A Clash of Kingsby George R.R. Martin
Sycamore Public Library call number: FAN FIC MAR
on disc: CD FIC MAR
When a good friend of mine--a major Fantasy Fiction reader--found out that I'd picked up George R.R. Martin's epic series, he warned me. He said that the writing is terrific, but Martin is brutal, both to his readers and to his characters. I did not understand what he meant until I finished this second book. The author absolutely understands, and uses to the ultimate advantage, the value of loyalty, affection and momentum. He builds them all, subtly, only to bring about completely realistic and unexpected twists and ramifications for his characters, storylines, and readers. This is a marvelous book, heart-wrenching and bold, and once I'd closed it I could not wait to go on to the third volume in the series.
"[F]ine writing makes this a thoroughly satisfying stew of dark magic, complex political intrigue, and horrific bloodshed."--Nona Vero, Amazon.com
"The rewards are considerable: a backdrop of convincing depth and texture; intricate, flawless plotting; fully realized characters; and restrained, inventive magical/occult elements."--Kirkus Reviews
"The novel is notable particularly for the lived-in quality of its world, created through abundant detail that dramatically increases narrative length even as it aids suspension of disbelief; for the comparatively modest role of magic (although with one ambitious young woman raising a trio of dragons, that may change in future volumes)... Martin may not rival Tolkien or Robert Jordan, but he ranks with such accomplished medievalists of fantasy as Poul Anderson and Gordon Dickson. Here, he provides a banquet for fantasy lovers with large appetites—and this is only the second course of a repast with no end in sight."--Publishers Weekly
A Clash of Kings is the second of George R.R. Martin's series called A Song of Ice and Fire. Five have been completed to this date; according to the Wikipedia page for the series, there will be two more. The first, A Game of Thrones, was reviewed here.
Reviewed by: Amy
Age Group: Adult
Class: Fiction
Awards: Rating: A
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