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tbeaumont223's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. He can be a hit and miss author, but when he is good, he is great!
kcrouth's review against another edition
4.0
Tigana is a really good book. it is a great imaginative story with interesting characters and themes, and unexpected plot twists and turns. The ending was delightful (not all happy, but a delight), as well as the last ~100 pages building toward it. I was left somewhat disappointed overall, however, with the quality of the writing. To me, this felt like an excellent story that the author was not quite ready to write. Given that this was one of his earlier works, and that I've also read a truly excellent and epic example of his later works ("Under Heaven" - 5+ stars, fantastic) my assumption is that his style and expertise in story telling was still growing and evolving at the time Tigana was penned. That aside, it's a great story and well worth the time to read.
klparmley's review against another edition
2.0
Epic fantasy, Many characters are "shades of grey" not all good or all bad. It could have a sequel, but doesn't require one.
megan1002's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This story was really not what I expected. I honestly came here looking for the political intrigue that often came with books about war and the intricate magic of high fantasy—both of which I didn't get. Instead, what I got is the bone deep and inter-generational trauma of colonization and genocide and the ultimate greyness of humanity's morality. This isn't what I expected but I can't say I hate it. Somehow this story, despite being fiction, felt real. Though, until the end I still felt confusion—as compared to how about 20% through other stories I have enough of an understanding of the worldbuilding to get what's going on—I don't hate it? This books, is filled to the brim with history, not only of its world, but the individual lives in it. There is so much going on, rich stories in every page, interwoven together, and inner monologues of characters that force you to confront the greyness of your own morality, that you just can't help but feel confused. And I think it adds to the experience. That one sex scene made me uncomfortable though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Murder
Moderate: Genocide
blake921's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
lilacullen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
marlisenicole's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
rwatkins's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it. Overall: 2.5/5 (13/25)
This is a story of rebellion, seeing how far one man will go to take back his magically forgotten land. The secondary story explores a woman falling in love with her target and how that complicates her assassination mission. Both plots build to a final battle where the fates of Tigana and an entire peninsula will be decided. If you like rebellion, nationalism, complicated romance, or expansive new fantasy cultures, then give this book a try.
There are instances of suicide, incest, sexual assault against women, and other sexual references that may not be enjoyable for some readers.
Minor Spoilers Below
Plot: 2.5/5
The story is about a prince trying to reclaim his land. There are a number of lands split between two colonizing sorcerers, and it is from these lands that the prince recruits for his rebellion. Only Tigana has been forgotten, its' name erased by a curse, and only those from the land (and wizards) can now hear the word when spoken. Prince Alessan gathers his allies and plans for a great battle between the two sorcerers, their armies, and his own ragtag crew.
The premise is excellent, but the consequences of a forgotten kingdom could have been explored further on page.
There are numerous diversions, some unimportant to the plot.
"... the incident had been unfortunate, but not really important after all."
The conclusion was satisfying.
Setting: 4/5
The world created is expansive, feeling lived-in and unique. Renaissance era with magic, a large world spanning at least four continents rich with cultural rites, beliefs and folklore. Two moons with religions connected to them both. A secondary world where dreamers war with nightmares over cropland. There is plenty of good stuff done within these pages to build scope, complexity and beauty in the setting.
One thing lacking is any explanation of the magic. Also, while magic influences the macro politics and plotline of Tigana's curse, there is no feeling of its' influence on the smaller scale of people's lives. With local healers and wizards that can perform miracles, some smaller acknowledgement, fears, or connections to the average citizen felt missing.
Characters: 2/5
There were a LOT of them. Most were under-developed, some even irrelevant.
Devin is kind of the main character, though he is a witness to most events, barely an active participator.
Prince Alessan has the most agency in pushing the plot forward, striving to take back his homeland. He doesn't show a lot of inner change. He does some questionable stuff, like enslaving a man, who he releases once he thinks it's safe to do so. Growth?
Baerd has the closest thing to a character arc, in changing from vengeful to replacing that motivation with another at the end.
Catriana, like all of the female characters, is a pretty thing for the men to stare at and bed.
