Baraka_Guru

This is a book discussion thread for my Fabulous Fantastical Journey through fantasy literature. Discussions here are open and free, as it is assumed that those participating in the thread have read the material already. The use of spoiler tags would be cumbersome, and so they will not be used.

For more information, visit: Baraka's Fabulous Fantastical Journey

A Clash of Kings, George R. R. Martin: Book Two of A Song of Ice and Fire

Right, let's just jump right into it:

Holy fuck! Clash of kings, indeed!

Okay, so the factions of clashing (would-be) monarchs are as follows:

1. The King on the Iron Throne, Joffrey Baratheon (King's Landing)
2. The King in the Narrow Sea, Stannis Baratheon (Dragonstone)
3. The King in High Garden, Renly Baratheon (Storm's End)
4. The King in the North, Robb Stark (Winterfell)
5. The Queen Across the Water, Daenerys Targaryen (Overseas)
6. The King of Salt and Rock, Balon Greyjoy (Iron Islands)
7. The King Beyond the Wall, Mance Rayder (Um, beyond The Wall)

And it gets brutal, to varying degrees.

First, we don't see much of Robb in the book, as he's operating in the background. The action focuses mainly on Balon's move to take the North and the Neck and the Brothers Baratheon's brutal race to take on the inbred Joffrey's illegitimate seat on the Iron Throne.

On the side, you have Danys' quest for power to return to claim what's hers. All she needs is an army and some ships. She already has fucking dragons. By the end of the book, it seems she's getting what she wants. All I can say, is that it looks like she's going to bring a world of pain down on Westeros!

The main climax of the book centres on Stannis' assault on King's Landing. Having overtaken his brother with fell deeds under his new god, he seems to have the upper hand in the sacking of the city.

However, Tyrion's machinations as the King's Hand prove fruitful, and with the help of his lord father Tywin Lannister, he saves the city at the last minute...but at a cost....


Okay that's the major plot in a nutshell. There is obviously a lot to fill out. In addition, there have been some considerable character developments. I think the most interesting ones to look at are: Arya, Jon, and Theon.

Of course, there's Tyrion as probably the most important in terms of action, but his development as a character was somewhat overshadowed by his actions. It's there, though. I'm still parsing it all in hindsight. There is his making important decisions regarding who to trust and his dealings with and feelings about Shae. Considering what happens at the end of this book, I imagine he's quite in for a huge challenge. I think his development as a character will continue at a faster rate in the next book. I could be wrong.

Phew...okay.

Go.

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Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

spindles

This one is going to take longer to read. I started yesterday and noticed that the first and second books are physically the same size, but the font inside is tiny.

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who hid my keyboard's PANIC button?

Baraka_Guru

Here are the word counts, ostensibly:

A Song of Ice And Fire - George R. R. Martin

A Game of Thrones: 284k
A Clash of Kings: 326k
A Storm of Swords: 404k
A Feast for Crows: 300k

Total: 1M 314k

Wordcount of popular (and hefty) epics | The Cesspit.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

spindles

I've really enjoyed re-reading this. The character I'm really starting to enjoy is the Hound (Sandor Clegane). This book really starts to show more of his true character - you see him as much more chivalrous than he wants to show the world at large. Particularly his protection of Sansa (both from Joffrey and the riot) shows that he is more deserving of being a knight than many of those around him. You wonder if he will overcome his absolute fear of fire or whether that will be his downfall.

This book also highlights the sacrifice of the members of the night's watch, especially Qhorin Halfhand, who gives his life so that Jon can join Mance Rayder army.

Mellisandre - what can I say - she is probably the most evil character in the book and the use of dark magic to kill Stannis' foes leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Ser Davos revulsion when he carries her under Storm's End is clear.

__________________
who hid my keyboard's PANIC button?

The_Dunedan

Sandor Clegane is probably one of the most interesting characters in the entire series. He is easily the most ruthless, most vicious, and most understandably pissed-off of the "bad guys," but as with most of Martin's heroes and villains he remains ambiguous. His martial skill and immense ferocity are legendary: but what we only see through Sansa's eyes is the fact that Sandor is (or was at one point) probably a much kinder, saner counterpoint to the monstrous Ser Gregor. He clearly has an emotive, empathetic side, and he's no dummy. However, thanks to his hideously scarred face and his family's equally hideous reputation, he finds himself forced into the role of the attack dog, no good for anything except kicking and killing: kicking when you're pissed, and killing your enemies when you've done with kicking him. He cannot take a wife: with no lands or Knighthood or Lordship, his prospects are dim at best and only worsened by his face and reputation. Worse yet, he cannot attract a woman on his merits: Sansa's fear and revulsion of him despite his protection of her must cut straight to the man's blasted, burned soul. His only companionship is whores and drink, and that gets -old- for a man of his age, with his accomplishments.

Consider; Sandor -should-, by all the rules of his society, be quite a catch. He's physically powerful, a renowned warrior and soldier, known as able and intelligent and even forebearant at times. But thanks to his injuries and his brother's standing and reputation, Sandor finds himself untouchable and essentially unpromotable. His only advancement in life comes as a backhanded compliment: Joffrey (whom Sandor despises) advancing him to a White Cloak which Sandor himself regards as a sign of political acumen and physical weakness, and unearned besides: this -especially- because said cloak was stolen from the shoulders of Barristan Selmy, of all people! Talk about being made a fool! A man who values honesty ("I like dogs better'n men. Dogs don't lie.") to such a degree that he refuses Knighthood simply on principle (because Knights, like his brother, are brutal liars without even a dog's honor) being subject to the whims of a shit like Joffrey or a sociopathic viper like Cersei must gall him terribly, and to be made fool of besides?

As I said, a very interesting character. There's more to Sandor that I won't go into here, but he's one I have my eye on.