• 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 (144,287 ratings)

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A Game of Thrones  By  cover art

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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Great Listen!

I would definitely recommend this book to anybody who is a fan of the GOT show and to those who are new. My only negative takeaway was that the narrator pronounced some of the names and words in an odd manner, though this may just be because he has an English accent while I am native in US English.

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AWESOME!!!

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

Story is gripping!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Eddard Stark is such a great character. He is the father and husband we all want and a true man of honor.

What about Roy Dotrice’s performance did you like?

He uses his voice like an instrument, changing it to match each character's personality and mood.

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

YES!

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AWESOME

Totally loved it! great long book for my long drives. I don't think the narration was that bad as some of the others complained. you get a little confused at times but there are SO MANY characters it's gonna happen a time or two. AWESOME BOOK! going to get the 2nd right now and I usually don't like fanasty novels.

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Wow.

I got into game of thrones through the television show on HBO. It's twists and turns left me always wanting more. Listening to this book gave me more. Time to listen to the others now!! Would definitely recommend this book to anyone in the mood for adventure, love, loss, fighting, and sexiness.

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Awesome

Loved it! Great voice and used many character changes. My first audio book and I'm hooked!

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A Game of Thrones book 1

Roy Dotrice is a phenomenal voice actor! There are so many characters is this book and he had different voices for each of them! The story keeps you enthralled from start to finish, and the way it is written every little detail immerses you into the world that the author has created! If you are a fan of this genre, you will definitely enjoy this book. For first timers, it will be a hard listen because the book uses a lot of Old English language that may throw you off course.

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Good stuff

I enjoyed the book very much. Nice cliffhanger ending and everything probably have to read the rest will now great. Also the guy reading there a good job

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Great to tie the tv and books together

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

I am glad that I started the tv series before listening to the books. It helps to understand the characters more deeply and while the voices are obviously different, it also helps that I am able to picture the actors.

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very good

I love Roy Doltrice. His voice is great. on to Book 2. I am excited

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Epic

The story so beautifully written and the characters so loved. I have become obsessed with the story.

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