Rating: 
Summary: excellently written and captivating
Review: George R. R. Martin has outdid himself with this book. It's captivating,intriguing and apt to keep you up all night reading. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys well written fantasy with interesting characters, excellent story line, and plots and twists that won't let you put the book down.
Rating: 
Summary: Medevial politics brought to life, with fantasy added
Review: Ok, the House of Lancaster(Lannister) and the House of York were the inspiration for the Songs of Fire and Ice. We see a little Richard the Third in Tyrion Lannister. Bravo. Any way, if you can read this book in large enough time segments that you get more than one vignette per character per reading, it is far more enjoyable than if you must read only a few chapters at a time. The myriad of viewpoints damages the story's flow, while it adds depth with all the extra detail, a feat which in lesser hands would make the book unreadable. The inexorable movement of the major parties toward serious conflict avoids being predictable. Tyrion Lannister, while one of the "bad guys,"is fun to read and I suspect is Mr. Martin's alter ego emerging in print. Even the tiresome updates on Dany's progress can be understood if one assumes a return of the Dragons in a later episode. The writing? In general, captivating. Martin really gets you into his characters and throws one surprise after another your way. The ribald tone, reminiscent of Chaucer, (who by the way would be a contemporary storyteller/bard/minstrel in this "world") suffers from the use of modern profanity. If one substitutes "swyve" "bugger" or "roger" for "fu**", the earthy tone would be retained, and hold a greater fidelity to the medevial setting. The few erotic scenes are brief, and add spice. Fantasy Authors take note. There is a fine line between ribald/erotic flavoring, and crass/pornographic digression. Martin uses the former to give his world depth. Unfortunately, this makes the book unsuitable for any but the most mature teenagers, confining the audience to college/adult readers. So what? Read and enjoy. You will have a hard time putting this book down, unless you read about Dany late at night. To Mr Martin: Well done, bring it on! And let's try to keep this series to 5 books or less, shall we? Mr Jordan has illustrated the problem of a gifted and prolific writer who simply cannot end a story. Please don't fall into the same trap.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping characters that keep you interested until the end!
Review: Although the plot hasn't changed much and no new significantcharacters have been introduced Martin still Manages to keep thereader interested until the last page. Some of the flare has been lost from a "Game of Thrones" and more fantasy has been introduced, Martin still kept me going and dying to read the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Clash of Kings was a well written book for all readers alike
Review: This book was as good as the first of his thrilling new series. The characters that were not heard from as much got a chance to speak his or her point about the tale. I found it delightfully witty. The written detail of every character made you become one of them. I can't wait for the next book to be released.
Rating:
Summary: A Superior Fantasy Novel
Review: George R.R. Martin has done a bang-up job in writing these books. The way his characters act, their responses to different situations.. Martin does a good job of developing their personalities and representing them in a very illuminating way. I have read both the 1st and 2nd books in this well written series called A Song of Ice and Fire. Each novel is detailed and complex yet the story remains solid and clean throughout. A great read! BTW, I enjoy my signed copy more then my unsigned one. heheh :)
Rating: 
Summary: A 700 page holding pattern
Review: The writing and characterization are almost as good as the first volume, but the plot has barely advanced. No major characters have been added or lost between the end of the two volumes and none of the central quests have advanced significantly. The freshness and excitement of the original, where a hero *could* be killed or crippled, is gone.
Rating:
Summary: Buy it, but buy it in paperback
Review: Martin's world is one that grows on you. A year after reading GofT, I found myself arguing to myself about the characters, and having to read it again. A book that does this to you--it's some kind of brilliant. I bought A Clash of Kings in a personally purchased hardcover because I was itching to know more and couldn't wait--well, I don't think it's too much of a spoiler to say at the end of this book I still feel exactly the same way--without the satisfaction of feeling like the plot has moved forward. Martin has killed off a bunch of his characters--that should simplify some things, right? But where's the story's forward momentum? The best example of lack of forward momentum in this story has to be what goes on with Arya, Eddard Stark's tomboyish daughter. At the end of GofT, Arya, separated from her family and wolf, is struggling to make her way north through hostile territory to rejoin them. At the end of CofK, Arya, separated from her family and wolf, is struggling... What, truly, has changed for Arya between the end of book 1 and book 2? Yes, events occur in the course of this book, but there are no major new realignments to the situation as we are left to understand it from book one. Most agregious is the way Martin sends Daenerys on a futile jaunt due East (or whatever) directly away from Westeros. Sure, once again, loads of STUFF happens--but this is not a very subtle way to delay Daenerys's return for a later book! So--this time Martin got me. I had to read CofK in Hardcover because I couldn't wait for the Paperback edition. But I feel burned. One day I will own Book Three, and Book Four, and whatever. Martin is master of fantasy and I want to support his writing by buying his books. But definitely not in Hardcover again.
Rating:
Summary: Every bit as good as AGoT!!!!!!
Review: My anticipation of this book was marred by fear that Mr. Martin could not possibly write another book of the same caliber as the first in the series. After reluctantly finishing "A Clash of Kings," I can thankfully say my fears were unneccessary! Martin has put as much work into creating his own world, complete with its own history, mythology, etc., as Tolkien did when creating Middle Earth and it shows -- this is the most realistic depiction of medieval times I have seen within the genre. Some reviewers commented that it bothered them that many main characters were "children" -- well, people, in the Middle Ages kids grew up a whole lot faster. You'd have to, if you expected to die in battle or childbirth or disease before you were 40. Anyway, the characters are as engaging as ever, and not just the main characters; I enjoyed many bit players just as much and hope to see more of them in future installments of "Ice and Fire." Hurry up with that third book, Mr. Martin.... no! Wait! Don't hurry up -- take your time, and create another masterpiece like this one!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Another page-turner worthy of awards.
Review: I have waited eagerly for two years, three delays to the original release date, and numerous trips to the local bookstore to specifically see if ACoC had been released yet. And unlike the Phantom Menace, it was worth it. Once again, Martin captivated me with an incredible story of war, politics, and intrigue. The only other books that have hooked me like these are the Drizzt books by R.A. Salvatore. If I had to pick my favorite storyline so far, I would probably go with Arya. I can't wait to see how she turns out. The realism is a definite hook and sets it apart from all other series. The hero can die and the villian can succeed. The storyline is huge and I'm sure I will read the first two again when the third comes out to reacquaint myself with the story, but it will be something I will enjoy. Hopefully, I won't have to wait too long to dive into the world of Westeros once again.
Rating:
Summary: A Clash of Kings reins supreme in the fantasy genre
Review: This book like, it's predecessor is full of surprises, and the most fully developed characters I have read in the Fantasy Genre. In this book, no one is simply good or evil. Some characters that would seem to be allied with the book's antagonists, are some of the most likable, and vice versa. The other main strength of Martin's writing is the surprises he throws at the reader. Sometimes a hero dies, and a villain seems to triumph! That makes for great suspense and an excellent plot.
|
