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mrbear's review
5.0
As the "payoff" book in the series, this was excellent, and certainly justified the first book (which was not fantastic by itself). Kay's only real mistake with this series is that he goes a bit overboard on the Deep And Meaningful Writing. However, it feels as though trying hard to make a statement (or many) in a novel is certainly worth the risk that some of it doesn't come off. A solid 4.5-5 stars, and a series I'd be happy to recommend to other fans of Guy Gavriel Kay (still read the Lions of Al-Rassan first if you've never read any of his works).
subparcupcake's review
5.0
Guy Gavriel Kay is amazing. Seriously, amazing. He never fails to move me.
After finishing [b:Sailing to Sarantium|104097|Sailing to Sarantium (The Sarantine Mosaic, #1)|Guy Gavriel Kay|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328000207s/104097.jpg|1336666], I said in my review that I wouldn't know how I felt about The Sarantine Mosaic until I finished [b:Lord of Emperors|104091|Lord of Emperors (The Sarantine Mosaic, #2)|Guy Gavriel Kay|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171506615s/104091.jpg|2903660]. Having now finished it (obviously, hence this review), I have to say... Wow. This book was just.. Amazing. From beginning to end, I loved it. There were so many heart wrenching moments, beautifully written, that just drilled into the core of me and left me speechless. I know, that sounds extreme. It's just a book after all.. But it was just that good for me. Without a doubt.
The story was bittersweet.. Love and loss, war and change.. But hope too. Always a little hope for a better tomorrow. The last section of the epilogue literally gave me chills. If I had a squishier heart, I probably would have cried. But alas, I do not, so alas, I did not. But still.. Loved it.
This duology might just have moved to the top of my Kay rankings. I don't know though.. Seems like every time I read a new Kay it becomes my new favorite by him. He just plain rocks.. Enough said.
After finishing [b:Sailing to Sarantium|104097|Sailing to Sarantium (The Sarantine Mosaic, #1)|Guy Gavriel Kay|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328000207s/104097.jpg|1336666], I said in my review that I wouldn't know how I felt about The Sarantine Mosaic until I finished [b:Lord of Emperors|104091|Lord of Emperors (The Sarantine Mosaic, #2)|Guy Gavriel Kay|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171506615s/104091.jpg|2903660]. Having now finished it (obviously, hence this review), I have to say... Wow. This book was just.. Amazing. From beginning to end, I loved it. There were so many heart wrenching moments, beautifully written, that just drilled into the core of me and left me speechless. I know, that sounds extreme. It's just a book after all.. But it was just that good for me. Without a doubt.
The story was bittersweet.. Love and loss, war and change.. But hope too. Always a little hope for a better tomorrow. The last section of the epilogue literally gave me chills. If I had a squishier heart, I probably would have cried. But alas, I do not, so alas, I did not. But still.. Loved it.
This duology might just have moved to the top of my Kay rankings. I don't know though.. Seems like every time I read a new Kay it becomes my new favorite by him. He just plain rocks.. Enough said.
wipqozn's review
3.0
I enjoyed this, but it definitely drags on a lot near the end. I've definitely decided GGK just isn't for me, although I still find myself wanting to try another of his books.
noranne's review against another edition
4.0
A lot of the setup from the first book paid off in this one. It was beautifully written and a bit on the dark side without being relentlessly tragic.
shalini_gunnasan's review
5.0
This is like nothing I have ever read before and I don't know if I ever will come across such beauty again. I am so glad I decided to read the The Sarantine Mosaic books.
tonyleachsf's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. Until it wrapped up a bit too neatly. I was disappointed with the ding, which felt too neatly tied up and nearly kitschy in the way everything played out.
kathym_robinson's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
simplestyle's review
4.0
Satisfyingly concludes the Sarantine Mosaic. The major characters get emotionally rewarding arcs and the writing is beautiful throughout. By the end, the themes of permanence and artistic legacy hit home. Now to plan a visit to Ravenna to see these mosaics...
zacwest's review against another edition
5.0
The back half of this novel really kept me on my toes; I couldn't predict at all where we were going, and I loved it. As I'm finding more and more reading his back catalog, Kay's ability to pull at emotional threads is unmatched; I'm sympathizing with the protagonists and antagonists alike!
osutton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5