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)

Narration enhanced following the story-loved it!

When I saw how long this was--thought I would never last--got totally hooked! Now am watching the video version and comparing characters as I imagined them with the actors who play them--really quite entertaining in itself! Just bought the second book--the narrator is terrific and helped me follow the myriad characters. Occasionally a voice was a bit "over the top" but all in a very good story with a great reader.

Really?!!!

***Spoiler Alert ***I greatly enjoyed listening to the first installment of this epic tale. My only qualm, and it cost Martin a star, was the zombies. The introduction of these undead characters was brief and unresolved. I'll read book two, but if Martin doesn't weave these characters in to my satisfaction, I'll abandon the series.

Fantastical

Detailedly written and well performed, this is the perfect audio book to listen to. You will become emerged in a dangerous and enchanting world with interesting and believable characters brought to life by great voice acting. It's a long book, but certainly worth it.

A great listen, but sometimes tough to follow!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It's way to much for one sitting and since the book doesn't really have an end, it's best digested in small pieces.

Any additional comments?

Sometimes the narrator will repeat sentences, paragraphs and even entire chapters in this recording. Very odd...

Wish the narrator would dial it back

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

I loved this, and I do appreciate the narrator doing different voices for characters (which is very much needed in a story with so many various characters), but I found myself dreading chapters with certain characters specifically because of the way he read them. In particular, any elderly character was a voice filled with spit and was hard to listen to and also difficult to understand. The voice of the king sounded as though he was getting ready to hock something up. I think Roy Dotrice is very talented, I really do. But i literally cringed whenever some drooly spit-filled toothless person was being read. Is there such a thing as being too realistic??

Wow!

What an excellent book. It didn't seem long at all. I'm looking forward to the next book.

One of the best narrated books I have heard yet

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

Suspensefull, twists, Awesome

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

When the northern men laid down their swords and proclaimed the King of the North

Which character – as performed by Roy Dotrice – was your favorite?

Therian

Any additional comments?

This Audible books cost me two tokens and I thought the price was steep but it was worth the Cost cause the stroy and the Narrator have made it a great journey that I want to see to the end

Great Story

Started this book because of the TV show. As per usual, the book is better, however Season 1 and Book 1 do match up quite closely. Very well done!

Excellent writing and narration

I enjoyed the character voices a lot. This is a long book to read but it was awesome to listen to with the voices.

LOVED IT!

One of the best books I've ever read. Martin sucks you in and there is no looking back. I loved the narrator as well. Great all around!