The 19 best George R. R. Martin books, from the 'Game of Thrones' series to his earlier sci-fi stories

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"Dreamsongs" is a collection of George R.R. Martin's early works, including his award-winning short stories and the novella that ultimately became "The Ice Dragon." Perfect for fantasy readers and sci-fi fans, these stories demonstrate George R.R. Martin's talent for writing before his "Game of Thrones" notoriety. 

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Though only edited by George R.R. Martin, this second "Wild Card" anthology takes place 30 years after the first and traces the heroes and villains created by the alien virus through the 1980s. Written by a collection of skilled sci-fi writers, these short stories follow characters as they face an alien swarm and a conspiracy stirred by the villainous Astronomer. 

Available on Amazon, $33.58

"Sandkings" is a short story collection whose title comes from a George R.R. Martin novelette of the same name. Upon return to his home planet, Simon Kress found that his tank of piranhas had eaten each other and set off to find a new pet. At a new store, Simon discovers a new insect-like lifeform called sandkings, though their small size is far from proportionate to their advanced intelligence.

Please note: this book is no longer in circulation but can be found from select retailers on Amazon.

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Generations ago, human settlers crashed on the planet Windhaven and found that, due to the low gravity, they could fly with the help of metal wings. Now, the flyers are held in high regard and wings can only be passed down to offspring. But when Maris' flyer stepfather passes away and her stepbrother doesn't want to carry on the tradition, Maris challenges tradition to fight for her place as a flyer. 

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"Dying of the Light" was George R.R. Martin's first published novel, a space opera that follows Dirk t'Larien to a new world where a woman he once knew needs his protection. Stuck in a dangerous mission on a dying planet, Dirk must avoid certain demise as a shroud of secrecy blurs the lines between friend and foe. 

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This sci-fi horror novella follows nine scholars from the planet Avalon who are searching for a nomadic alien species with advanced interstellar travel capabilities. With limited options and funds, the crew rents a ship called the "Nightflyer," whose captain keeps to himself and communicates via hologram. On their quest, they find themselves trapped in deep space with a cunning murderer determined to kill them all. 

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Haviland Tuf is an honest space trader who has somehow come to own the most powerful weapon in human space. Determined to do good, Tuf sets off to solve the problems of human space settlers including monsters, misguided populations, and an unruly dictator in this adventure-filled space opera. 

Available on Amazon and Bookshop, $12.99

Edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, "Dangerous Women" is an anthology of 21 original fiction stories, seven of which are set in authors' bestselling universes, such as Diana Gabaldon's "Virgins," which is set in the same world as the "Outlander" series. In this anthology, George R.R. Martin contributes "The Princess and the Queen," a novella that chronicles the civil war that occurred during the Targaryen rule of the Seven Kingdoms called the "Dance of Dragons." 

Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, $9.99

"Wild Cards" is the first in a series of shared-world anthologies, set in an alternate post-World War II New York City where an alien virus has infected tens of thousands around the world and left survivors with physical or psychic powers. The short stories all center around this event and invite readers to discover a new generation of superheroes and villains brought to life by a team of talented science fiction and fantasy writers.

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"The Ice Dragon" is George R.R. Martin's only children's book, about a legendary ice dragon and the young girl who would save her world with his help. Born during the worst freeze in history, Adara was a winter child who always saw the ice dragon and first touched it at four years old. As she grew, so did their bond and when fiery dragons threaten Adara's home, the two must come together in this story of bravery and sacrifice.

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"Rogues" is an anthology of stories edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois that includes 21 original stories from bestselling authors like Gillian Flynn and Neil Gaiman as well as a new "Game of Thrones" story by Martin. This tale, "The Rogue Prince, or, a King's Brother," takes place over a century before the "Song of Ice and Fire" series and is an immediate prequel to "The Princess and the Queen." It outlines the origin of the rivalry within the Targaryen family, beginning with the relationship between Viserys and Prince Daemon.

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First published in 1982, "Fevre Dream" is George R.R. Martin's reinvention of vampire horror. Abner Marsh is a struggling riverboat captain who lost all but one of his fleet in the brutal winter of 1857. When Joshua York, a wealthy aristocrat, offers him a partnership to travel the Mississippi, Marsh knows it's riddled with secrets, danger, and suspicious motives but never could imagine the sinister and noble adventure that lay ahead. 

Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, $35 

"The World of Ice & Fire" is an illustrated prequel that chronicles the battles, rivalries, and rebellions that ultimately lead to the events in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. Readers love the book's beautiful illustrations and discovering the origins of their favorite characters. 

 Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $7.48

"Fire & Blood" is the first book in a two-part history of House Targaryen, 300 years before "A Game of Thrones." Written like an authentic history, it tells the story of Aegon the Conqueror, who created the Iron Throne, and the generations of Targaryens that followed who fought to keep the seat and rule the Seven Kingdoms. 

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In "A Dance with Dragons," the epic tale continues as the fate of the Seven Kingdoms is threatened from nearly every direction. In the east, Daeneyrs Targaryen rules with her dragons and in the north, the Night's Watch prepares for a challenge greater than they could have anticipated. 

Available on Amazon and Bookshop, $9.58

Though the war in the Seven Kingdoms has simmered with the Lannisters on the Iron Throne, new conflicts continue to rise from the ashes. "A Feast of Crows" was the first in the series to debut on the New York Times Bestseller List as readers followed their favorite characters from unlikely alliances over shared plots of vengeance and past trials.

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This novel was the first in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series to be nominated for the Hugo Award, a prestigious award for science fiction and fantasy novels. In "A Storm of Swords," Joffrey sits on the Iron Throne, though an ancient contender for the seat and a wilding forced from the north gain power — all of which will come together in an epic and merciless fight for rule over the Seven Kingdoms.

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In this second novel of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, two heroes are dead and six factions continue to fight for the Iron Throne as armies in the North prepare to march on the capital for revenge. Meanwhile, the Night's Watch investigates the strange wildings and one of the few surviving members of House Targaryen prepares her own path to rule. 

Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $15.49

With over 2.5 million ratings and over 1.3 million 5-star reviews, "A Game of Thrones" is George R.R. Martin's most popular novel amongst Goodreads reviewers, made even more famous by the hit HBO show of the same name. In this book, readers are introduced to a high fantasy world filled with royal families, brutal warriors, and fire-breathing dragons as the Seven Kingdoms fight for the Iron Throne.