Book #5 of 5 in A Song of Ice and FireStatus: Ongoing

A Dance With Dragons

Quick Answer

Read "A Dance With Dragons" as the 5th book in the A Song of Ice and Fire sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "A Feast For Crows" (Book 4)

❓ Can I skip this book?

❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: As the 5th installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

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20151060 pp

In the aftermath of a colossal battle, the future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance once again–beset by newly emerging threats from every direction. In the east, Daenerys Targaryen, the last scion of House Targaryen, rules with her three dragons as queen of a city built on dust and death. But Daenerys has three times three thousand enemies, and many have set out to find her. Yet, as they gather, one young man embarks upon his own quest for the queen, with an entirely different goal in mind. Fleeing from Westeros with a price on his head, Tyrion Lannister, too, is making his way to Daenerys. But his newest allies in this quest are not the rag-tag band they seem, and at their heart lies one who could undo Daenerys’s claim to Westeros forever. To the north lies the mammoth Wall of ice and stone–a structure only as strong as those guarding it. There, Jon Snow, 998th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, will face his greatest challenge yet. For he has powerful foes not only within the Watch but also beyond, in the land of the creatures of ice. And from all corners, bitter conflicts soon reignite, intimate betrayals are perpetrated, and a grand cast of outlaws and priests, soldiers and skinchangers, nobles and slaves, will face seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Some will fail, others will grow in the strength of darkness. But in a time of rising restlessness, the tides of destiny and politics will lead inevitably to the greatest dance of all. . . . Preceded by: [***A Feast for Crows***][1] Followed by: ***The Winds of Winter*** (planned) ([Source][3]) [1]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL257948W [3]: https://georgerrmartin.com/grrm_book/a-dance-with-dragons/

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Series Order Complete! 🎉

You have reached the latest record for this series guide.

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

This book is the fifth volume but is not chronologically sequential to 'A Feast for Crows.' It was split geographically to run in parallel with the preceding novel, focusing on the storylines set in the east (Essos) and the north (Winterfell and the Wall), and featuring major point-of-view characters like Jon Snow, Tyrion, and Daenerys.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for A Song of Ice and Fire conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading A Dance With Dragons?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read A Dance With Dragons before A Feast For Crows?

No. We recommend reading A Feast For Crows first. A Dance With Dragons is the 5th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.