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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
um. amazing. read it pretty much nonstop for 2.5 days... ready for book 2.
2018 listened to audiobook. just as good if not better! <3
2018 listened to audiobook. just as good if not better! <3
Can't quite decide between 3 and 4 stars.
Good solid GGK but a little like the [b:Lions of al-Rassan|104101|The Lions of al-Rassan|Guy Gavriel Kay|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171506640s/104101.jpg|955081] it comprises of tight adventures on a few, interlinked, characters and then rather than escalating into a classical high-fantasy epic it pulls back into a epic scope tightly concluded with the characters actions in context.
This is GGK's intention - the retelling of history via the fantastical - but it jars sometimes. In [b:The Last Light of the Sun|104080|The Last Light of the Sun (The Sarantine Mosaic, Book 3)|Guy Gavriel Kay|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171506604s/104080.jpg|416279] it went better because in general the scope wasn't quite so epic.
This was a fantastical retelling of events in the Tang dynasty (apparently) but don't let that concern you.
Good solid GGK but a little like the [b:Lions of al-Rassan|104101|The Lions of al-Rassan|Guy Gavriel Kay|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171506640s/104101.jpg|955081] it comprises of tight adventures on a few, interlinked, characters and then rather than escalating into a classical high-fantasy epic it pulls back into a epic scope tightly concluded with the characters actions in context.
This is GGK's intention - the retelling of history via the fantastical - but it jars sometimes. In [b:The Last Light of the Sun|104080|The Last Light of the Sun (The Sarantine Mosaic, Book 3)|Guy Gavriel Kay|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171506604s/104080.jpg|416279] it went better because in general the scope wasn't quite so epic.
This was a fantastical retelling of events in the Tang dynasty (apparently) but don't let that concern you.
Epic. Makes me curious of the rest of Chinese history. Romantic in a way that feels true to real life and history.
Kay is *back!* if Ysabel was a mediocre, predictable, disappointment (and it was), Under Heaven places Kay firmly back in place among the best living fantasy writers of our day. Here he returns to the genre that has defined most of his recent career, historical fantasy. Under Heaven tells a story from a recognizable but fictionalized rendition of Tang Dynasty China, much in the way that Sailing to Sarantium (aside from it's embaraassingly transparent Yeats-rip-off of a title) is set in the Byzantium of Justinian and Theodora.
This one is *good.* I don't want to give anything at all away. If you loved the Lions of Al-Rassan, A Song for Arbonne, or the Sarantium books, you should pick this one up as soon as you have time. Very strong characters, including what is becoming one of the hallmarks of Kay's writing, the quick in-depth dive into minor character viewpoints to describe key scenes, until you feel you know a hundred people from this place and time. Excellent work on the setting -- says someone who knows precious little about Tang Dynasty China -- there's a lengthy bibliography in the acknowledgements if you want to know more about the historical realities behind the story. And, you can count on it -- a strong, driving adventure plot, marked in this case by a beautiful awareness of the passing of time and grief and the beauties of life.
This one is *good.* I don't want to give anything at all away. If you loved the Lions of Al-Rassan, A Song for Arbonne, or the Sarantium books, you should pick this one up as soon as you have time. Very strong characters, including what is becoming one of the hallmarks of Kay's writing, the quick in-depth dive into minor character viewpoints to describe key scenes, until you feel you know a hundred people from this place and time. Excellent work on the setting -- says someone who knows precious little about Tang Dynasty China -- there's a lengthy bibliography in the acknowledgements if you want to know more about the historical realities behind the story. And, you can count on it -- a strong, driving adventure plot, marked in this case by a beautiful awareness of the passing of time and grief and the beauties of life.
I'm a big Kay fan, but his past few books haven't lived up to my expectations of his novels. With this one, I felt like I was reading an earlier novel - the characters were great (both good, bad, and ambiguous). Kay is usually great at making me cry at some point in his novels (Tigana, Song for Arbonne, Lions of Al-Rassan), this one just didn't have that emotional investment. There were parts that made me a bit sad, but that was it.
The story was interesting, as was the time and place it was set. Kay sucked me into the world he had created, and I wanted to keep reading to find out how the intricacies would play out. He didn't dissapoint there.
The story was interesting, as was the time and place it was set. Kay sucked me into the world he had created, and I wanted to keep reading to find out how the intricacies would play out. He didn't dissapoint there.
Kay is back in form.
I absolutely love most of his novels, but was disappointed in his latest two before this one; I was unmoved by [b:The Last Light of the Sun|104080|The Last Light of the Sun |Guy Gavriel Kay|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171506604s/104080.jpg|416279] and enjoyed, but wasn't blown away by [b:Ysabel|104078|Ysabel|Guy Gavriel Kay|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171506604s/104078.jpg|100357]. Finishing Under Heaven, though, I'm left with the same combination of heartache, joy, and absolute satisfaction in a story well told that the rest of his books have always made me feel, no matter how many times I re-read them.
As usual, Kay has meticulously researched a period of history to base a story on - in this case, the Tang Dynasty of Imperial China. I am not very well-versed in Chinese history and can't say anything about the authenticity of his portrayal, but it's a richly painted portrait of a complex society. The plot centers around the second son of a great general, Shen Tai, who is still trying to figure out his place in the world. An unexpectedly generous gift forces him into the whirlwind of politics and subtle intrigue that surrounds the imperial court, and of course changes his life forever.
There were a few nitpicky things that bugged me - Kay occasionally would slip into the second person in his writing, which jolted me out of the story (Joe Abercrombie did this a LOT in his First Law trilogy and it annoyed me to no end, as much as I enjoyed the books) - but overall, I loved the language, I loved the characters, I loved the poetry, I loved the setting, and I feel completely justified in having splurged on the hardcover instead of waiting for the paperback like I usually do.
I absolutely love most of his novels, but was disappointed in his latest two before this one; I was unmoved by [b:The Last Light of the Sun|104080|The Last Light of the Sun |Guy Gavriel Kay|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171506604s/104080.jpg|416279] and enjoyed, but wasn't blown away by [b:Ysabel|104078|Ysabel|Guy Gavriel Kay|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171506604s/104078.jpg|100357]. Finishing Under Heaven, though, I'm left with the same combination of heartache, joy, and absolute satisfaction in a story well told that the rest of his books have always made me feel, no matter how many times I re-read them.
As usual, Kay has meticulously researched a period of history to base a story on - in this case, the Tang Dynasty of Imperial China. I am not very well-versed in Chinese history and can't say anything about the authenticity of his portrayal, but it's a richly painted portrait of a complex society. The plot centers around the second son of a great general, Shen Tai, who is still trying to figure out his place in the world. An unexpectedly generous gift forces him into the whirlwind of politics and subtle intrigue that surrounds the imperial court, and of course changes his life forever.
There were a few nitpicky things that bugged me - Kay occasionally would slip into the second person in his writing, which jolted me out of the story (Joe Abercrombie did this a LOT in his First Law trilogy and it annoyed me to no end, as much as I enjoyed the books) - but overall, I loved the language, I loved the characters, I loved the poetry, I loved the setting, and I feel completely justified in having splurged on the hardcover instead of waiting for the paperback like I usually do.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
I feel like Simon Vance should stick to non-fiction books or things like Blood and Fire. He was pretty boring as a reader for this one and I usually enjoy him.
A wondrous book. A true work of art. Enjoyed every minute reading it and wished it wouldn’t end.