Lives up to A Game of Thrones

Having made a stunningly successful debut into fantasy with "A Game of Thrones", Martin Continues with the second volume of the Song of Ice & Fire saga, "A Clash of Kings". To his credit, Martin Manages to keep up the quality of the first volume, despite the number of characters and sub-plots growing seemingly uncontrollably. In what is Perhaps in effort to reduce the complications, Martin resorts to killing off some of the main characters, so did by the end of the second volume, the cast is back to manageable proportions. In a sense, it is difficult to review this book as it is CLEARLY meant as a bridging novel to the upcoming book 3. Without revealing the story, let me say That the main focus of the volume is to resolve some of the burgeoning sub- plots and lesser characters. In the process, Martin does leave one wondering about the cut threads now dangling in mid-air. Presumably Subsequent volumes will connect them up but for the moment the suspense is awkward. What happens to Melissandre back on Dragonstone? Does R'hllor play any part Further? Where and how does Jaqen H'gar disappear and he will re-appear? What Exactly happens to Jaime Lannister in the end? What was the point, if any, of Daenerys' Dothraki Diaspora? When, if ever, will resume her Arya Stark identity? One is left wondering and a bit unsettled at the lack of answers. But on the plus side, having got several sub-plots out of the way (for now?) Martin finally turns to the main plot. The battle (if not the war) for Kings Landing and the Iron Throne is settled and the Night's Watch rides north into force; now Jon Snow must face an unknown and unlooked for Destiny. Excellent character and scene descriptions remain depictions Martin's strength. As many of us readers Suspected, the Imp, sympathetically portrayed by Martin in the first volume, returns to center stage in the second book and Martin does appear to be speaking through him. Still HOWEVER, Martin refuses to heed his readers' pleas for a prologue and most annoying of all for me at least, is unwilling to take the trouble of mapping the geography of his world. Westeros is slightly better charted in this volume but the Free Cities, the Dothraki Sea and the rest of his world remain off the edge of the maps. Please Mr. Martin, do something about this in Book 3. For Those who have already read A Game of Thrones, do not miss A Clash of Kings. For Those Who are new to the saga, you will do better to read book 1 first (A Game of Thrones).