A Clash of Kings

A Clash of Kings is a fantasy novel by George R. R. Martin, first published in 1998. It is the second volume of the series A Song of Ice and Fire, following A Game of Thrones. The novel depicts the realm of Westeros descending into open civil war, the conflict known as the War of the Five Kings, as multiple claimants press rival claims to the Iron Throne in the wake of the events of the first book.

The novel widens the scope of the series, introducing new viewpoint characters and settings while deepening the supernatural undercurrents that run beneath the political struggle.

Overview

With the throne contested, several kings rise at once. Stannis Baratheon and Renly Baratheon, brothers of the late king, each claim the crown, while Robb Stark is hailed King in the North and Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands declares his own independence. In King's Landing, Tyrion Lannister arrives to serve as acting Hand of the King for his nephew King Joffrey, and must defend the capital against the gathering forces of his enemies.

The book introduces the red priestess Melisandre, who attaches herself to Stannis Baratheon and brings the fire magic of R'hllor into the war. In the east, Daenerys Targaryen seeks ships and allies for her own claim, journeying to the strange city of Qarth with her young dragons. In the north, Jon Snow ranges beyond the Wall with the Night's Watch, and at Winterfell the younger Starks face betrayal from within.

Place in the series

A Clash of Kings escalates the dynastic conflict introduced in A Game of Thrones into full-scale war, culminating in the great Battle of the Blackwater, the defense of King's Landing against Stannis Baratheon's assault. Its principal viewpoint characters include Tyrion Lannister, Catelyn Stark, Jon Snow, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, Sansa Stark, Daenerys Targaryen, and Theon Greyjoy, whose arc of divided loyalty becomes central to the book.

The novel balances the worldly clash of armies with the rising tide of magic, as comets, shadow-creatures, and prophecy signal that older powers are stirring across the world.

Publication

A Clash of Kings was first published in 1998. It continued the rising popularity of the series and was widely praised for expanding the world and sustaining the narrative momentum of the first novel.