Rating: 
Summary: Another Perfect Novel
Review: Martin is unstoppable. Do not miss this one.
Rating:
Summary: Read A GAME OF THRONES
Review: Clearly, since I've given A CLASH OF KINGS a five-star rating, it's safe to conclude that I liked it. A lot, as a matter of fact. But that doesn't mean you will. Most of the other reviewers here appear to have liked it, but not all of them by any means. Many have also described the book and/or the leading characters, so I won't try to improve on that. Instead, I will simply pass along my thoughts, as follows: You should not even consider reading A CLASH OF KINGS unless you have already read A GAME OF THRONES, its predecessor. If you've read A GAME OF THRONES and liked it, you will almost certainly like A CLASH OF KINGS. It's more of the same tale, with all of the strengths of the first book carried forward. By the same token, if you didn't like the first book (for whatever reasons), don't bother with this one. Personally, after reading these two books, I feel that this series is one of the top fantasy series in print. I don't happen to feel that it's quite on a par with Tolkien, as some have asserted. Tolkien, a life-long English scholar, wrote with an elegance that few can match (not to take anything away from Martin, he's just not quite in that class). Tolkien's work also had a touch of sympathy and humor that isn't present here. These books are fascinating and well-written, but there is scarcely a hint of humor and little sympathy in them. Frodo has no loyal Samwise here. Nevertheless, the complexity, intricate plotting, depth of characterization, and ability and willingness of the author to surprise the reader are first-rate. Nobody is safe in these books and there's not always a clear division between "good guys" and "bad guys". There's no opportunity for the committed reader to become complacent. Simply put, I think this is great stuff, and a lot of other people agree. If you're wavering over whether or not to give this series a try, then DO it. Hesitate no longer. But don't start here, start with A GAME OF THRONES.
Rating: 
Summary: A downward spiral.
Review: I read this book while under the impression that it was the second part of a trilogy. In trilogies, it's customary for the second book to be rather dark (so that the heroes can win against all odds in the end of book three). Because of this I wasn't surprised when "A Clash of Kings" described a bloody civil war, the torture of innocent villagers, murder, dark forces closing in, and so on.
Still, too little happens that actually develops the plot. Mostly, it gets more and more comlicated. Characters die, but many more are added. I read on, thinking that the first book in the series, "A Game of Thrones", was much better, and that part three would probably be better than this too.
In short, I had a feeling I was watching Martin's world slowly come apart. I hoped he knew what he was doing, but even so, I didn't find this book very enjoyable but quite a disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: Even better
Review: It just gets better. Surprises, character development, fantastic setting, and a plot that is well thought out and has direction. Excellent novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Just plain SORRY
Review: The book is SORRY and I'm SORRY I wasted my money on it. It's like a bad comedian that stoops to explicit dirty jokes and cussing to be funny - but he's not - he's just gross. It's that kind of sloppy fiction that relies on inhuman grit that isn't "reality" as professed by some, but a sorry world of sorry people with no real hero's that could ever drag that world from the slime. I have NO desire to visit or read past page 50. In the words of Frasier
Crane, "Pardon me while I go poke out my mind's eye."
Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: You have to read this book after the first one. It makes a lot more sense that way. Trust me. This book continues on the breakneck pace of the first. Again expect to be suprised and again don't expect to put this book down.
Rating:
Summary: The saga continued
Review: Don't buy this book if you're looking for a self-contained story, because you will be disappointed. If, however, you're looking to read a marvelously intricate, well-characterized yarn that breaks the mold of contemporary fantasy, then buy the first volume, "A Game of Thrones," and then come back and buy "A Clash of Kings." Follow that up with "A Storm of Swords," and you're halfway through George R. R. Martin's epic masterwork. Martin presents a compellingly realistic world, true to its medieval flavor. It is dark without being gritty, and despite the labyrinthine plot, it never feels unbalanced. This volume has greater depth than its predecessor, a state of affairs that I doubt will change as the series progresses.
Rating:
Summary: Many shades in this fantasy
Review: This is one of the best fantasy series I have ever read. I found that it moved very well for a 900 page book. There were no 5 page descriptions of a room or someone's clothes. The book also does a good job of touching our emotions. I will say that Goodkind and Jordan get unfair comparisons with this book. Their books were just as good at this point, it was when they decided to extend the series to far that the books began to stumble. I don't think Martin will have that problem if he keeps his series to six books.
Rating: 
Summary: A good read.
Review: The series is pretty good so far, but I can't get into some of the stories like the dragon lady. I liked the style in the first book of a different character for each chapter, but now it is getting annoying when I get to characters I dont care much about. I have read each book so far in less then a week, so they are excellent at keeping me interested. The first book was the best for that. One thing I do not like is the foul language. I would love to fully recommend this book to anyone but because he is so gross and disgusting in many ways, I have to try to decide if the person I'm talking to can handle it. It would have been even better without it. He also goes on and on sometimes (yes the food, I could care less about), but I love the Starks and the gimp, I hope he does not kill them all... I'm almost afraid to read the next book, but of course I have to know what's going to happen.
Rating:
Summary: Martin Continues to Step Forward
Review: With his second book in this series, Martin continues to cement himself among the frontrunners of the fantasy genre. A Clash of Kings continues to be a complex, but fast-paced trip through an engrossing world of honor and treachery. While Jordan's WOT continues to grind to a tiresome and frustrating pace, Martin keeps churning through his story. Long, the books may be, but by the end you are far from where you started. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but anyone exposed to the maddening numbers of Aes Sedai should be OK. As for Goodkind, sorry folks, I enjoy his books, but they aren't even in the same league as Martin or Jordan. Goodkind's stories have a tendancy to contain inhumanly perfect characters, and unbelievably perfect endings. Martin presents human characters with human flaws and situations that don't always work out just right. Realism is refreshing in this genre. If you are looking for a more mature fantasy that can hold it's own with the best in the business, Martin is the way to go.
|
