A Clash of Kings, by George R.R. Martin

Book two in the popular series A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R. Martin brings even more action, battle, and underhanded behind-closed-door dealings on the fight to win the Iron Throne. With a self-proclaimed king in almost every realm of the Seven Kingdoms, it is a calculated fight both on and off the field to oust Joffrey and the Lannister family. This clash of kings introduces new characters, and is another skillful creation of the Houses Stark, Lannister, Barratheon, and Targaryen. There is even a bit more of the fantasy element in this book than in the first, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

In George R.R. Martin style, each chapter alternates from nine characters, and I can assure you, it is engaging and never confusing. Each voice is so distinct that I could easily tell who was who as I read each chapter without needing to see their name at the start of their sections. From annoying Theon to my favorites Tyrion and Arya, I couldn't put the book down.

Which is why it's hard for me to write that while I still loved the story and the characters, and every ending of a chapter made me manically push forward to read what happened next, this installment didn't resonate as much with me as the first, A Game of Thrones. I normally love battle scenes, for example, but my mind drifted just a bit in those. Maybe it was because it felt a bit more detailed to the point of excess at times? I also didn't care as much for the Targaryen house as I did in the first one, and surprisingly, I also was a little tired of Catelyn as well.

It's probably a bit unfair for me to feel that way because A Game of Thrones was so extremely unique and powerful that I would imagine it would be hard for book two to follow it up with the same energy. Suffice it to say, though, that this book served its purpose to set up book three, A Storm of Swords, so I eagerly downloaded it onto my iPad late last night. Looks like I'll be spending even more time with Arya, Jon Snow, and others over the Thanksgiving holiday this week!

There are, though, so many new events, characters, and moments, that I cannot wait to see it all played out on the HBO series next April!!

About the Author

George R.R. Martin is the author of eleven novels, seven novellas, two novellettes, one children's book, and a score of other writing and editing accomplishments. He was also the writer for seven episodes of the Twilight Zone and fifteen episodes of Beauty and the Beast, including three episodes of the HBO adaptation of A Game of Thrones. There's so much about this author, I don't have enough space to write it all, so I'll just ask that you:

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