George R. R. Martin

With his estate divided and his family scattered, Lord Eddard Stark returns to his territory to fight an ancient spell that is slowly devouring what is left of his land. Reprint.

A Clash of Kings

Five separate factions vie for control of the realm of the late Lord Eddard Stark, while an ancient form of magic, an everlasting winter, and an unearthly army threaten to return, in a classic fantasy novel being adapted for TV as Season 2 of the HBO series A Game of Thrones. Reissue. TV tie-in.

Book Two of A Song of Ice and Fire

winterfell and the starks are never beating the jawa kejawen allegations

fira

He remembered their godswood; the tall sentinels armored in their grey-green needles, the great oaks, the hawthorn and ash and soldier pines, and at the center the heart tree standing like some pale giant frozen in time. He could almost smell the place, earthy and brooding, the smell of centuries, and he remembered how dark the wood had been even by day. 

That wood was Winterfell. It was the north. I never felt so out of place as I did when I walked there, so much an unwelcome intruder. 

“Ten years a wolf, and you land here and think to prince about the islands, but you know nothing and and no one. Why should men fight and die for you?”

“I am their lawful prince,” Theon said stiffly. 

“By the laws of the green lands, you might be. But we make our own laws here, or have you you forgotten?”

They are not strong, she told herself, so I must be their strength. I must show no fear, no weakness, no doubt. However frightened my heart, when they look upon my face they must see only Drogo's queen. She felt older than her fourteen years. If ever she had truly been a girl, that time was done. 

The Seven Kingdoms are torn by strife as the three surviving contenders for the throne continue their struggle for power, Robb Stark defends his fledgling kingdom from the ravaging Greyjoys, Winterfell lies in ruins, Jon Snow confronts an escalating threat from behind the Wall, and Danerys Stormborn and her dragon allies continue to grow in power. Here is the third volume in George R. Martin's magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hailed as a classic, George R. Martin's stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction. A Storm of Swords Of the five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and still the wars rage as violently as ever, as alliances are made and broken. Joffrey, of House Lannister, sits on the Iron Throne, the uneasy ruler of the land of the Seven Kingdoms. His most bitter rival, Lord Stannis, stands defeated and disgraced, the victim of the jealous sorceress who holds him in her evil thrall. But young Robb, of House Stark, still rules the North from the fortress of Riverrun. Robb plots against his despised Lannister enemies, even as they hold his sister hostage at King's Landing, the seat of the Iron Throne. Meanwhile, making her way across a blood-drenched continent is the exiled queen, Daenerys, mistress of the only three dragons still left in the world. But as opposing forces maneuver for the final titanic showdown, an army of barbaric wildlings arrives from the outermost line of civilization. In their vanguard is a horde of mythical Others--a supernatural army of the living dead whose animated corpses are unstoppable. As the future of the land hangs in the balance, no one will rest until the Seven Kingdoms have exploded in a veritable storm of swords.

A storm of swords. Book 3

A song of ice and fire

Gilly Bolton

This second novel of Martin's "New York Times" bestselling fantasy series, the sequel to "A Game of Thrones", transports readers to a world of revelry and revenge, wizardry and warfare--where six factions struggle for control of a divided land and the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms. Includes 16-page preview of the upcoming hardcover, "A Storm of Swords".

istg george was going to use that original five year time jump he had planned and get the two of them together

Rachael Bahr

...but it was Jon Snow she thought of most. She wished somehow they could come to the Wall before Winterfell, so Jon might muss up her hair and call her “little sister.” She'd tell him, “I missed you,” and he'd say it too at the very same moment, the way they always used to say things together. She would have liked that. She would have liked that better than anything.

This masterpiece was written in less than 2 years! Revisiting Westeros has been one hell of an experience!

Loved the book, though I'll rate the first one more.

Adwait Kulkarni

This masterpiece was written in less than 2 years! Revisiting Westeros has been one hell of an experience!
Loved the book, though I'll rate the first one more.

This book is a banquet: rich, a little overwhelming, and not everything on the plate is appetizing. Tyrion’s still the star of the feast—clever, scrappy, and constantly underestimated. Dany simmers with power, even if her chapters cool down a bit. Arya’s scenes cut deep.

Some POVs drag (looking at you, Theon), and I did skim a few bites here and there. But the red comet, political chaos, and creeping magic keep it spicy. A dense but rewarding second course.

Liana

This book is a banquet: rich, a little overwhelming, and not everything on the plate is appetizing. Tyrion’s still the star of the feast—clever, scrappy, and constantly underestimated. Dany simmers with power, even if her chapters cool down a bit. Arya’s scenes cut deep.

