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)

Fantastic tale!

Finally a fantasy tale that is as gripping as any thriller I've ever read. I loved the story, the characters, the world that GRRM created, and the narrator. All in all a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend this book to folks who don't need fairy tales, but are looking for edge of the seat drama in a ficitional world that comes alive from the start to the end of the novel.

My only gripe about this particular Audible download is some of the reviewers of this work. I read both the positive and the negative reviews to get a handle on whether I'd enjoy the book or not. I can't tell you how annoying it is to read spoilers in a review because the reviewer isn't polite enough to his fellow Audible-ites to give a heads up. I'm a little surprised that Audible doesn't police that better. As to those reviewers who like to spoil the tale for others, their spoiler remarks gave such the wrong impression of how the tale unfolded that no wonder they didn't like the book...they didn't get it at all. Go back to fairy tale reading!

fantasy and reality collide

If you're tired of the same old mythic fantasy yarn, then look grab a seat and hold on because Martin takes the fantasy, medieval romp and add a heaping of reality. Also, if you didn't catch the HBO series watch it because it is the greatest book to Video adaptation ever! It left out probably a few paragraphs, if that.

Great book

Would you consider the audio edition of A Game of Thrones to be better than the print version?

I've only read part of the print version, but being able to listen to the audio edition really helped me be able to get through this massive tome of a book, and it was very enjoyable.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jon, I just really like him. He's sort of the underdog, and overall a really interesting character.

What does Roy Dotrice bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He does different voices for some of the characters, and that really helps to make the story come alive.

Any additional comments?

Overall a great book. When I bought it, it cost two credits (has the price been lowered?) and I think for around 40 hours of great storytelling it's really worth it.

Roy Dotrice!

I have read Game of Thrones in print before. This is fantasy at its best. I am 3 hrs. in and I can say, unless something goes horribly wrong with the recording, this will be in my list of favorite audiobooks along side Time Traveler's Wife and The Help. Roy Dotrice's performance is amazing! It is worth the extra credit. If you like long fantasy novels, unforgettable characters, imaginative world building, and are not put off by graphic violence and sex, you will not be disappointed.

Outstanding characterization and plotting

I have been pleasantly surprised by this book. While it does move along rather slowly, the characterization is some of the best I have ever come across in a fantasy novel. Each character is a believably unique blend of strengths and weaknesses, and over time you really come to care about them. It's true, bad things happen and some characters die. It's also true that there is some rough language and crude behavior, including rape, murder and incest. But this is what makes the drama that much more compelling. After all, this is supposed to be a medieval setting. Unlike the typical fantasy novel where you know the hero is going to triumph over the dark lord in the end, here you really feel like there is something at stake in this story. I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

Instantly Addicted!

I am riveted by this series. It took a little bit to get into (mainly because I was at work when I started listening, which was a bad idea given the complexity of the cast of characters initially) Roy Dotrice is the most incredible narrator, and his ability to bring the character's voices to life make what would be a complex listen something that is easy to follow. I thought I'd heard good narrators before, but he blows them all out of the water, truly reminding us what an "art" storytelling really is. The series is beautifully written, bringing the scenes and characters clearly to the mind's eye. I hate it when I come to the end of each of these books, and can't wait to get the next!

Great book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, this book has very strong imagry and the narrator couldn't do a better job.

Excellent

Impressive story and reader. One of the best I have downloaded

Good tale, performance so-so

Would you listen to A Game of Thrones again? Why?

What other book might you compare A Game of Thrones to and why?

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Any additional comments?

Good tale, but the performance gets a little tring after a while

A Beautiful Narration to a Great Story

If you have not heard of A Game of Thrones you must have been living under a rock the last several years and there is truly no hope for you. If you have been watching the HBO series by the same title and are curious about how this book or audiobook look no further!

George R.R. Martin writes a fascinating story and twists you around his finger making you care about each and every character – no matter how good or how bad they truly are. He pulls you into their world and it is to regain your vision on reality.

There is really no way to get through this review without talking about the TV series. And I was seriously impressed with how much the TV series followed the book (or audiobook in this case). So many times the TV writers create their own version of an authors work of art, and many fans just cannot adjust. I think that HBO is doing a brilliant job transferring the authors vision on the screen.

The downside, as always, to watching a book portrayed on TV is simply the constant comparison in your head. This was no exception, but the differences were not tremendous.

I really feel like anything I say here is just going to be lame. I have not looked at the amount of reviews for this book, but I sure it is ridiculous. For a good reason. A Game of Thrones was a truly great book with just a fantasy to keep me sucked in, even after 30+ hours of audio. This really says something!

Audiobook thoughts: Roy Dotrice was as epic as the story. With an amazing range of voices and accents, he made the story come alive and I was wholly empressed. I don’t think a better match could have been made. An artist in his own right, Dotrice takes this amazing story to the next level.