• 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 (144,280 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)

Featured Article: Books Like Game of Thrones—Best Epic Fantasy Books & Series


It's time to branch out and find some new material to fill that dragon-shaped hole in your listening life. If you liked Game of Thrones, these epic fantasy books are your next best listen. Some are standalone novels, some are the start of a new series, and others are the first in a completed series. Oh, and they're all excellent. And as Tyrion Lannister said, "... a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge."

What listeners say about A Game of Thrones

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A Classic of High-Stakes Fantasy.

The (Song of Ice And Fire) series, of which this book is the beginning, is a collection of deeply engaging stories that rewards repeated listening/reading/watching. The characters are engaging, the plot has just the right balance of structure and flow, and the prose matches the story's tone just right. Roy Dotrice turns in an excellent performance as our narrator, like an expert craftsman deftly wielding the tools that author George RR Martin has provided for him. I couldn't ask for more.

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Great Story

I love the story, but I wish the narrator wouldn’t try to change his voice to distinguish between characters. It makes it difficult to understand him, and takes away from the story.

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Incredible!

Learned so much more about my GOT heroes and heroines! My only dislike was the way Tyrion’s character was voiced, sounds weasel like.
Tyrion is my favorite, and I loved Peter Dinklage’s portrayal so much. Highly recommend to anyone interested in GOT, but especially to those who loved the series, and never read the book.

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A must-listen for show lovers

Recently I’ve been craving some GOT content and I was told the book series went into more detail and expanded the world within thrones. The delivery and organization of this audio booked immersed me into the story that I already loved. It made me excited for my commute to work.

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Oh. My. Goodness!

Watched the series and felt like I didn't need to read the books. Boy was I wrong! Amazing writing. What an amazing talent George R. R. Martin has. PLEASE COMPLETE THE SERIES. WE BEG YOU GEORGE 🙏🏽.

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Loved it

Loved the show, loved the book. Wish all the men didn't sound so old though.

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Wtf....

Amazing book but I had to buy it twice, when I first joined audible my free credit was spent on this book well look in my library today and it was gonna fucking bullshit... so I had to buy it again

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excruciatingly good

definitely not of technology better books of fantasy portrayed in my reading. Enjoy and remember wic

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Amazing Story paired with excellent narrator.

The story in itself is masterfully written, and the narration beings the tale to life in a fulfilling way. It's a long tale that wisks by surprisingly fast. I Loved every part of this book.

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Praise the Narrator

This dude is incredible. His characters can be old and grizzled, young and bratty, crazed and ravenous, or honorable and stately. He makes listening to this great story a treat.

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