Quirky Cat
Written on Sep 8, 2012
George R. R. Martin’s superb fantasy epic continues in consummate style as bloodshed and alchemy lay waste the Seven Kingdoms in the second volume of A Song of Ice and Fire.
The Iron Throne once united the Sunset Lands, but King Robert is dead, his widow is a traitor to his memory, and his surviving brothers are set on a path of war amongst themselves. At King’s Landing, the head of Lord Eddard Stark rots on a spike for all to see. His daughter Sansa is betrothed still to his killer’s son Joffrey – Queen Cersei’s son, though not the son of her late husband Robert. Even so, Joffrey is now a boy-king, Cersei is his regent, and war is inevitable.
In Dragonstone, Robert’s brother Stannis has declared himself king, while his other brother Renly proclaims himself king at Storm’s End – and Eddard Stark’s fifteen year old son Robb wears the crown of the north at Winterfell.
A comet in the night sky, red and malevolent, the colour of blood and flame, can only be an omen of murder and war. Stannis’s child Princess Shireen dreams of dragons waking from stone. And a white raven has brought word from the Citadel itself, foretelling summer’s end. It has been the longest summer in living memory, lasting ten years, and the smallfolk say it means an even longer winter to come…
The first rule of war is never give the enemy his wish. But winter will be the biggest enemy. From beyond the Wall the undead and Others clamour for freedom, and from beyond the sea the long-dead Dragon King’s daughter hatches her revenge. Robb Stark will be exceedingly lucky to reach adulthood.
- ISBN13 9780002256681
- Publish Date 16 November 1998
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 18 June 1999
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
- Imprint HarperVoyager
- Format Paperback
- Pages 752
- Language English
- URL http://harpercollins.co.uk
Reviews
Amber (The Literary Phoenix)
Written on Jul 8, 2012
A Clash of Kings saw the removal of Eddard Stark (obviously) from the character narratives, and much of the focus turns to the place of fighting. We see the addition of Theon Greyjoy, who I decidedly don't care about, and of another man in Stannis' care who obviously I also didn't like because I cannot be bothered to conjure his name. Here, Martin splits the reader to watch the real battle, instead of the individual characters. As a character writer, this is less to my taste. We see nearly nothing of Robb, Little of Arya and Bran, but a good taste of Tyrion (who strangely, I like) and Catelyn... and of Greyjoy. The characters remain consistent and well-written... the way a person views the chapters, I think, is based less on the writing of them and more to the fact or whether or not you like the character as a person.
You know Martin has big plans for Dany, because he isn't dropping her, but she still feels so far away from the action, I found that reading her chapters were frustrating because of the distance of the "important" plot.
I have a difficult time reviewing this book because all I want to do is compare it to the first one (which I LOVED). It's also difficult because there is so much to it. It's actually overwhelming at times trying to keep everything straight - sometimes you need to go back and flip to the last section narrated by that character to review. I liked it, but I didn't at the same time. That's why it gets three stars.
Martin undoubtedly succeeded in one thing, however. I want to know what happens next. So I will be reading the next book.
layawaydragon
Written on Jun 23, 2012
It is very involved and frustrating when the perspective shifts characters. Having maps of this world and a list of the players is very helpful to keep them all straight.
I do feel it should be noted for Trigger Warning due to rape being common in the series.
I'm at a loss on what else to add. I feel so inadequate when talking about this series. It's on my list of all time favorites already. I hope the next books live up to it.
Michael @ Knowledge Lost
Written on Mar 14, 2012
I blogged about my issues with the writing here.
Ace
Written on Jun 21, 2011
Artemis
Written on Jul 11, 2010
jesstheaudiobookworm
Written on Jan 1, 2010