Got behind on updating my status, but I'm still working through this series. Love it. ( )

Initial Thoughts

My expectations were pretty high going into this book. I loved the first one plus I had already watched season two for the tv show. I know, I know, that's terrible. But I really didn't know if I was going to like this series. It's not something I usually read but it is amazing. It was a slow paced book. That's why it took me so long to finish it. It's very interesting but there's just not a lot of action. The exciting things happen behind the scenes but it was still really interesting.

My New Best Friend

I love Tyrion. I'm sad he's a Lannister but I just love him. I love that instead of being a fighter like just about every character, he fights with his mind. He's just so smart! I hate that everyone kind of just writes him off because he's a dwarf. I don't care. I'd marry him.

My Crush

Robb Stark. We didn't see a lot of him in this book because he was away fighting wars. I still love him though. He's awesome and so young and naive. It makes him kind of cute. Also I really like John Snow minus how stupid he can be sometimes. He is a smart man.

Writing Style

The writing style in this book was intense. It's not Lord of the Rings English but it can still be tough to understand sometimes. Martin is a fantastic writer though, easily. The plot was slow building and not very action packed but it still worked in this book. I love it! He's a clever writer too because you don't know who is going to die and you don't even know who you're rooting for until you get closer to the end of the book. It's confusing but in a good way.

Closing Thoughts

This definitely isn't a happy book. If you want a happily ever after go find something else because this isn't it. It's a sad book filled with war and death. The plot expands a lot in this book too. There's a lot of things happening now and it can be hard to keep up. Just a warning! I still enjoyed it though. Once you start to remember who all the characters are, you're good to go. This is definitely an epic fantasy because it is in fact epic. It's quite beautiful actually. George R.R. Martin should be given lots of credit for having such a huge vision and actually being able to pull it off. It's great! I loved this book and can't wait to move onto the next one.

Bonus

The dragons are getting bigger! I'm excited to see what happens with them!

Quote

“People often claim to hunger for truth, but seldom like the taste when it's served up.” ( )

I enjoyed this one as much as the first one. Several kings rise up to fill the hole that Robert Baratheon has left and begin fighting amongst one another. I've heard some people say that they had trouble getting through this one--there wasn't as much action until the end, and there were more events that happened sort of off-stage with other characters hearing about them afterward. I didn't mind any of that--it still pulled me along and there were still enough characters I cared about to be able to keep reading.

I like Martin's respect for his readers in their ability to keep track of all of the important characters. I also like his style of giving his characters realistic motivations--unlike in a lot of fantasies I've read, there are few characters who are just evil for the sake of being evil, for example. Even Theon Greyjoy, whom I imagine every female reader in her right mind would hate at first, showed some tiny redeeming qualities toward the end. I even have some slight sympathy for Cersei since her attitude toward the world is understandable considering what her life has been like. Ilyn Payne, Gregor Clegane, Ramsay Snow, and Joffrey definitely need to die, though.

By now, my favorite viewpoint characters are Arya, Daenerys, and Tyrion. Catelyn, Sansa, Jon, and Bran I could give or take, although Bran is becoming more interesting. I think even if all of the Starks died by the end of the story, I'd still be happy if Daenerys united the seven kingdoms. Somehow I don't think that Martin will kill too many of the Starks, though, since it seems like he needs at least a few characters that can journey with the readership from beginning to end. I don't want any spoilers, though, so shhh. ( )

The second entry in the Song of Ice and Fire Saga, A Clash of Kings, written by George R.R. Martin begins a bit slowly, but introduces us to new viewpoint characters, such as Stannis Baratheon, the true heir to the Iron Throne. It's quite clear by the end of Kings however, that those with the most gold and swords aligned with them can claim the throne for themselves.

The book titles have very closely followed the events of the books. In the first entry, A Game of Thrones, there is much political positioning, backstabbing, and plans being laid. It truly was a game of thrones. In A Clash of Kings, though there is still many politics going on, it truly is a clash of kings. At the beginning of the novel, there are four kings in Westeros, and fighting is occurring in all parts of the land.

The most intriguing character in the series so far, Tyrion Lannister, is serving as Hand of the King, in the stead of Joffrey's Grandfather, Tywin Lannister, who is busy fighting a war against Robb Stark. Tyrion quickly impresses with his shrewdness and aptitude for subterfuge. He has never quite shined as he does in Kings.

Though the novel is fantastic, it doesn't flow as quickly as did Thrones, and seems to wander a bit. Still, the events in the book can't be discounted. Without giving it away, suffice it to say that things are coming unraveled in Westeros, and the Reader may be surprised by how vulnerable every character is--whether we get to see through their eyes or not. Indeed, it's one of the draws to the series: no character is ever safe. New characters are frequently introduced, secondary characters slowly become more important, and major characters can be killed off and replaced. It's a refreshing change of pace from so many other novels (especially series-based books) that fail to truly put their antagonists in jeopardy, or seriously threaten their main characters. The author makes no such assumptions; everyone is cannon fodder.

A Clash of Kings takes place primarily in two locations: Winterfell, and King's Landing. Though we are taken all over the realm, to places like Riverrun, and Pyke, we don't spend nearly as much time there. We also get to go beyond the Wall for a huge portion of the book, and see how that story is beginning to unfold. Jon Snow has become yet another major player in the series, and continues to be enthralling to read about.

In the end, A Clash of Kings is a great read, and continues to develop one of the greatest Fantasy sagas of all time. ( )

I enjoyed this second installment in the series even more than the first book. A certain event at the end of A Game of Thrones (if you've read it, you know which event I mean) is the catalyst for much of this novel's action. Beloved characters from the first book are given even greater depth here, and their decisions will shape not only their own destinies, but that of those around them. The carefully-woven plot drives the story and leaves the reader wanting more. ( )