A Chronological Guide to A Song of Ice and Fire
George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire is a modern epic that redefined the fantasy genre with its brutal political realism, complex character psychologies, and sprawling, meticulously crafted world. The series is set primarily on the continent of Westeros, a land of seven distinct kingdoms united under the rule of the Iron Throne.
The world operates on a grand, cyclical scale. Its seasons last for years, sometimes decades, and as the story begins, a long summer is coming to an end, with whispers that an equally long and harsh winter is on its way. In the cutthroat south, the great noble houses engage in a deadly "game of thrones" for power, while in the far north, beyond the massive ice structure known as the Wall, an ancient, supernatural threat begins to stir.
This guide organizes the entire published saga of Westeros in its in-universe chronological order, from the fiery history of the Targaryen kings to the current, desperate struggle for survival.
The Prequel Histories
These books and novellas are set before the main series, establishing the deep, often tragic history of the Seven Kingdoms.
Fire & BloodGeorge R. R. Martin (2018)
Timeline: 300 - 130 years before A Game of Thrones. Presented as a historical text written by an Archmaester of the Citadel, this book details the first half of the Targaryen dynasty in Westeros. It begins with Aegon the Conqueror's invasion and the forging of the Iron Throne, and chronicles the reigns of his successors. The bulk of the novel is dedicated to the "Dance of the Dragons," a devastating civil war between rival Targaryen factions that tore the realm apart and led to the near-extinction of the dragons. It is a dense, rich history of power, betrayal, and the dangers of dragon-fueled ambition.
The Dunk & Egg NovellasGeorge R. R. Martin (1998-2010)
Timeline: ~90 years before A Game of Thrones. This collection of three novellas (*The Hedge Knight*, *The Sworn Sword*, and *The Mystery Knight*) follows the travels of a common-born, toweringly tall knight named Ser Duncan the Tall ("Dunk") and his sharp-witted young squire, "Egg." Unbeknownst to most, Egg is secretly Prince Aegon Targaryen, a future king of Westeros. These stories offer a ground-level view of the Seven Kingdoms during a time of relative peace, exploring the lives of commoners and hedge knights in a way the main series does not. They are smaller in scale but rich in character, honor, and foreshadowing of the events to come.
A Song of Ice and Fire: The Main Saga
The core series, detailing the renewed struggle for the Iron Throne and the rise of the Others.
1. A Game of ThronesGeorge R. R. Martin (1996)
The saga begins. Lord Eddard "Ned" Stark of Winterfell is asked by his old friend, King Robert Baratheon, to serve as Hand of the King. Ned travels south to the capital, King's Landing, and is immediately drawn into a web of conspiracy and betrayal surrounding the death of his predecessor. The novel introduces the main noble houses—the honorable Starks, the wealthy and ruthless Lannisters, and the exiled Targaryens—and sets the primary conflicts in motion. It ends with the death of King Robert, Ned Stark's execution, and the outbreak of a massive civil war known as the War of the Five Kings.
2. A Clash of KingsGeorge R. R. Martin (1998)
With the realm fractured, five men have declared themselves king. Ned Stark's son Robb marches south, winning every battle but struggling to win the war. The Lannisters hold the capital with the cruel boy-king Joffrey on the throne, but face invasion from Robert's two brothers, Stannis and Renly. The novel is a masterclass in military and political maneuvering, exploring the brutal realities of warfare and the shifting alliances that define the conflict. It culminates in the massive Battle of the Blackwater, where a desperate, brilliant defense saves King's Landing from falling.
3. A Storm of SwordsGeorge R. R. Martin (2000)
Often considered the high point of the series, this massive novel contains some of its most shocking and iconic events. The War of the Five Kings reaches its bloody climax with the infamous "Red Wedding." In the North, Jon Snow infiltrates the wildling army and learns of the true threat posed by the White Walkers. In the East, Daenerys Targaryen conquers the cities of Slaver's Bay and unleashes her three growing dragons for the first time. The political landscape of Westeros is completely and irrevocably shattered by the book's end, setting a new, darker stage for the struggles to come.
4. A Feast for CrowsGeorge R. R. Martin (2005)
This novel and the next run on a parallel timeline. *A Feast for Crows* focuses on the characters in the south of Westeros in the immediate aftermath of the war. With many major players dead, the story explores the power vacuum. Cersei Lannister's paranoid and incompetent rule in King's Landing leads to the rise of a militant religious movement, the Faith Militant. The novel delves deep into the politics of the Iron Islands and Dorne, and follows Brienne of Tarth on a desperate quest through a war-ravaged Riverlands. It's a somber look at the cost of war and the decay of political order.
5. A Dance with DragonsGeorge R. R. Martin (2011)
Running concurrently with the previous book, *A Dance with Dragons* follows the characters in the North and across the Narrow Sea. Jon Snow, now Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, must make difficult alliances to prepare for the coming of the White Walkers, a task that earns him the enmity of his own men. Daenerys Targaryen struggles to rule the city of Meereen, discovering that it is much harder to be a queen than a conqueror. The book brings many characters' storylines to shocking cliffhangers, as the world teeters on the brink of a second, even more terrible war, all while winter finally arrives.
6. The Winds of Winter (Upcoming)George R. R. Martin
The highly anticipated sixth book in the saga. It is expected to pick up immediately from the cliffhangers of the previous two books. The story will likely feature the massive Battle of Winterfell between the forces of Stannis Baratheon and the Boltons, Daenerys's fate in the Dothraki Sea, and the fallout from Jon Snow's assassination at the Wall. It promises to be a dark, brutal novel that will finally bring the full force of winter and the invasion of the Others to the forefront of the story.
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