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A Clash of Kings: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Two Audiobook
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Plot Summary
George R. R. Martin's wonderful epic series, A Song of Ice and Fire continues in its second book, A Clash of Kings. In the first book, A Game of Thrones, Martin introduced us to some compelling characters, including Ned Stark, Daenerys Targaryen, Robb Stark, Jon Snow, Arya Stark and Tyrion Lannister. Ned Stark took up the position as Hand of the King but when the king was murdered, all hell broke loose. Ned was executed, leaving his daughter, Sansa, in the power of the Lannisters while his younger daughter, Arya, managed to escape.
In book two, A Clash of Kings audiobook, we sorely miss Ned Stark but the story is still gripping, with several different claimants to the throne. One of them is Joffrey Baratheon, allegedly the dead king's son but in reality the son of the queen who is having an incestuous relationship with her brother. Despite the fact that Joffrey is only in his teens, he's already a full-blown sociopath who enjoys inflicting pain. Robb Stark declares himself King in the North and marches downwards to conquer more lands. The dead king's two brothers, Stannis and Renly, are also contenders but Renly is murdered, leaving Stannis to stake his claim.
Stannis has the help of a sorceress named Melisandre whose uses her dark magic to help him put together an army and attack King's Landing where Joffrey has set up rule. Tyrion Lannister, the dwarf who is now the Hand of the King, does his best to defend King's Landing but they almost lose the fight until help arrives from other Lannisters.
Meanwhile, Daenerys Targaryen continues her journey to King's Landing with her three dragons who are still very young. She tries to get help from the city of Qarth but finds herself in a situation where she can't trust anyone. She is taken captive but manages to escape with the help of her fire-breathing dragons.
Arya Stark also has some interesting adventures on her way back home. She pretends to be a boy and ends up at Lannister-held Harrenhal where she is privy to political talks as a cup-bearer.
In this tale of war, politics and incestuous relations, alliances are formed and broken and you begin to see more and more depth in all the characters. Daenerys is particularly interesting, given that she's helpless at the beginning of the series but rises up and become more powerful as the story progresses. She was being abused by her brother in book one and now, with her three dragons, she has become a force to be reckoned with. The other most compelling character is Arya who, at barely 12 years of age, is making her own way north, trusting her instincts about who is friend and who is foe.
George R. R. Martin was born in 1948 in Bayonne, NJ. He grew up in the projects where he would often retreat into a fantasy world and come up with stories to entertain friends and family. He studied journalism in college and has been a writer ever since, writing short stories, novels and even television shows. His series A Song of Ice and Fire has been his most popular series so far and his books have won several awards, including the Locus Poll award and the Hugo Award. He was declared "one of the most influential people of 2011" by Time Magazine. The first two books of the A Song of Ice and Fire series have also been adapted for television in the HBO show A Game of Thrones.
Download A Clash of Kings now from The Audio Bookstore for a journey into a fantasy world full of war, politics, intrigue and, when you least expect it, love.
"I'm thoroughly enjoying listening to this audiobook - A clash of Kings. The book covers all the angles that the series didn't cover and makes the story of Game of Thrones come alive. I'm still listening but the episodes featuring Jonn Snow at the Wall and Aria after being smuggled out of Kingslanding force me to just keep listening as I'm just spellbound about what will happen next. I can't wait to finish this book and buy the next one to follow the story. "
— Dunstan Mlambo (5 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
THE BOOK BEHIND THE SECOND SEASON OF GAME OF THRONES, AN ORIGINAL SERIES NOW ON HBO.
Here is the second volume in George R.R. Martin magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Game of Thrones and A Storm of Swords. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hailed as a classic, George R.R. Martin stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.
A CLASH OF KINGS
A comet the color of blood and flame cuts across the sky. Two great leaders—Lord Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon—who hold sway over an age of enforced peace are dead, victims of royal treachery. Now, from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns. Six factions struggle for control of a divided land and the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, preparing to stake their claims through tempest, turmoil, and war. It is a tale in which brother plots against brother and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside. Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, victory may go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel...and the coldest hearts. For when kings clash, the whole land trembles.
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Quotes
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“Martin amply fulfills the first volume’s promise and continues what seems destined to be one of the best fantasy series ever written.”
— Denver Post -
“[Martin] ranks with such accomplished medievalists of fantasy as Poul Anderson and Gordon Dickson. Here, he provides a banquet for fantasy lovers with large appetites—and this is only the second course of a repast with no end in sight.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Martin has created a rich world filled with characters whose desires for love and power drive them to extremes of nobility and betrayal. Fans of epic fantasy should appreciate this lavishly detailed sequel to A Game of Thrones.”
— Library Journal -
“In the sequel to A Game of Thrones, Martin skillfully limns the complicated, bitter politics of an inbred aristocracy.”
— Booklist -
“The rewards are considerable: a backdrop of convincing depth and texture; intricate, flawless plotting; fully realized characters; and restrained, inventive magical/occult elements…Fans will certainly plunge right in.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
[George R. R.] Martin amply fulfills the first volume’s promise and continues what seems destined to be one of the best fantasy series ever written.
