From the Bookshelf of Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge…

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

George R.R. Martin

Start date: January 2, 2015

Finish date: March 8, 2015

Discussion: 2015 Challenge Prompts

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2015 Challenge Prompts

Prompt 25: A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't
By Ann · 67 posts · 992 views

last updated Jan 17, 2023 03:51PM

Prompt 39: A book with magic
By Ann · 48 posts · 446 views

last updated Jan 02, 2019 05:46AM

What Members Thought

May 11, 2014 Phaedra rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I was wavering between a 4 or a 5, and since I'm still basking in the afterglow of devouring an awesome book, I'll be generous and go with the 5.

What makes this book awesome for me? I can't ever be sure I know where the plot is going, and there's a distinct lack of good guy/bad guy (even the amoral Lannisters have their humanity). Martin's writing is solid: I'm living in Westeros while I read, not pulled back by any overly florid prose. The characters are complex, and none are wholly likable or I was wavering between a 4 or a 5, and since I'm still basking in the afterglow of devouring an awesome book, I'll be generous and go with the 5.

What makes this book awesome for me? I can't ever be sure I know where the plot is going, and there's a distinct lack of good guy/bad guy (even the amoral Lannisters have their humanity). Martin's writing is solid: I'm living in Westeros while I read, not pulled back by any overly florid prose. The characters are complex, and none are wholly likable or despicable. Arya Stark, the feisty girl character we've come to expect out of fantasy novels, is naive yet murderous. Sansa Stark, much reviled by reviewers, is a scared little girl trying to find the best way to survive after her fairy tale fell apart. Bran and Rickon and even Robb Stark are petulant little boys. Cersei Lannister and Catelyn Stark let their motherly instincts overrule their common sense, sometimes to the detriment of whole battles won or lost. In short, these are real characters dropped in a messy world without the benefit of shiny magical armor or shiny golden morals.

Some of the critiques of the novels have merit: if you prefer your female characters to be modern protagonists with modern morals, this may not be the book for you. Rape is a weapon of war, in real life and in this book. Women's power is not in the political arena, but in the bedroom. Another complaint is the choice of narrators: most of the story is told tangentially, not from the heart of the action, and not even from the viewpoint of the major players. We don't get into the heads of any of the self-proclaimed kings. With the exception of Tyrion Lannister, we don't see any of the plotting or planning of the power players. We only see the fallout as perceived by those who are directly affected, and their perceptions are notoriously questionable. I hate to use the word, but this world is gritty and realistic, and that's not always what we look for in a fantasy novel.

If you're looking for warrior princesses, unicorns, and magical swords, this is not the series for you (and I'm totally not judging, because I love those books, too). But if you're ready for something with a little more meat, and prepared for the emotional investment, the only warning I have to offer is this: the series isn't finished yet, and Martin is taking his time writing these babies. I was burned by Robert Jordan, and swore off epic fantasy for years. That's what I'm most worried about: the agony of being left hanging in the middle of the story. But I'm so hooked, I have no choice now but to see it to the end. ...more

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Oct 06, 2012 Jennifer rated it liked it · review of another edition

I had a hard time figuring out what rating to give this book. I gave it 3 stars because I really enjoyed it, but it took awhile for things to start happening. The first third of the book was just too slow for me, and I almost quit reading it. I'm glad I kept going, though, because it got really good in the second half. I probably would give the second half 4 stars. And although these books take way too long for me to read, I'll have to read the next one to see what happens to all these character ...more

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