Epic fantasy
A Clash of Kings
With the realm splitting under rival claimants, five kings fight for the crown while a boy-king's mother schemes in the capital. The Starks are scattered and an exiled queen tries to raise power in the east.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1998
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 761
- Format
- Book 2 of 5 in A Song of Ice and Fire
Read this if you finished the first book and want its war-and-intrigue story to widen across more characters.
Skip this if you haven't read the first book, as it picks up without any recap.
The feel
Content warnings
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Quick answers about A Clash of Kings
- What is A Clash of Kings about?
- With the realm splitting under rival claimants, five kings fight for the crown while a boy-king's mother schemes in the capital. The Starks are scattered and an exiled queen tries to raise power in the east.
- Who should read A Clash of Kings?
- Read it if you finished the first book and want its war-and-intrigue story to widen across more characters. Skip it if you haven't read the first book, as it picks up without any recap.
- How long and how fast is A Clash of Kings?
- It is a medium-paced, long read of about 761 pages, first published in 1998.
- Does A Clash of Kings have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, War, Torture, Sexual assault.
- Can I borrow A Clash of Kings for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends A Clash of Kings; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after A Clash of Kings?
- Readers who liked it often move on to A Game of Thrones, The Black Company, Tigana.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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