A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 2)
by George R.R. Martin
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Book Summary Information
Author: George R.R. MartinEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2002-05-28
ISBN: 0553381695
Number of pages: 784
Publisher: Bantam
Book Reviews of A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 2)
Book Review: Continues a huge and emotionally intense story. Some of the very best in all of fantasy literature.
Summary: 5 Stars
This second volume in the Song of Ice and Fire is every bit as good as the first, A Game of Thrones. Picking up where the first book left off, this one continues the heart-rending and intense journey of some of my favorite characters in all of fantasy literature. Martin is undeniably one of the most skillful writers when it comes to character development, and the directions some of his characters take in this book will surprise you. With much of the world-building having been accomplished in the first book, this one provides even more action, with some of the most intense scenes I've ever read. Even though it is a long book, I didn't want it to end, and can hardly wait to read the next.
One of my favorite things about this series is the incredibly detailed world that it takes place in. It is so easy to get pulled into this setting, with its rich history and well-developed geography and climate. The detailed (and maybe overwhelming) noble houses and lineages going back generations help bring the world to life and set the readers perspective as to the past and present. Many times while reading this book, I found myself flipping back to the detailed map (and wishing there was one of the Eastern continent) as I just wanted to know as much as I could about exactly where each event was taking place and where it was in relations to other places. Martin's land of Westeros is huge, and the map is detailed, but it isn't wasted space, as events in this book take place all over the entire land.
While most of the POV characters in this one are the same as in the first book (with the exception of Davos Seaworth and a couple of others), they continue to develop here. You'll find yourself changing your mind about characters as you learn more about their motivations and capabilities. At least for me, some of my favorite characters in the first book turned into my least favorite here, and some I despised in the first book became some of my favorites. I thought Theon Greyjoy would be an excellent character, but here he develops into something terrible. Meanwhile, Tyrion Lannister has quickly become one of my favorite characters I've read about in any book.
Martin's use of POV for different characters really works well in this series. Learning about the land and getting unique view of events through the eyes of disparate characters allows for a lot of freedom and opportunities that Martin takes full advantage of. Some reviewers have complained about the nonlinear feel of the story, jumping around between characters and leaving the reader with awful cliffhangers and a mad desire to keep reading from the current point of view. While it is frustrating at times, it is a good sort of frustrating, and meant as a tease to keep you frantically turning pages to get back to that characters next section and see what happens. But, as you start reading about the next character, you realize that you'd just as soon stick with that one than go back to the last one. And, with a tale this big (and I mean HUGE), you absolutely have to jump between storylines frequently, and in my opinion Martin does it almost flawlessly.
The action is this second book is certainly more intense than the previous. The battle for King's Landing in particular is out of this world, with alchemist fire, dwarf-men leading charges, and devastation and destruction run rampant. Overall though, it is still the intensity of emotion that drives this story. Characters that you love are put through some of the most unimaginable ordeals and you can't help being scared for them, as Martin has already shown us his willingness to kill off nearly anyone. You'll find yourself laughing with the characters when things go wrong, but dreading to turn the page when you fell upcoming doom.
Get dragged into this story and you won't be sorry. That is unless you finish the most recent book and the series isn't done yet.. This is my second time through, and I now realize I'll end up with the same frustrating feeling of not being able to finish the story because Martin takes so awfully long to publish these books. They are worth the torment though. Most highly recommended!
Summary of A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 2)
A comet the color of blood and flame cuts across the sky. Two great leaders?Lord Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon?who hold sway over an age of enforced peace are dead, victims of royal treachery. Now, from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns. Six factions struggle for control of a divided land and the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, preparing to stake their claims through tempest, turmoil, and war.It is a tale in which brother plots against brother and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside. Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, victory may go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel...and the coldest hearts. For when kings clash, the whole land trembles.
Here is the second volume in George R.R. Martin magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Game of Thrones and A Storm of Swords. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hailed as a classic, George R.R. Martin stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.
How does he do it? George R.R. Martin's high fantasy weaves a spell sufficient to seduce even those who vowed never to start a doorstopper fantasy series again (the first book--A Game of Thrones--runs over 700 pages). A Clash of Kings is longer and even more grim, but Martin continues to provide compelling characters in a vividly real world.
The Seven Kingdoms have come apart. Joffrey, Queen Cersei's sadistic son, ascends the Iron Throne following the death of Robert Baratheon, the Usurper, who won it in battle. Queen Cersei's family, the Lannisters, fight to hold it for him. Both the dour Stannis and the charismatic Renly Baratheon, Robert's brothers, also seek the throne. Robb Stark, declared King in the North, battles to avenge his father's execution and retrieve his sister from Joffrey's court. Daenerys, the exiled last heir of the former ruling family, nurtures three dragons and seeks a way home. Meanwhile the Night's Watch, sworn to protect the realm from dangers north of the Wall, dwindle in numbers, even as barbarian forces gather and beings out of legend stalk the Haunted Forest.
Sound complicated? It is, but fine writing makes this a thoroughly satisfying stew of dark magic, complex political intrigue, and horrific bloodshed. --Nona Vero
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