A Clash of Kings

A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 2

By: George R. R. Martin

Narrated by: Roy Dotrice

THE BOOK BEHIND THE SECOND SEASON OF GAME OF THRONES, AN ORIGINAL SERIES NOW ON HBO.

In this sequel to A Game of Thrones, George Martin pursues the embattled Seven Kingdoms through a bitter 10-year winter in which good and evil contend for power. When cruel Queen Cerisi's son takes the Iron Throne following the death of its king, Robert Baratheon, the Queen's sons and Robert's brothers battle for control of the realm. Robert's young daughter, Princess Arya Stark, flees the kingdom disguised as a boy, as the exiled last heir of the former ruling family tends to his dragons. Meanwhile, the guardians of the realm's Wall dwindle in numbers as menacing barbarians gather their forces. Set in a glittering fantasy world enriched by 8,000 years of history, this baroque jewel captivates with its believable characters, deftly realized magic, and intricate plotting.©1999 George R.R. Martin; (P)2004 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

“The dark, crisp plotting will please fans of the layered intrigues of Dorothy Dunnett or Robert Graves.”—Booklist

mixed emotions

While I have enjoyed the series immensely, I am periodically put off by Roy Dotrice's portrayals of some of the characters. He does many things so well including consistent and distinct voices for each character and keeping Tyrion and The King slayers voices different but similar (they are brothers). But often he portrays young people and women with voices that sound so unrealistic that I find it disturbing and distracting. Teenagers are often made to sound much older and most older characters sound toothless. I am about to try the fourth book in the series and hope that the narrator, who did Pillars of the Earth, is an improvement, though I suspect from the preview that some of the subtle tones of Dotrice will be sacrificed for more of a "reading" than a portrayal. Stay tuned.

great book, terrible narrator

Unfortunately, Roy Dotrice makes this book harder to follow than it needs to be. A great book. A horrible narrator. Audible, please get John Lee to read this book!

Unbelievable

Can I give this audio book 7 stars out of 5, or 8, 9 or 10? Only then would my reaction be accurately represented. The reader is awesome. If you listened to the first book, you'll get used to him quickly enough. It's funny but you can hear him trying to get used to himself. His accent of Tyrion's voice morphs throughout A Game of Thrones, developing into a sort of Scottish/Irish/Dwarfish? impishness that is perfection. After that you have to love this reader, and it is important, although the book's good enough to listen to even if it were read by someone as crappy as John Lee, poor chap, who picks up where Roy Dotrice leaves off in A Feast for Crows.
By the way, if you have succumbed to buying this book because of the inexorable disease-like symptomps of sudden onset A-Song-of-Ice-and-Fire addiction (or SOASoIaFA), fear not, it's pretty much the best plague ever.
George R. R. Martin has created something so thoroughly cramped with action and suspence that, given its volume, it is almost paradoxical. His world is palpable and vast. Characters of every kind will go to war, good against bad, ugly, and evil, all at once. And yet somehow, the next book gets even better. Read it. Or listen to it. Just go.

Great book, Great reader, but no ending to story

I really liked the book, The story is great and with the reader it makes a great combo. I found myself wishing it would never end, its too bad that it didnt. Like many other fantasy stories the book ends right in the middle of the story. After 36 short hours I was thinking something would be concluded. I would get it again but be prepared.

Well Written - Well Read

Like the one before this, it's absolutely fantastic. I've read all 3 titles currently available in this series and hearing them read is even better. Roy Dotrice takes an already wonderful story and makes it come alive with seperate voices for each and every character. Well written, well read. 5 stars 2 thumbs up and a double snap!