Bossy Italian Book Review: A Clash of Kings (Games of Thrones Book #2)

I am reading the Game of Thrones series, and let me say (just once more) that after The Hunger Games, it's nice to have a series that just goes on and on. The books themselves are thick as heck, and I like that the reading goes a little slower. This second book was a might bit bloodier than the first... sometimes shockingly so.

But the story goes on and the realm has several men claiming the throne. Thus, the REAL game of thrones has actually begun. The characters get richer and deeper in the second book. Sansa comes to grips in new ways about her life and realizes the fantasy of court was over long before she ever realized it. Caitlyn Stark is a formidable character in this book who remains tough under pressure, and I like that about her. Jon Snow, the bastard child of Ned Stark, really shines in this book as well.

The real star? Arya, duh! She's so boss, isn't she? I give her the BIW stamp of approval because that would totally be me... I hope. We also learn in this book about the special relationship between the Starks and their wolves, and we learn WHY, but I am not giving up any secrets. Danny also has her continuing storyline, and in this book, she wasn't as wonderful as she had been for me in the first book; but her dragons are cool and I'm sure her story will become more fascinating as we press on.

There are, of course, some new characters who pass through. Davos...meh. His story wasn't particularly intriguing to me. Theon, a ward of the Starks and now "a man grown" also gets his own storyline, and he is more interesting than Davos, I'll say that much. But I didn't like him one bit. The story line I grew most attached to in this book had to be Tyrion Lannister. I can't say why, but I actually like the guy! He has an affinity for whores, and he's a Lannister, but all things considered he's the most likable Lannister in the bunch, right?

One thing I love about the books is the language in them. I enjoy the different perspectives as well, and the author makes brilliant use of them within the story. I feel that the characters have real depth and stories... like real people, their actions are sometimes rash, unpredictable and confusing. That is what makes the human element of the book so grand.

This book took me a little longer to read than the first book, even though it was shorter. But that was mostly because I had stuff going on. I didn't enjoy it any less. There are always twists and turns and there is a distinct sense that the plot is thickening even more in this book. I can't wait to read the third one and I have already downloaded it on my Kindle.