Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
The beginning was slow, and turned me off at first, but sticking with it, I found it to be a fantastic read, and this trilogy has cemented Kay as one of my favorite fantasy authors.
2nd 'reading' 30+ years after reading it the first time, this time with Audible. If I'm being honest, I'd rate this a 4.5 instead of a 5 (after rating it a 5 from memory) because of some quibbles I have early on with the story, but the novel picks up speed nicely and nicely weaves a fresh tale that includes references to many of our own legends. And I do love stories where folks from our world travel to a fantasy realm. A guy can wish....
This is the lowest that I've ever rated a Guy Gavriel Kay book. I want to be clear, it was not that I disliked the book, far from it in fact. However, his slow methodical story building in this case meant that I was about halfway through this book before I really felt "the pull."
Being a shorter work than from GGK than I've previously read, there wasn't as much book left with that intense feeling, and therefore I ended feeling just a touch let down when I finished. Also, being the first GGK book of a series, some of the foreshadowing did not get resolved within this book. I got the point that he was setting up the plot that arcs across the whole trilogy, but again, it just a hint of frustration at the end.
Having said all of this, I will definitely be reading the other two books from the trilogy. Once again, GGk has woven and very vibrant and rich tapestry upon which to thread the saga. One of the things that I love about Kay is how very epic his stories tend to be. By the end of this book, I am certain that the trilogy will be quite epic.
I quite enjoyed the portal fantasy aspect of this story. The contrast of modern characters finding themselves embracing roles in this classic fantasy world played out well. Being a huge Narnia fan, this felt like a richer, grittier, more adult upgrade from a childhood favorite. Let's face it, GGK does not hold anything back, diving headfirst into darkness where the story warrants it.
The actual framework of the story was a bit confusing at times. I've found this to be somewhat typical for GGK. As per his usual M.O., he does pull things together into a coherent narrative by the end, with only a few mysteries lingering, as referenced above.
Reading back, I realize that my commentary on this book is rather vague. My apologies there. I just hate spoilers, and this is the type of story where it is tough to reference a specific scene are theme without giving something away.
The bottom line...if you are a Guy Gavriel Kay fan, give it a go and stick with it. I think by the end you will be as eager as I am for the next installment.
Being a shorter work than from GGK than I've previously read, there wasn't as much book left with that intense feeling, and therefore I ended feeling just a touch let down when I finished. Also, being the first GGK book of a series, some of the foreshadowing did not get resolved within this book. I got the point that he was setting up the plot that arcs across the whole trilogy, but again, it just a hint of frustration at the end.
Having said all of this, I will definitely be reading the other two books from the trilogy. Once again, GGk has woven and very vibrant and rich tapestry upon which to thread the saga. One of the things that I love about Kay is how very epic his stories tend to be. By the end of this book, I am certain that the trilogy will be quite epic.
I quite enjoyed the portal fantasy aspect of this story. The contrast of modern characters finding themselves embracing roles in this classic fantasy world played out well. Being a huge Narnia fan, this felt like a richer, grittier, more adult upgrade from a childhood favorite. Let's face it, GGK does not hold anything back, diving headfirst into darkness where the story warrants it.
The actual framework of the story was a bit confusing at times. I've found this to be somewhat typical for GGK. As per his usual M.O., he does pull things together into a coherent narrative by the end, with only a few mysteries lingering, as referenced above.
Reading back, I realize that my commentary on this book is rather vague. My apologies there. I just hate spoilers, and this is the type of story where it is tough to reference a specific scene are theme without giving something away.
The bottom line...if you are a Guy Gavriel Kay fan, give it a go and stick with it. I think by the end you will be as eager as I am for the next installment.
This is more like a 4.5 / 5 star review.
It's hard to look at it as objectively since I read it immediately after TIGANA, which, as Eddy Rathke knows, I absolutely loved! I'm really looking forward to books 2 and 3 in this trilogy; I think it's a great spin on a lot of established tropes and ideas!
It's hard to look at it as objectively since I read it immediately after TIGANA, which, as Eddy Rathke knows, I absolutely loved! I'm really looking forward to books 2 and 3 in this trilogy; I think it's a great spin on a lot of established tropes and ideas!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts
A generally fun read, though I kept wondering how these people would adapt so quickly to a completely different world and seem so indifferent to leaving their own.
