You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
I liked this book but I was definitely hoping for a bit MORE magic. I love historical fiction and I love fantasy. I just wish this had a bit more of the fantasy elements. That said, I quite enjoyed the exploration of a culture I don't know much about. The little I do know made it all the more interesting. I will read more from the author.
While I did enjoy this story, I have fair bit of issues with it in comparison to Kay's other work.
There seems to be easily repeated themes between this one, Tigana and The Lions of Al-Rassan. There is a big battle at the end observed from a safe distance. Bad stuff happens but nothing too terrible. Beautiful female character makes a huge sacrifice in a rather forced way. Other female character gets a cheap chapter to concluded her story in a really cliche and simple way. These were just a few things that I may have been okay with if I hadn't read some of Kay's work before but it just kind of feels like the same thing in a different time and country.
Another issue I took with the book was that it made me seriously question Kay having a good editor. There are so many lines that feel really awkward and out of place. I can't imagine a quality editor letting those get by. That along with the pretty much unnecessary passages from random side characters POV really made it hard to engage fully with the story every 100 pages or so.
Every romance plot also felt extremely forced. Yet I totally ship Tai/Bytsan if only because they had the most interesting dynamic between them. It was their interactions that stood out most to me, they were respectful but reserved from each other, if only because of the countries they came from. It had so much potential to add so much to the story, these extra alliances to forces outside of the main country. I hoped for all that yet they only got to interact for about 20 pages of the 700 page novel.
I think these annoyed me more because I really enjoyed the opening to this story. I loved the set up and the world, but found the rest of the execution lacking.
I really hope to find a new story somewhere in the rest of his work.
There seems to be easily repeated themes between this one, Tigana and The Lions of Al-Rassan. There is a big battle at the end observed from a safe distance. Bad stuff happens but nothing too terrible. Beautiful female character makes a huge sacrifice in a rather forced way. Other female character gets a cheap chapter to concluded her story in a really cliche and simple way. These were just a few things that I may have been okay with if I hadn't read some of Kay's work before but it just kind of feels like the same thing in a different time and country.
Another issue I took with the book was that it made me seriously question Kay having a good editor. There are so many lines that feel really awkward and out of place. I can't imagine a quality editor letting those get by. That along with the pretty much unnecessary passages from random side characters POV really made it hard to engage fully with the story every 100 pages or so.
Every romance plot also felt extremely forced. Yet I totally ship Tai/Bytsan if only because they had the most interesting dynamic between them. It was their interactions that stood out most to me, they were respectful but reserved from each other, if only because of the countries they came from. It had so much potential to add so much to the story, these extra alliances to forces outside of the main country. I hoped for all that yet they only got to interact for about 20 pages of the 700 page novel.
I think these annoyed me more because I really enjoyed the opening to this story. I loved the set up and the world, but found the rest of the execution lacking.
I really hope to find a new story somewhere in the rest of his work.
The authour totally immerses you in his version of 8th century China, and completely captivates with diverse characters, surroundings and (after a bit) several sub plots to keep things interesting.
In some ways, it reminds me of [b:Shogun|402093|Shogun|James Clavell|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1278332605s/402093.jpg|1755568] - although the protagonist isn't a complete stranger to his land, he's been away long enough, and enough has changed to make look at things with fresh eyes.
The mild fantasy elements are subtle, and fit - even as a historical novel, because the characters believe, even if the reader doesn't. They are even presented in a way the reader can choose to believe or not as well.
The authour does have a habit of having characters alude to things they know but never vocalize, so the reader is kept in suspense even when the character isn't. It's an annoying way to do it, and I'm glad it seems to die out in the later stages of the book.
The only mistake you could make reading this book is to take it as an adventure novel. It certainly seems to start out that way, but it never quite fulfills the promise. The ending works and even fits properly as long as you aren't a sword and sorcery ending.
A four star book in a very 3 and two thirds stars way :-)
In some ways, it reminds me of [b:Shogun|402093|Shogun|James Clavell|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1278332605s/402093.jpg|1755568] - although the protagonist isn't a complete stranger to his land, he's been away long enough, and enough has changed to make look at things with fresh eyes.
