Firstly, if you have not read the first novel in the series of A Song if Ice and Fire I suggest reading A Game of Thrones, the first novel in this epic fantasy. This review will contain SPOILERS from the first novel.

--- SPOILERS (from the first book) BELOW ---

In A Clash of Kings, George R.R. Martin shows the aftermath of the death of King Robert and Eddard. Most importantly, he shows the consequences of the secrets that Eddard reveals before his death. This leads to several different individuals claiming ownership of the Kingdom and the start of a very long war.

A Clash of Kings follows the same system previously shown in A Game of Thrones by focusing each chapter on a different main character. This also means it suffers from similar problems, there are certain chapters and characters I would rather read about then others, which is especially painful when they first introduce a new perspective. Although the character is interesting, there is less of an emotional attachment then to a character I have already read about in the first novel.

Aside from a few boring spots spread throughout various parts in the novel, I found that A Clash of Kings was definitely knit together more tightly. The character perspectives connected well throughout the novel and the plot was relevant in almost all of the different perspectives.

A Clash of Kings is slightly longer then A Game of Thrones, but if you have already read the first book and loved it I don't see why you wouldn't pick this up.

I wanted to read this just before the second season of the HBO series started and thought it best to wait until late March. However, I was hearing bits of what was going to happen, and didn't want to ruin anything about the book, so I read it as soon as possible. Basically, Joffrey's actions at the end of the first book throws Westeros into chaos as four kings emerge to claim the Iron Throne: Joffrey, Robb Stark, Stannis Baratheon & his brother Renly Baratheon. Now while it seems Joffrey has made enmeies of the three other claimants, none of them are willing to bend knee to any of the others, and what ensues is a tale of backstabbing and changing loyalty. The major battle at the end is very well written and seems to settle the claims of who is king (for the time being). In the meantime, young Arya Stark is trying desperately to get home, her youngest brothers, Bran & Rickon, must try to defend Winterfell in the absece of their family, and Jon Snow, Eddard Stark's illegitimate son, travels into the wild North to face a growing threat to all that has been fought for in the South as the Wildlings gather their forces into one huge army. I already want to continue with book three, but will wait, at least, until the HBO series comes to its season finale in June.

A wonderful follow up to Game of Thrones. Loved it! The development of the multitude of characters is fascinating ~ the ones I once cheered for, I now cheer against and vice versa. I was shocked by some events, and all the while left wanting more. Am on to book 3 now and still can't get enough. I don't know how people have waited years between volumes. A highly recommended series!

This series is incredible! It has great depth and complexity. The character are all interesting and very real, you sometimes might get so far into the book that you're yelling at the characters for their actions or praising their awe inspiring intelligence. I can not wait for a storm of swords.