How to Listen to Game of Thrones Audiobooks: Review & Download

Part 1. The Voice of Game of Throne Audiobook: Roy Dotrice

You cannot discuss the Game of Thrones audiobooks without discussing the man who gave them life: Roy Dotrice. For the vast majority of the series, Dotrice is your sole companion. His performance is legendary, but it is also the subject of significant debate among fans.

A Record-Breaking Performance

Roy Dotrice was not just a narrator; he was a character actor of the highest caliber. He famously holds the Guinness World Record for the most character voices in a single audiobook (224 distinct voices in the first book alone). His reading style is theatrical and gritty. Instead of a polished, smooth narration, Dotrice sounds like an old maester sitting by a hearth, recounting the history of the realm. This "grandfatherly" quality adds a layer of immersion that few modern narrators can replicate.

The Inconsistencies

However, the narration is not without its flaws. Listeners often point out that Dotrice's voices drift over the years. Because the books were recorded years apart, continuity issues arose:

• Pronunciation Shifts: Names like "Brienne" and "Petyr" change pronunciation between books.
• Character Voices: Some listeners find his choices for female characters controversial in later books, with Daenerys occasionally sounding much older than her teenage years.
• The "Book 4" Confusion: Long-time fans may remember a version of A Feast for Crows narrated by John Lee. Due to fan demand, this was eventually re-recorded by Dotrice to maintain continuity, so new listeners today get the full Dotrice experience.

Despite these quirks, the consensus is that Dotrice's passion and range make the experience unforgettable. He captures the grit, the humor, and the darkness of Martin's world perfectly.

Part 2. Book Breakdown of Game of Throne Audiobook

One of the most common questions potential listeners ask is: "How long are the Game of Thrones audiobooks?" The answer is: massive.

This isn't just a book series; it is a lifestyle change. Spanning five volumes, the total running time clocks in at roughly 201 hours. That is nearly 8.5 full days of non-stop listening. Here is the breakdown:

This incredible length presents a unique challenge. Navigating a single file that is 48 hours long can be frustrating on standard media players. Trying to rewind to hear a prophecy again or skipping to a specific chapter often feels clumsy in streaming apps.

Part 3. Where to Buy & Download A Game of Thrones Audiobooks

You can find these audiobooks on most platforms, but I strongly suggest listening to a sample first. Roy Dotrice's theatrical style is unique, so you need to be sure you enjoy his voice before committing to 200 hours.

In my experience, Audible is the best place to buy them. The retail prices on iTunes are steep, but Audible lets you grab these massive books for just one credit, saving you a lot of money. If you are new to the app, using the free Audible trial to get the first book is a no-brainer.

How to Get the Audiobook on Audible

If you decide to use Audible to secure the best deal, follow the process below.

Step 1. Navigate to the official Audible website and log in. If you do not have an account, you can sign up using your existing Amazon credentials.

Step 2. Type "A Game of Thrones" into the search bar at the top of the page and press Enter. Be sure to select the version narrated by Roy Dotrice to ensure you get the acclaimed performance discussed in this review.

Step 3. Click on the book cover to open the detailed description page. Here you can review the length, release date, and listen to the sample again if needed.

Step 4. Select your buying option. Click "Buy with 1 Credit" if you are an existing member, or select "Free wih 30-day trial" if you are eligible for the free trial offer.

Step 5. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your payment details and complete the order. Once finished, the title will be permanently added to your library.

Step 6. Finally, download the specific Audible app for your device—available on iOS, Android, and Windows—to start listening. Alternatively, you can download the file directly to your computer if you plan to convert it for offline use on other players.

Part 4. How to Optimize Your Listening Experience

If you want to secure your investment and listen to Game of Thrones offline on any device, we recommend using a specialized tool like the DRmare Audible Converter.

This software solves the core problems of listening to massive epics. It allows you to download the audiobooks as local files (MP3, M4B, etc.) and, crucially, it can split the Audible audiobooks by chapters. Instead of one unwieldy 40-hour file, you get a neat folder of chapters, making navigation seamless.

Here is how to back up and convert your books for a superior listening experience:

Step 1. Download and install the DRmare Audible Converter on your computer.

Step 2. In the main window, log in your Audible account, then go to your library, and click the green icon at the bottom right corner to add your Audible book into conversion list.

Step 3. Click the "Convert" button. The software works at 100X speed, so even a massive book like A Dance with Dragons will be processed in minutes, effectively removing the restrictions and giving you full ownership of the file.

Part 5. Verdict: Is it Better than the TV Show?

The Game of Thrones audiobook experience offers something the TV show never could: internal monologue. In the show, you see Ned Stark looking worried. In the audiobook, you hear his thoughts, his fears, and the history that weighs on him.

You also get the full depth of the magical elements—prophecies, dream sequences, and lore—that were cut from HBO's adaptation.