Dianora is probably the most interesting character, on a quest to betray Brandin, the sorcerer who cursed Tigana, but falls in love with him instead. She is a wild card until the end, having me wondering if she will backstab her lover or not. Some may find her insufferable for being so torn.
Style: 1.5/5
The pacing was rough. Constant flashbacks and expositional trips to past events, with little in the way of transitions to guide the reader into them; they just sort of happen. Constant head-swapping, among all the many characters present in a given scene, without warning or purpose. Lore dumps in the middle of rising action. POV's for characters unrelated to the plot or only in a couple scenes. All of these style choices made for trudged reading.
The prose was too complex at times, and had me confused as to what happened or was going on. It also didn't help that my copy had multiple blank pages, misprinted, so I missed at least one important moment entirely. Other things, such as Tigana's curse, are repeated so many times as to be annoying. There were two jarring instances where tense switched from past to present then back to past.
The way romance and the sex scenes are handled (except for Dianora and Brandin's dynamic), were often sudden, often taboo and will be problematic for some readers.
Themes: 3/5
The premise of Tigana's curse presents themes of memory, pride and nationalism interwoven together. Rebellion, the costs of losing a war, colonialism, and unification all have their place among these pages. Romance, love, shifting intentions and expectations are captivatingly explored through Dionara and Brandin.
This is a story of rebellion, seeing how far one man will go to take back his magically forgotten land. The secondary story explores a woman falling in love with her target and how that complicates her assassination mission. Both plots build to a final battle where the fates of Tigana and an entire peninsula will be decided. If you like rebellion, nationalism, complicated romance, or expansive new fantasy cultures, then give this book a try.
There are instances of suicide, incest, sexual assault against women, and other sexual references that may not be enjoyable for some readers.
Minor Spoilers Below
Plot: 2.5/5
The story is about a prince trying to reclaim his land. There are a number of lands split between two colonizing sorcerers, and it is from these lands that the prince recruits for his rebellion. Only Tigana has been forgotten, its' name erased by a curse, and only those from the land (and wizards) can now hear the word when spoken. Prince Alessan gathers his allies and plans for a great battle between the two sorcerers, their armies, and his own ragtag crew.
The premise is excellent, but the consequences of a forgotten kingdom could have been explored further on page.
There are numerous diversions, some unimportant to the plot.
"... the incident had been unfortunate, but not really important after all."
The conclusion was satisfying.
Setting: 4/5
The world created is expansive, feeling lived-in and unique. Renaissance era with magic, a large world spanning at least four continents rich with cultural rites, beliefs and folklore. Two moons with religions connected to them both. A secondary world where dreamers war with nightmares over cropland. There is plenty of good stuff done within these pages to build scope, complexity and beauty in the setting.
One thing lacking is any explanation of the magic. Also, while magic influences the macro politics and plotline of Tigana's curse, there is no feeling of its' influence on the smaller scale of people's lives. With local healers and wizards that can perform miracles, some smaller acknowledgement, fears, or connections to the average citizen felt missing.
Characters: 2/5
There were a LOT of them. Most were under-developed, some even irrelevant.
Devin is kind of the main character, though he is a witness to most events, barely an active participator.
Prince Alessan has the most agency in pushing the plot forward, striving to take back his homeland. He doesn't show a lot of inner change. He does some questionable stuff, like enslaving a man, who he releases once he thinks it's safe to do so. Growth?
Baerd has the closest thing to a character arc, in changing from vengeful to replacing that motivation with another at the end.
Catriana, like all of the female characters, is a pretty thing for the men to stare at and bed.
Dianora is probably the most interesting character, on a quest to betray Brandin, the sorcerer who cursed Tigana, but falls in love with him instead. She is a wild card until the end, having me wondering if she will backstab her lover or not. Some may find her insufferable for being so torn.
Style: 1.5/5
The pacing was rough. Constant flashbacks and expositional trips to past events, with little in the way of transitions to guide the reader into them; they just sort of happen. Constant head-swapping, among all the many characters present in a given scene, without warning or purpose. Lore dumps in the middle of rising action. POV's for characters unrelated to the plot or only in a couple scenes. All of these style choices made for trudged reading.
