Final Review of Clash of Kings

Game of Thrones

Book 3 Review

George R. R. Martin created a world. Not just any world. Not the world that you and I live in. This is not the world of cellphones, laptops and fancy cars. If you’re rich, you’re lucky to have a litter that you’re carried around in. This is a world where Steve Jobs was never born in to. And not just because it takes place in the past - the time of kings, queens, deceit, secret children, backstabbing, knights, peasants and so on. But what is a story of kings, queens and knights without dragons? Have no fear, my gents and ladies! The Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin has all this and more. The dragons are gone from this story. But only temporarily. They come back. They're born in fire and all revere the Mother of Dragons. But what is a story without drama? Martin doesn’t leave that out, for all you drama lovers. Why have one king when you can have four? What is a story without murder? But not just any murder. There’s magic. A new kind of magic pervades the kingdom. This new, scary magic follows a red priestess. This new magic created a new religion, Faith of the Seven, which gets rid of the old gods. No more are godswood trees followed, and the "Old Gods" of the Forest that were worshiped by the First Men before the invasion of the Andals and those of the north are gone. But the 7 new gods are prayed to reverently in the south, and the Seven are moving further and farther into the daily lives.

  • The Father: represents divine justice, and judges the souls of the dead.
  • The Mother: represents mercy, peace, fertility, and childbirth. She is sometimes referred to as "the strength of women".
• The Maiden: represents purity, love, and beauty. • The Crone: represents wisdom and foresight. She is represented carrying a lantern.
• The Warrior: represents strength and courage in battle.
• The Smith: represents creation and craftsmanship.
• The Stranger: The Stranger represents death and the unknown. It is rarely prayed to.

This book was an unexpected surprise. Having one king is bad enough in this kind of world where creatures start walking the world again thousands of years after they are supposedly gone. The four kings, Lord Stannis Baratheon, Lord Renly Baratheon, young Joffrey Baratheon and Robb Stark all have different claims. One cannot help to have favorites. Joffrey Baratheon was believed to be the son of the last king, or is he? Stannis Baratheon is the oldest brother after Robert Baratheon (the last king). Renly believes he is the better king, even though he is the youngest brother. And Robb? He is the King in the North like his forefathers were before him. There are secrets that people have died for. Mindless slaughter is quite prominent in this second installment of A Song of Ice and Fire.

“People often claim to hunger for truth, but seldom like the taste when it's served up.” - Lord Tyrion Lannister

What is the truth anymore but something we believe? One person believes one thing, and someone else another. That leaves us with multiple truths. We’re left questioning who we can trust.

There are funny things. It’s not all blood, murder and gore. Though one man’s manhood did become shorter, there is some kid humor in here. Because after all, don’t we all remain kids at heart?

“If you need help, bark like a dog." - Gendry.
"That's stupid. If I need help I'll shout help." – Lady Arya Stark”

This book may seem a little slow, but if one pays attention, you’ll see that even the ‘meaningless plot detail’ that you think is 100% unnecessary, actually contributes to the plot. There’s always an action going on. There is always deceit. Some try for honor. Some loudly exclaim they don’t care. Others have people fight to the death for fun.

A Clash of Kings has a smorgasbord of interests. Yes, there’s magic for the fantasy lovers. Dragons, zombie-like creatures rising up and creatures who haven’t walked the grounds in thousands of years and have a mysterious talent of not being able to be killed easily. For the animal lovers, there are the direwolves. Some of the characters even worship horses, for a person is only as strong as their beast. For the boys, you have your wars and your battles. For the cunning, there is the deceit, the lying, the Game of Thrones, ever moving, ever manipulating. There is the soft-hearted woman, who is intelligent, but she knows where her heart lies – with her family. She’s an emotional character who is about duty, honor and love. In her world, that is all she needs.

“I want to weep, she thought. I want to be comforted. I'm so tired of being strong. I want to be foolish and frightened for once. Just for a small while, that's all....a day.....an hour.”  - Lady Catelyn Stark

This book is not for children. There are some sexual scenes that some may find pleasure in, but others will need to warn their children. Or maybe it’s time for the “Birds and the Bees” talk. Incest and girls loving on girls also play prominently. This is not a book for the light hearted.

The book could be a little slow paced, but once you push through it, you realize it’s a masterpiece. One cannot help but develop their favorites. The only fault to be found is that you don’t see your favorites that often. Chapters may go by without seeing your favorite character again. You have to want to read this. It is worth it.