I started reading A Song of Ice and Fire, like many, to read [b:A Game of Thrones|13496|A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)|George R.R. Martin|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1239039164s/13496.jpg|1466917] before the show starts this month. The first was spectacular, and while A Clash of Kings is a worthy follow-up, it's not quite at the same level.

Paced more slowly, it feels at times a little rambling and that perhaps it doesn't require all of its 700 pages. Often the lines between "good" and "evil" seem to be drawn a little too definitely, and many of the characters seem a little one-dimensional.

But to focus purely on these points and ignore simply how good the book is is to do it a huge injustice. Martin is a masterful writer and infuses every scene with description that has his lands coming to life behind your eyes. His battle scenes are rightly horrific, his character's emotions often very real.

A Clash of Kings is a fantastic but flawed book, who's problems are only apparent due to the standard set by AGoT. I will be picking up the third instalment as soon as possible, and if it's of the same quality as this that's quite a feat in itself.