Fantasy · Adventure · Science fiction
A Storm of Swords
The third volume of A Song of Ice and Fire, set in a continent riven by rival claimants to a throne while a colder threat gathers in the far north. Many viewpoint characters are scattered across the land and facing harsh consequences.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2000
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 992
- Format
- Book 3 of 5 in A Song of Ice and Fire
Read this if you want sprawling, unsparing fantasy politics and are already hooked on the first two books.
Skip this if you want a gentle read or a standalone story, or you haven't read earlier volumes.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about A Storm of Swords
- What is A Storm of Swords about?
- The third volume of A Song of Ice and Fire, set in a continent riven by rival claimants to a throne while a colder threat gathers in the far north. Many viewpoint characters are scattered across the land and facing harsh consequences.
- Who should read A Storm of Swords?
- Read it if you want sprawling, unsparing fantasy politics and are already hooked on the first two books. Skip it if you want a gentle read or a standalone story, or you haven't read earlier volumes.
- How long and how fast is A Storm of Swords?
- It is a medium-paced, long read of about 992 pages, first published in 2000.
- Does A Storm of Swords have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, War, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Torture.
- Can I borrow A Storm of Swords for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends A Storm of Swords; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after A Storm of Swords?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Blade Itself, Wolf Hall, The Poppy War.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved A Storm of Swords
-
The Blade Itself A grim, funny, character-first fantasy in which nobody is quite what they seem and violence has real cost.
-
Wolf Hall Real court intrigue with the same pleasure in watching a clever person survive dangerous power games, minus the magic.
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The Poppy War Matches the war-and-politics focus but turns the brutality up considerably as it follows one young soldier.
Fantasy
