You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
2012: Fantasy stories generally have insanely complicated plots, with a crazy amount of characters. This one was no different, really nice set up for the next two books I think. Great character development. 3 Stars
2021 Second Read: Identical review; but I liked it more the second time.
2021 Second Read: Identical review; but I liked it more the second time.
If you were stalked by some dudes who claimed they're a mage and a dwarf who wanted to take you to their fantasy kingdom through a magic portal, would you receive their invitation immediately? If yes, then this book might be suitable for you.
If you like your characters to get so skilled and powered in a very small amount of time (i.e. Suddenly Always Knew That) because of...well, plot, then you would like this book.
If you don't mind wasting time getting involved in inane court intrigue or dreaming or shits like that, instead of mounting a rescue mission for one of your friends who was already in captivity for some days and who knows what the evil lord and his minions could be doing to a helpless beautiful woman, this is the book for you. (Oh yes, there's a trigger warning y'all!)
I am disappointed with this one, because it reminded me of The Silmarillion - which Kay helped edit, btw - with its rich lore and mythical worldbuilding. Not just the characters are cardboardy and hard to relate to, I don't find myself buying the plots, motivations and logic of the actions. There was this Jesus-wannabe character whose redemption arc was stunted. Meanwhile, the changing POVs in one chapter was rather jarring as well, especially since almost all have similar voices.
Dammit, I hope Tigana is way better than this since I am scheduled to read it next month.
If you like your characters to get so skilled and powered in a very small amount of time (i.e. Suddenly Always Knew That) because of...well, plot, then you would like this book.
If you don't mind wasting time getting involved in inane court intrigue or dreaming or shits like that, instead of mounting a rescue mission for one of your friends who was already in captivity for some days and who knows what the evil lord and his minions could be doing to a helpless beautiful woman, this is the book for you. (Oh yes, there's a trigger warning y'all!)
I am disappointed with this one, because it reminded me of The Silmarillion - which Kay helped edit, btw - with its rich lore and mythical worldbuilding. Not just the characters are cardboardy and hard to relate to, I don't find myself buying the plots, motivations and logic of the actions. There was this Jesus-wannabe character whose redemption arc was stunted. Meanwhile, the changing POVs in one chapter was rather jarring as well, especially since almost all have similar voices.
Dammit, I hope Tigana is way better than this since I am scheduled to read it next month.
I really had high hopes for this story, but by the time I made it halfway through, I found my eyes crossing: characters blended in with other characters, histories were being told that didn't pertain to the plot, and a lot of it all started becoming very familiar.
Oh, right, Tolkien. It seemed as though Kay took down a list of all of the races in Middle-earth, drew a line to the other side of the paper for each listing, and then started coming up with alternative names for things like elves, orcs, Rohirrim, and Fangorn forest. Hell, even the lios alfarelves go back and forth from the West. There's also a bad guy who is very near a volcano and has no face, but instead of being portrayed as a Great Eye, he's portrayed as a giant taloned hand.
Yawn.
Black is evil and white is good.
Yawn.
I'll probably finish the other two just to have the whole story, but my God, the thought of having to trudge through two more of these makes me want to weep with pain. I even recommended this to people... and I hope they fare better with all of those names, names, names and long-winded mumbo jumbo. Maybe high fantasy isn't for me.
There's also a unnecessary rape scene which kind of pissed me off, so... there.
Oh, right, Tolkien. It seemed as though Kay took down a list of all of the races in Middle-earth, drew a line to the other side of the paper for each listing, and then started coming up with alternative names for things like elves, orcs, Rohirrim, and Fangorn forest. Hell, even the lios alfar
Yawn.
Black is evil and white is good.
Yawn.
I'll probably finish the other two just to have the whole story, but my God, the thought of having to trudge through two more of these makes me want to weep with pain. I even recommended this to people... and I hope they fare better with all of those names, names, names and long-winded mumbo jumbo. Maybe high fantasy isn't for me.
There's also a unnecessary rape scene which kind of pissed me off, so... there.
8/10
I just adore Guy Gavriel Kay's writing style and prose (shocker, I know). He makes this novel so mythical and beautiful, it reads like a fairy tale and the story takes on a Tolkienesque fantasy setting, which I loved. When you read his work, it is unlike other authors, because GGK spins his tale like a poet. Whenever you read his work, it feels like sitting in a tavern, a harp in the background playing and GGK sitting at the front, recounting the story once long lost.
