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  • 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
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (145,901 ratings)

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A Game of Thrones

By: George R.R. Martin
Narrated by: Roy Dotrice
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Editorial review


By Seth Hartman, Audible Editor

A GAME OF THRONES IS A MASTERFUL START TO AN EPIC DARK FANTASY

I wasn’t properly introduced to A Song of Ice and Fire until my freshman year in college. My roommate at the time was a bona fide superfan of the series—when I told him that I hadn’t yet given it a try, he could barely contain his excitement. A week after this discovery, I had already watched the first season of the television series and was hungry for more. Instead of binging the remaining seasons, I elected to crack open the first book in order to get the "definitive" experience. Even at the time, I could already tell that this series would leave a strong impact on me.

A Game of Thrones mostly follows House Stark, a noble family controlling the northern portion of the great kingdom of Westeros. Ned, the Lord of House Stark, is asked to join his old friend King Robert Baratheon in court as his new right-hand man. Shortly after arriving in the royal capital, Ned begins to unravel a conspiracy involving Queen Cersei Lannister and her family. Far to the North, Ned’s bastard son Jon Snow joins the Night’s Watch, a group of banished soldiers tasked with defending The Wall, a massive chunk of ice that keeps the mysterious White Walkers confined. To the East, a young girl named Daenerys Targaryen, the last of her line and heir to the previous regime, begins her bid for the throne with little more than a couple of dragon eggs.

While this series becomes increasingly complex book to book, the first entry is delightfully streamlined. Rather than introducing a million characters and locations, A Game of Thrones focuses on the three major families in the series, devoting a lot of time to fleshing out the main cast. On my first read, I was struck by the subversive nature of Thrones. Despite its setting, this is not a triumphant tale of knights and dragons. Rather, George R.R. Martin has created a world of betrayals and backstabs, one that values information and subterfuge far more than swords and shining armor. Veteran voice actor Roy Dotrice brings his highly adaptable voice to the audiobook, giving even more color to Martin's writing.

Continue reading Seth's review >

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)

Featured Article: The Best Audiobook Series of All Time by Genre


What makes a good audiobook series? There are as many answers to this question as there are listeners. For some, it might be epic battles. For others, it might be ongoing romantic twists and tensions. For still others, it might be elongated character studies or an in-depth analysis of a particular time and place. But the universal element of a truly great series is that it sticks with you long after the last word. These are our favorites from every major genre.

What listeners say about A Game of Thrones

Average customer ratings
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  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    123,216
  • 4 Stars
    16,405
  • 3 Stars
    3,477
  • 2 Stars
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Performance
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Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
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    111,758
  • 4 Stars
    10,723
  • 3 Stars
    2,269
  • 2 Stars
    761
  • 1 Stars
    957

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

nice

was nicely written but thr narrorater was lets say not the best too do this

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Game of thrones book 1

Great story! Loved it. Characters are awesome so many stories in a story great history of the land in which it takes place. Can't wait to get to the next one.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Love this series.

Gripping. Thriving. incredible commentator with perfect voice inflection. this book and series are a perfect blend of fantasy and realism it will grip you from start to finish. one of my favorite reads.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Exceptional

Roy Dotrice does an amazing adaptation of this deep deep story! I will recommend this audible book to everyone who listens

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Loved the reader

Several reviews were tepid about the reader Roy Dotrice, but I thought the performance was superb, and made the book for me. I had not read the book prior to listening, so had no pre-formed conclusions.
I also had a couple of long drives, so I was able to listen to large parts of the book at one "sitting".
All in all a great performance!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent

It took a while to adjust to the narrator but after that ...pure excellent story telling. I highly recommend this book and am eagerly awaiting my next listen. A Clash of Kings.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Too long? Really?

I'm tired of reading people whining that this book could be shorter... Guess what the bible could be shorter too - is a history about a guy who dies to save other people.

I whatched the first season on TV then bouch the audionbook. This book is good BECAUSE it's story is complex and intricate and it takes mastery to do that, I don't care how long it is - It's a masterpiece.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Chapter 46 Eddard Stark

Any additional comments?

Chapter 46 Eddard Stark also has the following chapter, Daenerys in it. I so wish the chapter names included the number and the name, a la "Chapter 46, Eddard". I refer to a cheat sheet to recall which character the chapter is about if my mind wanders.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

excellent and riveting

great story, keeps your attention for. beginning to end. would recommend to anyone. Roy Dotrice does an amazing job reading it. GRRM has created a masterpiece!!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing story telling

I loved the story wven though it took me a while to finish it. I want more people to listen to the books they are awesome.

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