only five volumes have actually reached bookstore shelves. Many readers and casual fans refer to the published count when they talk about the series (Parade (lifestyle magazine)).
Why do others say 7 books?
The seven-book plan comes directly from the author. George R. R. Martin originally conceived a trilogy and later expanded the scope to seven planned volumes (A Wiki of Ice and Fire (fan wiki)).
Is the series complete?
No. Only five of the planned seven books have been released. The TV series Game of Thrones covered material from the first five books (with deviations), which added to the confusion about the book count (SlashFilm (film news site)).
The 5 vs 7 debate isn’t pedantic — it reflects real reader frustration. Only half the story is available, and the wait for the second half has stretched over a decade.
What this means: readers must choose between diving into an unfinished story or waiting for completion.
What is the correct order of Game of Thrones books?
What is the publication order?
Publication order is the recommended reading order. It follows the story as Martin wrote it. For step-by-step reading:
- A Game of Thrones (1996) – introduces the Stark and Lannister conflicts
- A Clash of Kings (1998) – the War of the Five Kings escalates
- A Storm of Swords (2000) – major twists and the Red Wedding
- A Feast for Crows (2005) – focuses on new characters and the aftermath
- A Dance with Dragons (2011) – returns to characters skipped in the previous book
After these five, no further books are available. Some editions split A Storm of Swords into two parts (Steel and Snow and Blood and Gold) and A Dance with Dragons into Dreams and Dust and After the Feast, but the content is the same.
What is the chronological order (in-universe)?
The publication order matches the in-universe chronological order. There are no time jumps that require a different sequence. Stick to published order.
Are there any side books to include in the order?
Companion works like The Hedge Knight (a novella set 90 years earlier) and Fire & Blood (a history of House Targaryen) expand the world but are not part of the main plot. Most readers tackle them after finishing the five main novels (SlashFilm (film news site)).
The published order is the only way to experience the story as Martin designed it. Skipping around spoils the careful pacing of mysteries and revelations.
The pattern: publication order is the only reading order that preserves Martin’s narrative design.
What we know vs what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- 5 books published (CBR (entertainment news site))
- 7 books planned by author (Library of Congress (U.S. government library))
What’s unclear
- Release date for The Winds of Winter (A Wiki of Ice and Fire (fan wiki))
- Whether the series will actually reach 7 books (Parade (lifestyle magazine))
The implication: the series’ completion date remains unknown despite clear publication history.
Voices from the realm
I am still planning seven books.
George R. R. Martin, on his blog (2016)
Five of the seven planned core volumes had been published as of the Library of Congress page update.
Library of Congress NLS
The pattern is clear: Martin has delivered half the story in 15 years, and the second half remains unwritten. For readers waiting to start the series, the decision is between diving into five brilliant but unfinished books, or holding off until the conclusion is in sight.
New readers get a rich, immersive world with dozens of characters and political intrigue. But they also join a decade-long wait for closure. The payoff is uncertain.
The trade-off: readers gain an extraordinary story but inherit an indefinite wait for its ending.
en.wikipedia.org, tlbranson.com, parade.com, cnet.com, voyagedmagazine.com, fivebooks.com, bookseriesinorder.com, townandcountrymag.com
Frequently asked questions
Are the Game of Thrones books suitable for young readers?
The books contain adult content including violence, sexual situations, and strong language. They are generally recommended for readers 16 and older.
Is the book series better than the TV show?
Readers widely agree the books offer deeper character development, more intricate plots, and a coherent ending (though unfinished). The show diverges significantly after season 4.
Do I need to read the novellas?
No – the main story is self-contained. Novellas like The Hedge Knight add background but are optional (SlashFilm (film news site)).
Can I skip A Feast for Crows?
No – it introduces essential characters and plot threads. Many readers find it slower, but skipping breaks the narrative flow.
What is the page count of each book?
Varies by edition, but the five novels typically range from 700 to 1,200 pages each. A Storm of Swords is the longest.
Are there any maps in the books?
Yes, each book includes detailed maps of Westeros and Essos.
Is the series available as an ebook?
Yes, all five main books are available in Kindle, ePub, and other formats.
For more details, see our Game of Thrones books reading order guide and A Song of Ice and Fire series and companion works overview.
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