Part I of this story is in many ways a grown-up [b:The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe|100915|The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #2)|C.S. Lewis|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51zAZqgAloL._SL75_.jpg|4790821]. I read the Narnia stories when I was little, and to be honest, I think C.S. Lewis will always have a place in my heart. To me, he’s a sort of philosophical grandpa, whom I ignore when he’s spouting cultural faux pas, but who brings out something lovely and profound at least as often as he says something unfortunate. Anyway, this book is not about C.S. Lewis, but I think the affection I feel for Narnia made a difference in my read of this book. I also don’t think I need Lewis to be 100% correct all the time, and that probably made a difference in me liking the way Kay made the story his own.
I spend a lot of time complaining, I think, about when authors throw together a really bad recipe for a book – when they mutilate and mix ingredients that should never go together. I really liked the use of the ingredients here. There’s Narnia; Henry IV / rakishness; some wild-west, bow-and-arrow stuff; a very decent hair-color change; law and folklore; a magical mystery animal; and a giant black swan that smells like garbage. Basically pretty good. I’m not a lover of fantasy (sorry!), so I have to get past the orcs and dwarves and elves to like a story like this (and I don’t care if you call them different names, they’re still orcs and elves). I’ll probably talk more about that in my review of the second book in this series, but with this book it’s pretty easy to look past to some genuinely good stories.
Unfortunately, at this point, probably most of what I have to say is a spoiler.
Okay, maybe fewer spoilers than I thought. The other problem I have with this is the characterization of the gods. Maybe this is just a personal pet peeve, but a lot of times I don’t like the characterization of deities in gender roles (the obvious exception to this is [b:The Iliad|1371|The Iliad|Homer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255992684s/1371.jpg|3293141], which, of course, rules); I prefer the Julian of Norwich god who is both male and female because I'm less likely to see the female god relegated to the kitchen. There’s some other gender stuff that goes on in these books that makes me a little put off. I don’t think it’s insidious, or anything, I just think it takes away from the entertainment. Like, the priestesses are dangerous and suspicious, but the magicians are noble and trustworthy. But, then when everything gets sexy, the girls aren’t scary anymore. I’m not saying it stays like that the whole time, but, I don’t know. It just has a little bit of a male-culture feel that isn’t super entertaining to me.
Anyway, I feel like I’m kind of ragging on this book, when I really did like it. I really like the Henry IV storyline, and I like the Seer stuff. I like that they’re all a bunch of Canadian kids and that there’s a law student who really needs to study for Evidence. I like how it assumes the vital importance to the WHOLE UNIVERSE of Celtic folklore. That’s pretty cool. I think Jennifer’s story isn’t really fair, and even though I’m almost through the second book, I still don’t really get it. But, in general, I think the story used some really great legends really creatively. I liked it. I think I should have felt more emotionally attached to the characters, but I think that has more to do with how I feel in general right now than the book itself. Especially if you like fantasy, and especially if you're willing to commit to thousands of pages of fantasy reading (because there is a mammoth cliffhanger at the end of this book), it is worth picking up.
Spoiler
ChristI spend a lot of time complaining, I think, about when authors throw together a really bad recipe for a book – when they mutilate and mix ingredients that should never go together. I really liked the use of the ingredients here. There’s Narnia; Henry IV / rakishness; some wild-west, bow-and-arrow stuff; a very decent hair-color change; law and folklore; a magical mystery animal; and a giant black swan that smells like garbage. Basically pretty good. I’m not a lover of fantasy (sorry!), so I have to get past the orcs and dwarves and elves to like a story like this (and I don’t care if you call them different names, they’re still orcs and elves). I’ll probably talk more about that in my review of the second book in this series, but with this book it’s pretty easy to look past to some genuinely good stories.
Unfortunately, at this point, probably most of what I have to say is a spoiler.
