A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire #2)

#657

Title: A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire #2)

Author: George R. R. Martin

Publisher: Bantam

Year: 1999/2011

1,010 pages

This is the sort of statement that drives my partner crazy, but I thought the first 1,500 pages of the series were a little slow and hard to get through. It seemed to take Martin that long to get everyone in place and establish their motives (at least, those of their motives to which the reader is privy). Some reviewers have disliked the series because it's sad, and because characters die. While I would feel some loss if one of the interesting characters died (or, more typically for this series, was killed), I can't say that this would make me feel negative about this story unless the death seemed like a deus ex machina device, was too convenient or coincidental, or was evidence that the author didn't know what to do. The casual nature of the deaths and the muddled, self-serving brutality of even the good forces (though it's arguable who that might be) effectively capture the indifference of war. I'm glad that* Arya and Tyrion are still alive, and I'm enjoying poor Theon's ongoing failed attempts to gain power and respect.

*(Spoiler follows. Highlight to see text.)