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
