From the Bookshelf of Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge…

A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, #2)

George R.R. Martin

Start date: January 19, 2015

Finish date: February 10, 2015

Why we're reading this: My first challenge book completed and the first audio book I've ever listened to.…more
[close] My first challenge book completed and the first audio book I've ever listened to.

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Sep 05, 2012 Lacey Louwagie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I've been putting this review off for over a month because I find it hard to review epic fantasies, especially when they are one long book in a series of long books.

In some ways, I enjoyed this book more than the first one simply because I've become more invested in the characters. But in other ways, this book really grated on me. Particularly in the first 1/3 of the book, George R.R. Martin seemed to be especially disrespectful of/disparaging toward women, often focusing on their sexual charac I've been putting this review off for over a month because I find it hard to review epic fantasies, especially when they are one long book in a series of long books.

In some ways, I enjoyed this book more than the first one simply because I've become more invested in the characters. But in other ways, this book really grated on me. Particularly in the first 1/3 of the book, George R.R. Martin seemed to be especially disrespectful of/disparaging toward women, often focusing on their sexual characteristics to the exclusion of anything else (such as whether they might have personalities?). There was a lot of banter about how "ugly" women were and how one might deal with such an ugly woman, and the fact that these views were often touted by "good" characters (if such can be said to exist in Martin's books ...) made me suspect that Martin's own chauvinism might be sneaking in. This was disappointing, as in the first book I felt that Martin's treatment of women was quite fair. The problem becomes less noticeable as this one progresses, and his central female characters still retain their depth in this volume.

Although it is the characters that most draw me to this series, I'm struck by the fact that I don't have a "favorite" character, one that I particularly admire. Perhaps this is for the best, since no one seems safe from Martin's sword. I find Cersei to be most interesting, while Sansa is most relatable. Still, at times Martin's world is just too harsh for my taste. I think what makes it particularly depressing is that, unlike in many fantasy stories where there is some sort of supernatural "evil force" (i.e.: The Dark Lord, the Evil One, etc.) behind the conflict, Martin's conflict is drawn entirely by unscrupulous, violent, and sadistic humans. There's not one central, black-and-white, "evil" force to be dealt with, which IS a credit to the nuances of Martin's characters, but which can also get exhausting in a fantasy world that is this bleak. (I'm not sure how people can read this whole series back-to-back -- I need a long break before I'm willing to enter this world again.)

Still, the book gets four stars because many of my own hang-ups are matters of personal preference, and there's no denying that Martin is a good writer who creates vivid characters, excels at moral ambiguity, and never takes the easy way out. Also, anything this long that manages to hold both the writer's and the reader's attention is due some credit.

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Sep 23, 2011 Alison rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-in-2011

I"m really liking this series, and I can't wait to read the next one. I'm looking forward to the next season of game of thrones.
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Dec 24, 2012 Kaitlin rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, fantasy

I liked this book a lot! It's a long one so I struggled to make it fit into the library timeline, but I really enjoyed the continuing story. I can't wait for the next! ...more

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