Reviews

A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin, George R.R. Martin

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ismoore's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

bethaniekay's review against another edition

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4.0

The second book in the Game of Thrones series was almost as enjoyable as the first. There were some minor parts I skimmed, but for the most part the action, storylines, and characters were intriguing and kept me turning pages until the end. The author definitely has a way of writing that draws you into his world. Being a watcher of the HBO series definitely helps, for me, as otherwise it would be too confusing to keep up with the massive amount of characters and the complex plot. Whereas book 1 followed the HBO series almost to the letter, there were some deviations in the series from the way this second book was written. I could actually see why they condensed some parts or completely omitted them for the show. Overall, an enjoyable read, despite how hefty the book is. I'm going to take a break before reading the next in the series.

heddas_bookgems's review against another edition

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5.0

Chaos ensues in the wake of King Robert Baratheon's death in the second book of A Song of Ice and Fire series. With six self-declared kings vying for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, the fate of the realm is unknown.

Having awarded the first book a five-star rating, I wondered if the sequel could maintain the same level of excellence. It does, and brilliantly so. Once again, the author's witty and exceptionally well-written dialogues are a highlight. Particularly noteworthy is the almost monologued rambling of the Kingslayer. Additionally, the book's intricate worldbuilding and detailed character development are impressive. New characters like Ser Davos Seaworth and Theon Greyjoy are well fleshed out, while Tyrion Lannister continues to be my favorite, excelling in his wit, intelligence, humor, and ambition.

One of the most captivating aspects of this book is its morally complex characters. No one is purely good or evil, which I absolutely adore. However, as this series is written by a man, it is not without its minor flaws, such as the frequent use of swear words and the focus on sex. There are also some unfriendly female scenes, which need to be mentioned.

Despite these minor flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its grim betrayals, strategies, plotting, and drama.