A Dance with Dragons vs A Game of Thrones: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Epic Fantasy, Epic, Ficción, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction

Cover of A Dance with Dragons

A Dance with Dragons George R.R. Martin · 2008 ★★★★☆ 4.3 1208 pages · ≈ 22 h 22 m · Moderate Find on Amazon

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Cover of A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones George R.R. Martin · 1996 ★★★★☆ 4.5 824 pages · ≈ 15 h 16 m · Moderate Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 4.3 vs 4.5 — either is a safe pick by score.
A Game of Thrones is the quicker read — about 15 hours vs 22 for A Dance with Dragons.

Side by side