Second book in George RR Martin's epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, is a worthy sequel to A Game of Thrones, one of the best epic fantasy books ever written. It continues events started in first book, adds new characters to the ones we already know, settles some and starts many more cliffhangers - all in all, George RR Martin at his best.

Characters we all know and love from the previous book are here - Jon Snow, Dany, Arya, Cersei and Jaime, Tyrion… With all of theirs viewpoints we know and learned to love. Beside them new characters are introduced - Brienne and Theon, givin deeper perspective to the plot that unveils more deeply in this book.

In Westeros, War of the Five Kings is gaining momentum, Renly and Stannis Baratheon - brothers to the late King Robert, Joffrey Baratheon - oldest son of the King, are fighting over succession rights to Iron Throne, Robb Stark has proclaimed himself King in the North, fighting to avenge his fathers murder and to win independence for the North, and Balon Greyjoy proclaims independence of Iron Isles and starts raiding North.

In the meantime Tyrion goes to the King's Landing to act as a Hand to his nephew Joffrey. This leads to unavoidable clash with his sister Cersei, and puts Tyrions intellect to heavy trials, as he's trying to rule city in turmoil, prepare defenses for possible assault, and control his nephew's character.

Starks suffer even more as their house stronghold Winterfell is raised, and youngest of Ned and Cathelyn's children narrowly escape death and capture. Arya participates in series of event's, cunningly hiding her real identity, ending in her receiving a coin and a phrase "Valar Morghulis" from mysterious man called Jaqen H'ghar, and treveling for port town of Bravos.

Jon Snow travels with the host of men from Night's Watch under the command of Jeor Mormont. They are headed north beyond the Wall, trying to reveal terrible secret behind rising of one of their own dead members as undead. Jon goes to hard reconnaissance mission, which end's in him falsely turn from Night's Watch and join Wildling's under their King-beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder.

Dany is struggling with heir's few followers and three newborn Dragons, they reach city of Qarth. With her Dragons she is the wonder of the city, but despite that she does not manage to secure support for her conquest of Westeros. She visits the House of Undying, which ends in disaster, as her dragon Drogon sets fire to the building. Confused by visions she received in the House of Undying, she's forced to flee Qarth.

Events in this book will be basis for the season 2 of the Game of Thrones series on HBO. If you are interested in epic fantasy or just curious about development of this award winning series, you really should read this excellent book. I've read it with high expectation, because of the way I loved A Game of Thrones, and it fulfilled them. If you are up to the good fantasy book, swag one of the copies of A Clash of Kings, and enjoy yourself until season 2 of Game of Thrones hits HBO.