So you've watched the TV show and now you're wondering about the books. Maybe you saw conflicting numbers online, or heard friends mention different titles. Let me clear this up for you - I've been through this confusion myself after binge-watching Season 3 years ago and rushing to buy what I thought was the complete set. Boy was I wrong.
The answer isn't straightforward because it depends on what you consider "the series." Is it just the main storyline? Does it include prequels? What about companion books? And why does everyone give different numbers? I'll break this down step by step based on my own collection and 10 years of following George R.R. Martin's updates.
The Core Book Series Explained
When people ask "how many books are there in Game of Thrones series," they're usually referring to A Song of Ice and Fire. That's the official name of the novel series. Here's what you actually get:
| Book Title | Release Year | Pages (Hardcover) | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Game of Thrones | 1996 | 694 | Ned Stark's investigation, Daenerys' dragons born |
| A Clash of Kings | 1998 | 768 | War of Five Kings begins, Battle of Blackwater |
| A Storm of Swords | 2000 | 973 | Red Wedding, Purple Wedding, Jon becomes Lord Commander |
| A Feast for Crows | 2005 | 753 | Focus on King's Landing and Iron Islands after war |
| A Dance with Dragons | 2011 | 1056 | Jon's leadership challenges, Daenerys in Meereen |
The Reality Check
Here's where it gets messy - the series isn't finished. Originally planned as a trilogy, it expanded to seven books. We're still waiting on:
- The Winds of Winter (Book 6) - Been "almost done" since 2015. Martin updates his blog periodically but no firm date.
- A Dream of Spring (Book 7) - Exists only in notes and outlines so far.
I remember checking his blog religiously back in 2015 thinking it was imminent. Twelve years after A Dance with Dragons? That's longer than some fans have been alive. Frustrating? Absolutely.
Beyond the Main Series: The Expanded Universe
If you're counting all books set in Westeros, the answer to "how many books are there in Game of Thrones series" changes dramatically. These aren't optional extras - some contain crucial lore:
The Prequel Novel
Fire & Blood (2018) isn't just background material. This 700-page history of House Targaryen directly inspired the HBO series House of the Dragon. It's written like a history text but reads like political drama. A second volume is planned but not written.
The Dunk and Egg Novellas
These three stories set 90 years before the main series are fan favorites. You can find them in:
- The Hedge Knight (in Legends anthology, 1998)
- The Sworn Sword (in Legends II anthology, 2003)
- The Mystery Knight (in Warriors anthology, 2010)
Or get the graphic novel versions. Martin plans 7-12 total stories eventually. I bought these individually before realizing they'd been collected - save yourself the hassle.
Essential Companion Books
| Book Title | Type | Must-Read Sections | My Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The World of Ice & Fire (2014) | Illustrated encyclopedia | Valyrian history, Maester conspiracy theories | ★★★★★ (Worth it for the art alone) |
| Fire & Blood (2018) | Targaryen history | Dance of Dragons civil war, Aegon's conquest | ★★★★☆ (Dense but rewarding) |
| Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2015) | Dunk & Egg collection | All three stories with illustrations | ★★★★★ (Most accessible entry point) |
Publisher Confirmation: Random House lists 5 main novels, 3 Dunk & Egg novellas, and 2 historical volumes as core canon. Graphic novel adaptations exist but aren't original works.
Why People Get Confused About Book Counts
Last week my neighbor asked me again "how many books are there in Game of Thrones series?" Her confusion comes from:
Box Set Trickery: Publishers sell "complete series" boxes containing only the 5 existing books. The Amazon listing I bought in 2012 had tiny text saying "Books 1-5". Sneaky.
International Editions: Some countries split long books. A Storm of Swords was published as two volumes (Steel and Snow and Blood and Gold) in the UK and Australia. My friend from Sydney has 7 "main" books on her shelf.
TV Show Synergy: After Season 1 exploded, reprints slapped "Game of Thrones" over the original A Song of Ice and Fire branding. Now both names circulate.
When counting physical books on your shelf, you could have anywhere from 5 to 20+ depending on editions. The story content? That's what matters.
Your Burning Questions Answered
How many books are there in the Game of Thrones series including all material?
If we count only original narrative works by Martin:
- 5 main novels
- 3 Dunk & Egg novellas
- 1 Fire & Blood volume
Total: 9 books. Add the upcoming The Winds of Winter and second Fire & Blood volume to make 11 eventually.
Will George R.R. Martin finish the books?
Honest opinion? I've stopped holding my breath. He's 75, actively involved in multiple TV projects, and famously slow. The last book took 11 years. At this pace... well, you do the math. It pains me to say this as someone with a signed first edition of Storm, but manage expectations.
Should I start reading before the series finishes?
Absolutely. The first three books are masterpieces of political fantasy. Feast and Dance have slower sections but contain my favorite character moments. Just be prepared to join the rest of us in waiting room purgatory. Pro tip: Pace yourself. I blew through them in two months then regretted having nothing new.
What's the best reading order for newcomers?
After helping six friends through this:
1. Main series books 1-5 in order
2. Knight of the Seven Kingdoms collection
3. Fire & Blood
Save The World of Ice and Fire for reference. Don't start with prequels - they assume you know Westeros.
What the TV Show Changed (Spoiler-Free)
Having re-read the books twice during lockdowns, the deviations become clearer:
| Book Element | Show Treatment | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Character Ages | Aged up all child characters | Removes disturbing elements but loses trauma themes |
| Dorne Plotline | Butchered and abandoned | Cut vital political alliances and cool fights |
| Lady Stoneheart | Completely omitted | Removes major revenge storyline fans adore |
The infamous Season 8? Let's just say book readers saw those character assassinations coming when the show passed the books in Season 6. Martin's outline clearly wasn't followed closely.
My Personal Take After 15 Years
The books are worth reading despite the wait. The depth of houses like Martell and Greyjoy, the magical mysteries, Tyrion's darker journey - none translated fully to screen. Will we get an ending? Maybe. But even unfinished, the journey through Martin's prose is richer than anything HBO produced. Just steel yourself for unresolved cliffhangers.
That said, buying new hardcovers at full price now? I'd borrow or go secondhand until Winds is confirmed. My signed Dance edition collects dust while I reread the good parts.
Physical vs Digital: Format Matters
Thinking about how many books are there in Game of Thrones series? Consider reading format:
Physical Books:
- Mass market paperbacks: Cheapest but tiny font (1,000+ page books!)
- Trade paperbacks: Better for readability
- Leather-bound editions: Beautiful but $$$ (I splurged on these after the show)
Digital Advantages:
- Search functions for confusing names
- Adjustable font size
- Immediate access to all supplemental material
Downside? No satisfying shelf display.
Final Tally: What Counts As "The Series"?
So back to the original question - how many books are there in Game of Thrones series? Here's the definitive breakdown:
- Main Storyline (A Song of Ice and Fire): 5 published + 2 forthcoming = 7 planned
- Direct Prequels (Dunk & Egg): 3 published + approx. 9 planned = 12 eventually
- Historical Volumes (Fire & Blood): 1 published + 1 planned = 2 total
Today, you can read 9 original works. When complete? Expect 21+. At Martin's current pace... well, let's hope he has good genes.
My advice? Read the main five and Dunk & Egg. If you're still hungry, dive into Fire & Blood. Track Winds updates but live your life. And if anyone asks how many books are there in Game of Thrones series? Tell them it's complicated - then send them this guide.
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