So you've just finished watching HBO's Game of Thrones and now you're wondering, "Wait, how many books of Game of Thrones are there actually?" Been there myself when I first got hooked. That question seems simple until you dive into George R.R. Martin's universe. Let me walk you through everything based on my 15-year journey reading these books - including the frustrations we book fans share about that long wait for the next installment.
The Core Book Series Explained
When people ask "how many books of Game of Thrones are there," they usually mean the main series titled A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF). As of 2023, there are five published books out of a planned seven. I remember buying the box set back in college thinking I'd finish before graduation... jokes on me!
Published Main Books in Order
| Release Year | Book Title | Pages (US Hardcover) | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | A Game of Thrones | 694 | Ned Stark's investigation, Daenerys' dragons born |
| 1998 | A Clash of Kings | 768 | War of Five Kings begins, Battle of Blackwater |
| 2000 | A Storm of Swords | 973 | Red Wedding, Purple Wedding, Jon becomes Lord Commander |
| 2005 | A Feast for Crows | 753 | Focus on King's Landing/Iron Islands after ASOS |
| 2011 | A Dance with Dragons | 1056 | Jon Snow's leadership crisis, Daenerys in Meereen |
Funny story - when I lent my copy of A Storm of Swords to a friend, she spilled coffee on the Red Wedding chapter. Said it matched her tears. These books average 800+ pages each, so if you're starting now, clear your schedule. The writing density is insane - Martin crams more political intrigue into one chapter than some authors manage in entire books.
The Two Missing Books Every Fan Talks About
Here's where things get painful for us long-time readers. Martin has been promising two final books for over a decade:
- The Winds of Winter (Book 6) - In progress since 2011. Chapters have been read at events but no release date
- A Dream of Spring (Book 7) - Planned finale
At conventions, fans half-jokingly ask if we'll get these before retirement. Martin's latest update? He's "making progress" but won't commit to timelines. After waiting twelve years, I've learned not to hold my breath. His detailed gardening writing style (letting stories grow organically) clearly doesn't mesh with deadlines.
Why the Book Count Confusion Happens
When researching how many books of Game of Thrones are there, newcomers often get confused because:
The TV show name ≠ Book series name. HBO used "Game of Thrones" as the show title, but that's just Book 1's title. The book series is called "A Song of Ice and Fire" - a fact even some diehard show fans don't realize until they visit bookstores.
Another headache? Martin split Books 4 and 5 geographically rather than chronologically. When I first read them, I kept flipping between both trying to sync timelines. Feast focuses on Westeros (Cersei, Jaime, Brienne) while Dance covers Essos/North (Daenerys, Jon, Tyrion). You essentially need this reading order:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- Combined reading of Feast/Dance using fan-created chapter lists
Essential Companion Books You Should Know
Beyond the main series, Martin's expanded universe answers questions about how many books of the Game of Thrones are there overall. These aren't direct sequels but provide crucial backstory:
| Title | Type | Release Year | Content Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire & Blood | History | 2018 | Full Targaryen dynasty history (inspiration for House of the Dragon) |
| The World of Ice & Fire | Encyclopedia | 2014 | Maps, family trees, illustrations of kingdoms |
| A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms | Novella Collection | 2015 | Three Dunk & Egg adventures (90 years before main series) |
I particularly loved Fire & Blood - reading about the original Targaryen civil war (Dance of Dragons) made me understand Daenerys' family trauma deeper. The Dunk & Egg stories feel lighter too, almost like fantasy comfort food compared to ASOIAF's intensity.
