The Realm of Fantasy Reborn: George R.R. Martin’s Ever-Expanding World
“It has become one of the biggest fantasy franchises in the world,” and that’s not just blowing smoke like one of Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons. The ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ novels, penned by the iconic George R.R. Martin, have not only enchanted readers globally but have also spawned a massive HBO drama series, Game of Thrones, that needs no introduction. As the new prequel series House of the Dragon ignites our screens, you may be among the many wondering how to navigate Martin’s intricate web of stories.
“It has become one of the biggest fantasy franchises in the world.”
Celebrities Born in Westeros: A Walk Through Fame
Since its debut in 2011, Game of Thrones has been nothing short of a cultural juggernaut. It ran for eight captivating seasons, turning relatively unknown actors into global icons. “Launching numerous actors to superstardom, including Peter Dinklage, Maisie Williams, Kit Harington, Richard Madden, Sophie Turner and more,” the show’s influence permeates the pop culture landscape.
“Launching numerous actors to superstardom, including Peter Dinklage, Maisie Williams, Kit Harington, Richard Madden, Sophie Turner and more.”
The Literature Landscape: What Books Are There?
We might have “gathered all of the information you need for the series,” but here’s a detailed primer to help you read through Martin’s ever-growing universe. If you’ve ever wondered which book comes after which, we’ve got you covered.
The Main Series: ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’
- 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)
Side Stories and Novellas: ‘Dunk & Egg’ and More
- The Hedge Knight (1998)
- The Sworn Sword (2003)
- The Mystery Knight (2010)
Encyclopedias and Quote Collections
- The Wit and Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister (2013)
- The World of Ice and Fire (2014)
- The Rise of the Dragon (2022)
Anticipated Releases: The Winds Are Rising
- The Winds of Winter (TBC)
- A Dream of Spring (TBC)
“So far, no new books have been released but fans are awaiting the release of the final instalments in A Song of Ice and Fire: The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring.”
Breaking Down the Chronology: A Timeline Fit for a Maester
While the publication order is the more straightforward route, die-hard fans who wish to consume the lore chronologically have another set of rules to follow. Here’s the chronological rundown, based on Westeros’ own timeline, both “BC (before the conquest) and AC (after the conquest).”
- The World of Ice and Fire – Dawn Age onwards
- Fire & Blood – 2 BC to 136 AC
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – 209 AC to 212 AC
- A Game of Thrones to A Dance with Dragons – 297 AC to 300 AC
- The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring (both unreleased)
“It should be noted that the events of A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons take place concurrently, but eventually the latter advances beyond the former chronologically.”
“It should be noted that the events of A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons take place concurrently, but eventually the latter advances beyond the former chronologically.”
Are You Ready for ‘House of the Dragon’?
With House of the Dragon making its royal entry, this is the perfect time to dive into the books that gave life to Westeros. Be it the tales of Jon Snow, the wisdom of Tyrion, or the exploits of young Egg, George R.R. Martin’s intricate universe continues to expand, providing endless corners to explore. So, pick a book, or perhaps a series of them, and prepare to travel to the realm where winter is always coming.
