Kings from across the continent of Westeros vie for the Iron Throne. As winter approaches, the cruel young Joffrey sits upon the throne in King's Landing, counselled by his conniving mother Cersei and his uncle Tyrion, who has been appointed the new Hand of the King. But the Lannister hold on power is under assault on too many fronts, with two Baratheons donning crowns and Rob Stark fighting as the King in the North. A new leader is rising among the wildlings north of the Wall, adding new perils for Jon Snow and the Night's Watch, while Daenerys Tagaryen looks to shore up her depleted power in the East with her three new-born dragons.The Lannisters barely hold onto the throne after a savage naval onslaught from Stannis Baratheon, while stirrings in the North threaten the overall balance of power. Stark, King of the North, faces major calamity in his efforts to build on his victories over the Lannisters while beyond the Wall, Mance Rayder and his huge army of Wildings continue to march south. Across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys Targaryen – reunited with her three fast-maturing dragons – attempts to raise an army to sail with her from Essos, in hopes of claiming the Iron Throne.