A Clash of Kings: The bestselling classic epic fantasy series behind the award-winning HBO and Sky TV show and phenomenon GAME OF THRONES (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 2)

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A Clash of Kings is the second of seven planned novels in A Song of Ice and Fire, an epic fantasy series by American author George R. The first book was marketed as part of the " Song of Ice and Fire trilogy" in 1996, but by the second book's release, the "trilogy" suffix had been dropped and the series was retitled to A Song of Ice and Fire. In 2011, Martin gave three years as a realistic estimate for finishing the sixth book at a good pace, [1] but said ultimately the book "will be done when it's done", [22] acknowledging that his publication estimates had been too optimistic in the past. The fourth installment, A Feast for Crows, was an immediate best-seller at its 2005 release, [24] hitting number one on "The New York Times" hardcover fiction bestseller list November 27, 2005, which for a fantasy novel suggested that Martin's books were attracting mainstream readers. CNN remarked that "the story weaves through differing points of view in a skillful mix of observation, narration and well-crafted dialogue that illuminates both character and plot with fascinating style", [90] and David Orr of The New York Times found that "All of his hundreds of characters have grace notes of history and personality that advance a plot line.

and this book also provided a map of King’s Landing and a map of Westeros–though I wished there was a map for the the Dothraki–and yes I did reference both the maps and genealogies often. Jordison detailed his misgivings about A Game of Thrones in a 2009 review and summarized "It's daft.The series was in particular influenced by the Hundred Years' War, the Crusades, the Albigensian Crusade, and the Wars of the Roses, [84] [95] although Martin refrained from making any direct adaptations. As a prophecy of doom cuts across the sky--a comet the color of blood and flame--six factions struggle for control of a divided land. Martin employs maps [26] and a cast list topping 60 pages in the fourth volume, [10] but keeps most information in his mind.

Audacious, inventive, brilliantly imagined, A Clash of Kings is a novel of dazzling beauty and boundless enchantment-a tale of pure excitement you will never forget. Robert's heir apparent, the 13-year-old Joffrey, is immediately proclaimed king through the machinations of his mother, Queen Cersei Lannister. Providing sensory detail for an immersive experience is more important than plot advancement for Martin, [22] who aims to let the readers experience the novels' sex scenes, "whether it's a great transcendent, exciting, mind blowing sex, or whether it's disturbing, twisted, dark sex, or disappointing perfunctory sex. Seeing the world through the characters' eyes requires a certain amount of empathy with them, including the villains, [84] all of whom he has said he loves as if they were his own children. Influenced by his television and film scripting background, Martin tries to keep readers engrossed by ending each A Song of Ice and Fire chapter with a tense or revelational moment, a twist or a cliffhanger, similar to a TV act break.By the middle of 2010, Martin had already finished five chapters of The Winds of Winter from the viewpoints of Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Arianne Martell, and Aeron Greyjoy, coming to around 100 completed pages.

Among the many derived works number several prequel novellas, two series for television, a comic book adaptation, and several card, board, and video games. Two days after the fourth season premiered in April 2014, HBO renewed Game of Thrones for a fifth and sixth season. Now, from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns, as pretenders to the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms prepare to stake their claims through tempest, turmoil, and war.

The series has been translated into more than 20 languages; [13] USA Today reported the fifth book to be translated into over 40 languages. The first two murders he carries out without question; in lieu of the third choice, Arya leverages H'ghar to help her slay the Lannister soldiers guarding Robett Glover, who had been taken prisoner by the Brave Companions. The popularity of the HBO series has made its version of the Iron Throne an icon of the entire media franchise. Jon and the Brothers must find out what their intentions are and how to stop them before they breech the Wall and destroy the kingdoms. Daenerys strikes east across the forbidding red waste and loses many of her followers to the harsh conditions before stumbling upon the ancient, abandoned city of Vaes Tolorro.

Martin was reluctant to make the necessary deep cuts to get the book down to publishable length, as that would have compromised the story he had in mind. I have also found that the second book in a series is usually the ‘necessary’ book that bridges the journey and paves the way to the final show down…. For example, Ned and Robb Stark resemble Richard, 3rd Duke of York, and his son Edward IV, and Queen Cersei resembles both Margaret of Anjou [97] and Elizabeth Woodville. The publication of A Game of Thrones caused Martin's following to grow, with fan sites springing up and a Trekkie-like society of followers evolving that meet regularly.The series, titled Game of Thrones, premiered in April 2011 to great acclaim and ratings (see Game of Thrones § Reception).