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

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)

not a fan of the narrator

I've read the books myself already but purchased this to listen to at work. The story iis awesome but that narrator had some horrible accents for characters. For example he makes Tyrion, the Imp sound like a leprechaun. Not sure if that was intentional or not but made it hard to listen to. He also made numerous characters sound like your stereotypical pirate which made me cringe. Still worth the purchase though.

Superb book with a great speaker

I don't think many care for a review of the story, you've likely seen the show if you haven't read the books by now. You know it's very good. I will say that it is decidedly creepier in some scenes, particularly in regard to relationships between characters and adults. Bear in mind most are much younger than their actor counter-parts, as stated in the books. This might be more "period accurate" to the books setting, but some may find it off-putting. It shouldn't ruin the book for you, just something to be aware of.

The narration is very well done. I think it suffers somewhat from the fact that if you watch the show, you expect certain characters to sound a certain way. So at first it's weird to hear them this way (even if it may be closer to GRRM's vision. That said, it's great that he does have these changes for characters or else it would be hard to know who is speaking since you aren't reading the book and can glance up to see. Some passages you may have wanted read with more vigor, but this also keeps it easy to listen to (not turning the volume up and down constantly).

If you're looking to experience GRRM's A Song of Ice and Fire starting with Game of Thrones, but don't have the time or patience for reading it, this is a great way to experience it!

Great story/ terrible performance

Great book, great story, but WORST performance ever! The accent for Tyrion Lannister ranged from Scottish to American trying to do an English accent to whiny high pitched English accent. Very inconsistent! Many character accents were inconsistent which make it very hard for someone who is unfamiliar with the story/characters to follow along.

Best in series, easily.

Great story and great reading performance. Easily the best of the series and if you've only watched the tv series you will be pleasantly surprised with a lot more back story and motives.

awesome!

just awesome. nothing else needs to be said. i would suggest this to anyone. meow

great

The book is so much better than the series. I love the series too but this was awesome

Addictive

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

Addictive, maddening and, again, addictive

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tyrion. He has a wicked sense of humor. You can never tell if he's a good guy or a bad buy but he's always entertaining.

What about Roy Dotrice’s performance did you like?

Love his British accent. He is the master. I couldn't have asked for a better listening experience. I don't know that I could watch the series now that I have his voice in my head for each the characters...even the women. And I can't imagine anyone else narrating the books. I just hope that he's still around and working when Martin finally finishes the last 2 books.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Nothing is as it seems

Any additional comments?

I have never watched the series but my husband is an avid fan and was after me from the 1st episode to watch it but I declined. I usually read mysteries, psychological thrillers and horror but needed a change, I honestly never expected to like the books but I've almost finished the 2nd book, A Clash of Kings, and I can honestly say that I have never been held in such thrall by an author's writing. Martin is a master. I highly recommend the series...even if you don't normally like this type of book. And Roy Dotrice, the narrator, is integral to the enjoyment of these audiobooks.

great narration and story

well structured. leaving you in suspense at each characters plot. you will find yourself wanting to hear what happened to you favored characters. that is for a minute or two when you find yourself engrossed in the other characters plot. enjoy

Awesome

Best book I've listened to so far. I'm excited to read the rest! Had me hanging on every word

SO so good!

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

probably top 5

Who was your favorite character and why?

that so hard to say, I love different characters for different reasons. Tyrin, Arya, Jon

What about Roy Dotrice’s performance did you like?

Amazing. I seriously wouldn't have been able to follow the story line as well if it weren't for him making each character's voice different and unique.

Any additional comments?

Im a serious fan of the show, which has followed the story of the first book pretty well, Im glad I listened to the book though. There are fun details that the show couldn't capture.