A Song of Ice and Fire II - A Clash of Kings - George R. R. Martin

Following along with the A Song of Ice and Fire series, i have just finished the second volume in the series, A Clash of Kings. And the title really fits, since as was seen at the end of the previous volume, after death of Robert Baratheon, the realm fractures under different claims. Cersei crowned king his son Joffrey, bastard son of Cersei and Jaime Lannister. Renly Baratheon, even younger than Stannis Baratheon, claims himself king. Right before the end of previous volume, Lords of the North claimed Robb Stark the King in the North. Daenerys keep her aspirations to the seven kingdoms throne, at the other side of the narrow sea, pretentions that suffers a great damage with the death of Khal Drogo.

Summary

To the list of kings depicted earlier, joins Stannis Baratheon marching from Dragonstone to seize the iron throne, even with fewer men than his brother. Tyrion rules in King's Landing, in open opposition the regent queen, his own sister Cersei, making every preparation to face the inminent siege to the city from either king. Arya, at end of the first book, was taken home for Yoren, and we follow her along the way to the north, and the destruction caused for the war. Tywin Lannister regroups in Harrenhal after the defeat obtained by Jaime Lannister in Riverrun. Renly march to King's Landing, but is forced to split his army when Stannis Baratheon attacks Storms' End, Renly's castle. Catelyn Tully has been sent by Robert to negotiate an alliance with Renly, so she is present when the first clash of kings occurs. Theon Greyjoy has been sent to Pyke as well, to get support in exchange of a crown for the Iron Islands, but Theon has lost confidence from his father, a clear enemy of the Stark since when his own rebellion against the Iron Thorne was crushed by Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon, so, Balon Greyjoy has his own war plans: attak Winterfell. Beyond the wall, the Night's Watch march to face Mance Rayder, who is also planning to attack Westeros. So, the kings list grows and most of them are marching to attack their rivals in a war of all vs all. The first match, Stannis vs Renly, is won by Stannis, who adds to his army half the forces once loyal to his brother. The other half is seduced by the offer from Tyrion Lannister, and later in the volume joins Tywin Lannister to defeat Stannis. But first, Stannis has to take control of Storm's End. Lord Tywin leaves Harrenhal to disappear for a while from the story, and looses it when Arya helps some prisoners to take over the castle to the cause of his brother. Arya's voyage to the north has ended with her as servant in Harrenhal, after a series of adventures in war times. Theon Greyjoy takes over Winterfell with only thirty men, but Rickon and Bran scapes, so Theon fakes their execution, pretending to appear cruel instead of fool, but is unable to keep control of Winterfell with so few men. Daenerys keeps her quest for allies at the other side of the narrow sea, her dragons grows at a slow pace. In King's Landing, the Lannister faces rebellions that ends with death for the Supreme Septon and the rape of a noble girl, besides the death of several soldiers. Tommen, yougest brother of Joffrey is taken out from the city, to harden the Lannister fall, in case King's Landing is taken, Tommen Baratheon is still alive, pretending the crown. The long awaited battle for King's Landing takes place at last in the Blackwater Battle, resulting in the city saved at last moment by Lord Tywin and his allies. Jon Snow is ordered to infiltrate the wilds and discover their secrets, but the only one with knowledge of his mission is killed. Bran and Rickon abandon their hideout, and are split in order to keep the lineage of the Stark. At the end of the second book, their destination is unknown.

Comments

I have to admit that the style of the story is seamlessly maintained from the first to the second volume, the story is just an extension to the first book in such a way that is hard to tell if a certain event takes place in this volume or the previous. The reading catches throughout the whole book. There are several scenes when we don't fully understand the events depicted, but there is an implicit promise that these events will get explanation thereafter. In some other passages, a clue is given that we fully understand, even when no further details are given, i e, when Balon Greyjoy plans his attack: he never mentions the target, but we know it. I hope the story keeps the same rhythm in the coming volumes.