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
