A Game of Thrones

A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1

By: George R.R. Martin

Narrated by: Roy Dotrice

Length: 33 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Now the acclaimed HBO series Game of Thrones - the masterpiece that became a cultural phenomenon

Winter is coming. Such is the stern motto of House Stark, the northernmost of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon in far-off King's Landing. There Eddard Stark of Winterfell rules in Robert's name. There his family dwells in peace and comfort: his proud wife, Catelyn; his sons Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; his daughters Sansa and Arya; and his bastard son, Jon Snow. Far to the north, behind the towering Wall, lie savage Wildings and worse - unnatural things relegated to myth during the centuries-long summer, but proving all too real and all too deadly in the turning of the season. Yet a more immediate threat lurks to the south, where Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, has died under mysterious circumstances. Now Robert is riding north to Winterfell, bringing his queen, the lovely but cold Cersei, his son, the cruel, vainglorious Prince Joffrey, and the queen's brothers Jaime and Tyrion of the powerful and wealthy House Lannister - the first a swordsman without equal, the second a dwarf whose stunted stature belies a brilliant mind.

All are heading for Winterfell and a fateful encounter that will change the course of kingdoms. Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Prince Viserys, heir of the fallen House Targaryen, which once ruled all of Westeros, schemes to reclaim the throne with an army of barbarian Dothraki - whose loyalty he will purchase in the only coin left to him: his beautiful yet innocent sister, Daenerys.

©1996 George R.R. Martin, (P)2003 Books On Tape, Inc., published in arrangement with Random House Audio Group,a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Locus Award, 1997

"Martin's trophy case is already stuffed with major prizes...He's probably going to have to add another shelf, at least." (Publishers Weekly)

"The first volume in Martin's first fantasy saga combines intrigue, action, romance, and mystery in a family saga." (Booklist)

"Grabs hold and won't let go. It's brilliant." (Robert Jordan)

"This novel is an absorbing combination of the mythic, the sweepingly historical, and the intensely personal." (Chicago Sun-Times)

Narration review

Excellent story - I've read the books several times. Narration took a little getting used to, but I just came from the exceptional narration of Dunk & Egg audiobook. It took a couple of chapters to get used to this narrator's style. He's an older Englishman and voice is somewhat like talking with a mouthful - that actually suits assume of the character voices (Pycelle), but strains the imagination for the female & youth characters. Overall quality of recording is great - no background and surprisingly lacked that obvious change you often hear when stopping & restarting the recording (I notice a change in volume & slight pitch on other recordings). All in all I enjoyed this telling. I would only recommend not listening to this right after The Knight stories.

Great book and the narrator did a wonderful job.

If you could sum up A Game of Thrones in three words, what would they be?

Great adult drama

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wish I could but it was too long for me to do it. I found myself looking for every opportunity to continue the story.

Narrator should be replaced

I have loved reading these books in the past. I have recently taken to listening to books and have found there is definitely a hit or miss when it comes to narrators. I really wish someone else had read this series. The narrator only has a high pitch voice and it is difficult telling the difference between who is speaking. He also constantly sounds like his throat is full of mucus and spit and that he needs to clear his throat. It makes it difficult to listen to these books.

Just love it

It's a long and arduous read but an intense and detailed story. The reader is defiantly not my favorite and makes the story even harder to enjoy. But it doesn't ruin the book by any means. Can't wait to read the rest

long book but worth it

very long but I loved it and I love the story. narrator did a pretty good job needless to say I will be buying the second book here shortly

Loved!

Made the drive to work so much more enjoyable! Can't wait to listen to the next one!

awesome tale

Yep...one awesome tale. This has been one of the best fantasy books I've read. Ever.

Roy Dotrice is superb!

Martin has given us a wonderful story, rich environments you can see with your mind's eye, and intricately developed characters throughout. And I could imagine no other actor portraying this much breadth and depth. Roy Dotrice is enthralling. Not exaggerating here, I haven't been this entertained since... well, ever.

Great Book - better than the series

Loved this book. It was Great! Definitely better than the series. I highly recommend it.

narration

the narration could have been a little bit better,. I would sometimes lose my place with the voice acting.