A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
Series: A Song of Ice and Fire, #2
Published May 27, 2002 by Bantam
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
969 pages
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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A comet the color of blood and flame cuts across the sky. Two great leaders—Lord Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon—who hold sway over an age of enforced peace are dead, victims of royal treachery. Now, from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns. Six factions struggle for control of a divided land and the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, preparing to stake their claims through tempest, turmoil, and war.
It is a tale in which brother plots against brother and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside. Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, victory may go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel…and the coldest hearts. For when kings clash, the whole land trembles.
Review
Just like its predecessor, this book is undeniably brilliant, there’s also a time that I want to grab that annoying character in this book and kill them myself. Haha, that’s how this book will make you feel. As I’ve mentioned before in my A Game of Thrones review, I’ve watched the TV series of this book first before reading it. So I apologize in advance for I’m sure this review would cover most of my comparison between the two mediums. Having said that, I’ll warn you in advance for any spoilers, ehe 😉
The first thing I’ve noticed in this book is the difference between Stanis in the TV series and in the book. Well, in the TV series, he’s obviously anti-social and is very much different from his younger brother Renly. But I never imagined he could be that cruel in the book. Yeah guys, he really is. Though I think he’s better than the witch Cersei and her wicked son Joffrey. (Yeah, I tend to cling on this ill-feeling toward a character for a verrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyyy long time, so bear with me please).
This book will not just amaze you because of the scenes or the action part but it will also make you laugh because of the words used by the characters particularly Tyrion and Cersei. Especially if they’re exchanging pleasantries (that’s a mockery ofcourse, haha).
I was also disappointed how they all took it for granted to guard the wall. Grrr! It’s making my blood boil. I thought Tyrion understands their needs in the wall, but dang assumptions! Sorry guys, I just easily get carried away. I’m really looking forward to reading the part where they’re going to encounter the white walkers. I can’t wait to see their faces or maybe their reaction in the book? hehehe
In this book, I now truly understand what happened about the sack in the king’s landing. See? This book will probably give you answers unlike just asking simsimi haha lol. Well, what happened in the book is different compared to the TV series. There’s actually a lot but I’m afraid it would take us forever if I mention them one by one. If you’re asking me which of the two versions is better? Do you still need to ask? Haha. Ofcourse I prefer the book. It’s well documented so there’s no “I don’t understand” scene you’ll encounter. Though, in all fairness the TV series version isn’t that bad at all.
You may be asking why it’s only a 4-star rating eh? Well, just like its predecessor, it’s because of the characters. Haha, lame I know. Well, it’s hard for an average individual like me to memorize all those huge sets of characters especially if their names isn’t that familiar eh 😛
I honestly can’t think of any perfect word to describe how this book was brilliantly written and I’m afraid the word most suitable for this book isn’t discovered yet. If you haven’t read this book and only watched the TV series, I highly recommend everyone to read it because as they always say, “a book is better than its film or TV adaptation”. Prove me wrong? Well, grab the challenge and read this now 😉
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