Reviews

Tigana: Anniversary Edition by Guy Gavriel Kay

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jossie90's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

notebooksandlaptops's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

gracefulhope's review

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5.0

A heartbreaking, beautifully written book. The complex relationships, deep emotions, and beautiful setting were integrated very well in this story. Vengeance can be a simple word to understand, but this book illustrates the true impact and cost of the choices people make, and what love and ambition can drive one to do.

tbeaumont223's review

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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