A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire #2)

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nrlymrtl, May 10, 2013 (view all comments by nrlymrtl)
Through Book 2, we see plenty of personal growth for Daenyres, Jon Snow, Sansa, and Arya. Each of them has their own internal fight going on, based largely on inherited expectations, but then each has their own unique external struggle. We learn more of the Wildlings and the Grey Men. Theon Greyjoy shows his true colors, and they were not what I was expecting. While Rob Stark takes more of a back seat in this installment, his mother Catelyn plays a bigger role as the various kings vie for superiority.

By far, my favorite character is Tyrion Lannister, the dwarf and Uncle to the kingling Joffrey Baratheon. Tyrion often had the best lines and there are so many instances in this tale where he did the right thing �" partially because he was in a position to do so �" but also because it was something his moral code required him to act on. This is the book where Tyrion won my heart.

There’s battles and betrayal. Intrigue spills from every darkened corner. Dark magic is employed in nefarious deeds. Everyone has secrets, and not all those secrets will stay hidden. Those that appear creepy, are not always evil; and those that appear pristine are not always good. Poor Arya learned this all in one fell swoop.

I know some folks have shied from these books because of the length. I know some feel that the HBO series is adequate. I say that these books are eminently worthy of your time. The level of detail adds to the richness of the setting and the motivations of the characters. If any of you have been waffling about whether or not to make room for these books, then I strongly encourage you to treat yourself to some of the best epic fiction out there.

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Mrs G, April 4, 2012 (view all comments by Mrs G)
Wow. Even better than the first installment. This series is my first venture into the fantasy genre and I couldn't be more hooked.
The book does not closely follow the TV series, so definitely read it first (a million times better anyway). However it does pick up without a beat, introducing a few new characters whilst delving deeper into some less explored in the first volume. I was absolutely glued to every page, gasping out loud more than once at the developments.
Four kings valiantly fight for the Seven Kingdoms. Allegiances form and are then shredded with the knight’s mighty sword. This was non-stop action & suspense and I found myself rooting for all characters (save that punk Joffrey) at different times in the tale.
If you enjoyed the first, it’s an absolute must read

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Edward Hahn, September 26, 2011 (view all comments by Edward Hahn)
Well, I don't know how best to epress how much I am enjoying this series: "A Song of Fire and Ice". "A Clash of Kings" is volume 2 in the series. I actually think it's a better written book than Volume 1 but then Martin didn't have to spend a lot of time setting the scene in this book.

Volume 2 picks right up where Volume 1 left off. The major characters continue to evolve. Joffrey, the child king, becomes more and more of a jerk, Jon Snow, the bastard and Night Watch Brother loses his arrogance and begins to mature into a fearsome warrior, Princess Arya continues to get in trouble while trying to work her way back to Winterfell, Sansa, her sister, and Joffrey's fiancee has the scales taken off her eyes, Tyrion, the Lannister Imp shows what a basically good person he is, though his father will never admit it, Cersei, the widowed Queen Mother, shows what an absolutely amoral person she is, Catelyn, the widowed Mistress of Winterfell is unbelievable as the dutiful doyen, Bran, the crippled young lord continues to develop his extrasensory abilities, His older brother, Robb, King in the North, though only 16, proves both his manhood and his military prowess, Varys, the court eunuch, continues to play all sides against each other, Theron Greyjoy shows his true colors as a disloyal, arrogant power seeker, and Danaerys, the Dragon Queen, continues to search for a way to reclaim the Iron Throne her father lost.

There are other characters too which makes this series as interesting as it is. There is also enough action to satisfy any reader's need for more than narrative exposition and dialogue. The battle at the end of the book is as well described as anything Bernard Cornwell, the dean of battle descriptions, has done. I can hardly wait to get to volume 3.

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Product Details

ISBN:

9780553579901

Author:

Martin, George R. R.

Publisher:

Bantam

Location:

New York

Subject:

Fantastic fiction

Subject:

Fantasy - General

Subject:

Fantasy fiction

Subject:

Fantasy - Series

Subject:

Fantasy - Epic

Subject:

Imaginary places

Subject:

Civil war

Subject:

Science Fiction and Fantasy-Fantasy-Epic

Copyright:

2000

Edition Number:

Reissue ed.

Edition Description:

Mass market paperback

Series:

Song of Ice and Fire

Series Volume:

02

Publication Date:

September 2000

Binding:

Paperback

Grade Level:

General/trade

Language:

English

Illustrations:

Y

Pages:

1040

Dimensions:

14 x 9 x 4.75 in 12.5 lb