A Clash Of Kings | George RR Martin | Book Review

THE BOOK BEHIND THE SECOND SEASON OF GAME OF THRONES, AN ORIGINAL SERIES NOW ON HBO.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.
A CLASH OF KINGS
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.

A Clash Of Kings by George RR Martin is a book that I have had on my need to write the review list since December 2013. Three and a half years later, here we are with a sort of review. I can’t say this will be a lengthy review or very objective. However, if you came here for a totally subjective reaction and to see how it holds up looking back almost four years later, you have come to the right place. Also, finally writing this review feels as though I now have permission to get into A Storm Of Swords– and will probably have that review up in 2020, if I continue at the same rate I seem to be going in.

So, A Clash Of Kings follows nine point of view characters – Tyrion, Catelyn Stark, Davos, Sansa, Arya, Bran, Jon Snow, Daenerys, and Theon Greyjoy. Essentially this picks up where Joffrey (I hate him) and Robert Baratheon’s brothers are all clamoring for the throne of the Seven Kingdoms. Meanwhile, Robb Stark has been proclaimed king of the North. So, we have in fighting between Stannis who is super religious, Renly who is alright, and Joffrey who is the worst. Plus Robb is in the mix too. Theon has pretended to serve the Starks but he ends up double crossing them because he wants to impress his dad. Then we have Daenerys who is trying to make deals but won’t give up her dragons.

Oh and also Arya who has managed to escape the Lannisters but is living as a boy and calling herself Arry. She’s heading North to join the Night’s Watch. And then there’s Sansa who is basically just trying to survive and in a not so great position. Oh and Bran is back at Winterfell. And Catelyn is the worst, but trying to make deals for Robb. Oh and Davos is trying to take over Storm’s End as he is in Stannis’s service and believes Stannis should be on the throne because Joffrey is illegitimate. Jon Snow is trying to figure out the deal with the Wildlings. Finally Tyrion is trying to make advantageous marriage deals for Cersei’s kids and somehow ends up captured.

My favorite point of view characters were Tyrion, Arya, Daenerys and Jon Snow. I think I just like them all so much because they are kind of underdogs, I do not think of them as douchey or annoying. Tyrion is awesome because he’s intellectually inclined and so loyal to his family. Although I am not always sure that they genuinely deserve it. Arya is in a terrible situation, and she just proves that she’s a fighter and a survivor. Daenerys, well, she’s the mother of dragons, so obviously I root for her. Jon Snow is one that I find endearing and for some reason, I find his story super compelling.

Otherwise, the other characters are alright. No one that I am particularly attached to. I did end up liking Sansa a bit more toward the end. I may actual end up shipping her with the Hound, but I think that is kind of a common thing. As for Catelyn, I loathed her. I felt like she was a terrible mom. Great idea, leave your kids to get murdered at Winterfell while you’re out stumping for your favorite child, Robb. Also I hate her a little for how she treats Tyrion. I also just do not care much for Bran. He’s so boring.

I began A Clash Of Kings in August 2012 and finished it in December 2013. This book took basically a year and a half to read. I’ll admit, parts were kind of slow for me to read when it came to the point of view chapters of characters that I disliked. I mean, Catelyn’s chapters were like pulling teeth to get through. On the other hand though, I did like reading this slowly than I read books on average. It felt like I was better able to absorb what was happening and I was more engaged and invested in the storyline. Now, of course I am finally ready I think to continue on with A Storm Of Swords and maybe finally get all the way through the books that are currently out in A Song of Ice And Fire.

Books by George RR Martin:
Game Of Thrones

Other reviews of A Clash Of Kings:

• The Lit Bitch – “the story itself is rich and the prose lyrical“
• Nyx Book Reviews – “pure fantasy brain candy“
• Cuddlebuggery – “it’s well worth the investment“

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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