A Game of Thrones Summary: Plot, Characters and Key Facts
A Game of Thrones is the first book of A Song of Ice and Fire. It follows noble families fighting for power in Westeros, a garrison at the Wall and an exiled princess across the sea.
It was published in 1996 and became the basis for the HBO series that premiered in 2011.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Author | George R. R. Martin |
| Published | August 1, 1996 |
| Genre | Epic fantasy |
| Series | A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1 |
| Setting | Westeros and Essos |
| Award | Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, 1997 |
What is A Game of Thrones about?
The story follows three main storylines. In the Seven Kingdoms, King Robert Baratheon makes his old friend Ned Stark, Lord of Winterfell, his Hand after the previous Hand, Jon Arryn, dies. Ned moves south to the capital with his daughters Sansa and Arya and finds a court full of schemes.
At the Wall, a huge barrier of ice and magic at the northern border, Ned's illegitimate son Jon Snow joins the Night's Watch. In the East, the exiled Viserys Targaryen trades his sister Daenerys to the Dothraki warlord Khal Drogo in return for an army to win back his family's throne.
↑ Back to the topWhere is it set?
The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros resemble medieval Europe, but the seasons last for years, sometimes decades. To the east, across the sea, lies the continent of Essos. The Wall in the far north keeps out dangers from beyond. The book is told from many points of view, which lets the reader see all sides of the conflict.
↑ Back to the topWho are the main characters?
Ned Stark and his family, including his wife Catelyn, his sons Robb and Bran, and daughters Sansa and Arya, are at the heart of the story, along with Jon Snow. The royal family includes King Robert, Queen Cersei and her brother Jaime Lannister, and their son Joffrey. Tyrion Lannister is Cersei's clever younger brother. Daenerys and Viserys Targaryen are the exiled heirs of the old dynasty.
↑ Back to the topHow does A Game of Thrones end?
Ned investigates Jon Arryn's death and learns that Robert's children were fathered by Jaime, not Robert. After Robert dies, Cersei seats Joffrey on the throne, and Ned is arrested and executed on Joffrey's orders. Robb Stark is proclaimed King in the North and marches to war.
Jon Snow takes his vows to the Night's Watch. In Essos, Viserys is killed by Drogo, and Drogo himself is badly wounded and dies. Daenerys places her three dragon eggs on his funeral pyre and walks into the fire. She walks out unharmed with three newly hatched dragons. The book closes with the war just beginning.
↑ Back to the topKey facts about the book
It was published in August 1996 by Bantam Spectra in the US. The Daenerys chapters were published as the novella Blood of the Dragon, which won the 1997 Hugo Award for Best Novella. The BBC named the novel among its 100 most inspiring novels in 2019.
↑ Back to the topMore about A Game of Thrones
This guide covers the book only. Events in film or TV versions differ in places.