Rating: 
Summary: This is a great political, chivalrous yarn.
Review: Although it gives hints of future aspects of magic and sorcery; the Song of Fire and Ice is more concerned with the engaging saga of the coming-of-age siblings of a noble family caught up in the intrigues of an empire that is on the brink of destruction due to the incestuous mayhem caused by the ruling royalty. The reader is decisively swept up in rooting for the humanitarian code of honor that the heroes portray, in comparison to the mercenary values of the villain. One wild card in the misshapen dwarf, Tyrion, whose birth and spoken intentions gives allegiance to the antagonist royal family, but his humor and sympathetic circumstance gives an aspect of a wild cannon lose within the narrative, in that the read naturally hopes that such a likable character will cross over to the "good side".
Rating: 
Summary: A Review for a book that hasn't been published
Review: A Game of Thrones is simply the best fantasy novel I have ever read. I look forward to the next installment. If you haven't read A Game of Thrones yet...you'll not be let down. It is unlike any other novel in the genre.
Rating:
Summary: Martin is a master of fantasy
Review: I discovered George R.R. Martin when I was delayed at an airport and went to browse through the books to see if there was anything interesting there. "A Game of Thrones" looked interesting, so I coughed up the money and settled down to read and wait for my plane. I almost missed the boarding call! I think that this series (at least, so far) is the best epic fantasy that I have ever read (possible exception being Tad Williams' "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn" - if you liked that you'll *definitely* like this)."A Clash of Kings" returns us to the world of Westeros, a land that is now torn apart by the struggles of 5 different self-proclaimed monarchs, as well as a queen across the sea who is plotting to return and claim what she believes to be her rightful throne. At the center of the struggle are the two families Stark and Lannister. It is an extremely complex plot, and is sometimes difficult to keep track of the huge cast of characters, but the way that the various subplots interweave to form a coherent story is absolutely fantastic. Not only is the world interesting, not only is the plot complex, dark, and unpredictable, but the characters are distinct, fascinating individuals, every one. Although the series started off with a pretty clear distinction between the protagonists and the antagonists (Stark - good; Lannister - bad), by the time "A Clash of Kings" ends, there are no "good guys" and no "bad guys". I found myself sympathizing with Tyrion Lannister, rooting for Daenerys Targaryen, and getting irritated with Sansa Stark. Sure, you still have the sneaky, scheming characters like Cersei and Joffrey Lannister, and the pure of heart heroes like Robb and Catelyn Stark, but there are so many "in-between" characters. The ones you can't trust, like Varys the eunuch and Petyr Baelish. Those who simply are loyal to whomever they are sworn to serve, like Sandor Clegane, Ser Rodrik Cassel, and Ser Davos the Onion Knight. The knights, soldiers, and sellswords who change sides at the drop of a hat with an offer of gold or a better chance at victory. The innocent children who don't know any better and end up as pawns in a giant game that they have no control over, like Marcella and Tommen Lannister and Bran and Rickon Stark. And far to the north, the brothers of the Night's Watch who don't concern themselves with the struggles of the kingdom, but instead devote their lives to protecting the land from the wild beyond the Wall. If you like epic fantasy, you *must* read this series. Don't try to jump in with "A Clash of Kings", it's way too complicated to skip the first book; go read "A Game of Thrones", then come back to this one. You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: It's Still An Overwhelming Story
Review: First, I would like to comment on language. Skip to the asterisks to by-pass a mild rant. Words are used to convey ideas. No word in and of itself is "bad", and curse words are frequently (and commonly) used to express intensity, disdain, passion, et al. Frankly, anyone who would condemn a story because the language contained within it is living in a fantasy world whose bubble will pop (one can only hope permanently) the first time they bump into something real.
This book, like all the others, contains language that your mommy wouldn't like. People who have grown up don't let this bother them, while others plant their heads under the blanket and hope the boogie knights don't come for 'em. *****
Apologies. On with the review. A Clash of Kings continues the story arc, and now things are picking up speed. The king is dead, as is his Hand (if that confused you at all, read the first book) and now the lands are immolated in a power struggle for the Iron Throne. Yeah.... well, what you can expect from the book: Magic: While it obviously existed in the first book, it wasn't addressed. Martin starts ramping up the power curve here, taking his time and introducing things slowly. Make no mistake, the magic in this world is NOT fluffy and light, but rather dark, mysterious (it's magic, after all) and scary as hell in some places.
