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Summary: The perfect fantasy story
Review: A Clash of Kings is one of the best fantasy stories I have ever read. It incorperates enough reality to make it believable even with the dragons, giants, and dire wolves. A fact which made it impossible to put this book down. George R. Martin put an extrodinary amount of detail into A Clash of Kings and A Game of Thrones which made me feel like I knew all the characters and was actually in the story. The only things that have dissapointed me about the two volumes of A Song of Ice and Fire is that they had an end. I can't wait for another one to be written.
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Summary: A Superb Sequel
Review: Martin has done it again! In a Clash of Kings, he continues to develop the intricate and complicated plot he began weaving in the first book. The character development in this book is almost as strong as that of the first book. I especially enjoyed reading about Tyrion and how he handled his position, and about Catelyn and her efforts to live through the separation of her family. The many other characters, both major and minor are also portrayed with surprising depth, allowing me to enjoy reading about each of them. Although, heavy on the violence and sex, this only added to the realism that the book attempts to portray. Overall a wonderful transition book, and I can't wait for the third installment of A Song of Ice and Fire.
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Summary: Well written, but too formulaic
Review: I enjoyed reading this book, but the author insists on ending every damn chapter with a hook to keep you coming back for more. Used in moderation, I would have no complaint, but it got ridiculous.Moreover, nothing is really resolved at the end of the book; it isn't a complete story at all. I am getting tired of the cynical editors and authors who keep releasing incomplete stories. (There used to be trilogies, etc. in which each book was a more or less complete story.) However, Martin is one of the few authors in the genre who can write, so it's still better than most fantasy books.
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Summary: An enthralling novel- A definite buy for fantasy aficionados
Review: "A Clash of Kings" is indubitably one of the best fantasy books ever. For people who are skeptical of fantasy novels, this is still a must-read because of its complex and suspenseful plot. You come to know each character almost perfectly, which makes reading extremely enjoyable. George R.R. Martin combines politics, warfare, love, friendship, and longing even better than he did in "A Game of Thrones". Again, this is a must-buy.
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Summary: Terrific book - I can't wait for the next
Review: Wow, it will be a long wait for the next book, but the characters are all so rich that the story will be etched into my mind until then. A long book, but also hard to put down. Some great twists and turns throughout and some great cliffhangers in the end. Make sure you read the first book of the series first, and also take a look at the character listing at the end to remember who is who and which side they are on. It can get confusing! The map of King's Landing at the end is also helpful in sorting out the defense of the city and where things are in relation to one another.
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Summary: Wonderful!
Review: A Clash of Kings reminds me of Dune-compelling characters, devious plots, and dialogue so savory that I found myself re-reading many of the scenes. Even characters with minor roles (such as Arya's fencing master) have such tantalizing histories and personalities that I thought of them long after they'd gone from the pages. The characters in Clash of Kings are never static; they live and breathe (and die). Sansa, who is shallow and spoiled in the first novel, manages to gain dignity. The Hound, that dastardly villain, actually.... Well, I suppose I shouldn't say. Read this book!
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Summary: Lives up to A Game of Thrones
Review: Having made a stunningly successful debut into Fantasy with "A Game of Thrones", Martin continues with the second volume of the Song of Ice & Fire saga, "A Clash of Kings". To his credit, Martin manages to keep up the quality of the first volume, despite the number of characters and sub-plots growing seemingly uncontrollably. In what is perhaps an effort to reduce the complications, Martin resorts to killing off some of the main characters, so that by the end of the second volume, the cast is back to manageable proportions. In a sense, it is difficult to review this book as it is clearly meant as a bridging novel to the upcoming book 3. Without revealing the story, let me say that the main focus of the volume is to resolve some of the burgeoning sub-plots and lesser characters. In the process, Martin does leave one wondering about the cut threads now dangling in mid-air. Presumably subsequent volumes will connect them up but for the moment the suspense is awkward. What happens to Melisandre back on Dragonstone? Does R'hllor play any further part? Where and how does Jaqen H'gar disappear and will he re-appear? What exactly happens to Jaime Lannister in the end? What was the point, if any, of Daenerys' Dothraki Diaspora? When, if ever, will Arya resume her Stark identity? One is left wondering and a bit unsettled at the lack of answers. But on the plus side, having got several sub-plots out of the way (for now?) Martin finally turns to the main plot. The battle (if not the war) for Kings Landing and the Iron Throne is settled and the Night's Watch rides north in force; now Jon Snow must face an unknown and unlooked for destiny. Excellent character depictions and scene descriptions remain Martin's strength. As many of us readers suspected, the Imp, sympathetically portrayed by Martin in the first volume, returns to center stage in the second book and Martin does appear to be speaking through him. Still however, Martin refuses to heed his readers' pleas for a prologue and most annoying of all for me at least, is unwilling to take the trouble of mapping the geography of his world. Westeros is slightly better charted in this volume but the Free Cities, the Dothraki Sea and the rest of his world remain off the edge of the maps. Please Mr. Martin, do something about this in book 3. For those who have already read A Game of Thrones, don't miss A Clash of Kings. For those who are new to the saga, you will do better to read book 1 first (A Game of Thrones).
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Summary: As Good As I Expected!
Review: Martin's new book has put Jordan's "Path of Daggers" to shame. Excellent character development and a great continuation of the plot of the first book make this a must read. You had better read "The Game of Thrones" again. The characters are a little hard to remember after such a long time. Martin is showing that he is ready to ascend the throne as the great fantasy writer of this generation. Read this book and then get the next!
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Summary: Good, but choppy
Review: I enjoyed both of Mr. Martin's books, but both suffer from what I call choppiness. If you try to read the book the way it is written, it becomes way too cumbersome as you switch from character to character trying to let each develop while letting the plot progress. If someone with influence with Mr. Martin reads this, please ask him to put 2 to 3 of each character's chapters together. I believe doing this will promote greater character development, lessen the cognitive load created by trying to read a book from cover to cover in a relatively short period of time (he is pretty good you know), and not impede the flow of the plot. If book three remains the same, well, I guess I'll do what I did with the first two -- skip from character to character saving a few chapters at the end for last.
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Summary: Long, but full of content
Review: If you like your epic fantasies dark and gritty and above all realistic, this book is for you. Be warned, there's lots of savergery, violence and sex, but that's part of the realism. Don't look for any knights in shining armor here. There are no simply good and evil characters, each one is very human. You'll find yourself rooting for each of the main characters even as they plot against each other. 700+ pages seem like a lot, but there is a lot of content there, and it makes a satisfying read. The plot is complex without getting too convoluted. My only complaint was it was difficult to keep track of the myriad of minor characters, especially since many of them are related and share the same names. An appendix at the end helps somewhat.
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