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A review by melcanread
A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
4.5
Review
A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin is an incredible follow-up to A Game of Thrones, and it firmly cements why this series is so highly regarded. Martin’s writing is absolutely brilliant—it’s detailed without being overwhelming, and his ability to weave together so many complex storylines is unmatched. One of my favourite things about this book was getting to spend more time with the characters, diving deeper into their personal journeys and seeing how they evolve. The introduction of new POV characters was a great addition too, keeping the story fresh and offering new angles to the sprawling narrative. The action scenes? Just incredible. They’re vivid and heart-pounding, making you feel like you’re right in the middle of the chaos.
It was also fun comparing the book to the TV show, which I still love, but the book is better—at least for now. The added depth and detail in the novel give it an edge, though I can see why certain things didn’t translate to the screen. I also really admire how Martin writes his female characters. Sure, there’s a lot of criticism about his portrayal of women, but I honestly think it’s more a reflection of the medieval-inspired setting than anything else. Characters like Arya, Catelyn, and Daenerys are so well-written, and even Sansa, who gets a lot of hate, is handled realistically. She’s a 12-year-old girl in an impossible situation, and her perspective reflects that. She’s not annoying—she’s a child, and I think that’s an important point people tend to miss.
That said, not everything in the book worked for me. A lot of the sexual content felt unnecessary. I get that it’s meant to highlight the grim reality of the setting and the way women were treated, but a good chunk of it didn’t really add anything to the plot. It just felt excessive at times and could have been cut without losing anything meaningful.
Despite those minor gripes, A Clash of Kings is still an outstanding read. The characters, the action, the intrigue—it all comes together so brilliantly. It’s the kind of book that keeps you hooked and leaves you desperate for more. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy or loved the first book, you’re in for a treat with this one.
A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin is an incredible follow-up to A Game of Thrones, and it firmly cements why this series is so highly regarded. Martin’s writing is absolutely brilliant—it’s detailed without being overwhelming, and his ability to weave together so many complex storylines is unmatched. One of my favourite things about this book was getting to spend more time with the characters, diving deeper into their personal journeys and seeing how they evolve. The introduction of new POV characters was a great addition too, keeping the story fresh and offering new angles to the sprawling narrative. The action scenes? Just incredible. They’re vivid and heart-pounding, making you feel like you’re right in the middle of the chaos.
It was also fun comparing the book to the TV show, which I still love, but the book is better—at least for now. The added depth and detail in the novel give it an edge, though I can see why certain things didn’t translate to the screen. I also really admire how Martin writes his female characters. Sure, there’s a lot of criticism about his portrayal of women, but I honestly think it’s more a reflection of the medieval-inspired setting than anything else. Characters like Arya, Catelyn, and Daenerys are so well-written, and even Sansa, who gets a lot of hate, is handled realistically. She’s a 12-year-old girl in an impossible situation, and her perspective reflects that. She’s not annoying—she’s a child, and I think that’s an important point people tend to miss.
That said, not everything in the book worked for me. A lot of the sexual content felt unnecessary. I get that it’s meant to highlight the grim reality of the setting and the way women were treated, but a good chunk of it didn’t really add anything to the plot. It just felt excessive at times and could have been cut without losing anything meaningful.
Despite those minor gripes, A Clash of Kings is still an outstanding read. The characters, the action, the intrigue—it all comes together so brilliantly. It’s the kind of book that keeps you hooked and leaves you desperate for more. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy or loved the first book, you’re in for a treat with this one.