A Clash Of Kings by George R. R. Martin, a Review
Book two of Martin’s fantasy epic “A Song of Ice and Fire” continues the high standard set in book one. As with the earlier book chapters are split up according to the view point of a character and different characters have very different knowledge and in some cases different perceptions of the same situation.
This isn’t a story with simple “good” and “bad” characters. None of the people are entirely pure but its a rare character that has no redeeming qualities.
This book is if anything even grimmer and more bleak than its predecessor. There are now 4 “kings” in the land and they are all determined to fight for their kingdom. The battles are ugly and there is plenty of betrayal. The Stark family continues to suffer more than its share of hurt.
While the civil war wages, other storylines are developing. In the far north, beyond the wall Jon Snow (bastard son of Eddard Stark) begins to learn about the “others”. Mysterious supernatural beings who are somehow connected with the winter ahead.
While away from the Seven Kingdoms, the daughter of a dead king tries to gather a host to return and reclaim her thrown… aided by dragons.
“A Song of Ice and Fire” is a very big story. It is being told over 6 books and at book 2, much of the story is still unclear. With a story of this size, the cast of characters is huge and on occasion it can be hard to remember just exactly who certain people are. Despite this minor annoyance, I found the book irresistable. I’d like to say I read it all in one sitting but unfortunately its size and the fact I have to work got in the way.
George R. R. Martin has been described as a pessimistic writer. In this series he certainly doesn’t shy away from visiting suffering on happless individuals. The world of the Seven Kingdoms is one of great hardship. It is very heavily modeled on the middle-ages. Children reach adulthood early. One of the viewpoint characters is as young as 8. Another married off at 11.
Magic is used very sparingly in this book (unlike many other fantasy series). So far instances of magic have been few and far between. The “others” and the dragons are the two most obvious cases. By and large, this is a world which exists and works without magic.
There are many unanswered questions at this point in the series. We’re not even clear exactly who is still alive. And the contradictory information which certain characters have given us accurately mimics real life.
I for one will be very eagerly awaiting the third book in this magnificent series. Forget the unending “Wheel of Time”. THIS is the fantasy series of the decade.
Eoghann Irving is amongst other things the creator and Editor of Solar Flare. He has a life long interest in all forms of science fiction and fantasy and a pressing need to share this interest with anyone who will listen. Find out more at his personal website eoghann.com..
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