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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 (145,911 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)

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What listeners say about A Game of Thrones

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The reading was wonderful

The only thing that was bad, was that the reader mispronounced Petyr Balish's name. The rest of the book was wonderful, I loved the different voices

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Amazing

Roy Dotrice did each character justice. Never once did the voices take away from the story!

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Amazing!

I loved this book. It was just as good as I had anticipated. I plan on listening to the whole series before the final season comes out on t.v. Wonderfully narrated too!

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WOW, A MUST HAVE!!!

There are no words that I can say to do justice to what I have just heard! Roy Dotrice is a masterful narrator and kept me longing for more of the story. I found myself rewinding parts just to hear them again. This is now one of my all time favorite stories and I know that I will listen to this series over and over again. This is a MUST for any true readers collectioin. The written work is beautiful and woven in a way that it doesn't matter what you typically like or listen to you will be enthralled with the story, it has something for everyone and TRUST ME IT WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!!!

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great listen

loved it... read the book numerous times. this was exciting and fresh! love love love

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Enjoyable listen/read

This audio book made my drives to and fro work very easy.Had my attention throughout.

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enthralling story- wonderfully narrated

Roy Dotrice does an amazing job giving all the characters personality and bringing the story to life. This book belongs on the shelf beside JRR Tolkien and JK Rowling

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very entertaining

I enjoyed this at work and it helped the time fly by. loved the narration

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Excellent

They always say “The book is better then the movie.” With that said, I absolutely agree. While I wait for season 8 on HBO... I just started listening to the books. This is one of the best series by a long shot. This isn’t so much of an opinion, this is indeed a fact.

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Well Done

I've seen the TV series three times, so obviously I'm a fan of the story, but I could NOT find the patience to read this book. And I LOVE reading. LOVE IT. I tried to read the book three separate times, but I just couldn't get past the first 350-ish pages. I kept getting distracted and tired and bored and annoyed for some reason. But I was still determined to read it somehow. Someone suggested I get the audio book, so I downloaded the Audible version and I am SO PUMPED. Roy Dotrice is awesome; his voice transported me into the show everytime I hit play. I finished the book in about a week and I can't wait to start the second book! I've already recommended this audio to everyone I know and love. 5/5.

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