Some POVs drag (looking at you, Theon), and I did skim a few bites here and there. But the red comet, political chaos, and creeping magic keep it spicy. A dense but rewarding second course.



This book focuses more on character development and motivations rather than action beats. It may not be for everyone — and is definitely more slowly paced than the previous installment — but I adore it. I love being able to see the chess pieces moving around the board. The politics in this one are elite in comparison to the first book where a lot of characters were acting impulsively or stupidly — looking at you Ned.

GRRM manages to have an ensemble cast of characters that still have unique voices, which is very hard to do. Whether or not you like a particular person, their mindset is always clear, making it easy to at least sympathize with them in small ways. You are never left wondering why a character is doing something. (Additionally: Chapter 31 genuinely made me laugh out loud and is one of my favorite chapters in any books I’ve read.)

Nik ✨

This book focuses more on character development and motivations rather than action beats. It may not be for everyone — and is definitely more slowly paced than the previous installment — but I adore it. I love being able to see the chess pieces moving around the board. The politics in this one are elite in comparison to the first book where a lot of characters were acting impulsively or stupidly — looking at you Ned.

GRRM manages to have an ensemble cast of characters that still have unique voices, which is very hard to do. Whether or not you like a particular person, their mindset is always clear, making it easy to at least sympathize with them in small ways. You are never left wondering why a character is doing something. (Additionally: Chapter 31 genuinely made me laugh out loud and is one of my favorite chapters in any books I’ve read.)

I mean, is there any point reviewing it? I will say, the show runners and the folks who built rounded characters out of these husks are the real heroes. Especially the people who built us the women in the TV series because, uh, they are not exactly “fleshed out” in the books. I said what I said. 

Apiecalypse Jen

wayyyyy better than the first book in my opinion!!! sansa has my favorite chapters this time. pacing is great and the story is really picking up!!! can’t wait for a storm of swords and jaime chapters!!!

alyssa 

sash.

Spectacular writing. It's really exceptional in every way. I think the complexity of the plot is astounding and these characters are so very tangible it's unreal. 

I understand why he takes so long to write these because there is so much happening all at once, but it works and it's amazing. 

On to "A Storm of Swords'.

里森

Jehan Chawla

Even though it was a good book it served as just moving the plot forward; nothing wrong with that other than it being a bit drag in places. I found Tyrion POV chapters to be the best. GRRM sure knows how to write the final lines. The King’s Landings politics were the most engrossing parts of the book. Can’t wait to read more of the series.

Briar's Reviews

Wilde

Considering how much happened in this book, I'm glad Martin decided to separate the book into two parts. Some of the description is so visceral you can't help but cringe as you read it; definitely puts to bed any notion that the past was a lovely place to be.

Ygritte is almost more annoying in the book than the show though. I lost count of how many times she said "You know nothing Jon Snow" and now it's in my head. Thanks George! The Bran/Sansa plots make up for it though.

Such rich description and, as always tends to be the case, oodles better than the show pacing and character wise. Bring on the next one!

Had a few months break in between, but this book (the second half more) had me so hooked. What a CRAZY book. Loving reading the series

0cchi

not as good as the first one but good, it felt like it was drawn out towards the end

gracyn neely

Maite Alarcon Leon

I cannot emphasise enough just how long it took me to finish this book. Let me set one thing straight: it was not because it was boring. On the contrary, it was a wonderful reading, and every time I picked it up I wouldn't put it down easily. I simply chose to read it during the best period in my life (to read). Totally recommend it, great sequel, looking forward to the next book.

Meghan Navoy

couldn't put it down! George RR Martin is such a captivating writer.

Five separate factions vie for control of the realm of the late Lord Eddard Stark, while an ancient form of magic, an everlasting winter, and an unearthly army threaten to return

🧸

Jamieson

“How can you still count yourself a knight, when you have forsaken every vow you ever swore?" 

"So many vows...they make you swear and swear. Defend the king. Obey the king. Keep his secrets. Do his bidding. Your life for his. But obey your father. Love your sister. Protect the innocent. Defend the weak. Respect the gods. Obey the laws. It's too much. No matter what you do, you're forsaking one vow or the other.” 
 


Ahh yes, another read from Literature's favourite serial killer. oooh boy! These are just MONSTERS of books to get through. Soo many goddamn pages. I'm glad I'm doing it though. These books are so impressive The worldbuilding is amazing, the prose is beautiful and the characters are so interesting. I feel like George R.R Martin has created something so complex and well constructed with A Game of Thrones. 

Its so hard to review these books - they're so massive and so much goes into them. Do I talk about characters? The plot? The world? How it compares to the show (of which I'm a massive fan?) Maybe I should do all of it?

