It's been a month since I've read a book, and this book is certainly the best possible start to a new, psychotic, and obsessive session of reading.
If you haven't read the first book, the next paragraph is for you. A spoiler-free summary. But before I do that, let me tell you that I feel sorry for you. You have been missing out on something great and amazing all this while. You really should rush to a bookstore or to that friend who has this book. Anyways, moving on.
Summers last for decades. So do winters. And when King Robert Baratheon appoints his friend Lord Eddard Stark to the office of the Hand Of The King, a struggle for the Iron Throne begins. The Stark Family is torn apart by unexpected enemies, the treachery at court makes way for an entirely new chain of events, and the vengeance seeking heir of the Targaryen family, who were deposed of the throne claims it. And in order to get back the throne, he gives away his sister to a bunch of ruthless barbarians in exchange for an army. And that gives way to something fascinating.
Now, onto the book of the hour, The sequel.
This book picks up right where the last one ended. This summary of the second book might come as spoilers to the people who didn't read the first book, but I don't care. It's your fault.
Robert’s son, Joffrey Baratheon, is now the King. Robb Stark declares himself the King Of The North. Robert’s brothers, Stannis and Renly all claim the throne of Westeros, and are now a threat to Joffrey. Theon Greyjoy gets to meet his family, and Daenerys Targaryen travels east with her three most prized possessions and her followers travel east in the hope of raising an army strong enough to conquer the seven kingdoms.
I think it is quite evident that I love the first book. Let me tell you, the second one is just as awesome. In some ways, it sets new standards.
The striking feature of the series is the multiple character point-of-view narration. The first book was told in the eyes of eight characters, and this one is told using 9 characters. Obviously, this book is a little more twisted than the first one. The storyline is complicated, and it might become a little difficult to understand what exactly is happening. Also, with the introduction of two new characters to the narration list, the story is developed from the point of two new kingdoms which were not even talked about in the first book. Like in the first book, this works wonders.
Like the first book, this book is also deeply rooted into realism. Every single chapter that talks about war strategies and the war itself is a brilliant example of the realism I so love and hope for in the coming books. The mad, what-the-hell ending of the first book brings about the first mythical part of the story, and it is excellently managed here. To weave something supernatural with a world that closely resembles ours is no small achievement.
Order the books, or go out and get them now. It is not everyday that fantasy books are nothing short of genius.
Rating: 4.5 / 5.
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