A Clash of Kings

Title: A Clash of Kings
Author: George R. R. Martin
Published: 1999
Genre: fiction - fantasy

started: Jul.24/11
finished: Aug.9/11

((Books before this: A Game of Thrones))

I have already read the first book in this series and thought it was excellent. I recommend watching the first season of the HBO series as well. Now I am on to the second book. My thoughts soon to follow.

Aug.2/11
(322 pages in)

So far I am enjoying the continuation of the story. The intrigues continue, and some characters are experiencing adventure/journeys through the world. Some characters are gone and we are seeing points-of-view from new characters.

The Starks are:                                         Others:
Catelyn                                                     Tyrion
Sansa                                                       Theon (new PoV)
Arya                                                         Davos (new PoV)
Bran                                                         Daenerys
Jon

War is raging though much of the focus is still on the intrigues rather than the battles and on those characters that are on the road trying to reach a specific destination. There are still wheels within wheels, plots within plots. Many of the adults are busy trying to find a way to claim the throne for themselves or to find a way to end the war.

these are potential, minor, spoilers:

• Tyrion does justice and plots peace
• Arya finds adventure...not necessarily to her benefit
• Jon gets to see beyond the wall and experiences what it's like to be a ranger
• Bran begins to remember...and holds down Winterfell for his older brother
• Daenerys leads the remnants of her Khalesar and seeks to leave the lands of the Dothraki
• Theon plots
• Sansa hopes to leave Kingslanding and go home.
• Catelyn guides Robb, now king of the north
• Davos fears for Stannis and the future and worries about a new god come to Westeros.

Some of these characters I care about and look forward to their next chapter. Others I feel little liking for. Martin is very good at creating diverse and interesting characters. Some I, as a reader, feel connected to easily. Others I dislike strongly and don't care about because of my dislike, but there are very few characters I don't feel something for. There are few characters i don't connect with in some way and feel indifferent about and this is a mark of a good author.

Aug.9/11
final thoughts:

I meant to give my thoughts around 600 pages in but got busy, so here are my thoughts now that I've finished the book.

Oh how I wish I had bought the next book as well. One of the great things about Martin is that his writing style is gripping and he leaves off with a lingering anticipation of what is coming next. At the same time though he sets the characters onto the next leg of their journey (physical, emotional or other) before the end of the book which really creates that sense of anticipation but also gives a feeling that what has happened in the current book has been wrapped up in a way even though none of the characters have come to the end of their journey. It is a feeling that the characters are stepping into the next phase of their journey when the reader picks up the next book.

One of the things I think that makes a great writer is not being afraid to do the unpleasant thing to the characters. Martin is one of these authors. He is not afraid to kill characters,, even those that are likable, to further the story. If the story seems to call for something, a capture, a violation, a breaking of oaths or a death he is willing to put that in the story even if the readers might be bothered by it. It makes the characters more compelling as well. A character that doesn't have to struggle is not as interesting as a character that as an easy time of it.

He also adds PoVs to the story. With one or two lost in one book, more may be added to the next. I am excited to see who else's PoV might be added in the next book...but hope also that he will still follow other characters that I've become to look forward to reading about.

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely, yes.

Who would I recommend this book to? 

I would recommend this to pretty much anyone. Those readers who are particular fans of "epic" fantasy would certainly enjoy this. Much of the story focuses on intrigues so to some it might feel (as some have said) like a kind of soap-opera but really intrigues go much deeper than what is typically seen on a soap-opera. this book also has more of warfare and battle and more travelling and adventure as well. There is less time sitting in great halls and talking or feasting and sneaking around, though it does have these elements as well.

Who would I not recommend this book to?

The book is nearly 1000 pages and so anyone who is just starting to get into reading fantasy or who is daunted by long books might find the book intimidating. The story itself has a smooth flow and the chapters are usually of a good length (on average about 12 pages, sometimes more or less). The character PoVs change from chapter to chapter so that it does not feel as if it is dwelling on a specific event or character for too long and keeps a flow of time and a sense of movement and time passing so that it never feels like it is dragging.

((Next book in the series: "A Storm of Swords"))