WARNING: This may contain spoilers. Don't say I didn't warn you.
I finished A Clash of Kings last month after an officemate lent her copy to me. Before that, I was such a slow reader because I relied on an electronic copy of the book and much to my dismay I discovered I'm not one to enjoy reading ebooks.
Book 2 of A Song of Ice and Fire picks up from the ending of A Game of Thrones. Stannis Baratheon is now part of the story, as opposed to just being referred to a lot in book 1. He becomes central to the whole plot as narrated from the POV of Davos Seaworth, an onion smuggler-turned-loyal-supporter. His claim to the throne after his brother King Robert's death is the most legitimate one, since Joffrey is not really Robert's son, but the result of Queen Cersei and Jaime's incestuous relationship. However, his claim does not stand unopposed as his younger and more popular brother Renly also aspires for the throne. Unfortunately, Renly is killed by a shadow concocted by the red priestess Melisandre who supports Stannis.
What I like most about the second book is that Tyrion became the Hand of the King as substitute for his father Tywin Lannister. As Hand, he has the power to oppose his twistedly cruel nephew King Joffrey. Also, we see his cunning and calculating mind put to work as he navigates through court politics. Here we have a glimpse of this small man, together with his small army of mountain clansmen, with his big brains, big heart, and uh, his big c*ck.
Suddenly kings sprouted just about anywhere. Robb Stark has been proclaimed as King of the North. Theon Greyjoy captures Winterfell and his father Balon Greyjoy declared himself King of the Iron Islands. But this is short-lived as his death was reported in Book 3 A Storm of Swords (and I am about to finish this book and have yet to see even an episode of Season 3). To escape possible execution, Bran and Rickon escape with the help of the wildling Osha, Hodor the stableboy, and the Reeds children Jojen and Meera.
Jon Snow's narratives are very boring. Brothers of the Night's Watch visit Craster's Keep for information on Benjen Stark and Mance Rayder, the King-beyond-the-Wall. One night, Jon Snow accidentally witnesses Craster sacrificing a newborn male child, but is cautioned to speak against it. He kills Quorin Halfhand, once a good friend of Mance Rayder, but is only forced to do so. Quorin Halfhand wants Jon Snow to live with the wildlings and in order to do so, he must demonstrate that he has broken his oath by killing Quorin.
Another interesting part in the book is the suspense in how Arya, Gendry, and Hot Pie fare in Harrenhal where they are captured. There she is granted 3 deaths by Jaqen H'ghar whom Arya saved once. We see here that Arya is one who may commit mistakes but can quickly recognize them and think deeper. This is demonstrated when she asks for the death of two minor Lannister men. For her third wish, she asks help for the Boltons to occupy Harrenhal. Still the outcome was not as I expected because by that time, the Boltons' loyalty to the Starks is put into question.
Last but definitely one that is of the most interest to me is the narratives concerning Daenerys Targaryen. She and her dragons are seen as a wonder in the City of Qarth where powerful men want to get hold of the last three remaining dragons in the world. Her dragons have grown a bit stronger and Drogon even burns down the House of the Undying. Daenerys gains two companions after she is saved from an assassination attempt. (In Book 3, it will be revealed that the old man Arstan Whitebeard is actually Barristan Selmy, banished knight of the Kingsguard after the death of King Robert.)
With all these happening, I cannot wait for Dany's dragons to grow bigger and stronger in Book 3. Also, I wonder about the fate of Sansa Stark who have been held hostage until the most part of Book 3.
Jon Snow's narratives are very boring. Brothers of the Night's Watch visit Craster's Keep for information on Benjen Stark and Mance Rayder, the King-beyond-the-Wall. One night, Jon Snow accidentally witnesses Craster sacrificing a newborn male child, but is cautioned to speak against it. He kills Quorin Halfhand, once a good friend of Mance Rayder, but is only forced to do so. Quorin Halfhand wants Jon Snow to live with the wildlings and in order to do so, he must demonstrate that he has broken his oath by killing Quorin.
Another interesting part in the book is the suspense in how Arya, Gendry, and Hot Pie fare in Harrenhal where they are captured. There she is granted 3 deaths by Jaqen H'ghar whom Arya saved once. We see here that Arya is one who may commit mistakes but can quickly recognize them and think deeper. This is demonstrated when she asks for the death of two minor Lannister men. For her third wish, she asks help for the Boltons to occupy Harrenhal. Still the outcome was not as I expected because by that time, the Boltons' loyalty to the Starks is put into question.
Last but definitely one that is of the most interest to me is the narratives concerning Daenerys Targaryen. She and her dragons are seen as a wonder in the City of Qarth where powerful men want to get hold of the last three remaining dragons in the world. Her dragons have grown a bit stronger and Drogon even burns down the House of the Undying. Daenerys gains two companions after she is saved from an assassination attempt. (In Book 3, it will be revealed that the old man Arstan Whitebeard is actually Barristan Selmy, banished knight of the Kingsguard after the death of King Robert.)
With all these happening, I cannot wait for Dany's dragons to grow bigger and stronger in Book 3. Also, I wonder about the fate of Sansa Stark who have been held hostage until the most part of Book 3.
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