# A Clash of Kings

> 1998 novel by George R. R. Martin

**Wikidata**: [Q300370](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q300370)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Clash_of_Kings)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/a-clash-of-kings

## Summary

A Clash of Kings is the second novel in George R. R. Martin's epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, published on November 16, 1998. It is a high fantasy work set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, continuing the political and military struggles introduced in the first book. The novel received the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, solidifying its place as a significant achievement in the fantasy genre.

## Key Facts

- **Title:** A Clash of Kings
- **Author:** George R. R. Martin
- **Publication Date:** November 16, 1998
- **Series:** A Song of Ice and Fire (Book 2)
- **Preceded by:** A Game of Thrones (1996)
- **Succeeded by:** A Storm of Swords (2000)
- **Genre:** High Fantasy, Fantasy
- **Country of Origin:** United States
- **Award:** Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel (1978 inception, awarded for fantasy novels)
- **Aliases:** A clash of kings, ACOK, Clash of kings
- **Sitelink Count:** 43
- **Wikipedia Title:** A Clash of Kings
- **Official Website:** http://www.georgerrmartin.com/grrm_book/a-clash-of-kings-a-song-of-ice-and-fire-book-two/

## FAQs

**What is A Clash of Kings about?**
A Clash of Kings continues the narrative of A Song of Ice and Fire, following multiple noble houses in Westeros as they vie for control of the Iron Throne during a brutal civil war known as the War of the Five Kings.

**How does A Clash of Kings fit into the A Song of Ice and Fire series?**
It is the second installment in the seven-book epic fantasy series written by George R. R. Martin, following A Game of Thrones (1996) and preceding A Storm of Swords (2000).

**What genre does A Clash of Kings belong to?**
The novel is classified as high fantasy, a sub-genre of fantasy fiction characterized by its elaborate fantastical setting, and falls within the broader fantasy genre inspired by real-world myth and folklore.

**Did A Clash of Kings win any awards?**
Yes, it won the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, a prestigious literary award presented by Locus magazine, which has been recognizing excellence in science fiction and fantasy since 1978.

**Where was A Clash of Kings published?**
The novel was published in the United States, a country whose independence was declared on July 4, 1776, and formally recognized on May 12, 1784.

**What makes A Clash of Kings notable in fantasy literature?**
The novel is distinguished by its complex political intrigue, multiple POV characters, and detailed world-building, including fantasy maps that visualize the fictional geography of Westeros and Essos.

## Why It Matters

A Clash of Kings matters because it represents a pivotal moment in modern fantasy literature, demonstrating that the genre can handle sophisticated political narratives with morally ambiguous characters and intricate plotlines. The novel's success helped cement George R. R. Martin's reputation as one of the most influential fantasy authors of his generation and contributed to the broader cultural phenomenon surrounding A Song of Ice and Fire. The book's release in 1998 came during a period when high fantasy was evolving beyond traditional Tolkien-inspired narratives, and Martin's approach—featuring realistic character deaths, gray moralities, and gritty political realism—helped reshape reader expectations for the genre. The Locus Award recognition validated the novel's literary merit within the science fiction and fantasy community, while its commercial success helped expand the audience for epic fantasy beyond traditional genre readers. Furthermore, A Clash of Kings introduced world-building elements like the fantasy maps that have become integral to understanding the series' geography, enhancing reader immersion in the fictional universe.

## Notable For

- Second novel in the bestselling A Song of Ice and Fire series (88 sitelinks)
- Winner of the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel
- Published in 1998, marking the continuation of Martin's ambitious seven-book epic fantasy saga
- Features multiple point-of-view characters, a narrative technique that became signature to the series
- Contains detailed fantasy map visualizations of the fictional continents
- Part of the high fantasy sub-genre with 37 related sitelinks
- Associated with the broader fantasy genre with 99 related sitelinks
- Official website dedicated to the book maintained by the author

## Body

### Publication and Series Context

A Clash of Kings was released on November 16, 1998, as the second installment in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. The novel follows the events of A Game of Thrones (1996) and precedes A Storm of Swords (2000), forming part of what was originally conceived as a trilogy that eventually expanded to seven planned books. The series has become one of the most successful fantasy series in modern literature, with 88 sitelinks indicating extensive coverage across wikis and reference sites.

### Genre Classification

The novel belongs to the high fantasy genre, a sub-category of fantasy fiction defined by its elaborate fantastical setting that typically takes place in an entirely fictional world separate from reality. This classification places A Clash of Kings within a tradition that includes works like Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, but Martin's approach distinguishes itself through its focus on political realism, moral ambiguity, and grittier storytelling. The broader fantasy genre, which encompasses 99 related sitelinks, draws inspiration from real-world myth and folklore, and A Clash of Kings incorporates elements from various mythological traditions throughout its narrative.

### Awards and Recognition

A Clash of Kings received the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, a prestigious literary honor presented by Locus magazine, which has been recognizing excellence in science fiction and fantasy since 1978. The award is associated with the United States (country code Q30) and represents significant validation within the genre community. This recognition helped establish the novel's literary credentials and contributed to the series' growing prestige.

### Author and Origin

The novel was written by George R. R. Martin, an American author whose work has become synonymous with modern epic fantasy. The book was published in the United States, a country with a rich literary tradition in speculative fiction. The United States, founded through the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and whose independence was recognized by the Treaty of Paris in 1784, has produced many of the genre's most influential works.

### World-Building Elements

A Clash of Kings features fantasy maps as integral components of its world-building, with 5 related sitelinks indicating their significance. These visual representations depict the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, providing readers with geographical context for the novel's political conflicts and character journeys. The detailed mapping of fictional worlds has become a hallmark of the high fantasy genre, and Martin's approach to cartography has influenced how fantasy worlds are presented to readers.

### Series Connections

The novel maintains direct connections to its predecessor A Game of Thrones (1996) and successor A Storm of Swords (2000), both by the same author. These connections form part of the larger A Song of Ice and Fire series, which encompasses all of Martin's interconnected novels. The series structure allows for ongoing character development and plot threads that span multiple volumes, creating an immersive reading experience that rewards sustained engagement.

### Publication Details

The official website for A Clash of Kings is maintained at http://www.georgerrmartin.com/grrm_book/a-clash-of-kings-a-song-of-ice-and-fire-book-two/, providing readers with authoritative information directly from the author. The novel is also known by several aliases: A clash of kings, ACOK, and Clash of kings, reflecting common ways readers and fans refer to the book. With 43 sitelinks and a dedicated Wikipedia article titled "A Clash of Kings," the novel has substantial digital presence across reference platforms.

### Cultural Impact

A Clash of Kings played a crucial role in establishing the cultural phenomenon that A Song of Ice and Fire would become. The novel's publication helped build the dedicated fanbase that would eventually support the television adaptation and expand the series' reach beyond traditional fantasy readers. Its success demonstrated the commercial viability of complex, multi-volume fantasy narratives and influenced how publishers approached the genre.

## References

1. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
2. [Source](https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_1999)
3. MusicBrainz
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://archive.org/details/clashofkingsbook00mart)
6. [Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL257939W/A_Clash_of_Kings?edition=key%3A/books/OL32491694M)
7. [Source](https://nebulas.sfwa.org/award-year/1999/)
8. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/A_Clash_of_Kings-ZXX3WZ)
9. Goodreads