Started reading: August 23rd 2017
Finished the book: September 11th 2017
Pages: 827
Genres: Fantasy
Published: May 28th 2002
Source: Bought the book
Goodreads score: 4.40
My score:
A Clash of Kings transports us into a magnificent, forgotten land of revelry and revenge, wizardry and wartime. It is a tale in which maidens cavort with madmen, brother plots against brother, and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside.
Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, the price of glory may be measured in blood. And the spoils of victory may just go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel...and the coldest hearts. For when rulers clash, all of the land feels the tremors.
My thoughts
I'm such a big Game of Thrones fan! I LOOOOVEEEE the series and after reading the first book, I couldn't wait to read the second one.
These are slow books, because the writing style is very detailed. I have to give myself a little pep talk before reading these books. Once I'm into these books, I'll rush through! The first book was even more detailed, you get to know the houses, the characters and the world. This second book contains more action.
Pros
- EVERYBODY DIES: Haha! I have to explain this; I love being scared for your favorite characters. No one is safe and I love it. I'm reading all these series and the main characters are never dying and safe all the time, but this book is so different. You're scared for every character, because every chapter could be their last...
- Getting to know characters: I'm a fan of certain characters in the series, but now I'm really getting to know them. Sansa has never been one of my favorite characters in the series, but I loved her in this book. She impressed me by being so strong and brave. I also liked Tyrion even better than the series (he's one of my favorites). He's so smart, in the books you get to know even more of his plots and thoughts. I love the way the book is from different POV's and how you read all the thoughts and feelings.
- Describing: This book maybe contains 300 pages of describing things, but I need this! It makes me feel like I'm there. The clouds, the trees, the sea, the hills, the castles, the rooms; this adds so much to the whole atmosphere in that certain scene. It's not annoying describing. The endless describing was the reason I DNF-ed Lord of The Rings. In this book it's just enough to get this image in your head.
- For adults: I read a lot of YA or books for younger readers. It's refreshing to read something for adults. The plotting, conversations and relationships are clearly written for adults and it's nice to read something like that in a while. This is not something I would advise people to read below 18, even though a lot of the characters are much younger than that!
Cons
Not for me.
Overall
If you like Fantasy, adult books and are not scared of a lot of pages, you should pick up this book. I wouldn't call it slow, I would call it describing, which is exactly what this book needs. I did read this book in my native language (Dutch), because I think I wouldn't be able to follow in English. I hope to read the third book before the end of this year. Can't wait for more action, deaths, plotting and romance.
Other opinions about this book
"This is one of those rare and effortless reads."
- Robin Hobb
"George R.R. Martin is one of our very best writers, and this is one of his very best books."
- Raymond E. Feist
"Such a splendid tale. I read my eyes out - I couldn't stop till I'd finished and it was dawn."
- Anne McCaffrey
Memorable quotes from this book
"People often claim to hunger for truth, but seldom like the taste when it's served up."
"I will hurt you for this. I don't know how yet, but give me time. A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you'll know the debt is paid."
"The brightest flame casts the darkest shadow."
Did you see/read anything from Game of Thrones?
