Sample
  • 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 (145,897 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: Everything You Need to Know Before You Watch House of the Dragon


Game of Thrones fans everywhere are eagerly awaited the release of House of the Dragon, the prequel series bringing viewers back to the epic fantasy world introduced in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. HBO's new show is based on Martin's Fire & Blood, a sweeping novel set 300 years before the first book in the saga. You can jump into Fire & Blood and enjoy this fantasy series without any prior knowledge of the books or television series.

What listeners say about A Game of Thrones

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let the games begin

What made the experience of listening to A Game of Thrones the most enjoyable?

John Snows struggling between the wall and the family that raised him

What about Roy Dotrice’s performance did you like?

His voice of Hodor

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

Katlyn stark strength in waiting to see is brendon was going to wake after his fall

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Written for listening

This is a tale to be read aloud!
A wonderful spun book of make believe and adventure, intrigue and war!
The reader does it justice!

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Best. Books. Ever

Before the show came out, I read the first chapter of "A Game of Thrones" and was instantly hooked! I love these books so much that I read the first two books, then listened to the audio books for the rest, and now I'm listening to the audio books all over again! The only other book that comes close to these is the book "Swan Song" by Robert R. McCammon. If you've seen Game of Thrones in HBO and want a deeper understanding of the rich history and back stories of your beloved (or despised) characters, then these books are a must read.

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Well done!

I was concerned about listening to this book as an audiobook as I was warned that there were too many characters and the plot would be confusing unless read in paper-form, but I would disagree. Very compelling.

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WOW What an Emotional Ride

Roy Dotrice did a fairly good job narrating all of the different characters. I dare say it must have been difficult; however, the emoting done more than made up for gender voicing.

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Addicting fantasy ~ impossibly romantic!

Addicting fantasy ~ impossibly romantic! Took me awhile to get into it ~ but so glad I did. Buying the sequel now!!

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Better than the tv series!

So well read! Great story. I loved learning about details hidden from the tv series. I will definitely get next book!

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five stars for sure!

I have listed to it three times and I keep finding new things and new favorite lines.

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Awesome narration! Story over too soon.

This story is full of excitement, intrigue and eventful. The characters keep interests high.

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I am impressed.

I haven't watched the TV version of this story but I have to say, this really draws you into the story line. I am very impressed. The performer did a fantastic job. The plot is thicker than frozen syrup and I feel like I know these characters! Like I said, I am very impressed. On to the next one!

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