The Citadel

Wondering when the next book in the series is due out? Or what the names of the Free Cities are? These sorts of questions -- plus, of course, some of the key mysteries of the books -- are covered in the FAQ. Think we have missed something important? Let us know!

Important Notes

• The FAQ may contain spoilers for all published books and stories.
• We provide a list of editions used for references and some tips for how to find those page numbers in other editions.
• SSM refers to entries in the So Spake Martin collection, which collects all kinds of correspondence from GRRM; emails, posts and statements at signings and conventions.

Index

• 1. About the FAQ
  • 1.1. What do I do if I have a question that the FAQ doesn’t cover?
  • 1.2. How can I contribute to the FAQ?
  • 1.3. What do I do if I find an error in the FAQ?
  • 1.4. How do I link to/provide a mirror to this FAQ?
• 2. The Essential Facts
  • 2.1. A Song of Ice and Fire
    • 2.1.1. What is A Song of Ice and Fire?
    • 2.1.2. How many books will there be and what are their names?
    • 2.1.3. What happened to the five-year gap that was supposed to follow ASoS?
    • 2.1.4. What is the name of the next book and when is it due?
    • 2.1.5. What are Blood of the Dragon, Path of the Dragon and Arms of the Kraken?
    • 2.1.6. What are The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword and The Mystery Knight?
    • 2.1.7. What is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
    • 2.1.8. Will there be any more Dunk and Egg stories?
    • 2.1.9. What are The Hedge Knight and The Hedge Knight II comic books?
    • 2.1.10. What is The World of Ice and Fire?
    • 2.1.11. What are the Princess and the Queen and The Rogue Prince?
    • 2.1.12. What is Fire and Blood or the GRRMarillion?
    • 2.1.13. What is The Lands of Ice and Fire?
    • 2.1.14. What is the A Game of Thrones comic book?
    • 2.1.15. What is the Game of Thrones TV series?
    • 2.1.16. What is A Feast of Ice and Fire?
  • 2.2. George R.R. Martin
    • 2.2.1. Who is George R.R. Martin aka GRRM?
    • 2.2.2. What does the R.R stand for?
    • 2.2.3. What else has he written?
  • 2.3. Fan Matters
    • 2.3.1. Can you explain some of those acronyms and abbreviations for me?
    • 2.3.2. What is the Brotherhood without Banners?
    • 2.3.3. How does Mr. Martin feel about A Song of Ice and Fire fan fiction?
    • 2.3.4. How does Mr. Martin feel about A Song of Ice and Fire MUDs or MUSHes?
    • 2.3.5. Are there any nods to other works in the series?
• 3. About the World
  • 3.1. Which are the Seven Kingdoms?
  • 3.2. What is the bastard name for each region?
  • 3.3. Which are the nine Free Cities?
  • 3.4. Which are the known Valyrian steel swords?
  • 3.5. Are Targaryens immune to fire?
  • 3.6. Which are the dragons that have been named?
  • 3.7. Which are the 16 wonders of the world?
• 4. Events Prior to the Books
  • 4.1. What were some important events in the ancient past?
  • 4.2. What happened at Hardhome?
  • 4.3. What was the Doom of Valyria?
  • 4.4. What happened at Summerhall?
  • 4.5. What happened when during Robert’s Rebellion?
  • 4.6. What was the kindness Jaime never did for Tyrion?
• 5. Events During to the Books
  • 5.1. Who tried to kill Bran?
  • 5.2. Why was Renly showing Ned the locket?
  • 5.3. Was Balon Greyjoy murdered?
  • 5.4. Who killed Joffrey?
  • 5.5. What happened to the three missing Freys?
• 6. About the Characters
  • 6.1. Dead or Alive
    • 6.1.1. Is Aegon dead?
    • 6.1.2. Is Rhaenys dead?
    • 6.1.3. Is Syrio dead?
    • 6.1.4. Is Ned dead?
    • 6.1.5. Is Davos dead?
    • 6.1.6. Is Catelyn dead?
    • 6.1.7. Is Gregor dead?
    • 6.1.8. Is Sandor dead?
    • 6.1.9. Is Brienne dead?
    • 6.1.10. Is Jon dead?
  • 6.2. Unknown Identities
    • 6.2.1. Who are Jon Snow’s parents?
    • 6.2.2. Who is the Prince that was Promised/Azor Ahai reborn?
    • 6.2.3. Who were the men Arya saw beneath the Red Keep?
    • 6.2.4. Who is Jaqen H’ghar?
    • 6.2.5. Who or what is Tansy?
    • 6.2.6. Who were the different people in Meera’s story?
    • 6.2.7. Who was the Knight of the Laughing Tree?
    • 6.2.8. Who is Coldhands?
    • 6.2.9. Who is the false Arya?
    • 6.2.10. Who is the alchemist in Oldtown?
    • 6.2.11. Who is Alleras?
    • 6.2.11. Who is the three-eyed crow?
    • 6.2.12. Who are the people Bran sees through the weirwood?
    • 6.2.13. Who was Queen Rhaella infatuated with?
    • 6.2.14. Who is Tyrion’s father?
    • 6.2.15. Who fathered Ashara Dayne’s child?
    • 6.2.16. Who is the Harpy?
    • 6.2.17. Who is Septa Lemore?
  • 6.3. Miscellanous Matters
    • 6.3.1. Who is not straight?
    • 6.3.2. How good a swordsman was Ned?
    • 6.3.3. How old is Edric Dayne?
    • 6.3.4. Was Jeor Mormont a skinchanger?
    • 6.3.5. Where is Rickon?