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)

i love these books

never been much of a book person but these books are amazing.. john snow is the best

Soooo good

This book was great. I couldn't get home from work fast enough to buy and download the next book in the series.

Great Listen

This was a wonderful performance of a top seller.

As a note of caution- people who have watched the television series may not love all characters as performed on this

Great Story Ruined by So-So Narration

Overall I loved the story of "A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire". Very engaging. And the complaints I have about the HBO series are not nearly as prevalent in the book. (Constant, long, in your face sex scenes in the series are very abbreviated and not nearly as graphic in the book). The narration, however, almost caused me to put the audiobook away.

Roy Dotrice's voice fits the book well, and most of the voices he choses for the characters are quite acceptable. What killed it for me was his timing, and his inability to switch voices mid-stride. So a quote (that I'm totally making up so as not to introduce any spoilers) that is supposed to read:

"Winter is coming." She said, "Let's go pick some turnips".

Is instead read as:

"Winter is coming she said let's go pick some turnips."

Leaving me wondering if the "she" in question was saying this, or quoting someone else. Missing the flow from quote to quote, and the punctuation, making me think about what I just heard and working to follow the flow of the story rather than just riding it along.

The fact that the narrator made Tyrion Lannister sound very much like a leprechaun was distracting and verging on offensive as well.

If the same narrator is reading the other books, I'm afraid I'll forgo the audiobook and just read them myself.

Exceeded expectations

Sought out the book after watching the HBO series for character clarification and better grasp of story lines. So glad I did as now fully understand how each "player" in the game of thrones is incolved. Incredible narration by Roy Doctrice, very impressive considering the difficulty of reading this type of book.

A little slow at times, but an excellent book

Great story, little surprise it lead to the fantastic t.v. show adaption. Though admittedly slow and might be long for those who come from the show first if they are not regular readers.

Narration is very good overall, but does sometimes come across as a bit silly when reading parts for roles of young characters, but that just made me giggle rather than be taken far out of the story. Solid 9/10

Amazing book, good narration.

Undoubtedly a phenomenal story.
Roy Dotrice is good, however he can't do women's voices besides an old crone.

Absolutely enthralling.

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

I would, and have, recommended to my friends.

What did you like best about this story?

It is beautifully written, and absolutely unpredictable. You get to know the characters, love them, hate them, and yet are surprised by them.

What does Roy Dotrice bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Absolutely. His intonation, timing, and voices bring the characters to life.

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

Don't watch the film! Read the book!

best fantasy book ever. narration could b better

loved the book. the narration was not the best. it was a bit too much...

Book was disappointing

My daughter told me a few years ago how much she enjoyed this book. I was rather disappointed; the plot seemed a bit hard to follow, as did the characters. I did not really like the dramatic reading.