|
Finished this book early last week but only now got around to the thread. The short answer to how much I liked it: I'm now plowing through A Clash of Kings.
How did you experience the book? Beyond whether you simply liked it or not, what were your initial reactions to it?
I devoured it as much as I could between work and a very busy life at the moment.
Are the characters convincing?
Martin is truly gifted at characterization. I enjoy the vast diversity of his characters across the novel.
Who are your favourites?
Tyrion, of course. Arya. Sandor Clegane, oddly.
Least favourites?
Cersei, but she does serve her purpose.
What were your favourite actions? Motivations? Feats of valour? Turns of deceit?
Eddard Stark really should have listened to Littlefinger.
What is the central conflict? What are the major themes running throughout?
Obviously, in an epic book like this, that's a hard question to answer. The title captures a lot of it, I think.
What do you make of the plot? How do the events unfold and fit together? What drives the book?
I like how the POV switches every chapter to give you another piece of the plot. Getting the different sides of the conflicts present in the novel make it truly engaging.
What do you make of Martin's world? What resemblances do you see?
It is an epic world, on the scale of Tolkien's world, or LeGuin's Earthsea. I like how over the book, more and more of the world, and more information about it, is revealed.
Is the ending satisfying? Was it predictable? How well does it set up the rest of the series? Are you hooked?
Satisfied and hooked.
__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
|