There are five published books in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, the core novels adapted into HBO's Game of Thrones.

These epic fantasy tales, set in the brutal world of Westeros, follow noble houses vying for the Iron Throne amid looming supernatural threats. The series masterfully weaves political intrigue, shocking betrayals, and moral ambiguity, captivating millions since the first book in 1996.

Published Books

The main series consists of these five volumes, released over 15 years:

  • A Game of Thrones (1996)
  • A Clash of Kings (1998)
  • A Storm of Swords (2000)
  • A Feast for Crows (2005)
  • A Dance with Dragons (2011)

Note some regional editions split longer books like A Storm of Swords into two parts for printing ease, but they count as one each.

Planned Future Books

Martin has outlined a seven-book arc, with two still unreleased as of early 2026:

  • The Winds of Winter (long-awaited; sample chapters online, no firm date)
  • A Dream of Spring (finale)

Fans eagerly track progress via Martin's blog, amid speculation delays tie to show production and his age.

Related Works

Beyond the core five, expand the universe with:

  • Prequel novellas : A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (compiles The Hedge Knight , The Sworn Sword , The Mystery Knight)—read after book 3 for timeline fit.
  • Targaryen history : Fire & Blood (2018) and Blood & Fire (expected 2026), basis for House of the Dragon.
  • Total shared-universe books: Around 9, blending main saga and spinoffs.

Fan Perspectives

Reddit threads highlight ongoing buzz: "Five main books, but splits in some countries make it feel like more" (r/gameofthrones, Jan 2025).

"I consider... total eight [with companions]." – Artrock80

Debate persists on "complete" counts—purists stick to five, completists include all.

Reading Tips

Start with publication order for immersion. TV fans: Books diverge post-season 5, offering richer detail. No major 2025-2026 updates on Winds , but check georgerrmartin.com.

TL;DR: Five core Game of Thrones books published; two more promised.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.