LaBruja's Full Review: George R.R. Martin - A Clash of Kings: Book Two of...
Winter has arrived. And promises to be longer, more bitter and treacherous than any yet seen. Four kings are declared while an unknown Queen battles to return. Motives span greed and power lust to vengeance or sheer survival in a world suddenly plunged into madness. But the greatest danger may lie to the far North where creatures and phenomena forgotten in the ancient mists of history and legend have awakened.
The saga that began with 'A Game of Thrones' continues to unfold. Stylistically identical, with the same rich, highly complex mix of characters and situations, it will thrill those that enjoyed the first book.
Greed, lust, ambition, loyalty, devotion, vengeance and more are richly portrayed. Political intrigues seldom interest me, but the characters are both compelling and realistic in the range of their actions, motives, emotional strengths and failings.
Martin mines human nature deeply, exploring not only the dark side of humanity but delving into the intricacies, twists and turns within even the most mundane of personalities. I find myself wondering at Tyrion. Are his ambitions for justice or personal gain? The Hound remains an enigmatic blend of cruelty and decency. The mystery of Varys unfolds but only slightly. Whose side is he on? Cersei's? Tyrion's? Perhaps only his own. The tribulations suffered by the beleaguered Stark children are so relentlessly heartrending I yearn to reach into the pages, embrace them, face down their foes and whisper words of encouragement. Cersei's maternal passions contrast vividly with those of Catelyn. Love for their children dominates both mothers, but Cersei's concerns for Joffrey are more with WHAT he is (a king, a ruler) while Catelyn's desires for her children center on WHO they are, their values and behavior. Cersei recognizes the vast cruelty and folly Joffrey is capable of but remains indifferent, concerned only with pleasing him and indulging his every whim. Jon Snow continues guarding the wall to the North with no additional background given on him so my suspicions remain unconfirmed, my curiosity unquenched. Daenerys continues to evolve as an increasingly formidable and savvy leader with plans to return and claim the throne. Her immediate goals of conquest leave unanswered what visions and ambitions she has for the people of her native land.
The coherence and fluidity Martin has imbued this tangled web of intrigue with is amazing. A multi-tiered sprawl of a tale, the plots and characters weave in and out, disappear, reappear but always in a logical and convincing fashion. Breathtaking twists and shifts as the stories emerge make it impossible to anticipate events. His use of magic remains spare and is deftly applied in a refreshing departure from most of the fantasy I've read. Although long, the story never becomes dull or predictable.
Depictions of violence are graphic and extremely ugly. Some will find it intolerable. None of it is gratuitous but it can be deeply disturbing. Avoid this book (and series) if you consider yourself 'squeamish'.
I highly recommend this book to all who enjoyed the first. It's an excellent choice for those that love a story rich in action and adventure. Ultimately it's characters that give a story depth and heart. This huge collection of flawed but fascinating and beautifully developed characters gives the story a psychological depth missing from many action oriented stories. I find myself caring for these people, about these people. And deeply curious as to where it goes next.
Here is the second volume in GEORGE R. R. MARTIN'S magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Game of Thrones and A Storm of Swords . As a whole, thi...More at HotBookSale
This second novel of Martin s New York Times bestselling fantasy series, the sequel to A Game of Thrones , transports readers to a world of revelry an...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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