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A Clash Of Kings



I finally finished reading the second book in George RR Martin's saga A Song of Ice and Fire and despite the fact that I felt the need to slow the reading down a bit, I really liked the way he worked the story.
As we read, the story grows further and further apart from what's presented to us on the TV show and my interest rises. New characters gain a significant voice and the plot extends, taking on new shapes. You will get to know new places and people, and even have some past events finally explained in greater detail.
The story becomes more dense and it could prove complicated at first (specially for those who don't even follow the TV series) but the amazing writing will help visualize the complex political intrigue, the crude bloodshed aswell as the mystic and magic which is rising throughout the whole realm.  
The book is deeply involving, largely due to the characters that are so alive and complex, full of ambiguity and not the classic good vs evil dichotomy we've grown used to. At Westeros, most of the people do not fight for ideals but for power or even safety. There are no stupid opponents to facilitate anyone's life, the characters are clever and learn with their mistakes, increasing the intrigue in all fronts.
George RR Martin does not romanticize life and its' events, making sure the atmosphere is full of dark and somber lighting, battles are not glamorous and most of the scenes are raw and crude, just as they ought to be.
As a fantasy book, the author calls upon some mystical or magical elements, but he manages to do it in a way in which the story doesn't lose credibility or it's grasp on reality.
The story remains surprising and the third book is already on my 'To Read' list as we speak.

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