The mild fantasy elements are subtle, and fit - even as a historical novel, because the characters believe, even if the reader doesn't. They are even presented in a way the reader can choose to believe or not as well.
The authour does have a habit of having characters alude to things they know but never vocalize, so the reader is kept in suspense even when the character isn't. It's an annoying way to do it, and I'm glad it seems to die out in the later stages of the book.
The only mistake you could make reading this book is to take it as an adventure novel. It certainly seems to start out that way, but it never quite fulfills the promise. The ending works and even fits properly as long as you aren't a sword and sorcery ending.
A four star book in a very 3 and two thirds stars way :-)
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
1. The point of the story and how it gets through:
My favourite thing about his writing are his themes. GGK is a big theme guy. He puts his themes at the front of his stories, and I love how well he does that. Honor. Power. Fate. Free will. Love. Sibling rivalry. History. Memories. All good themes. All done masterfully.
5/5
2. Writing style:
I loved the writing in The Lions of Al-Rasaan, but I only liked it in this book. It was all right, but I'm not a big fan.
3.5/5
3. Characters:
I keep comparing this book to The Lions of Al-Rassan, and though it puts this book to a disadvantage, I think the comparison is fair. Both are his books, after all. I loved Jehane and Rodrigo and Ammar, and all the secondary characters of The Lions. This book, I cannot say I loved its characters. They were all all right. Sima Zian, the Banished Poet, who is not a POV character, is the only one I really liked.
3.5/5
4. Reading experience:
It's an easy book to read. Not many political plot lines to remember, not many shifting allegiances either. The few there are, are really good; they keep you hooked to the story.
4/5
5. How it made me feel:
The premise intrigued me, and though the bulk of the book didn't particularly move me, there are some beautiful sentences and scenes in it whichX along with the knowledge that this is a GGK book, kept me going.
The ending is heartbreaking and cathartic. Its ending, actually, is my favourite thing about this book.
3.5/5
Final rating:
3.9/5
My favourite thing about his writing are his themes. GGK is a big theme guy. He puts his themes at the front of his stories, and I love how well he does that. Honor. Power. Fate. Free will. Love. Sibling rivalry. History. Memories. All good themes. All done masterfully.
5/5
2. Writing style:
I loved the writing in The Lions of Al-Rasaan, but I only liked it in this book. It was all right, but I'm not a big fan.
3.5/5
3. Characters:
I keep comparing this book to The Lions of Al-Rassan, and though it puts this book to a disadvantage, I think the comparison is fair. Both are his books, after all. I loved Jehane and Rodrigo and Ammar, and all the secondary characters of The Lions. This book, I cannot say I loved its characters. They were all all right. Sima Zian, the Banished Poet, who is not a POV character, is the only one I really liked.
3.5/5
4. Reading experience:
It's an easy book to read. Not many political plot lines to remember, not many shifting allegiances either. The few there are, are really good; they keep you hooked to the story.
4/5
5. How it made me feel:
The premise intrigued me, and though the bulk of the book didn't particularly move me, there are some beautiful sentences and scenes in it whichX along with the knowledge that this is a GGK book, kept me going.
The ending is heartbreaking and cathartic. Its ending, actually, is my favourite thing about this book.
3.5/5
Final rating:
3.9/5
Excited to read the latest from my all-time favorite author.
I loved this magical realism look into imperial China. The book is art, as always, with layers unfolding in character, events and politics. Shen Tai is a worthy hero. The ending felt a bit unsatisfying, a bit rushed, but there are more books in this series I need to investigate.
Guy Gavriel Kay writes beautiful stories. They are not easy reading, they are not intense page turners, but I never regret reading them. This one invokes Tang dynasty China with all its mysticism. Still, also, with very human characters. This story does an excellent job of showing how sometimes the most innocuous decision can have far reaching consequences. I really liked the conclusion, it ended the storylines without beating the reader over the head with them.
Beautifully written "fantasy" novel drawing inspiration from Tang Dynasty China, but some definite pacing issues. I enjoyed it, but never felt fully engrossed.
adventurous
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes