A Song of Ice and Fire is a series of epic fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin. The first volume, A Game of Thrones, was published in 1996 after Martin began developing the story world in 1991. Originally conceived as a trilogy, the series has since expanded to a planned seven volumes, with five published to date: A Game of Thrones (1996), A Clash of Kings (1998), A Storm of Swords (2000), A Feast for Crows (2005), and A Dance with Dragons (2011). The sixth novel, The Winds of Winter, and the seventh, A Dream of Spring, remain forthcoming.
The series is set on the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos and is renowned for its sprawling cast of morally complex characters, its willingness to subvert fantasy tropes, and its gritty political realism. Magic and supernatural elements exist at the margins of the world, growing in prominence as the narrative progresses. The story is told through a rotating set of point-of-view characters, none of whom are guaranteed to survive, creating a pervasive sense of danger and unpredictability.
A Song of Ice and Fire has been widely acclaimed for its intricate plotting, deep world-building, and nuanced exploration of themes such as power, honor, loyalty, and the human capacity for both cruelty and compassion. It has become one of the best-selling fantasy series of all time, translated into dozens of languages and credited with helping to redefine modern epic fantasy for a mainstream adult audience.