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Loading... A Clash of Kingsby George R. R. Martin
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will love Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. Sequel to the sublime Game of Thrones. The epic fantasy continues and underlines my suspicion that this series could be the finest addition to the genre of the decade. The original book threw so many twists, shocks and surprises at the reader that Martin has given himself a hard act to follow. Clash of Kings still compares very well. Its huge cast of brutally realistic characters soon draw the reader back into the war and intrigue that characterizes the series. Publishers and reviewers could even dust off that oft used fantasy cliché of a 'new Tolkien', only this time it just might be true. ( )Martin does it again. The war for the Iron Throne starts in earnest. Interesting new characters are introduced and add greatly to the already blood soaked tapestry of Westeros. I shouldn't have read this book without having reread A Game of Thrones. :-/ I like the series, but it's so dense, and I forgot so many of the characters. When the last one (finally) comes out, I'll just read them all straight through from the beginning. Second verse, same as the first. Engaging, top-drawer epic fantasy. A complicated story effortlessly written by a masterful George R.R. Martin, who seems very much in control of the story as he weaves the numerous plotlines as skillfully as a master-weaver creates fine cloth. In A Clash of Kings, Martin seems to put head down and crash head on into battle himself as he approaches this book with more of a military epic take on it, climaxed by one of the most intense battle scenes ever written. Here, Martin continues to be as “realistic” as possible, not shying away from showing the realities of a life lead at a time and place similar to our own Middle Ages, where brutality, treachery and cruelty abound. An in a way, his style serves to increase the impact of the actions of the story hitting the readers like a hammer as never felt anywhere before in a fantasy story. (more) 0.218 seconds to build listing no reviews | add a review
Amazon.com (ISBN 0553579908, Mass Market Paperback)How does he do it? George R.R. Martin's high fantasy weaves a spell sufficient to seduce even those who vowed never to start a doorstopper fantasy series again (the first book--A Game of Thrones--runs over 700 pages). A Clash of Kings is longer and even more grim, but Martin continues to provide compelling characters in a vividly real world.The Seven Kingdoms have come apart. Joffrey, Queen Cersei's sadistic son, ascends the Iron Throne following the death of Robert Baratheon, the Usurper, who won it in battle. Queen Cersei's family, the Lannisters, fight to hold it for him. Both the dour Stannis and the charismatic Renly Baratheon, Robert's brothers, also seek the throne. Robb Stark, declared King in the North, battles to avenge his father's execution and retrieve his sister from Joffrey's court. Daenerys, the exiled last heir of the former ruling family, nurtures three dragons and seeks a way home. Meanwhile the Night's Watch, sworn to protect the realm from dangers north of the Wall, dwindle in numbers, even as barbarian forces gather and beings out of legend stalk the Haunted Forest. Sound complicated? It is, but fine writing makes this a thoroughly satisfying stew of dark magic, complex political intrigue, and horrific bloodshed. --Nona Vero (retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:57:51 -0400) The first test round has been closed. Visit the Open Shelves Classification group for details. |
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