A Clash of Kings

A Clash of Kings (book 2 of A Song of Ubiquity and 25% off at Target)
George R. R. Martin

As I had said in the previous review, this book was better in hindsight having made it through the second book, which I found to be a vast improvement.  Which was true.  And now, having finished the third one, I can say, jeez, I dunno.

In any event, it's a great improvement over Game of Thrones, in that the intrigue is more interesting, and there's a hell of a lot more action, which certainly helps make this one the best I've read in the series so far.

Good:

ACTION.  Jeez, and how.  Yes, this book is talky, but you can't say that shit doesn't happen in it.

Different characters.  Davos Seaworth's chapters especially are interesting reads, bringing new perspective to the story, especially as one of the few people in the book not constantly under oligarchic pressure from their noble blood and kin.  It's also nice to see some characters formerly sitting out the story in the background get the spotlight for once as well.

Better characterization.  Catelyn Stark actually gets some dimensions, and this book is all the better for it.  Her sorrow and frustrations were one of the most well written parts of the book I thought, even if they were a bit un-subtle.  Arya Stark's chapters got a lot more interesting as well, and it was nice to see her given more to do other than mope about not wanting to act like a lady.

Bad:

Drags at points.  This is an improvement over Game of Thrones, but, honestly, starts to get worse again in the next book in the series (review forthcoming.)  Again, I often would sigh to myself that another Sansa chapter was coming up, or the real offender this time, Danerys Targaryen, whose story really has yet to interest me very much even three books into the story.  Obviously it's a slow build with her, but jeez, this is pushing it for me.  The most improved award goes to the aforementioned Arya, whose chapters got pretty compelling.  Sadly, Jon Snow's chapters, which, after his initial "okay, sigh, he's getting into trouble again" phase, got quite interesting, seemed to slow back down into literal slow, plodding marches through the snow.

The dialogue isn't great.  Tyrion Lannister seemed wittier in the first book, to me.  At least no one was given the wind again.  But, geez, Danerys has some hokey lines.

Grade:  A- (this will drop back to reality for the next book.)