Novellas and Short Stories
Diehard collectors should track these down. They're often anthologized:
- The Hedge Knight (1998) - First Dunk & Egg meeting
- The Sworn Sword (2003) - Drought conflict in Westeros
- The Mystery Knight (2010) - Tourney intrigue
- The Princess and the Queen (2013) - Targaryen war details
Why Are We Still Waiting? The Publishing Timeline Reality
George R.R. Martin originally planned a trilogy. Then it expanded. And expanded. The gaps between books keep growing:
| Book | Writing Duration | Factors Causing Delay |
|---|---|---|
| A Game of Thrones | 1991-1996 (5 years) | World-building foundations |
| A Clash of Kings | 1996-1998 (2 years) | Rapid follow-up success |
| A Storm of Swords | 1998-2000 (2 years) | Expanding character arcs |
| A Feast for Crows | 2000-2005 (5 years) | Split narrative decision |
| A Dance with Dragons | 2005-2011 (6 years) | Complex Meereenese politics |
| The Winds of Winter | 2011-Present (12+ years) | TV show involvement, "Meereenese knot" times ten |
Martin famously struggled with what fans call the "Meereenese knot" - getting all characters to the right places at the right time. From convention panels I've attended, Winds seems to have multiple such knots. His 2012 declaration that he'd never again announce deadlines until manuscripts were done speaks volumes.
Personal rant: As someone who started reading in 2008, the wait for Winds of Winter has been excruciating. I used to refresh his "Not a Blog" site daily. Now? I've accepted it'll arrive when it arrives. The HBO deal clearly diverted his attention - you can't blame the guy for securing generational wealth, but it stalled book progress.
TV Show vs Books: Crucial Differences
If you're coming from the show wondering how many books of the Game of Thrones are there, know this: Seasons 1-4 follow books 1-3 reasonably closely. Then things diverge wildly:
Major Plot Changes
- Season 5+ - Showrunners passed published material around 2015
- Cut Characters - Lady Stoneheart, Young Griff, Victarion's magic horn
- Combined Arcs - Sansa/Jeyne Poole, Euron's simplified villainy
Having read advance Winds chapters at fan events, I can confirm the books will handle the White Walker threat differently. Martin's version involves more prophecy fulfillment and ancient lore - stuff the show mostly ignored after Season 5.
Frequently Asked Questions (From Real Fan Forums)
How many books in Game of Thrones will there be when finished?
Martin maintains it'll be seven main books. But given how Feast and Dance overflowed, I wouldn't be shocked if he needs eight. He's admitted the story "grew in the telling."
Are the Game of Thrones books completed?
Not even close. We're stuck mid-saga at five published books with two more planned. The show's ending isn't book canon either.
Do I need to read the companion books?
Not essential, but Fire & Blood adds depth to House Targaryen lore, and Dunk & Egg stories are delightful palate cleansers.
Why hasn't George R.R. Martin finished?
Between TV projects, editing anthologies, and perfectionism? The man's stretched thin. His gardening writing style doesn't help - he lets plots branch organically rather than outlining rigidly.
Should I start reading now or wait?
Start now. Even unfinished, these are masterpieces. Just prepare for unresolved cliffhangers after Dance. Maybe join a support group!
Reading Tips From an ASOIAF Veteran
Having read the series three times, here's my survival guide:
- Use family tree apps - With 200+ named characters, even I get confused. Try "A World of Ice and Fire" app
- Take breaks between books - The "Meereenese knot" chapters can burn you out
- Follow fan resources
- Accept the uncertainty - We might never get A Dream of Spring. Savor what exists
Honestly, I envy new readers discovering Ned's fate for the first time. That shock still haunts me. Though I'd pay good money to wipe my memory and read the Red Wedding fresh again.
Where Things Stand in 2023
To directly answer "how many books of Game of Thrones are there": Five main books are available now, with two more planned but undated. Plus three companion books and several novellas. Total page count? Around 5,300 pages and counting.
My prediction? We'll get Winds of Winter by 2026 (optimistically). A Dream of Spring? Maybe 2030s. Martin's 74 now, and his focus seems split between multiple HBO projects. I've made peace with possibly never reading the official ending - fan theories will have to suffice.
The journey matters more than the destination though. These books created modern fantasy. Even incomplete, they offer hundreds of hours of political intrigue, shocking betrayals, and dragons - so many dragons. Just don't expect tidy resolutions anytime soon.
Essential Online Resources
- Westeros.org - Forum for chapter analysis
- A Search of Ice and Fire - Text search tool
- The Citadel - Chronology guides
So grab Book 1 and start reading. Winter is coming... eventually. Maybe. We hope.
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