A Clash of Kings

Second of the Song of Ice and Fire series by George R R Martin, A Clash of Kings is a building crescendo of up to seven possible Kings, or rulers, of the Seven Kingdoms, Westeros if you will, all making the same claim, or variations of the same claim. Only two of these possible claimants are presented to us in their own viewpoint. Most of the rest are either depicted though close proximity or various onlookers to their situations. At least one does not even appear throughout the entire book, however is a presence none the less even if not in an apparent position of sights set on ruling the Seven Kingdoms.

In this book Martin clears up a few questions from the first while cleverly creating more mysteries. What is the red comet a sign of? Are the ancient powers awakening and why? What exactly lives beyond the Wall? Who is on whose side? Do they even know? Does Martin even know?

We follow several characters' stories; Davos the smuggler turned knight for Stannis Baratheon, brother of late King Robert Baratheon and rightful heir to the throne #1. Davis is loyal but not blind he sees how easily his King is fooled but that will not keep him from doing his duty for his lord; Arya is the late Lord Ned Stark's second daughter and King of the North's, Robb Stark's, sister. She has been hiding in plain sight of the enemy and none of the Starks are sure if she still lives while the Lannisters are sure she's been lost; Sansa is Arya's older sister. She is the hostage and betrothed to King of the Iron throne, Joffrey Baratheon. Few know that he has no true claim to the throne, not even himself, being the bastard son of late King Robert's wife, Queen Cercei Lannister; Tyrion Lannister is the dwarf brother to Queen Cercei and sitting as the King's Hand in place of his father Tywin Lannister while off commanding battles in the North; Bran Stark is the crippled second son of Lord Ned Stark and Lady Catelyn Tully. He is left as the Lord of Winterfell in place of his brother King Robb while off fighting the Lannisters. At age 8 he is left with significant responsibilities in running the castle at Winterfell. Catelyn Tully is the matriarch of the Stark family. She has just lost her husband to accusations of treason to King Joffery, her father is very ill in his old age and will certainly die soon, and her son, Robb Stark, has been named King of the North. Catelyn finds herself sent from place to place as King Robb's envoy, including to Renly Baratheon, late King Robert's youngest and more popular brother Renly possibly has a better chance than Stannis at being supported as the next King; Theon Greyjoy was taken at age 10 as a ward to the Starks from his home on the Iron Islands. Now at age 20 he has been sent by King Robb to call his father's banners to join Robb's march on King's Landing; Daenerys Targaryen is the sole survivor of King Aerys II. She has been in exile since before she was born and is ready to take back her title; Jon Snow is the late Lord Eddard Stark's bastard son. Jon is a brother of the Night's Watch. He is among many of the Night's Watch Black Bothers searching for answers beyond the Wall in the North. He finds himself fighting wildlings claiming that their King Beyond the Wall is ready to take over the land below the Wall.

Everything goes wrong and nothing's what you'd expect in this incredible sequel to George R R Martin's Game of Thrones.