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)

Just like the show, it took me a bit to get into

I find the show amazing but when I first tried it, not so much. same with the book but now I am hooked. I find that it makes me care more for the characters and I have a deeper understanding if their motives.

amazing

I hate joffery. such an amazing story. filled with backstabbing and love and war. exciting.

Roy Dotrice was a GREAT choice!

One of my greatest wishes is that I could have experienced the books before I watched the show, but alas. Experiencing it now is good enough in itself. Obviously I know the show is based on the books, but I will review them as someone who watched the show first (and for whoever in the same shoes that consider picking up the books!) The first book is basically the same as the first season of the show. They followed the book almost page for page. You get a fuller and richer experience hearing their thoughts and intentions in a very different way. I enjoyed that a lot. I would suggest you try to seperate the books and show as well as you can, even though I know its very hard. If you compare the actors of the show with how Roy Dotrice has all the voices, then you will be disappointed. He has his own interpretation of the characters, their voices and how to act them out. You will be annoyed to hear his voice as Petyr Baelish if you prefer Aiden Gillen. If you try to see the characters as a clean canvas and let Dotrice make them for you then surely you will have a different experience. I see so many people complaining about Roy Dotrice and I do not agree one bit. He is brilliant! I never heard him in any other pieces and have therefore no other work to compare it with. I have not heard this book with any other narrator (idk if it even exists) but I wouldn't want that either. I know, as mentioned, he is not the actors and actresses of the show, but I do not expect it from a narrator either. Knowing he is male and reading the story alone, I do not expect him to have the perfect "female voice". I think he did all the characters justice! The women too! He is by far the best narrator I have heard so far and I am happy to see him narrating the following books too. I think he fits perfect to the world and setting of Game of Thrones (Or A Song of Ice and Fire) seeing as it is no happy story. If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.

perfect

Listened twice. Cannot get enough, absolutely perfect. The story and the narrator couldn't get any better.

Amazing Narration

Roy Dotrice’s narration gives each character their own cadence, pitch and sound, making this audible a real treat to hear. Listening to Dotrice’s voice brings about a sense of calm and harkens back to the JOY I felt in grade school when settling down into my wooden desk seat while crossing my arms on the desk top to lay my head down upon while listening to my teacher read aloud. The story is already interesting but Roy Dotrice’s narration lets the world spring alive in your mind! You definitely WANT to listen to this book. Go ahead and treat yourself to this amazing story with incredible narration. You won’t be disappointed

I adore this

If you love books where you get to know the characters and their deep thoughts...this is the book for you. There is so much elaborate detail, it is amazing. This is my third time listening through the books we have in the series again, I hope Martin finishes them soon!

I love Game of Thrones and the book is amazing.

The book has so much detail, very entertaining. I can't wait to start book two.

GOT!

At first I thought listening to Walter Frey narrate the book was difficult. But after a short time I was hooked! He does such an amazing job!

great book even better audiobook

I loved it it was great the voice over was done very well five stars all across

A Birth of Dragons and Writer

By the blood of my blood this is the fourth time I've experienced this book (this review is at the end of the first time as an audiobook) and every time I come into contact with it I want to pursue a career in writing.