Full title  A Clash of Kings

Author George R. R. Martin

Type of work Novel

Genre Fantasy

Language English

Time and place written Mid-1990s, New Mexico, United States

Date of first publication November 1998

Publisher Voyager Books (United Kingdom)

Narrator A third-person limited narrator tells the story from the point of view of several main characters as the events occur.

Point of view Third-person limited

Tone Direct and engaging

Tense Past

Setting (time) A fictional present based on medieval Europe

Setting (place) The fictional Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and the lands across the narrow sea

Protagonist Multiple

Major conflict Numerous characters vie for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.

Rising action The rival armies maneuver around one another in the field while characters jockey for political position and personal survival.

Climax Tyrion and Tywin Lannister defend King’s Landing from Stannis Baratheon, leaving the Stark forces alone to face the Lannister armies.

Falling action The Lannisters consolidate their hold on power in the capital and the youngest Stark children flee their home to destinations unknown.

Themes The Chaos of War, Disadvantage as a Source of Power, The Necessity of Confronting Difficult Truths

Motifs Abandoned Settlements, Incest, Rumor

Symbols The Comet, The Sigils, The Direwolves

Foreshadowing Bran’s dreams, Jojen’s dreams, Arya’s sword practice, Davos’s advice to Stannis to attack King’s Landing quickly

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