A review by btlitell
A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin

adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 But the world preferred to forget that men who knew how to heal also knew how to kill. 

There was so much that happened in this book. Some things only furthered my opinions toward characters that formed with the first book. Tyrion continues to be the only Lannister that I tolerate, let alone actively root for. Cersei talking with Sansa gave her the briefest moment of humanity, but then she thoroughly ruined that during their huddling in Maegor's Holdfast. Jaime can stay in that cell for all I care, especially after how he talked to Catelyn while chained up and in a dungeon. His arrogance is astounding. Theon Greyjoy has joined my list of characters who need smacked in the mouth (well, he needs a lot more than that, but we'll start with that). I am really hoping he gets what is coming for him, but I suppose we'll see. I do wish that there was more of Robb Stark's POV in the book, but hearing about his deeds from others worked really well and probably helped build up the image of him as king of the north more than if we saw it on paper.

Wildfire is a horrid concoction that I can only imagine will show up again later. The entire Battle of the Blackwater was really interesting until the green flames appeared and it immediately turned into a chaotic mess. I really appreciated that Tyrion reflected on that and, at least to himself, admitted that he and Stannis were both responsible for the horrors that the wildfire caused.
 Do you hear them shrieking, Stannis? Do you see them burning? This is your work as much as mine. 
His admission of this only added favorably to Tyrion's position in my mind. Jaime, Cersei, Joffrey, none of them would have said anything like this while seeing men burning in flames they can't extinguish.

I can't wait to start the next book later today.