A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin, 5 books

Game of Thrones - A Clash of Kings - A Storm of Swords - A Feast for Crows - A Dance with Dragons

Author Name: George R.R. Martin

A Song of Ice and Fire is an epic fantasy novel series written by American author George R.R. Martin. He began writing the first book in 1991, and it was published in 1996. Five books have been published, and George aims to reach seven. He has also hinted that the series could extend to an eighth book. It is worth noting that the fifth book in the series took five years to write before its publication in 2011. The novels take place on two fictional continents, Westeros and Essos, at the end of a very long summer. The chapters tell the story of the heroes from their personal perspectives. There are also three dominant story arcs: the war among the noble families of Westeros for control, the growing threat from the northern border, and the efforts of Daenerys Targaryen, the exiled daughter of the king, to reclaim her ancestral throne. Martin drew inspiration for his story from the Wars of the Roses, a three-decade-long battle over who should rule England between the Houses of Lancaster and York, as well as from the historical novel series "The Damned Kings" by Maurice Druon. George received praise from critics for his novels and his ingenuity in blending themes, his portrayal of women and religion, and his blending of the real world with the magical. Critics praised his style, the variety of plots, and the thrilling storylines that engage the reader. However, they also criticized the series' heavy use of sex, violence, and immorality. The series achieved worldwide acclaim, with sales reaching over 24 million copies in North America alone by September 2013. It has been translated into more than 45 languages, and many other works have been derived from it. A television series, Game of Thrones, is based on the novels, and three spin-off novels written by George himself.