— The Denver Post
Awards
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A Los Angeles Times bestseller
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
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New York Times audio bestseller
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Finalist for the 1999 Nebula Award for Best Novel
A Clash of Kings Listener Reviews
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Kelly Jacobus, 9/24/2022
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Trinity, 9/13/2022
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tim packard, 5/18/2022
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Tim Plunkett, 7/7/2021
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Heidi Deal, 1/15/2021
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Cassandra Kennard , 7/22/2020
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David, 8/1/2019
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Rex Shaffer, 6/9/2017
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" if you're a fan of the show this will be an enlightenment. So much detail and plenty of storylines that are fleshed out more and/or altogether missing from the show. whole series on Audio book is a must "read". "
— EazE23, 10/18/2016 -
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Jacob Kurowski, 8/27/2015
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Jeff Jordan, 4/7/2015
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Kreg Gauss, 12/18/2014
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" Was shocked at bran being killed , the pleased by the last chapter. "
— Jacqueline, 2/1/2014 -
" More in the three and half star range. This book picks up right where the last one left off. It spends alot of time on Tyrion, who may be the most interesting character in the series. While each book in a series tends to take an indentity of its own, this one feels exactly like Game of Thrones. It also has the same use of twists, brutal elmination of characters, and general intense craziness that keeps things interesting. "
— Kevin, 1/21/2014 -
" It was a great read. Works well to build on the story after the first built a lot on the character. I love this series and can't wait to finish it. "
— Andrew, 1/18/2014 -
" A bit long winded at times but still a good read "
— Emma, 1/10/2014 -
" I am so sorry that I may be the only person on this planet who just can't enjoy these books. I find them boring and a chore to read. I couldn't finish this book so went to Wikipedia to find out what happened, and I am so glad I did so that no more time was wasted! "
— Claire, 12/29/2013 -
" Great. I just wish i had not seen series before reading it "
— Adam, 12/21/2013 -
" srsly, how does he do it? "
— Naterpotaters, 12/20/2013 -
" Not quite as good as the first book, though still gripped, onto a song of swords straight away "
— Thomas, 12/15/2013 -
" Oh good Ser Rodrick, you shall be sorely missed. "
— Nicole, 11/8/2013 -
" Not my favorite of the series but it still gets credit for continuing the series and setting up 'A Storm Swords'. "
— Alysia, 10/10/2013 -
" Ah. Soooooo good. Fantastic, well written characters rule the Seven Kingdoms. Love the constant twists and turns. "
— Kathi, 10/7/2013 -
" I haven't read a lot of fantasy, but I love this series. Martin's characters are well developed and he has a wonderful imagination. "
— Book_lover, 10/7/2013 -
" Better than the first one. The suspense and action are ramped up in this one compared to the first book. I couldn't put this one down. "
— Colin, 8/1/2013 -
" Just as good as the first one. R.R Martin writes a fantastic book and delves deeper into the mystical world you have already come to love. A must read. "
— Joe, 3/13/2013 -
" For you who loves fantasy, history and a good fight "
— Sandra, 11/11/2012 -
" This one was a slower read than the first book, but definitely a great read, nonetheless. "
— Kristina, 10/12/2012 -
" I love this series, it is so big! This is the type of series you just want to read all day and night. Eating? Sleeping? Working? No. You can't put it down and your loyalties are constantly changing! It's amazing and thrilling and horrible in such a good way! "
— Katilyn, 8/28/2012 -
" Intense, loving how the story is progressing. "
— Simone, 5/24/2012 -
" Its Game of Thrones... so therefore it is brilliant. "
— Abbey, 2/14/2012 -
" I found the ending a bit rushed on this one. But I'll continue the series. After I take a break and read something a bit more fun. "
— Patti, 10/2/2011 -
" Didn't think this one was a good as the first. Third is on hold at the library. "
— Jeni, 8/11/2011 -
" The beginning felt really slow to me, but once things started moving I could hardly put it down. "
— Bonnie, 7/28/2011 -
" Nice to finish out what was already in the TV series. Excellent management of multiple stories covering the goings on in the Seven Kingdoms and beyond. "
— Cary, 6/7/2011 -
" This book was amazing. I am hooked on the series and can't put the books down. I loved how the books were written. "
— Veronica, 6/6/2011 -
" Brilliant, compelling. Where's book 3? "
— Jackie, 5/19/2011 -
" nearly finished with book #2!..... "
— Lida, 5/18/2011 -
" not as good as first. everyone good dies. evil characters live and flourish "
— Shelley, 5/18/2011 -
" I felt like a lot less happened in this book, but it was good to see some of my favorite characters thrive. "
— Ikai, 5/17/2011 -
" The title pretty much says it all. "
— Eric, 5/17/2011 -
" A strong second book in a series that so far has drawn me in and impressed upon me that there is more in the fantasy genre than faeries and paranormal monsters. "
— Robin, 5/16/2011 -
" Love this series - all the characters are interesting and complex. "
— Deborah, 5/15/2011 -
" Very dark and violent, but absolutly riveting. Complex with great characters. I couldnt put it down. "
— Kristin, 5/15/2011
About George R. R. Martin
George R. R. Martin sold his first story in 1971 and has been writing professionally ever since. He spent ten years in Hollywood as a writer-producer, working on The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and television pilots that were never made. In the mid ’90s he returned to prose, his first love, and began work on his epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire. He has been in the Seven Kingdoms ever since. Whenever he’s allowed to leave, he returns to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he lives with the lovely Parris, a big white dog called Mischa, and two cats named Augustus and Caligula, who think they run the place.