Best Way To Navigate George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones Book Universe

Ever since the Lannister twins pushed Bran Stark out of a tower window in 2011 (can you believe it's been that long?), millions of viewers have been glued to HBO's Game of Thrones, following the journeys of beloved and hated characters over the next eight years.

Despite the widely criticized failures of its final seasons, the show became a franchise when its spinoff, House of the Dragon, premiered nearly two years ago. Now we are glued to the story of Daenerys Targaryen's ancestors, who are willing to risk everything for a seat on the Iron Throne.

Of course, the new prequel brings in new viewers who are just discovering the world of Westeros. Many know that the HBO shows are based on the epic book series by George R.R. Martin, but not everyone has read them.

If you feel that the time has come for you to discover the book wonders of the Seven Kingdoms, figuring out where to start may be tricky. Officially, the main story is told in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, but you won't find the book that inspired House of the Dragon in it. Plus, there are a few companion novellas that add to the fictional universe.

But don't worry, that's exactly what we're here for - to provide a comprehensive guide to immersing yourself in the world of Game of Thrones.

The Chronological Order

If you're enjoying the second season of 'House of the Dragon,' currently airing on HBO, more than you could imagine, and can't wait to find out what's in store for the Blacks and the Greens, it makes sense to start your book journey with Aegon I Targaryen's conquest of Westeros, which kicks off Fire & Blood and the new chronology in the fictional universe (AC means 'after the conquest').

Note, however, that some of the novellas are set in the midst of the events of Fire & Blood, so you may want to dive into them before Fire & Blood.

• Fire & Blood (0 AC to 157 AC)
• The Sons of the Dragon (37 AC to 48 AC, in the anthology The Book of Swords)
• The Rogue Prince, or, a King's Brother (103 AC to 129 AC, in the anthology Rogues)
• The Princess and the Queen, or, the Blacks and the Greens (129 AC to 130 AC, in the anthology Dangerous Women)
• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (209 AC to 212 AC)
• A Game of Thrones (297 AC to 299 AC)
• A Clash of Kings (299 AC)
• A Storm of Swords (299 AC to 300 AC)
• A Feast for Crows (300 AC)
• A Dance with Dragons (300 AC)

The Best Order

Chronological order provides a big picture of the history of Westeros, but it does raise some issues. Fire & Blood was written as a scholarly treatise on the Targaryen dynasty rather than a fantasy novel, so it may feel tedious to some readers, especially those just starting out with the works of George R.R. Martin.

The A Song of Ice and Fire series (which became the basis for Game of Thrones) is the main story that is sure to draw you in. Therefore, the most beneficial way to read Martin's book is the way he intended - following the order in which the novels were published.

The stories collected in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms were written in different years, so it's best to intersperse them with the main series as you go along.

• A Game of Thrones (1996)
• The Hedge Knight (1998, part of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms)
• A Clash of Kings (1999)
• A Storm of Swords (2000)
• The Sworn Sword (2003, part of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms)
• A Feast for Crows (2005)
• The Mystery Knight (2010, part of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms)
• A Dance with Dragons (2011)
• The Princess and the Queen, or, the Blacks and the Greens (2013, in the anthology Dangerous Women)
• The Rogue Prince, or, a King's Brother (2014, in the anthology Rogues)
• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2015)
• The Sons of the Dragon (2017, in the anthology The Book of Swords)
• Fire & Blood (2018)

Keep in mind, however, that the battle for the Iron Throne in A Song of Ice and Fire is far from over. Two more novels, The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring, are expected to conclude the epic saga. However, Martin tortures his numerous fans (who have been waiting for 13 years) and avoids committing to specific dates.

But who knows, by the time you read Fire & Blood, the magic will have happened and The Winds of Winter will have seen the light of day.