“The Summer Tree?” he said. “It’s in the wood west of the town. Sacred it is, to Mörnir of the Thunder.” “Why is it important?” “Because,” said Coll, lower yet, “that’s where the God would summon the High King in the old days, when the land had need.” “Summon him for what?” “To hang on the Summer Tree and die,” said Coll succinctly.
The beginning... is weird. I did NOT know this book would start out as a fucking Isekai of all things. I do not particularly like the idea of Isekai as it comes across as lazy writing (how do we get person X from A to B? Let's just teleport them into this fantasy world). The 5 people that get transported do not fit in this new world at first, but what sold me was how they acclimated and changed. All 5 experience beautiful character development apart from each other (because of course one of them got separated while teleporting...). The more you read, the better it gets and the last chapter of the book was one of the most horrifying things I have ever read, truly the worst things that could happen to a person.
Loved the multiple POVs in the book as well, this book is truly a classic fantasy piece!
I just adore Guy Gavriel Kay's writing style and prose (shocker, I know). He makes this novel so mythical and beautiful, it reads like a fairy tale and the story takes on a Tolkienesque fantasy setting, which I loved. When you read his work, it is unlike other authors, because GGK spins his tale like a poet. Whenever you read his work, it feels like sitting in a tavern, a harp in the background playing and GGK sitting at the front, recounting the story once long lost.
“The Summer Tree?” he said. “It’s in the wood west of the town. Sacred it is, to Mörnir of the Thunder.” “Why is it important?” “Because,” said Coll, lower yet, “that’s where the God would summon the High King in the old days, when the land had need.” “Summon him for what?” “To hang on the Summer Tree and die,” said Coll succinctly.
The beginning... is weird. I did NOT know this book would start out as a fucking Isekai of all things. I do not particularly like the idea of Isekai as it comes across as lazy writing (how do we get person X from A to B? Let's just teleport them into this fantasy world). The 5 people that get transported do not fit in this new world at first, but what sold me was how they acclimated and changed. All 5 experience beautiful character development apart from each other (because of course one of them got separated while teleporting...). The more you read, the better it gets and the last chapter of the book was one of the most horrifying things I have ever read, truly the worst things that could happen to a person.
Loved the multiple POVs in the book as well, this book is truly a classic fantasy piece!
This was the first book I read by Guy Gavriel Kay many years ago. It impressed me then, and it still impresses me today. Guy Gavriel Kay writes beautifully, in a way I did not expect to like, but I do. The plot is interesting, the characters well developed and likable. The whole trilogy is well-done, so if you're thinking about reading this, do!
The story is heavily influenced by Tolkien, but in a good way. There are also lots of celtic themes. The main characters grow on you and are very likable. They also develop quite a lot through the series. I recommend this to lovers of fantasy and good stories.
The story is heavily influenced by Tolkien, but in a good way. There are also lots of celtic themes. The main characters grow on you and are very likable. They also develop quite a lot through the series. I recommend this to lovers of fantasy and good stories.
I gush, I swoon…
The idea that there is an original world- the primal fantasy world which somehow emanates the themes and powers of our world along with others of various design- is almost a Platonic ideal. Add to that the perspective of characters from our own world, with our prejudices and expectations, and you have a fantasy world where we don't have to suspend our disbelief for once.
On top of this awesome conceptual setting, each character is well-developed and conflicted in his or her own way, and they express themselves differently. I don't want to insert too many spoilers, so I won't gush as much as I wish to…
The bottom line is that, on completion of the trilogy, I immediately started book one all over again and was not disappointed!
The idea that there is an original world- the primal fantasy world which somehow emanates the themes and powers of our world along with others of various design- is almost a Platonic ideal. Add to that the perspective of characters from our own world, with our prejudices and expectations, and you have a fantasy world where we don't have to suspend our disbelief for once.
On top of this awesome conceptual setting, each character is well-developed and conflicted in his or her own way, and they express themselves differently. I don't want to insert too many spoilers, so I won't gush as much as I wish to…
The bottom line is that, on completion of the trilogy, I immediately started book one all over again and was not disappointed!
Not bad. Definitely an introductory book to a series. It took most of the book to make things take shape.
Five friends from Toronto (whose friendship is a little questionable) agree to travel to another world with a dwarf and a wizard who just randomly show up at U of T, with basically no questions asked.
Tbh, I didn’t get fully into the story until maybe 150+ pages in because of how unbelievable the beginning felt.
BUT let me tell you, it’s SO worth getting past that hump for the emotional journey the rest of the book takes you on.
Tbh, I didn’t get fully into the story until maybe 150+ pages in because of how unbelievable the beginning felt.
BUT let me tell you, it’s SO worth getting past that hump for the emotional journey the rest of the book takes you on.