A Clash of Kings is the second book in the Song of Ice and Fire series written by George R.R. Martin. The novel was published on July 20, 1998 by Bantam Spectra. The novel continues the story from A Game of Thrones following House Lannister and House Baratheon while also introducing several new characters including Stannis Baratheon, Davos Seaworth, Melisandre, Joffrey Baratheon and Sansa Stark. In addition to this there are a number of subplots which include Tyrion Lannister’s journey across Westeros as he attempts to quell rumors about his parentage, Arya Stark’s exile with Yoren of the Night’s Watch and Bran Stark being left paralyzed after an assassination attempt ordered by Jaime Lannister.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for someone who loves fantasy and science fiction. The setting of the novel takes place in a medieval world with some modern aspects, such as cars and guns. There are dragons, castles, swords, shields – all things that can make one feel like they’ve stepped into another realm.
Pros :
- The book is well written and provides a good continuation to the story.
- It introduces new characters which help develop the overall plot.
- The subplots are interesting and keep the reader engaged.
Cons :
- The book is very long
- It can be difficult to follow who is who and what is happening with all of the characters
- The author takes a long time to write new books in the series
Learn more about the author
George R.R. Martin was born on September 20, 1948 in Bayonne, New Jersey. He is an American author of fantasy and science fiction, best known for his Song of Ice and Fire series which has been adapted into the HBO television series Game of Thrones George R.
Reader Reviews
“A Clash of Kings is a great novel. It improves on the first book in the series, A Game of Thrones, and sets up an even greater third installment. The characters introduced in this book are very well written and believable.”
“If you’re looking for an epic, richly detailed saga with plenty of bloodshed and brutality to keep you hooked, look no further than George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series.”
“A Clash of Kings is an excellent book, one that moves the plot of A Song of Ice and Fire forward on several levels. It also sets up future events in the novel nicely.”
“The satisfying sequel to A Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin’s immense and ambitious epic fantasy challenges both knights and lords with its gritty realism and complex characters.”
