A Song of Ice and Fire
Reading Order.
Start A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin with "A Game Of Thrones", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
The epic fantasy series chronicling the dynastic war between noble houses for the control of Westeros.
Reader's Guide
This series spans 5 main titles released between 2003 and 2015. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.
Short Answer:
Start with "A Game Of Thrones"
To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.
Community Consensus
"The comments suggest multiple entry points to the larger series, such as starting with the first Elric book or the Eternal Champion. For the House War sequence, there is a strong split: two comments recommend reading the Hunter's Duology first to provide necessary context and avoid missing key story pieces. Conversely, one comment recommends starting with the first three House War books because the writing quality is considered superior, leading to better initial investment. Generally, core books ('the big four') should be read first, with supplemental or complex multiverse material (like Moonbeam Roads) saved for later."
Start with the first Elric book or the Eternal Champion. For the House War/Hunter's arc, read the Hunter's Duology before the first three House War books to ensure full narrative context, even though this sequence involves some repetition.
At a Glance
- First Book:A Game Of Thrones
- Latest Book:A Dance With Dragons
- Timeline:2003 - 2015
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.
Can I skip the short stories?
Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for A Song of Ice and Fire. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.
I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?
Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "A Game Of Thrones" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.
Why do people disagree on the order?
Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.
Recommended Reading Order Strategy
The authoritative way to read the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.
Complete Series Reading Order
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View on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to skip books in the A Song of Ice and Fire series?
We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.
What is the best order to read A Song of Ice and Fire?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "A Game Of Thrones" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as George R. R. Martin intended.
Can I read A Song of Ice and Fire books in any order?
No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.
Are there spin-offs or companion books?
Yes, the A Song of Ice and Fire universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.