Book Review: A Clash Of Kings by George R. R. Martin

‘A Clash Of Kings’ by George R. R. Martin was released in 1998. It is the second book in Martin’s ‘A Song Of Ice and Fire’ series.

While I watched the first season of ‘Game Of Thrones’ several years ago, I was completely in the dark about what was going to happen in this book, and was excited, after the ending of book one, to get into this, however, I struggled this time.

I struggled to get into this book. I wasn’t quite sure why that was, though. Especially since I’d been swept away in the first one. But, reading this book was harder, perhaps because I lacked that same sense of knowing what was going to happen via the TV show.

I found myself struggling with this book at times, and while I appreciated the need for varying character points of view, like Davos’, I found those chapters particularly hard to get through. Even in the most fast-paced scenes, like battles, I couldn’t seem to engage with them.

Meanwhile, there were some characters who I came to like much more through their points of view. Theon Greyjoy, a side character from the first book was initially introduced as a friend of Robb Stark, and a ward from the Iron Islands. He is shown to be brave and capable, and supposedly exceptionally loyal to Robb. Only for Robb’s implicit trust of Theon to be his Achilles’ heel.

I really liked getting to hear about the events that lead to Theon making the choices he made, especially since I was aware, through Catelyn’s chapters, that Robb seemed to have a strong belief that his friend would remain loyal to their cause even after returning to his home as an envoy. Theon’s character was interesting, compelling, and exceptionally frustrating through dramatic irony.

There were, like in the previous book, a lot of characters to keep up with, and while I am intrigued about what fate awaits some of the characters, mostly, I’ll admit, the Stark children, who are all desperately trying to survive. I liked how vastly different the sad circumstances that have befallen House Stark and its children have been carved out. With Bran and Rickon in the North, Jon beyond the wall, Robb at war, Arya on the run and Sansa trapped in Kings Landing, there are a lot of loose ends at this point in the story, and I would have hated to have to wait for the nest installment as George R. R. Martin was releasing them. Mostly for Sansa’s sake, I must say.

At this point in the series, I am still keeping my cards close to my chest, since George R. R. Martin is renowned for killing readers’ and fans’ favourite characters, but thus far, the only characters I have very strong feelings about are Sansa and Tyrion. I’m intrigued about what will develop now that many of the warring factions have been quashed.

Martin managed to produce an objectively interesting story, with a vast and rich world. The breadcrumbs he laid in ‘A Game Of Thrones’ were addressed and used to segway the plot well. I wished I could have been whisked away in the narrative, but something about the style or the events wasn’t able to sweep me off my feet, which was sad.

Thus far, I would recommend the series, there are elements I don’t like, like how Martin describes Tyrion’s walk as a waddle for example. I’m not sure where the story will take me, as a reader, but I’m willing to ride the rest of the series out.