Spoiler
I thought the use of the Christ story was really lovely. I particularly liked the disagreement as to whether the sacrifice on the Summer Tree was for good or evil. I am a little disappointed that the questioning of the good of the Summer Tree ended up being wrong (maybe this will turn around in the next couple of books, I don’t know), and that the argument never really gets addressed again after Paul comes back from the dead. I think it’s more interesting and tragic if it had turned out to be a clear mistake. I do appreciate, though, that the leader of the CBS Orchestra for the Late Show with David Letterman is the Christ figure in this. I mean, who else would you choose when you’re Canadian? (this book is Canadian, fyi, but you probably know that if you clicked the spoiler button.) Here’s the thing that bothers me about it: you’ve got this guy who feels a lot of guilt, (like, torturous guilt) so he volunteers to commit suicide to save the universe, and it’s a really good idea. I don’t like that, to be totally honest.Okay, maybe fewer spoilers than I thought. The other problem I have with this is the characterization of the gods. Maybe this is just a personal pet peeve, but a lot of times I don’t like the characterization of deities in gender roles (the obvious exception to this is [b:The Iliad|1371|The Iliad|Homer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255992684s/1371.jpg|3293141], which, of course, rules); I prefer the Julian of Norwich god who is both male and female because I'm less likely to see the female god relegated to the kitchen. There’s some other gender stuff that goes on in these books that makes me a little put off. I don’t think it’s insidious, or anything, I just think it takes away from the entertainment. Like, the priestesses are dangerous and suspicious, but the magicians are noble and trustworthy. But, then when everything gets sexy, the girls aren’t scary anymore. I’m not saying it stays like that the whole time, but, I don’t know. It just has a little bit of a male-culture feel that isn’t super entertaining to me.
Spoiler
Like, also, when they’re all out hunting in the fields and glorying in their manhood and then the kid gets the best spirit-animal EVER and it’s a unicorn/Pegasus? What is up with that? Like, dude, She-Ra did it better.Anyway, I feel like I’m kind of ragging on this book, when I really did like it. I really like the Henry IV storyline, and I like the Seer stuff. I like that they’re all a bunch of Canadian kids and that there’s a law student who really needs to study for Evidence. I like how it assumes the vital importance to the WHOLE UNIVERSE of Celtic folklore. That’s pretty cool. I think Jennifer’s story isn’t really fair, and even though I’m almost through the second book, I still don’t really get it.
Spoiler
So, the Satan character targeted Jennifer because destroying her is really important to destroying the universe? Or, just because she’s pretty and he doesn’t have a grander concept for it? If he's willing to waste his time like that, he doesn't seem so intimidating to me. Also, there’s something about her getting tortured that seemed really blunt. I don’t know how to explain my confusion better than that.
It's been years since I have read it again. Definitely worth the while!
Htis book reads quite fast, and I throughly enjoyed Kay's use of not-too-florid prose. He is a worldbuilder par excellence, as well, and I very much enjoyed this book as a whole.
I've tried and failed a couple of times with other GGK books that ended up having to go back to the library almost untouched, but this was on special offer, on my book club challenge list and only 300 pages or so with good reviews from people I trust. Should be a quick hopefully not painful read and hey-presto another one ticked off the list, where's the harm in that, I thought.
Well was I in for a surprise! Once I'd got used to the language of epic fantasy once more and relaxed into the wonderful world and storytelling I found a poetic, moving, gentle and exhilarating, thoughtful and exciting epic saga; yet as wholly relatable too as any multi-world sword and sorcery tale could be. Wonderful, Lord of the Rings meets Zelazny's Princes of Amber but also very much it's own creature.
So, wheres the harm in that? Only that I now must, absolutely must, read the other 2 books of the series, and that is not going to help me tick any more books off of that ever growing book club challenge list!
Ps. Afraid I couldn't help comparing this with the huge emotional impact of reading Lord of The Rings for the first time, hence only 4 stars just to show a differentiation using this clumsy star rating system.
Well was I in for a surprise! Once I'd got used to the language of epic fantasy once more and relaxed into the wonderful world and storytelling I found a poetic, moving, gentle and exhilarating, thoughtful and exciting epic saga; yet as wholly relatable too as any multi-world sword and sorcery tale could be. Wonderful, Lord of the Rings meets Zelazny's Princes of Amber but also very much it's own creature.
So, wheres the harm in that? Only that I now must, absolutely must, read the other 2 books of the series, and that is not going to help me tick any more books off of that ever growing book club challenge list!
Ps. Afraid I couldn't help comparing this with the huge emotional impact of reading Lord of The Rings for the first time, hence only 4 stars just to show a differentiation using this clumsy star rating system.