A short while ago, I read the story “A Clash of Kings”, by George R. R. Martin. Like “A Game of Thrones”, a book I reviewed a while ago, it’s part of the series A Song of Ice and Fire and is extremely long–minus the appendix, the US paperback version is 969 pages long. Every page is worth it, though, and while the multiple POVs are often frustrating, leaving you at a cliffhanger just when the POV switches, they skillfully present a view of many different sides. Chapters featuring Tyrion are delightfully funny, featuring intriguing insights into the Lannisters’ inner politics. Meanwhile, the happenings on the Wall provide an extremely interesting story, which is currently quite disconnected from the main story of the Game of Thrones but will most likely be tied in with it at some future point in the series. Similarly, Daenerys’ adventures are filled with wonderful snippets about her dragons and what people do for them, but aren’t yet connected with the “main” part of the story, since she hasn’t yet crossed the ocean to reach Westeros. In Westeros, a multitude of people have declared themselves to be rulers; Joffrey Baratheon, who is backed by the Lannisters, claims that he had legally inherited the Iron Throne, but it is believed that he isn’t Robert’s child, and rumors that he is Jaime’s instead stain his reputation, while Stannis Baratheon, who is the rightful ruler, wages war against his younger brother, Renly Baratheon, in a battle for the throne, as Renly, the more charismatic of the brothers, believes that he deserves the throne instead. Robb Stark has declared himself King of the North, and his mother, Catelyn Stark, acts as an ambassador to Renly Baratheon in a suggestion that they work together to defeat the Lannisters, but is rebuffed, though in a friendly manner. Balon Greyjoy, yet another self-proclaimed king, declares himself to be the King of the Iron Islands and the North, launching many attacks against the border of the North. This frenzy of rulers provides a skilfully written, literal “clash of kings” which I would rate 9.7/10 and recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy, adventure, or just fiction in general and has enough time to read this huge series.
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