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)

R.I.P. Roy Dotrice

I'll never hear an audiobook and not think, Roy could have done this better. The care he took into every character is so creative and memorable. The Song of Ice and Fire books he narrated are more like having an old british grandfather telling you some wicked, horrible story every night before bed.

Awesome narration!

I absolutely enjoyed this story, but I'm in awe of the narration! Roy Dotrice did an amazing job with all the different characters both male and female, old and young, town's villagers and royalty-definitely recommend this audiobook!

a really good into to the series

this is a reread for me and it's a really solid entrance into a series that perhaps got too big for it's own good. having said that I'll still totally read the crap out of the Winds of Winter

Love this book! But..

So sometimes the narration would be really good and other times it would kinda take away from the story. I even noticed names said wrong or inconsistently pronounced which bothered me. Other than that LOVED this book and how it sucks you in!

Captivating from word one

A world not unlike our own little planet pre mechanization, except here magic is real.

marvelously read!

I have been wanting to listen to this series for a while and I am not disappointed at all.
Excellent narrator!!

Engaging Story

Wonderful experience listening to the audio book! Being a fan of the tv series of the same name, I decided to get the first book in the series on audio as a distraction during my longer car rides for work. I was so engaged with the story and the information that I had forgotten, that I found myself listening to the audio book whenever I had a free moment.

The narrator did a great job separating the characters, but there were times when some of the female characters sounded exactly like the male characters. That is a very small quibble and does not change my opinion of the performance (wonderful). Can't wait to get the remaining books in the series!

the narrator needs to find a new job

honestly the guy reading the GoT story is in need of finding a new line of work. he wants me to fall asleep and the way he pronounces everyone's name is just wow and his voice changes is odd and does not really go all that good, story is great GoT is amazing

An amazing ride . . .

I may be one of the few people on the planet who have not seen Game of Thrones, so the majority of this story is new. It was fantastic. I cannot wait to start the second book. Roy For rice did a fabulous job.

Rob stark

I enjoyed the entire book I really hope Rob stark gets what's his by right