CHARACTERS

The characters in Game of Thrones are so divisive. Everyone tries to find themselves a hero in these books but honestly all of them are kinda shitty. (Except like, Rickon who is a child and pure) I found myself enjoying Catelyn's point of view in this book so much!! She's such an interesting character, and so strong and brave. I find the criticisms that she "doesn't do much" odd when she's living in a society that actively encourages her (as a women) to sit back and let other people take charge. I've always liked her character in the show and I feel the books really added a depth to her the show couldn't give. 

I also really loved Tyrion's point of view. I've always liked Tyrion (we have the same mtbi personality type did you know a little fun fact about me) I love his humour, his cleverness and his wit. I love the relationship he has with Jaimie and I love the way he (kind of) looks out for Sansa (alot more than the other Lannisters do at least). 

All the Stark siblings POV's were interesting as ever. I love the Starks, I'm not going to lie. Like - if the Starks don't end up happy after all of this I will be VERY ANNOYED. But anyway, I loved Jon's forages past the wall. It was cool to have Ygritte introduce! Jon is my favourite Game of Thrones character. I love his characterisation and his plot lines and I love that he's actually doing something about that ice zombie invasion so even though (in the show) the bits with him past the wall were my least favourite of his character arc, I still like to catch up with my fave bastard. ALSO, I found his chapters didn't drag on like some others did. 

Sansa has soo much development in this book and I'm so glad. We start to see the political cunning and clever strategist she is emerge. We start to see her grow a bit of a backbone and recognise the flaws of the society she is growing up in. I loved her scene with Cersei during the battle of Blackwater Bay. I think it's so important to Sansa's characterisation that she was taught "The Game of Thrones" by players like Cersei and Margaery who operate outside of everything. I was genuinely so sad for her when she tried to burn everything to stop anyone finding out she had "flowered", and I'm glad she started to shed some of the naivety that characterized her in Game of Thrones. Also Sansa Stark just need to be protected in GENERAl ok. (I love Sansa's character growth so much fight me) 

Bran and Rickon were so cute! I loved that Bran has finally met Jojen and Meera and is discovering about being able to warg. I loved Jojen and Meera's characters in the book so much more than the show? Jojen and Meera just had soo much more personality and especially Meera was so much more FUN in this then she ever was in the show 

ARYA WAS KILLING IT (lmoa get it) OUT THERE. She's so great I love her!! She's absolutely hilarious, so brave and I love her character arc. Her actions in Harrenhal made me so happy it was cool to see her take charge of the situation like that and I love the way she talks about herself and the love she has for everyone around her. I don't like Arya much in the show but in the books ?? I love her SO MUCH. 

I found the POV's of Dany and Davos to be a bit dull. I don't know why - but I've never liked Dany's arcs that much. I really like her character, but I find her storyline a bit annoying and so yeah I don't know I couldn't get into her chapters. Same with Davos, I just find him and Stannis a bit dull for me. 


  “Will you make a song for him?' the woman asked.
'He has a song,' the man replied. 'He is the prince that was promised, and his is the song of ice and fire.” 


THE BEST THING about the book compared to the show is the plots. The show seems to revolve alot around the battles and the throne and misses some of the more complex plot lines. I found the introduction of the idea of the "Three Heads of the Dragon" really interesting. I feel like the plot in the books is much more complex and expansive and has more of a hint of being 'contructed' then the show does. The show plot feels like the writers throwing their characters into random battles sometimes, while the book feels like it has an overarching plot. This is MORE than just the Game for the Throne. This is about something much bigger than that that goes back much further and that really excites me. 

WHY NOT 5 STARS?

Everyone gives this book 5 stars. I can't do it. For one thing, this book is NOT fast-paced. It's so dense and can be dragging at times. That can be hard in an 900 page book. You really need to be in the mood for Game of Thrones, and you have to dedicate yourself to it. I don't mind long books and I finish lots of long books, but Game of Thrones is both long and at times just too much. There's so much detail and things that are not necessary for the plot (eg. There's at least 3 scenes where half a page + is dedicated to describing what they're eating). Now, this adds atmosphere to the society, and fleshes it out but it doesn't speed the book up any. I dnf' this the first time I read it and then I came back. 

I'm not saying it's bad and 'too slow', I'm just saying you sign up for lots of world and less plot sometimes. This is okay, but you have to be in the right mood. These books aren't 100% accessible, especially if you're not a big fantasy reader. 

