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gldnhaze's review against another edition
4.0
The last chapters didn't flow as smoothly as the rest of the story did so this is more of a 3.5 * book for me.
mrninjaviking's review against another edition
5.0
I won't lie. I'm a Kay fanboy. Every book I've read I've loved. I find his writing skills to be amazing. There is one interesting thing though. Ask me what each of his books are about, and I'll have a tough time explaining them. They all follow the lives of people. From kings and queens to peasants. And I find myself riveted, no matter what is happening. This book was no different in those regards.
adru's review against another edition
Selge pilt, et Konstantinoopoli langus oli maailma lõpp, isegi nii selge, et tuli yllatusena, kui 25 aastat pärast tema raamatute Sarantiumi lõppu käis tavainimeste elu ikkagi edasi, ka Balkanil ja Kreekas. Väga hea raamat, kangelasi kuhjaga, lahkumisvalu ja värke ja suuri syndmusi, mis pisiinimesed on käima lykanud. Ma ei oska öelda, mis puudu jäi, kaua mõtlesin, kõik on hästi, aga ju on GGK ise syydi, et lõvideraamatu kirjutas, millega kõiki ta asju nyyd võrdlema peab.
mikehex's review against another edition
3.0
When I started this book, I felt like I was back in Kay's glory days. While I've enjoyed the Chinese historical books, they didn't have quite the emotional impact his earlier books had for me. The first third or so of this book did and I couldn't wait to see where it went. But, it kinda went... nowhere. Some interesting scenes but nothing like Kay's best and overall, just kinda.. OK.
ocole10's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
jeo224's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
I always try to read a book that is rewarding enough to be a gift to myself in December. Kay never disappoints! I love the setting and characters - a book to read and savor.
jhouses's review against another edition
3.0
Son 3 estrellas de GGK que seguramente superan a tres estrellas de otros autores. El motivo es que, manteniendo toda la belleza de su estilo y jugando en su liga particular de «novela histórica con un cuarto de vuelta hacia la fantasía», esta obra tiene una sensación de poco lograda. Es una acumulación de historias en torno a las rivalidades de VeneciaSarissa y Ragusa Dubrava, la expansión Otomana Osmanli tras la caida de Bizancio Sarantium o el retrato de Mehmet II Gurço realizado por Gentile Bellini Piero Vilani que se entrcruzan en una serie de pinceladas. Pero, a diferencia de obras anteriores (e incluso de su propia precuela, [b:A Brightness Long Ago|41458663|A Brightness Long Ago|Guy Gavriel Kay|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1535529056l/41458663._SY75_.jpg|64721100]) no terminan de crear un lienzo mayor que la suma de sus trazos quedándose en eso, unos retazos impresionistas.
Es como si una vez terminado su «Tapiz de Fionavar», al darle la vuelta encontrásemos una serie de motivos geométricos entrelazados en lugar de una gran colgadura digna del salón del Trono.
Es como si una vez terminado su «Tapiz de Fionavar», al darle la vuelta encontrásemos una serie de motivos geométricos entrelazados en lugar de una gran colgadura digna del salón del Trono.
shane_tiernan's review against another edition
3.0
After Fionavar and Tigana being some of my all-time favorite fantasy novels, I'm always a little disappointed in the newer stuff. His writing can be beautiful, his characters are realistic, though none of them really stick out. There seems to be less and less magic in each book, so they read more like "historical fiction".
This one was way too long for me, considering the amount of story you get. There were times my wife and I cheered on the characters or we laughed out loud about something funny, but it wasn't enough to make us super excited about getting back to reading every night. He seemed to experiment with writing the same scene from multiple perspectives and while it was sometimes interesting, it seemed to make things drag. Also the long ending describing the futures of each of the characters was a cool idea, but dragged on too long also.
At this point I think I'm done with Kay, unless he writes another full-on fantasy novel, then I'll be there waiting for it to come out.
This one was way too long for me, considering the amount of story you get. There were times my wife and I cheered on the characters or we laughed out loud about something funny, but it wasn't enough to make us super excited about getting back to reading every night. He seemed to experiment with writing the same scene from multiple perspectives and while it was sometimes interesting, it seemed to make things drag. Also the long ending describing the futures of each of the characters was a cool idea, but dragged on too long also.
At this point I think I'm done with Kay, unless he writes another full-on fantasy novel, then I'll be there waiting for it to come out.
hashnain's review against another edition
5.0
Literally 10/10, had me tearing up for the triumphs and the failures of society, and the characters at large.