19 May 2011

Thursday Tea: A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin

The Book: A few weeks ago I listened to George R. R. Martin's A Clash of Kings, the second in his Song of Ice and Fire series. If you read my review of A Game of Thrones, you know how much I love these books.

A Clash of Kings begins just where the first book ended, with families and kingdoms regrouping after losses, betrayals, and new alliances. It's difficult to convey the complexity of Martin's world. The characters are as real as the people you know in your everyday life and cannot be described in simple terms. People regret their decisions and actions, the weak harbor hidden strengths, and the seemingly selfish show surprising generosity.

The novel delivers what the title suggests; this is a story of war, both on the battlefield and through deceit and cunning. Because no one is safe from death, the ultimate winner of the iron throne and the crown of the Seven Kingdoms cannot be predicted.

There are two more books in the series with more in progress. I'll be reading them all.

The Tea: Because of all the chill and rain we've had over the last week, I turned to a great favorite of mine: Harney & Son's Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea. I've said it before, but this tea is fantastic and an true staple in this house. Here's the company's description: "medium-bodied black tea . . . naturally sweetened to perfection by a blend of cinnamons, orange, and sweet cloves. The remarkably assertive tea effuses a hot spicy aroma and sets off miniature fireworks on the tongue that'll have you exclaim WOW!" Just the aroma alone will win you over.

The Assessment: Daenerys Targaryen, the Khaleesi across the sea, would definitely be drinking this tea. She has married into an exotic clan, and the spices would be familiar to her people. In the Seven Kingdoms, the Lannisters, perhaps the richest of the clans vying for control of the throne, might be familiar with Hot Cinnamon Spice tea. Everyone else, however, is probably drinking more ordinary strong black tea. Tea of any sort will soon be welcome to all: Winter is coming to the land, and warmth will be hard to find.

What About You? What are drinking during these days of transition into summer in the north and winter in the south? And what books are you reading or listening to this week?

A Clash of Kings at Powell's
A Clash of Kings at Book Depository
These links lead to affiliate programs.

Thursday Tea was the brainchild of Anastasia at Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog.

Published by Random House / Bantam Spectra, 2005 (originally published 1999)
ISBN-13: 9780553381696
YTD: 49
Source: Bought (see review policy).
Rating: A
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)
FTC: I buy all teas myself, I am not a tea reviewer.

9 comments:

bermudaonion 5/19/11, 8:54 AM  

Vance is raving over this series! He says he's been tired all week because he's been staying up too late reading.

Zibilee 5/19/11, 9:20 AM  

Oh that tea does sound excellent, and I am wondering just where I can get some!

Martha@Hey, I want to read that 5/19/11, 10:57 AM  

We've had tea weather for the last few days but I think we may being turning the corner towards ice tea weather. I wonder if your tea would make tasty ice tea

Col (Col Reads) 5/19/11, 12:36 PM  

I haven't read any science fiction or fantasy in a long time, but the fabulous reviews I'm reading about this series might send me over the edge!

trish 5/19/11, 2:14 PM  

I'll be reading this whole series myself here pretty soon. I started A Game of Thrones, but put it down because I had to read a book for a book club I'm in. I've been thinking about it ever since, though!

Sarah McCoy 5/19/11, 3:10 PM  

Oo, it sounds like one of my favorites--a Christmas Spice tea I get annually. I love it and your book pairing! "Winter is coming to the land..." THAT alone makes me want to go brew some cinnamon spice now. I adore our tea parties and you even more, my lady. Happy TT!

Robin M 5/19/11, 9:02 PM  

So tempting to get the next book and start reading it, but my tbr pile overfloweth. I've been drinking Earl Grey Creme or Honeybush Vanilla from Teavana. Yummy!

Darlene 5/20/11, 3:01 PM  

I found a great price on the Kindle version of this series a few weeks ago so I picked it up. I'm anxious to start reading it with all the good reviews I've seen.

Unknown 6/10/11, 11:22 AM  

Glad you enjoyed the second one! I can't wait to it..but at the same time I'm not rushing to it since it's such a chunkster. lol

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