It fits very well. Battle: People want power, and when might makes right, people will reach for it when it's available. There's a TON of fighting in this book, and the descriptions are pretty impressive. Death, treachery: This happens when people fight. No war is bloodless, and should never be thought so. Most folks check their honor at the door when it comes to surival. It happens throughout the book. I've read that some people are unhappy with the unpredictability of the story. No, I'm not kidding. For them, I suggest the "See Spot Run" series, which is nice and controlled, and if they can tear it from the hands of the Language Police they should enjoy it. Martin doesn't spoon-feed plot to us, and fore-shadows with some subtlety, which can leave an inattentive reader behind. I love that. I like reading a book that I can get more out of by re-reading it, and this is that kind of story. If you enjoyed A Game of Thrones, Heir to the Empire and/or 13th Warrior, you'll probably like A Clash of Kings.
Rating:
Summary: The Floodgates of War are Opened
Review: In "A Game of Thrones," George R.R. Martin's first novel in his "Song of Ice and Fire" series, the tenuous peace of the Seven Kingdoms was shattered with the murder of King Robert and his right-Hand man, Ned Stark. A mad scramble for power ensued, both on the battlefield and in the royal courts, but despite carnage, betrayal, and death, nothing was resolved, and the novel ended with an already war-torn nation contemplating its riven future.
"A Clash of Kings" spins the complex yarn of the various pieces in this magnificent chess game . . . and one wonders how Martin himself can keep things straight. Like the first novel, "Clash" uses each chapter to tell the story from a different character's perspective. This daring scheme works, and works well. Martin gives each character a unique voice as well as perspective on events, and he is even able to "simplify" the story whenever a younger person is providing that perspective. The scheme also works because as Martin jumps from character to character, each chapter offers another opportunity for a tantalizing cliff-hanger. Sure, it can be difficult to say sayonara to a character for 80-odd pages, but the reunions between reader and character are fun.
The Seven Kingdoms are a martial land, to be sure, and most of the characters are rather grim -- not surprising, given the circumstances. Fortunately, Martin allows the dwarf, Tyrion Lannister, to tell much of this story, and Tyrion is a blessedly conflicted combination of Falstaff, MacBeth, and Dr. Evil, and the reader can delight in Tyrion's clever wickedness and his shreds of honor. The novel allows few opportunities for humor, but Tyrion insists on finding them even under the most dire of circumstances.
Martin proves himself to be a master of writing vivid battle scenes as well as dialogue, as the epic battle of Blackwater comes to horrifying life.
And through it all, while the Seven Kingdoms are torn apart by civil war, the feuding warlords ignore two separate-yet-lethal looming threats -- the rise of the Dragonqueen in the lands across the sea, and the growing drumbeat of war rising in the North, where the undead Others are emerging from legend.
Combining the mythic scope of Tolkein with the crisp writing style of Bernard Cornwell, Martin continues to build his masterpiece, "A Song of Ice and Fire." While it may stress your patience with its 700-odd pages, a reader should definitely read "A Game of Thrones" before diving into "A Clash of Kings" -- this is a story much too rich to cut corners. A must read!
Rating:
Summary: The best of the best
Review: If you have read the book, then you know that it is great, and I have nothing to say that has not been said by better people. The five star people are right.
If you have read game of thrones and hated it (which I cannot imagine), then do not bother continuing with Clash of Kings because it is just like the first.
If you read Game of Thrones, loved it, and have not read Clash of Kings yet, then know this. The book is good. Real good. The first was not a fluke. This man has talent that is scary. You will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Dustjackets
Review: The series is great - read it.
