The audiobook order to follow
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
That is the order to use for a first listen. The books are meant to build on each other, and audio is not the place to get clever with rearranging things.
Why this order works best on audio
The biggest reason to stay with publication order is simple: the series keeps adding names, houses, alliances, and regions. On the page, you can flip back and forth. In an audiobook, that is harder. A clean start gives you the foundation you need before the story spreads out.
Book one introduces the world and the major players. Book two widens the conflict. Book three raises the stakes and brings major payoffs. By the time you reach books four and five, you already know how the series moves, so the more focused stretches are easier to follow.
This is also why a first listen should not jump into side material. The core saga makes sense only when you let it unfold in the order it was released.
What to do about books four and five
A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons are the pair that usually confuse new listeners. They overlap in time and split the story into different threads. That is why some fans talk about fan-made combined orders.
For a first audiobook run, ignore that. Keep the books in publication order:
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
That is the cleaner path. It avoids accidental spoilers, keeps the story moving, and lets the end of book four flow into book five the way most listeners expect. If you ever come back for a reread, then it can be interesting to experiment with alternate approaches. On a first pass, simple is better.
Where the prequels fit
If you finish the five main novels and want more of Westeros, move to the prequel material after that.
A simple follow-up path is:
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
- Fire & Blood
That gives you more of the world without interrupting the main arc. It also works well for audiobook listeners because the prequels are easier to take in after you already know the houses, history, and political landscape from the main series.
Do not start there if you are new to the franchise. The main novels give you the core experience first. The prequels are best treated as extra reading once you already know the terrain.
A good way to listen through the series
The audiobook format is a strong fit for this series because it helps you keep moving. You do not need to carve out a huge reading block every time. You can listen on a commute, during errands, or while doing something repetitive at home.
A few practical habits make the series easier on audio:
- Stay in one order across formats. If you switch between audio and ebook, keep the same book number in both.
- Do not rush the cast list. The first book is where the names, houses, and relationships start to stick.
- Use the chapter breaks. They are a natural place to pause and reset.
- Keep notes if you like them. A simple note with house names or major locations can help if you tend to lose track in large fantasy series.
That is especially useful here because the story grows wider instead of simpler. A steady pace is more helpful than trying to sprint.
Should you start with the books or the show?
If you want the cleanest first experience, start with the books. The HBO adaptation begins with the same world setup, but the screen version eventually goes its own way. The books give you more room to learn the characters and understand the shifting alliances before the story branches.
If you have already seen the show, you can still begin with the first audiobook. Knowing the broad setup does not ruin the series. The books give you a different pace and a deeper version of the world, so the listening order still matters.
A good rule is this: if you want to follow the story as closely as possible to the way it was built, begin with A Game of Thrones and continue straight through.
Who this order is for
This listening order is a strong fit for readers who want:
- a long fantasy saga with a clear start
- a first-time audiobook path with no guesswork
- a story that builds in layers instead of resetting every book
- a format that works well during commutes or daily routines
It is not the best choice if you want something short, standalone, or easy to finish in one weekend. This series asks for attention, and that is part of the appeal.
If you want a lighter first step into epic fantasy audio, browse best fantasy audiobooks or books like Game of Thrones. If you want the screen comparison side of things, Game of Thrones book vs show is the better place to start.
Listen to book one
If you are ready to begin, start with the first audiobook and keep going in order from there.
Once book one pulls you in, the rest of the listening order is straightforward: keep moving forward and do not skip around.
Verdict
The right audiobook order for Game of Thrones is the release order of the main novels. Start with A Game of Thrones, then go to A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. Save prequels for later, and do not overcomplicate books four and five on a first pass. For most listeners, that plain order is the one that makes the series easiest to follow and most rewarding to finish.
FAQ
What is the correct audiobook order for Game of Thrones?
Start with A Game of Thrones and continue in publication order through A Dance with Dragons.
Should I read A Feast for Crows before A Dance with Dragons?
Yes. Keep them in publication order for a first listen, even though the stories overlap.
Do I need the prequels first?
No. Start with the five main novels, then move to the prequels if you want more.
Is the audiobook order different from the book order?
No. Use the same order for both formats.