The other thing I found a bit touchy at times was the treatment of women. On one hand, I get it. This is "medieval fantasy" and it's supposed to be Historically Accurate but sometimes it was just a bit too much. I mean - unnecessary? There were soo many scenes like "Dany walked, her breasts hanging loose under her clothing" LIKE WHY ??!?!?! It adds nothing to the plot or the setting or anything it's just random stuff like this that makes me :// This is one of R.R Martin's big criticisms and I think it has some merit. 

I don't know, I love the books but the tv show is just so much more fast paced and less exhausting so I'm so conflicted right now. 

Finally I'm just annoyed @ the fact he keeps killing my faves like stop this Martin




  “People often claim to hunger for truth, but seldom like the taste when it's served up.” 


OTHER NOTES

y'all for a hot minute I thought Ramsay Bolton really WAS dead and I was !!!!! so glad about it I hate that guy ofc he wasn't dead at all pretty irritated about it I was thinking it was a little weird he was dead in the books and terrorising in the show (view spoiler)[ OK THOUGH BATTLE OF THE BASTARDS THAT LIL FUCK GOT WHAT WAS COMING FINALLY KARMA COMES BACK AROUND (hide spoiler)] 

ok also Rickon is soo cute in the books he's so fierce I love him? And I honestly can't get over that his direwolf is called shaggydog. 

Cersei is soo much more interesting in the books the show honestly ripped her off she has nO CHARACTER compared to in the books its such a shame. 

Yooo when Ygritte showed up I was like YE BOYS I love her so much she was gone too soon 

Also Maester Luwin is so cool like idk he isn't in the tv show much but I loved his character in the books. 

I really love Bronn and Varys as well omfg but Littlefinger can throw himself out the moondoor for all I care I swear I can't deal with him 

ANYWAy !! Feels really good to have that done, I'm so happy I finished it. I need to wait a bit before starting the next one though.

Izza

This book was amazing. I dont really know what else to say.. This series is quickly becoming my favorite of all times. I need to start book 3 now

A Clash of Kings  is the second installment of George R.R. Martin's beloved series, A Song of Ice & Fire.

I wanted to get a hold of this for a long time now, but I thought I needed little more time to read a long book again. This was also quite a bit longer than the first book, and maybe slightly more entertaining. 

The story picks up where we left off at the first installment, with King Robert Baratheon and his friend Ned Stark both dead and the realm is in chaos. The pov's also switch to accommodate the misadventures of Arya, Jon Snow, and Daenerys Targaryen. The pacing is faster than the last book, and the wheels are finally turning. Women are at the heart of it, and this pleases me to no end. 

Here we see less action, but more drama behind the scenes. The plot involves quite a lot of mind games, clever tricks and scheming. Their are four claims to the throne, and war is tearing the Seven Kingdoms apart. Of course, an army of wildling usurpers led by Mance Ryder are amassing beyond the wall. The story is definitely getting more and more depressing, but that just takes the suspense up a notch. It's all dismal and dreary, and Martin is a merciless and cunning. He will feed you with high hopes for your favorite character and then stab you in the dark.

Magic is finally explored, and of course, I was elated. This was subtly promised in the first installment, and I'm just glad it's now truly out there in the open.

The plot expands a lot. Many roots for subplots are growing every which way, I'm surprised Martin can keep his facts straight, but I'm pretty sure this is all going to wrap up nicely in the end. I cannot wait to continue to the next one.

Siya S

★★★★★ 5 COMET-THAT-WAS-PROMISED STARS!!! 




  
     “The only wolves we got to fear are the ones wear manskin,” 
  


Good Ol’ Yoren, yo got that right. 

I DID IT. It took me two whole weeks to finish this one book alone! It was a very exciting, yet surreal experience since I’ve read most of the books in Ladakh, a region in the Indian states of Kashmir and Jammu hidden in the endless folds of the Himalayans. Every time I came up with something rant-worthy (Robb-Theon-Reek business, for example), I could only done it to the yaks and donkeys, who were supportive enough as long as I didn’t threaten to chase them down the narrow, dusty street of the main bazaar.

Some people said not many things actually happened in this second installment of ASOIAF, but I just want to agree to disagree on this one. There’s a lot of stuff to digest. The appearance of Reek/ Ramsay, the siege of Winterfell, and a whole lot of ‘Dude, Where’s Beric Dondarion?’ business that’s been going on in the Vale were just quick examples. An army of new characters were introduced (Melisandre, Davos, BRIENE!), and I couldn’t be any more bored with Dany’s storyline. 

