Game of Thrones

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Game of Thrones, Book 1

The narrative unfolds across a year on a fictional continent, primarily around Westeros. King Robert extends an invitation to Ned Stark for becoming the King's Hand, following the mysterious death of the previous Hand, Jon Arryn. The royal entourage, including Queen Cersei Lannister, arrives at the Stark stronghold, Winterfell, where Ned's wife, Catelyn, receives a clue indicating the Lannisters' involvement in Jon Arryn's demise. Meanwhile, Ned's son Bran stumbles upon Cersei in an intimate moment with her brother Jaime, leading Jaime to push Bran off from a high window. As Bran lies in a coma, Ned and Jon, Ned's illegitimate son, head separate ways - Ned to King's Landing with King Robert and Jon to the Wall, a colossal barricade protecting Westeros from threats lurking in the northern wilderness. Across the sea, Daenerys Targaryen, of the fallen Targaryen dynasty, weds Dothraki warlord Khal Drogo and receives captivating dragon eggs as a wedding present.

While Ned is headed to the capital, Joffrey, Robert and Cersei's son, picks a fight with Arya, Ned's daughter. Arya's pet direwolf, part of the Stark children's collection of large wolf pups, injures Joffrey during the scuffle. Cersei demands the direwolf's life, but since it has fled, Ned is forced to kill Sansa's (another Stark daughter) wolf instead. An assassination attempt on the comatose Bran fails just as Ned reaches King's Landing, where he discovers Catelyn has covertly arrived to probe deeper into the attempt on Bran's life and Jon Arryn's murder. On the other side of the Wall, Jon and the Night’s Watch grapple with eerie creatures and disappearing men. Eastward, Daenerys is increasingly captivated by her dragon eggs, while her brother Viserys hopes to reclaim the throne with Khal Drogo's army.

Back in King’s Landing, Ned investigates Jon Arryn's death and the legitimacy of King Robert's children, while Robert plots to kill the pregnant Daenerys out of fear of a potential claim to the throne. Ned resigns as Hand, only to be reinstated after being attacked by Jaime for capturing Tyrion Lannister, suspecting his involvement in the assassination attempt on Bran. As Ned uncovers the truth about Cersei and Jaime's incestuous relationship and Joffrey's true parentage, Robert is fatally wounded during a hunt and appoints Ned as the Interim King. However, Cersei imprisons Ned for treason and Sansa Stark becomes a hostage in King’s Landing. In the ensuing battle between Tywin Lannister and the Starks, Jaime Lannister is captured. After Ned's public execution, Arya escapes from the capital. On the eastern continent, Khal Drogo succumbs to a fatal wound and Daenerys births three dragons from her wedding gift eggs in a funeral pyre.

A Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones, Book 2

The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros are embroiled in a brutal civil conflict. Young Joff Lannister has assumed the throne, but Stannis and Renly Baratheon, each vie for the crown. Concurrently, Robb Stark has claimed his title as King of the North. Far from this turmoil, the Night’s Watch departs from the Wall to find out what happened to the missing wildlings in the expansive wilderness to the north. Across the sea, Daenerys Targaryen is leading her small group of Dothraki followers on a quest to amass wealth and an army to reclaim the Iron Throne. This intricate web of events forms the core of the story.

Robb Stark attempts to forge an alliance with the Greyjoys, however, his envoy and erstwhile brother, Theon Greyjoy, betrays him, leading to an attack on the Northern coast. Back in Winterfell, young Bran Stark struggles with his new responsibilities, finding solace in dreams where he takes on the form of his direwolf, Summer. Theon seizes control of Winterfell, leading to a chain of events that leaves Winterfell in ruin and Bran and his new friends, the Reeds, fleeing to the Wall. Meanwhile, Stannis Baratheon stakes his claim to the Iron Throne with the backing of Melisandre, a red priestess, resulting in conflicts and supernatural occurrences, leaving Catelyn Stark to broker peace amidst chaos and death.

Tyrion Lannister arrives in King’s Landing to serve as Hand of the King and brings along his lover, Shae. He goes against his family, particularly his sister Cersei, and takes steps to fortify the city while seeking justice. His strategic acumen comes into play when Stannis launches a full-scale attack on the city, leading to an unexpected victory for the Lannisters. Amidst the chaos, Arya Stark, disguised as a boy, embarks on a perilous journey northward, during which she befriends Gendry, Hot Pie, and Lommy Greenhands. Her courage and resourcefulness prove invaluable when they are captured and taken to Harrenhal. Meanwhile, a group from the Night’s Watch ventures into the northern woods, where they encounter the wildlings. Lastly, Daenerys Targaryen, navigating through adversity in foreign lands, persists in her quest to reclaim the Iron Throne, guided by visions and the growing power of her dragons.

A Clash of Kings

Game of Thrones, Book 3

The narrative progresses from where it left off in the preceding book, depicting the escalating War of Five Kings in Westeros, Daenerys's growing power in the East, and the looming menace of the Others - an almost invincible spectral army. The story unfolds through the eyes of 12 characters, with 10 of them being the primary narrators. These narratives occur concurrently, with the chapters alternating between their points of view. As the novel begins, Chett, a member of the Night's Watch, contemplates murdering his superiors and deserting his post. However, his plans are interrupted by a vast army attacking the Wall, instilling fear of the first successful invasion in generations. Meanwhile, Tyrion Lannister is recovering in King's Landing from serious injuries sustained in a large-scale battle. He struggles to gain his family's recognition, maintains a secret relationship with a disguised prostitute, Shae, and is reluctantly married to the young Sansa Stark for political reasons.

In an unexpected twist, King Joffrey is poisoned at his own wedding, and Tyrion is wrongfully accused and sentenced to death. However, just before his execution, he is rescued by his brother Jaime, who reveals a bitter truth about Tyrion's past marriage. In a fit of rage, Tyrion murders his father and his unfaithful lover, Shae. Simultaneously, Sansa Stark is also implicated in Joffrey's murder. Despite this, she manages to escape with the help of a knight, only to be forced into a politically motivated betrothal with her sickly cousin at the behest of the cunning Petyr Baelish.

Elsewhere, Arya Stark is captured by outlaws and later escapes, only to be kidnapped again. After witnessing the brutal assassination of her brother Robb, she abandons her captor and boards a ship to Braavos. Jon Snow, another Stark, feigns alliance with the wildlings, begins a relationship with Ygritte, defends the Wall from invasion, and is ultimately elected as the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Meanwhile, Bran Stark, on the run with his caretakers, displays a growing supernatural ability and finally crosses the Wall. Daenerys Targaryen, in the East, purchases, frees, and turns a slave army against their former masters on her quest to reclaim her crown. After a successful conquest of Meereen, she learns of treachery from her closest aides and decides to stay and rule the city as its queen.

Game of Thrones Books in Order (5 Book Series)

A Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones, Book 1

A Clash of Kings

Game of Thrones, Book 2

A Storm of Swords

Game of Thrones, Book 3

A Feast for Crows

Game of Thrones, Book 4

A Dance with Dragons

Game of Thrones, Book 5

What To Read Next

Game of Thrones Books in Order (5 Book Series)

A Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones, Book 1

A Clash of Kings

Game of Thrones, Book 2

A Storm of Swords

Game of Thrones, Book 3

A Feast for Crows

Game of Thrones, Book 4

A Dance with Dragons

Game of Thrones, Book 5

What To Read Next

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