Book Reviews of A Clash of Kings (Song of Ice and Fire, Bk 2)

This is the first time I've read a book of nearly a thousand pages, and wished there was more when I reached the end. I had the feeling Mr. Martin had had to cut out some bits in order to fit this book into a publishable length. It's superb writing, with each character well rounded and acting in accordence with thier motivations and beliefs. No one is bad just because they are evil, and children act like children. I can't wait to read the next volume in this series.

Robert Jordan eat your heart out. This is turning out to be the best series I have read. High Fantasy that bares all.

ACoK is a tad longer than its predecessor, and filled with even more deception, betrayal, and intrigue. I really enjoy the point-of-view changes for each chapter, as they make the book feel like a soap opera, with some scenes playing out in chronological order and some happening simultaneously with other chapters.

=part two of the A Song of Ice and Fire series=

Not worth the time! 950+ pages. It looks impressive, but the story didn't impress me. Gore, incest, and dwarf sex do not a good book make. There are very few "good" characters, most characters are in the gray area, or are "all bad." He seems to kill off the few "good" characters there are, or have such bad things happen to them that I didn't want to attach myself to them. If I'm not emotionally invested in the characters, I can't like the book.

Excellent book with intrigue, murder, incest, war. Second of the series so read "A Game of Thrones" first

Love, love, love, love this book (and series). Lots of characters, lots of plots and intrigue and storylines! Not for the faint of heart!

Sword & light magic fantasy. Part two of Martin's ongoing epic follows up on a very wide cast of characters, including the randy dwarf, the smokin' dragon queen, the moody-bastard, etc. Fun stuff, even if Martin's language is a occasionally misogynistic for no good reason.

Another fantastic one from Martin. A Clash of Kings is bigger and more magical than the first book, with lots of action and several painful turns for some favorite characters. The ending isn't as strong as the first book, but it does leave you hungry for the next one. Martin is the savior of modern fantasy fiction.

A more interesting read than the first book in the series, A Game of Thrones. The dwarf character, Tyrion, is still the same lovable smartass, and the elaborate scheming at court - as people connive and blackmail their way to power while avoiding getting killed by their frenemies - was flat-out fun to follow along with. Happily, other characters actually acquired some depth and seemed less cardboard than they were in the first book. For fast readers looking for a downtime read that isn't over as soon as you get started, it's definitely worth delving into.

i found this to be a little slower than the 1st GRRM book. BUT you do get to know more about each character and their struggles within their situations, Lots of twists and turns and betrayal and death, But his writing is very entertaining! you just cant get to attatched to any particular character! because they may be dead next chapter! hahah

anyways this book was a little slower but still a great read! bigger than the 1st but definately not boring!

i give this book 4 stars out of 5

George RR Martin rules the fantasy genre. I haven't read any other fantasy which gives as much character development as this series. Another reviewer criticized the book because the characters weren't either all good or all bad. That's part of what makes these books so great-- the characters are fully dimensional, not just parodies of good and evil. These books are fabulous and I'm just dying waiting for the next one....

Much I said for Book One remains the same so I will adapt some comments from there. Book Two of Martin's A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE series continues a long but engaging story. In a land of great lords and vintage magical swords, major and minor houses vie for power and influence.

The situation: Chaos ensues after King Robert dies. Four lords step up and each call themselves King. Thus begins good old fashioned medieval feudal warfare. Alliances are formed; oaths are made; old magic begins to return to the land; and as title says, Kings clash.

What distinguishes Martin's series is each chapter is primarily from point-of-view of one of five different Stark family members: Catelyn Stark, oldest daughter Sansa, youngest daughter Arya, younger son Bran, or bastard son Jon. (The chapters are conveniently titled Jon, Arya, or whomever.) Does include a few other p.o.v as well.

Story migrates from place to place as members of family disperse into world. This narrative technique, along with book length, help give the novel its epic historical feel.

Surprisingly engaging for such a wordy book. If you don't like this series after first 100 plus pages, hang it, story doesn't change very fast and story is written to continue in sequels.

Highly complex (possibly too complex) fantasy, with many plot lines interwoven. Keeping all the characters straight without notes is a real challenge. For my money, not as good as Tolkien or Donaldson, but OK.

Well written and easily readable, Martin has a great series on his hands with his Song of Ice and Fire books. A great fantasy tale with as much infighting as The War of the Roses.

Great read.

great series

fantastic second installment. can't wait to get my hands on the third

awesome book

I thought it wasn't quite as focused as the first book, but it was still an excellent read. I'm excited to read Storm of Swords next since I hear that is the best one of the series so far.

I've never read a more compelling tale. I'm #6 in line to read the latest novel-A FEAST FOR CROWS. My advice is to start with #1 and savor every page! It's as good as Lord of the Rings, better, really.
John Schroeder-catmint1@juno.com

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