A Clash of Kings

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!!!
Review: A worthy sequel to "GAME OF THRONES". This has to be one of the all-time best fantasy-adventure books that I have read. I would highly recommend it (i.e. the "SONG OF FIRE AND ICE" series) to any fantasy-adventure lover.

Rating:
Summary: MARTIN IS BORN TO BE KING
Review: I'm sorry, I know how much people who read these reviews get annoyed with it, but the cliche has to be used: Martin is, very much so, Tolkien's hier. Or perhaps a better description would be that Martin is Tolkien's usurper: Middle Earth was NEVER like this.

Martin continues to tell an epic and brilliant story which rarely fails to please, and for all of the good bits, all you need do is read the rest of the reviews on this page. However, there are certain things about "Clash" which are not as fufilling as "GoT": Arya's tale is important but fails to hold interest all the way through, and Dany is so distant from the events in the rest of the book, its almost as if she is in a different story. These are, though, fairly major qualms since both characters develop well enough not to turn you off from the rest of the book, where some really good stuff is happening. Tyrion, in particular, is quite clearly one of Martin's favourite characters, and his chapters are superb.

Yes, Martin very definately is up there with ol' JRRT, but "hier" ... no, that's not quite right. I can't see Denethor visiting whorehouses, or Eomer marrying a thirteen year old. And, of course, Tolkien's work has the abbreviation "LOTR", whereas "Clash Of Kings" own set of initials creates the phonetic spelling of a slightly rude word. Coincidence? ... Yes, actually, it probably is.

J.D.B.

Rating:
Summary: A Phenominal weave of characters, settings and actions
Review: George Martin has delivered a novel every bit as worthy as its predecessor. He picks up right where he left off, and there is not a want for more action, to say the least. He brings the characters to life, making you feel you are a part of each one, or each one is a part of you. Although each character has his or her own basic storyline to follow, he ties them all together in a magnificent way.

One thing I would definitely recommend, read A Game of Thrones again, to bring back a lot of those small story details you might have trouble remembering otherwise. Of course, that shouldn't be a problem for most folks, since the first novel in this set was fantastic as well.

He relentlessly advances the story, without the usual pitfalls some other authors find themselves trapped in. If there was one thing I might have wished for in this book, it is only that it was a whole heck of a lot longer! He has certainly not set the series up for a conclusion anytime soon.

With magestic elements taking up a larger role in this latest offering, you find yourself truly set in an age of heroes and villians, triumphs and tragedies, magic and adventure. You will want for nothing throughout this novel, except the next installment!

Rating:
Summary: good, but no Wheel of Time
Review: I was extremely excited to finally read the sequel to A Game of Thrones, which was truly excellent. I think I let some of the hype sweep me up, because this series, though good, is nowhere near as good as the Wheel of Time. ACoK took a long time to get moving, with the first 10 chapters or so used to remind us of where and who the characters are. It also seemed as if there was a lot of unnecessary... everything, in this book. Too much dialogue, character development, names of every single knight in the world. Martin's excellent writing style kept me turning pages, but not enough action occurred in the book as far as genuine plot-necessary occurences are concerned. I know Martin has said that he wants his magic to be mysterious and enigmatic, but it seems to me that he just doesn't want to have magic be a large part of the plot, he wants to write a HISTORICAL novel, not a fantasy novel, so he threw in a tad of magic to reach the large fantasy-scifi market. There is no way that this series comes close to Jordan's series. The only thing that Martin has done better is that he has created one likable villian, Tyrion, whereas all of Jordan's bad-guys are stereo-typical villians with no humanity.

Rating:
Summary: A Fantasy to the MAX
Review: This book is extremely good. I must say I like the first one the best. But this is still really good. It will leave you hanging at the end wanting more. The one thing I was wanting to know about the most was what will happen to Arya? She's my favorite character. Can't wait for the next in book in the series.

Rating:
Summary: Everything I expected of it
Review: This book was outstanding. I waited a year for this one to come out and I cant wait to read the third of this collection

Rating:
Summary: George R.R. Martin is the best in fantasy today.
Review: I've read numerous books, some best sellers, some not. Some good, some not; but every single one was differant. If you are reading, or have read, Tolkein, Jordan, or any fantasy, don't come into this series thinking it will be the same. It isn't. I constantly hear people comparing this novel or that novel with Tolkien. Or Jordan. I'll let you in on a secret.......they AREN'T! I love Tolkien's books, as I do Jordan's. But if you start reading a book looking for a new book about middle earth, you're screwed. You won't always find it. Sure, every once and a while, an author will write a book and pay homage to another author, like Tolkien for instance, by giveing his or her book a feel of that author. But to sit down and carry on someone elses story would be stupid. If you look for a story by one author in every book you read, you might as well stop reading. Your enjoyment of the books will probably suffer. Don't read this book, or any book, thinking it will be, or should be, like another. Every book needs to be origanal, that is the point (well, that and to entertain, but if you miss the first, then you probably missed the second) of writing. Read this book and the preceeding one, however. They are excellant, and unique.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but don't expect another WoT
Review: The first two books of the series are definetly on an epic fantasy level but in my opinion, one cannot really compare this book with Middle Earth or Wheel of Time, they are too different in setting and style. I enjoyed reading it, but unlike Jordan and Tolkien, it was difficult to relate to the characters and actually become part of the story. The writing is excellent and I would recommend these books to any fantasy lover but just be aware that it does not have any of the colorful imagery of WoT, the whole setting is very bleak and you end up feeling left out.

Rating:
Summary: A CLASH OF KINGS Rules!
Review: Whether you are a fan of the fantasy genre or not, I advise you to check out this series. Like A GAME OF THRONES, A CLASH OF KINGS is excellent. The suspense is incredible. The characters are realistic and involving. Martin avoids tired fantasy stereotypes by blurring the line between good and evil. The heros are flawed, and the villains possess redeeming traits. The writing is clear and concise. Although the books are long, events constantly move forward. The story is subtle and complex. I enjoyed A CLASH OF KINGS as much as A GAME OF THRONES. My only advice is that you reread A GAME OF THRONES before reading A CLASH OF KINGS.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful world to lose yourself in.
Review: I don't normally read fantasy epics, but I've been a fan of Martin's since I first read Fevre Dream, the ultimate 19th century vampire novel. This series has it all. Memorable characters. A wide range of venues and adventures. Twists, turns and wolves. Winter is coming. And so are the dragons. Sign on now, read up, and get ready for the final two installments. Anything might happen. And, knowing Martin, it will.