I enjoyed this book, from start to finish. Even went on to buy the rest of the books, and I am currently on the third. I must say that this is not my typical genre, but this story just pulled me in! When I reached the end, I wanted more. I can't wait to listen to the remaining books.

I really enjoyed this book. I listened to all but the last few chapters, which I read. I listen to audiobooks while driving and while doing mindless exercises like walking and mowing the lawn and I had no trouble keeping up with the story. It had me looking forward to my commute to work and doing yard work! It seems that a lot of readers complained about difficulty keeping up with all the characters. I thought there were too may characters that didn't add much to the story, but I did not find it difficult to keep up with the main characters. I was disappointed that some of my favorite characters were left hanging at the end of the book. I hope their stories are picked up in the next book in the series.

I drive a truck for a living and listen to a lot of books. This one is just hard to get a handle on as it jumps around. I have to go back and relisten to catch the gist of the story line again and again. Is it the narrator or story I can't say but it is on the side line till I have more time to devote my complete attention, like on vacation

Watched the HBO series and was very impressed, the book is 100 times better! Can't wait to check out number 2 - Winter is Coming!

I loved this book.

And because I loved the book, I decided to check out the audiobook. But warning to all who get it: Its really long.

So I use this as something to listen to on my way to and from school and on roadtrips. The reader feels like he's reading a bit slow to me, but also helps me pick up on scenes that I'd forgotten about in my first read through. Over all a great fantasy story and a fabulous series. But also, a really. Really. Long one.

This is an excellent book to listen to. Worth every penny. The story and narration are second to none. You won't be disappointed. Don't expect to get by just listening to this one though, you'll be downloading book II almost immediately!

I picked this up with a few other audio books for my summer vacation. I knew that HBO was putting a show together, but other than that I had no idea what I was in for. I was a little hesitant about the fantasy genre to begin with, but wow was I impressed with this. I burned through it and went right onto the next book in record time. Martin fleshes out a gripping tale that is bursting with intrigue and excitement. Roy Dotrice lends such a wonderful performance that I've told friends not to bother reading it because it just couldnt compare to the audio. Its no surprise that HBO followed Martin's story so closely that I even recognized full segments of dialogue lifted right from the book. Pick this up and you wont regret it.

I rarely write reviews, but this book requires a statement to clarify my 3 stars. I LOVED the writing of this book. Martin does an AMAZING job with the prose, and it is by far the best written fantasy book I have ever read. The characters are deep, the sotryline complex and the twists unexpected. I also loved the narrator, he was outstanding. Which made is doubly frustrating that they went away form him in later books.

BUT (and its a big but), I just could not enjoy the book. I am not a fan of dirty realistic fantasy generally, and of this kind in particular. There is not one character in the book who is heroic, not one to root for or get behind. Dont get me wrong. I dont want bubblegum sword and sorcery. I love heros with flaws. I love seeing character overcome (or not) those flaws. That is what makes a character heroic (or tragic). But the flaws in Martins characters are so overwhelmingly powerful as to detract from their good points and the rest of the story.

The Starks, who are in theory the protagonists, exhibit such moronic behavior (some of which is done just to further plot in my mind) that it simply makes me unable to feel anything for them. Similar issues arise with the other factions.

Martin wanted a fantasy series which reflected the post modern ideal, where there is no good and evil. The problem is that by doing so in such a convincing realistic way that this is no longer really a fantasy series in my mind. It is simple political drama with sword instead of guns. You could have just as easily set this in Africa or Asia in the 21st century.

If you can get past or enjoy the kind of grit Martin is writing, you will LOVE this book. If you can accept that they replaced the narrator (look at the reviews for book 4) you will love the series.

I can't.

Coming off of listening to (or at least trying to listen to) "Wizard's First Rule" by Goodkind, this was like a breath of fresh air. I absolutely love the narrator! Others have mentioned his awkward pauses in sentences and I agree - there are a few times when it does seem the narration is disjointed; however, his voices and voice-acting are incredible (even though everyone sounds about 80 years old). He remembers the nuances of each character voice he has used and you truly can recognize who is speaking once he takes on their voice.

The writing style is excellent! My favorite author is Robert Jordan, but Martin is definitely a close second. If you're looking for a similar epic listen with great voice acting, take a gander at the gargantuan Wheel of Time series by Jordan.

From the very beginning George R. R. Martin gets your attention. He will make you anxious, sad, absoultely enraged, and happy. He is so descriptive. He has a great imagination. I am not completely finished. I have four hours to go, and I have found this audio to be almost addicting. I need to find out what's going to happen next. I will say, it seems like no one is safe in this story. Now about the narrator... He has made this so visual for me. I'm a visual person anyway, but he has taken it to a whole different level. He is really good. I would rate him up there with Simon Jones (and anyone that has listened to Simon Jones, knows he is hard to beat!!! I'm not saying he's better than Simon Jones. I am just saying that Roy Dotrice is very good and brings this story alive.) I would recommend this adults. I feel like some of the content is definitely not meant for young childern. I have a 10 and 12 year old, and I would not let either one of them listen to this. I'm not really sure what age I would allow probably 17/18, but I am a fairly protective mother. It's not that this book has a lot of profanity... It doesn't, I think the f' bomb is dropped two to four times. This is just my suggestion, which is the teacher and parent coming out in me, I would listen to it first and then make the choice to let your child listen to it. You can of course do whatever you want to do. With all of that said... This is a very good book!