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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 (145,953 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 Fantasy Audiobooks to Take You Out of This World


Few audiobooks provide as much of an escape as those in the fantasy genre. Each of the best introduces us to an entirely new world (or a new version of this one), a diverse cast of complexly constructed characters, and a story so mesmerizing we’re reluctant to return to real life. But because the genre is so full of talent, it can be difficult to know what to listen to next. Look no further than this list of the best fantasy audiobooks to get you started.

What listeners say about A Game of Thrones

Average customer ratings
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  • 5 out of 5 stars
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    123,263
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    16,409
  • 3 Stars
    3,477
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    10,728
  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, great narrator, weak voice.

His voice does powerful characters injustice, but his narration choices mostly make up for it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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This man will go down in history

Just an epic story. Glad I got it. I'm on to clash of kings!
I'm a fan of the show now I'm trying the books. Couldn't be happier.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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milk of the puppy?

the narrator's pronunciation was sometimes odd. I had to search the internet to figure out that milk of the puppy was milk of the poppy (morphine). after that I figured out that Rub Stark was actually Rob Stark ... the story was very good, though.

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blown away

it's a great story and told very well. when I started this audio book I failed to realize the length of it at 33hrs... at a certain point I didn't think it would end.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Every bit as good, if not better than the show!!!

I LOVE Game of Thrones on HBO....The book was FANTASTIC!! I can't wait to sink my teeth into the next one.....I am even more addicted to the show now that I read the first book. The narration is WONDERFUL....a very talented narrator.

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Book is great - narration is not

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Literally all but three characters the narrator speaks as if they talk in shakespearian accent but also theyre 100+ years old and super crackley.

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great story, bad narrator

I liked it, but the narrator sounds as if he's reading the whole book from thousands of index cards and has to pause each time he goes to the next card.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

This is a classic tale told with unfliching power and subtlety. The characters are drawn by a masters hand and you will enjoy this story and the two to follow. I have spent the summer reading all three books and am amazed at the world Mr. Martin has drawn. Unlike some reviews I have read, I enjoyed Roy Dortrice as the speaker. Please give this series a chance, you will be well rewarded.

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Wonderful!

Where does A Game of Thrones rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Right near the top! The characters are real and full of depth, the story enthralls you. Most excellent narrations! Top marks

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Game of Thrones?

the dire wolves give me goosebumps! Especially the connection between them and the Stark children

Have you listened to any of Roy Dotrice’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I am currently listening to the 2nd book in Game of Thrones. The voices remain true and his variety is incredable!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Eddard Stark was killed. Such empathy for Aria watching....

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amazing

amazing book, fantastic reading!! I really enjoyed it. the reader did a fantastic job with pacing, using different voices.

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