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)

Enjoyed

look forward to the next volume and the one after that. The voice took a little getting use to.

Great story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it has everything,Intrigue, family, passion, loyalty, battles, honor, kings, dragons.

What other book might you compare A Game of Thrones to and why?

Maybe Lord of the Rings.

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

No but he is great.

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

There are so many you can't even pick.

Best book ever!

I loved everything about the book. I'd recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I chose a 5 star all around rating because I'm hooked line and sinker!

WINTER IS COMING

Great story, but narrator is not good...

Would you listen to A Game of Thrones again? Why?

I absolutely love this series, but I am not sure if I want to keep getting the audio books if they're all narrated by Roy Dotrice. He keeps giving characters different names. I've heard him call Catlyn Kaitlin several times, Bran as Brian, and Joffrey as Jeffrey. It would be one thing if it was consistently wrong, but he goes back and forth between the right name and the wrong name, sometimes in the same paragraph... I also noticed how he is not very good at giving characters voices, but I would have over looked that as just an annoyance. However, him giving the characters the wrong names can be confusing, and it makes me want to stop listening.

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

The series is wonderful, and there are a lot of characters that grow and develop with the stories that make it very hard to put it down.

Would you be willing to try another one of Roy Dotrice’s performances?

Maybe if it were a non-fiction book, but listening to him for this book kills the immersion and makes it very unenjoyable for me.

Great Book

Loved it! On to the second book! Better than the HBO series which I have seen all of so far!

Rad

Bought subscription stoned for rare Zappa interview. Got all these books now too! No regrets.

A new fan of Roy Dotrice & George R.R. Martin

I had never heard of these books until people started talking about the t.v. series. I caught the first on sale and thought I'd give it a try.

The story is excellent and reads with an unvarnished, but vibrant, style that pulls you in without anything becoming too 'fantastical' or far fetched. Characters are easy to invest in and enjoy...which as any Martin fan will tell you, sometimes backfires brutally. Or always. I suppose I'll find out!

Dotrice brings it to life in such a compelling way that I will always hear his voice for Tyrion Lannister, Syrio... he brings the characters to life. I have the first 4 books in print now, and am still contemplating buying them in audio. I will never watch the tv show. I do not want to alter the vivid imagery provided by book and voice, with tv pre-made settings and characters.

Well done. I recommend this one!

freaking amazing

the story was amazing, the character s were easy to get attached to or despise. well worth the read / listen.

Great Book Bad Narration

Would you consider the audio edition of A Game of Thrones to be better than the print version?

Great story line and keeps you guessing through out the book.
CAUTION do not listen to while driving.

Would you be willing to try another one of Roy Dotrice’s performances?

NO

Loved every minute of it.

The story draws you in & keeps you. Roy Dotrice does a wonderful job narrating. Overall, very enjoyable.