 REVIEW FROM THIS POINT WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS. CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED 

In this book, the Starks continued their journeys headfirst toward the land of shitty fates. Cate without Ned was confused than ever, but not as much as Robb who was naïve enough to trust that jerkbait Theon. Bran was already crippled, but that didn’t mean his life couldn’t get any worse. Winterfell was under sieged and half the realm thought him and his little brother were dead. Sansa (whom I like a whole lot more than in previous book) started having some sense in that lemon-cake-filled head, learned how to survive in KL among venomous villains who did wrong to her kin. Alas, the knight in shining armor she was dreaming about just turned out to be a creepy, pedophilic drunkard. 


  " I’m scared,” Hot Pie murmured when he saw the one-armed woman thrashing in the wagon.
“Me too,” Arya confessed. He squeezed her shoulder.
“I never truly kicked no boy to death, Arry. I just sold my mommy’s pies, is all.”





Arya remained as my most favorite of the lot, the title she definitely didn’t win from a lucky draw. The girl was smart and fierce and I couldn’t help but ship her with that bastard son of the late King Rob. Who else? Oh, Jon. Well, there’s a lot of cat-and-mouse scene with the wildlings. Some sacrifices had to be made, but his storyline remained heroic and surreal as ever. His was almost as boring as Dany’s in this one. 


   Cersei began to chuckle. “Gods be good,” she gasped, “I’m starting to believe that Robert was the clever one.”

Tyrion threw back his head and roared. They laughed together. Cersei pulled him off the bed and whirled him around and even hugged him, for a moment as giddy as a girl. 


Now, one of my all-time favorites was Tyrion, who went through so much bullshit it was almost hurt to finish his segment toward the end of the book. Also, I didn’t like his whore even one bit. And dang, Cersei finally showed her true color in this one, though the exchange above was crushing my heart a little. Jaime was still in captive, but now as Brienne stepped into the picture I couldn’t wait to burst my eyeballs reading the next book. 

Dany and her journey through Essos was a bit boring and uneventful. I mean, she went to Qarth and had an adventure of a lifetime at The House of the Undying. But mostly it was just a bit…slow and irrelevant to most part of the story. I did find Arstan and Belwas pretty interesting, though. (I did have an idea or two about these guys’ true identity, actually)

Davos has been introduced as one of the new POVs to show us what’s going on on Lord Stannis’s side. I kind of like the guy, though his segment was on the same category with Jon's and Dany's. Through him we'll learn about Melisandre and her scheme on Stannis and Azor Ahai thingy. But the character that captured my attention the most was Patchface. That dude was batshit creepy and fascinating at the same time, with that mysterious prophetic power and obscure Drown God related background. 

Just like The Mountain, I was a bit obsessed with Ser Beric Dondarion. Where the hell was the guy? Why the hell half a dozen of people claimed to have killed him already? Since I read spoilers I did know what’s going on, but thanks to GRRM’s profoundly impressive ability to write, I felt as though I knew nothing every time I plow through his books. The experience was all the same. 



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THE BOOK BEHIND THE SECOND SEASON OF GAME OF THRONES, AN ORIGINAL SERIES NOW ON HBO. A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE: BOOK TWO In this thrilling sequel to A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin has created a work of unsurpassed vision, power, and imagination. A Clash of Kings transports us to a world of revelry and revenge, wizardry and warfare unlike any we have ever experienced. A comet the color of blood and flame cuts across the sky. And from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns. Six factions struggle for control of a divided land and the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, preparing to stake their claims through tempest, turmoil, and war. It is a tale in which 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, victory may go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel . . . and the coldest hearts. For when kings clash, the whole land trembles.

A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Two

Annabella

Note to self: reading in chunks, that's how you conquer such beasts

An "illustrated edition of the third book in the ... Song of Ice and Fire series for fans of HBO's Game of Thrones, published in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the book, [featuring] twenty-five original color illustrations by Gary Gianni"--

The Illustrated Edition

A Storm of Swords

Mohammed Moussa

By far the best book in the series, this book has everything you expect from The song of ice and fire, betrayal, deaths, battles and blood.

The Hissing Saint

This book is kind of slow and I am guessing was more to consolidate the story and characters. Having said that looking forward to a cracker of a story on the next instalment!

Demi

It took me a hot minute to get through, but I finally finished A Clash of Kings! As much as I did enjoy this book, it definitely wasn’t as good as the first book in my opinion.

Throughout reading this book, I did feel like I was rereading the same scenes over and over again. When I think about it, not all that much happened in this book. The storyline was definitely a lot more bland than the first book, but I do know that it was necessary to build on this complex world and set up the events to come. I did really enjoy getting to know each character more in this as well as seeing different relationships dynamix as well!

Overall, I’m definitely ready looking forward to continuing this series and I’m ready for a more impactful storyline to hopefully kick in!

A Clash of Kings

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