Now for my criticism and vent. I've spent something like $60 or so expecting a uniform dust jacket series and now it's been up-and-changed. I read somewhere that Martin said at a convention it was to bring it in line with the series, but I don't believe that. No, this is a matter of simple economics. It's a gimmick to bleed the faithful readers to re-purchase for uniform art, and it comes close to making me drop the series altogether. Of course, I won't do that because Martin's a great writer. Neither will I re-purchase the earlier books in hardcover, and I encourage other readers to do the same. I'm rather infuriated over the whole arrangement. Way-to-go whoever thought up this deal. Thanks for honoring your customers (that was sarcasm, you moron).
Rating:
Summary: For Mature Audiences
Review: The "Fire and Ice" books by George R. R. Martin are written from an adult's perspective; if this were a movie, I would give it an R rating for sex and violence.
The plotting is cleverly done and involving. The geography and societal divisions are fictional, and yet are grounded in similar geographical locations and historical forms of Britain, Europe, and Asia. More importantly, the characters are finely crafted, well-rounded, and complete -- no two-dimensional, black and white definitions here.
While despising the evil actions taken, the character definition allows you to understand motivations and to some extent identify with even the worst individuals. At the same time, even the heroes have flaws, flaws which are intrinsic to the high standards they try to follow.
There are no "Disney deaths" in this series. Also, there is no guarantee that good or admirable characters will win; they are in real danger, from real evil, and it becomes apparent that there is some bad in even the best of us.
Rating:
Summary: "All sorts of people are calling themselves kings"
Review: The first book in this series set up a clear precedent in terms of Martin's writing style. This author likes to carry the reader through the action using the perspective of different characters, has no qualm in killing characters that would never die in most fantasy series, and enjoys shocking his audience with totally unforeseen events. In the end of "A Game of Thrones" we find out that dragons have just returned to this world, fact that left most readers eager to jump right into "A Clash of Kings" as soon as they could.
Summer has ended after more than ten years, and everyone is getting ready for the long winter that is certainly coming. But there are other much more important things to consider, because after the death of King Robert, the Seven Kingdoms are divided once more. Joffrey was named King, but there are already people challenging his right to the throne on the basis that his mother, Cersei, has not borne any children by King Robert. All the kids are the result of Cersei's affair with her brother Jaime, and this is slowly becoming vox populi.
Joffrey is being challenged from multiple fronts, Stannis and Renly, King Robert's brothers, are both seeking to rule in the Seven Kingdoms. Meanwhile, Robb Stark is consolidating his power in the North and is ready to fight. Of course there are other layers that complicate matters even more, since Robb holds Jaime Lannister as a prisoner, while Cersei controls the destiny of Robb's sister, Sansa. The girl is betrothed to Joffrey, but now she does not want to be his wife anymore and is being held against her will.
Gendry, Robert's illegitimate child and real heir to the throne does not even know about his rights, and has been taken out of King's Landing by a company that is traveling towards the Wall to join the Black. Arya is also part of this group, traveling disguised as a boy and trying to escape unharmed from Cersei's reach. The only other character that I feel must be mentioned is Tyrion, Cersei's brother, and new Hand of the King. This misshapen dwarf is my favorite character so far because of his intelligence and the way in which he compensates for his physical disabilities with his crafty schemes. I also like the fact that it is almost impossible to determine whether he is using his ploys to go about his evil ways or to find justice for those that deserve it.
This duality in most of the characters is one of the main factors that make this series so enjoyable. It is uplifting to find an author that has no fear from separating himself from the traditional good vs. bad pattern and presents the readers with more human characters, who possess both good and bad qualities. There is no question in my mind about the quality of this sequence: it is one of the best fantasy series out there. I understand that some people may find some of the language to be offensive and some of the scenes depicted by Martin to be too brutal. I am not bothered by this; but even those who are should know that there are so many outstanding features in this work, like the rich plot, the incredibly depth characters, the relentless action and the superior narration, that make this and the others novels in the series worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book - Soon a Game!
Review: I love this book!
And now there's a full color, 400+ page, hardback resource book/game coming out.
- authorized by GRRM
- resource book
- two game systems
- lots of *sweet* art
- numbered edition (1st 500 are signed!)
Go to the company's website to learn more:
http://agot.guardiansorder.com/
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