A Game of Thrones
The first novel in George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos.
Where A Game of Thrones keeps showing up
Three of our editors' lists feature this novel.
Also by George R.R. Martin
Books in conversation with A Game of Thrones
A few of the closest reads from our full list.
What you might want to know about A Game of Thrones
The questions readers send us most often, answered without spoilers.
Lords and would-be kings push for the Iron Throne while ancient threats stir beyond a long-forgotten Wall. First in A Song of Ice and Fire.
No. George R.R. Martin has published five novels in the series, with two more planned: The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. The Winds of Winter has been in progress for over a decade with no confirmed release date.
The HBO series Game of Thrones adapts A Song of Ice and Fire, of which A Game of Thrones is the first book. Seasons 1 through 5 follow the books closely; later seasons diverged significantly because they outpaced Martin's published material.
A Game of Thrones is adult epic fantasy with graphic violence, sexual content, and morally complex situations. Most publishers and reviewers recommend it for readers 16 and up.
Read in publication order: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons. Books four and five run concurrently and split the cast geographically; some readers prefer a combined chronological reading order, but publication order is recommended for first-time readers.
A Game of Thrones was written by George R.R. Martin, published in 1996 by BCA.
A Game of Thrones is 801 pages in standard print editions, though page counts vary slightly between hardcover, paperback, and large-print formats.
At an average reading pace of about 250 words per minute, A Game of Thrones takes most readers 12 to 17 hours to finish.
A Game of Thrones is a standalone novel by George R.R. Martin, not part of a series.
A Game of Thrones is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from Amazon, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, and most major bookstores.
