A Clash of Kings
George R. R. Martin
708 pages

This is the second book of A Song of Fire and Ice and a more traditional sort of fantasy book then Bridge of Birds at first look. A closer look does reveal that this series is different from the many Tolkien clones on the market. Martin has no qualms in killing off his characters, there's no stereotyped good versus evil conflict and the picture he paints is grimly realistic, not unlike Glen Cook's Black Company series for instance.

This was a reread, after I had reread the first book over Christmas, in preparation for the third book in the series, which had come out last year and I had bought a few months ago.

A Storm of Swords
George R. R. Martin
924 pages

The sequel to A Clash of Kings Martin doesn't spare his characters anymore then he did in the first two books of this series. The bodycount is very high and suprising. Do worry, your favourites may not survive this book...

After having read this book, I'm convinced this is going to be one of the classic fantasy series, on a similiar level to Tolkien, no matter how tired that comparison is. Highly recommened, if you like your fantasy to be realistic and brutal.