The prose was too complex at times, and had me confused as to what happened or was going on. It also didn't help that my copy had multiple blank pages, misprinted, so I missed at least one important moment entirely. Other things, such as Tigana's curse, are repeated so many times as to be annoying. There were two jarring instances where tense switched from past to present then back to past.
The way romance and the sex scenes are handled (except for Dianora and Brandin's dynamic), were often sudden, often taboo and will be problematic for some readers.
Themes: 3/5
The premise of Tigana's curse presents themes of memory, pride and nationalism interwoven together. Rebellion, the costs of losing a war, colonialism, and unification all have their place among these pages. Romance, love, shifting intentions and expectations are captivatingly explored through Dionara and Brandin.
allihopep's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.75
mrbear's review against another edition
4.0
Ultimately, this book was quite good. I was unable to finish it the first time I started, and still feel like that was justified, but powering through it I came to appreciate it. I think it is well written, and a compelling story. Furthermore, I think the worldbuilding was excellent, the characters were abnormally well fleshed out (for the most part, though characters like Rovigo's middle daughter seemed random and gratuitous), and the writing techniques used (particularly the perspective changes) were effective. I liked that Kay clearly showed the minds of the various players in the political game through their thoughts without ruining the story by over-saturating the reader with knowledge of everyone's objectives. The pacing was also excellent.
That being said, I think the premise is terrible, and that Kay hits you over the head with it for far too long. The afterword on my version makes it clear that this is the point of the novel (the novel itself also makes this clear..), but that doesn't excuse it. Basically, I as a reader don't care about Tigana. I don't care about it more as the book progresses, and I most of all don't feel like the name itself is the defining attribute of the place. There is an important question of identity that is being asked here, certainly, but it is asked with too little finesse, and carries too much weight. When first told about Tigana, Devin's reaction is unreasonable (I remember I initially stopped reading after this scene the first time I picked this book up - I felt too strongly that I was being handed an idea that the author presumptuously thought was deep and that I should show my acceptance of it by watching Devin burst into tears for his long lost homeland for multiple pages). The support given to the resistance by people like Rovigo (or, more absurdly, Alais), is simply unrealistic. If the story had been about a group of people saving the memory of Tigana in spite of widespread ambivalence, that would make more sense, but the fact that they somehow manage to draw a bunch of people to their cause in spite of not being able to explain what they're fighting for is confusing. Furthermore, this book features at least one too many deus-ex-machina "riselka moments," none of which are explained in anywhere close to enough detail to justify their playing such a major role in the plot. Finally, Dianora was frustrating. Her story was interesting, but I thought ended poorly (and also quite unrealistically).
I think this book had promise, but that I disliked the premise and some of the ways in which that translated to the execution of the tale. As a result, I'm interested in reading more of Kay going forward, with the strong hope that I am happier with his other ideas.
That being said, I think the premise is terrible, and that Kay hits you over the head with it for far too long. The afterword on my version makes it clear that this is the point of the novel (the novel itself also makes this clear..), but that doesn't excuse it. Basically, I as a reader don't care about Tigana. I don't care about it more as the book progresses, and I most of all don't feel like the name itself is the defining attribute of the place. There is an important question of identity that is being asked here, certainly, but it is asked with too little finesse, and carries too much weight. When first told about Tigana, Devin's reaction is unreasonable (I remember I initially stopped reading after this scene the first time I picked this book up - I felt too strongly that I was being handed an idea that the author presumptuously thought was deep and that I should show my acceptance of it by watching Devin burst into tears for his long lost homeland for multiple pages). The support given to the resistance by people like Rovigo (or, more absurdly, Alais), is simply unrealistic. If the story had been about a group of people saving the memory of Tigana in spite of widespread ambivalence, that would make more sense, but the fact that they somehow manage to draw a bunch of people to their cause in spite of not being able to explain what they're fighting for is confusing. Furthermore, this book features at least one too many deus-ex-machina "riselka moments," none of which are explained in anywhere close to enough detail to justify their playing such a major role in the plot. Finally, Dianora was frustrating. Her story was interesting, but I thought ended poorly (and also quite unrealistically).
I think this book had promise, but that I disliked the premise and some of the ways in which that translated to the execution of the tale. As a result, I'm interested in reading more of Kay going forward, with the strong hope that I am happier with his other ideas.