HBO’s Game of Thrones series is a cultural phenomenon which, despite its ending, is beloved by millions and will likely be talked about, debated and watched for generations. It’s almost always a display of brilliant writing, exceptional characters, and fantastic performances. Iconic battles and scenes will be remembered for a long time to come. But, what also should be remembered is that this epic series all comes from the Song of Ice and Fire books written by George R. R. Martin.
The books are what kicked it all off and, and readers love them just as much as the show. The critical response towards the books has been great and the fan love has been fantastic. The novel series is still ongoing, but the acclaim of the books that have already been written can be viewed through the often-cited book database, Goodreads, so here are all the A Song of Ice and Fire books ranked according to the site.
7 FIRE & BLOOD (2018) – 3.90/5
Fire and Blood is not technically a part of the main A Song Of Ice And Fire series but rather a prequel to it, intended to be in two parts. The first book, alongside the unreleased second part, details the history of the famous House Targaryen and will be made into an HBO prequel called House of the Dragon.
The book earned 3.90/5 on Goodreads from 24,924 ratings. 92% of readers liked it and there are 3,223 reviews. 30% gave it 5 stars while 5% gave it 1 star with the biggest rating % being 4 stars with 38%. The book is seen as more of a history textbook than narrative, but most fans still enjoy it.
6 A FEAST FOR CROWS (2005) – 4.13/5
A Feast for Crows is the fourth installment in the main series, and follows Westeros as the War of the Five Kings nears its end. Tommen sits on the throne, his rival claimants dead or occupied, while Sansa hides in the Vale with Littlefinger, and Jon Snow is Night’s Watch Commander.
The book garnered 581,595 ratings on Goodreads, giving it a 4.13. It also has 20,838 reviews. 96% of readers liked it with 41% giving it 5 stars, 0% 1 star and 3% 2 stars. The book is deemed slow by a lot of people. Readers miss some of the better characters, and A Feast for Crows is the worst-reviewed of the main series. Despite that, though, it still has a good rating with most enjoying it enough.
5 A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS (2013)- 4.21/5
Another book which is not part of the main series but rather set in the world of Westeros, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a collection of three novellas. It details the Tales of Dunk and the Egg (Ser Duncan the Tall & Aegon V Targaryen), and Martin plans to write more.
The collection book received 4.21 from 56,204 ratings and has 4,434 reviews. 97% of readers liked it with 41% giving it 5 stars, 41% 4 stars, 0% 1 star and 2% 2 stars. The tales are well-liked and an enjoyable dive into Westeros 90 years before the events of A Song of Ice and Fire.
4 A DANCE WITH DRAGONS (2011) – 4.33/5
A Dance with Dragons is the fifth installment to the series and is the only one to have been released during Game of Thrones‘ TV run. The book runs simultaneously with A Feast for Crows and follows the various characters the former does not, including Tyrion as he sets out to reach Daenerys, who has a whole host of people coming after her.
The book earned 4.33 from 520,115 ratings, with 21,735 reviews. 97% liked the book with 51% deeming it 5 stars, 0% 1 star and 2% giving it 2 stars. This entry into the series is seen as better in quality and much more satisfying than its predecessor, A Feast for Crows. A Dance with Dragons overall is well-liked and a great read.
3 A CLASH OF KINGS (1998) – 4.41/5
The second book in the series A Clash Of Kings is one of the best of the series. It picks up where the first book leaves off as the Seven Kingdoms are at odds in a civil war, the Night’s Watch prepares to venture north of the Wall, and Daenerys continues her journey as she tries to get back to Westeros and claim her birthright.
The book has a 4.41 coming from 737,631 ratings, with 22,975 reviews. 98% of reader liked the book with 0% giving it 1 star and 1% giving it 2 stars with the majority of 53% giving it 5 stars. A Clash of Kings is engrossing and has been well received both critically and by fans who quickly wanted another continuation from Martin.
2 A GAME OF THRONES (1996) – 4.45/5
The book that kicked it all off, A Game of Thrones birthed a cultural phenomenon that will be ingrained in people’s memories for years to come. The inaugural novel introduces fans to the cast of characters as well as the famous locations in Westeros and across the Narrow Sea. It is told through three main narrative locations, in the Seven Kingdoms, the Wall, and the East.
From 1,854,699 ratings, the book earned a 4.45/5 with 52,535 reviews. 96% of people readers the book with the majority of 61% giving it 5 stars, with 1% and 2% respectively giving it 1 and 2 stars. A Game of Thrones is both beloved and acclaimed as it hooks the viewer and introduces audiences to the rich lore, fantastic characters, and massive story.
1 A STORM OF SWORDS (2000) – 4.54/5
The third installment of A Song of Fire and Ice, A Storm of Swords is the longest and the one deemed best by Goodreads. It builds on A Clash Of Kings as the War of the Five Kings wages on, all the while Daenerys goes to Pentos in hope of gaining forces, and Mance Rayder and the wildlings march on the Wall against the small-numbered Night’s Watch.
The book earned its 4.54/5 from 627,135 ratings, with 21,500 reviews. 99% of people liked it with 0% giving it neither a 1 star nor 2 stars and 63% giving it 5 stars. The book is satisfying and gripping, with the characters shining excellently and developing just as well. It is a packed novel but also works brilliantly.
