A Clash of Kings

Article written by Joshua Ehiosun

C2 certified writer.

‘A Clash of Kings’ is a novel that tells a story of war, betrayal, hate, duty, and honor. It exquisitely lays out the lives of its characters as it shows their struggle for survival, identity, and revenge in a world ravaged by war, despair, and terror. The story begins right after the death of Ned and the ascension of Joffrey unto the Iron Throne.

Key Facts about A Clash of Kings

• Book Title: ‘A Clash of Kings.’
• Author: George R. R. Martin.
• Book Inspiration: A primary source of inspiration for ‘A Clash of Kings’ comes from a real-world conflict called the Wars of the Roses. The Wars of the Roses was a thirty-year war that ravaged England in the late 15th century. Martin drew inspiration from the events of the war.
• Publication Date: November 16, 1998.
• Literary Period: Contemporary Period.
• Point of View: Limited Third-person point of view.
• Setting: Westeros, Essos.
• Climax: The story climaxes when Tyrion and his men fight off Stannis Baratheon. With almost all hope gone, Tywin Lannister and the House of Tyrell save the day and successfully rescues King’s Landing.
• Protagonists: Jon Snow, Arya, Daenerys, Bran.
• Antagonists: Cersei, Tywin, Stannis.
• Sequel: ‘A Storm of Swords.’
• Preceded by: ‘A Game of Thrones.’

George R. R. Martin and A Clash of Kings

After the overwhelming success of ‘A Game of Thrones,’ George R. R. Martin released a sequel titled ‘A Clash of Kings’ in 1998. The new novel became an instant love among fans as it propelled the story of Westeros’s heroes and villains.

It dived deeper into politics and power struggles in Martin’s world as the primary characters navigated their way in a war-torn continent filled with chaos and death.

Books Related to A Clash of Kings

As a novel of war, hatred, politics, and betrayal, there are many novels with similar themes and storylines to ‘A Clash of Kings.’ Here are a few of them:

• ‘The Wise Man’s Fear’ by Patrick Rothfuss is a fantasy novel that tells the story of a hero, Kvothe, from his point of view. After the Rivalry between him and a member of the nobility forces in the university intensifies, Kvothe leaves in search of greener pastures. His journey takes him to Vintas, where he becomes a part of the political society. To receive favor from the noble in Vintas, he uncovers an assassination attempt, leads a band of mercenaries into the woods to investigate the constant attack on King’s Road, and enters a conflict with an arcanist. With everything happening, Kvothe sticks to his true purpose of seeking out the answers to the death of his parents. He meets the Adem Mercenary and gets forced to reclaim the honor of Edema Ruh by traveling into the Fae realm. There he meets Felurian, the woman no man can resist.
• ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ by J. K. Rowling is the fourth novel in the Harry Potter series. Almost completing his wizardry training, Harry Potter tries to leave the Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup with Hermione. However, the past haunts him and sets him apart from everyone.
• ‘Dune’ by Frank Herbert tells the story of humanity 10,000 years into the future. After human society expands, Melange, a drug-like substance that grants heightened mental capabilities and youth, becomes the most crucial substance in the universe. A struggle for dominance over Melange production ensues among the great houses of the empire. The House of Atreides gets chosen by the Padishah Emperor to become the new governors of Arrakis, the only planet with the substance. House Harkonnen, the former governors of Arrakis, begins plotting against Leto, the ruler of House Atreides. Leto moves to Arrakis with his young son, Paul, and his concubine Jessica and tries to enter a treaty with the Fremen, the native inhabitants of the planet. On realizing that Leto has a son by a Bene Gesserit mother, the Fremen begin believing that Paul is the messiah that will lead the Fremen to victory against their enemies and turn their desert world into a lush planet. Tragedy strikes as the House of Atreides get invaded by House Harkonnen in conjunction with the emperor. Leto gets killed during the conflict, and Paul escapes with his mother. Paul later becomes a part of the Fremen, and after he becomes the Kwisatz Haderach, he leads the Fremen to victory against the Emperor and House Harkonnen. In the end, Paul becomes the new emperor.
• ‘The Silmarillion’ by J. R. R. Tolkien is a story that starts before ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit.’ The novels tell the story of a world when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, lived on Middle Earth. Morgoth takes the Silmarils, jewels containing the pure light of Valinor; this forces the High Elves to declare war against him.
• ‘A Game of Thrones’ by George R. R. Martin is the first novel in a Song of Ice and Fire. It tells the story of many characters across the continents of Westeros and Essos. From Eddard stark, the Lord of Winterfell, to Daenerys Targaryen, the last child of Aerys II Targaryen. After Robert Baratheon rebels against Aerys II, the House of Targaryen falls, and Robert becomes king. However, after his hand, Jon Arryn dies, Robert travels to Winterfell and asks Eddard Stark to become the new Hand of the King. Though Eddard shows reluctance, he accepts the position and goes to King’s Landing with Robert against his wife’s advice. Eddard’s position as the Hand of the King leads him to uncover that Cersei, the Queen, had all her children by her brother, Jaime. Before Eddard tells Robert the truth, Robert dies in a hunting accident, and Ned gets arrested for treason. Ned loses his life leading to war, and Stannis Baratheon, Robert’s brother, receives a letter from him stating that Joffrey is an illegitimate child.

The Lasting Impact on A Clash of Kings