Scan barcode
ruffdraftpub's review against another edition
5.0
MAGNIFICENT. Where the first two books were good, this one was excellent. A very satisfying conclusion to a rich tale. This third book made me decide that the Fionavar Tapestry is one of my favorite fantasy series of all time.
amyheap's review against another edition
4.0
The final book in the trilogy brings the story to a satisfying conclusion. Comparisons with The Lord of the Rings are inevitable, there are many similarities. The modern and real world element of The Fionavar Tapestry makes it significantly less appealing, and moving, than LOTR. for me, but I still enjoyed the journey. This final book is entirely set in Fionavar, and brings each character to their final battle, or doom.
wendyonthemove's review against another edition
4.0
What can I say? The author GGK is my favorite. This has not changed for decades. The way he uses words to create tapestries of love and tragedy is unparalleled in my eyes.
However, it is important to note that of all of my book recommendations he is the LEAST liked. My friends find him too wordy and atmospheric.
With this series he tackles Arthur, Guinevere, Camelot, and Celtic mythology. It is a seamless weaving. He does excellent research. GGK helped the Tolkien estate to compile and publish the Silmarillion. This is quite evident in this trilogy which is heavily laden with historical facts, characters, and myths. Like the Silmarillion, it wasn't always an easy read. But every now and then shards of beauty peaked through and made my heart ache.
The Fionavar Tapestry was excellent of course, but my least favorite GGK. Recommended for people who genuinely love Arthurian legends and/or GGK.
However, it is important to note that of all of my book recommendations he is the LEAST liked. My friends find him too wordy and atmospheric.
With this series he tackles Arthur, Guinevere, Camelot, and Celtic mythology. It is a seamless weaving. He does excellent research. GGK helped the Tolkien estate to compile and publish the Silmarillion. This is quite evident in this trilogy which is heavily laden with historical facts, characters, and myths. Like the Silmarillion, it wasn't always an easy read. But every now and then shards of beauty peaked through and made my heart ache.
The Fionavar Tapestry was excellent of course, but my least favorite GGK. Recommended for people who genuinely love Arthurian legends and/or GGK.
znorgaard's review against another edition
4.0
This made the previous two books worth reading. It's the most similar in tone and scope to other Guy Gavriel Kay books I've read.
It's not dark fantasy, but every 'good' character isn't safe either. There are an excellent themes around fighting fate, independence, love, loss, and friendship.
It's fairly standard high fantasy, but with a few twists to keep things interesting.
It's not dark fantasy, but every 'good' character isn't safe either. There are an excellent themes around fighting fate, independence, love, loss, and friendship.
It's fairly standard high fantasy, but with a few twists to keep things interesting.
firstwords's review against another edition
4.0
Much stronger finish, I was worried after the second book. This trilogy gets a lot of comparison to LotR, obviously. It is not in the same class, but it is in the same vein. If you want a LotR fix, almost like "LotR-Lite", this is probably a good pickup.
Definitely introduced characters again, and even whole subplots, that didnt need to be there. At one point, rearward movement of rear-echelon troops was described...never to come up again.
There's not a ton of trimming, but there is some. And there are a couple deux ex machina moments in there where I said "really? That's how you're going to resolve this?"
Definitely introduced characters again, and even whole subplots, that didnt need to be there. At one point, rearward movement of rear-echelon troops was described...never to come up again.
There's not a ton of trimming, but there is some. And there are a couple deux ex machina moments in there where I said "really? That's how you're going to resolve this?"
badken's review against another edition
4.0
One of my favorite fantasy series by one of my favorite fantasy authors.
comadivine11's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this series. It wasn't as good as Tigana or A Song for Arbonne but I believe these are Kay's first books and are pretty impressive given that. Kay is sadly not well known by American readers and he should be because his books are awesome. Tigana is one of the best fantasy books I've ever read.
bluedepth's review against another edition
3.0
Authurian fantasy meets swashbuckling adventure. Unfortunately I am having a slow time of it as I try to cope with really odd character names, places, and some stuttering pacing. I'm giving it a fair shot, but it won't be on any top list of mine, unfortunately.
k_e_l_l's review against another edition
2.0
The ending could have been wrapped up faster too many "and then", but I enjoyed the trilogy.
thefiendslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
The Fionavar Tapestry is not for everyone, and neither is Guy Gavriel Kay. Many of the (plentiful) classic Fantasy tropes and storytelling elements are sure to bug modern readers, and the overuse of sex as a plot device is sure to stop a good many folks in their tracks. However, this is not modern fantasy, and though unusual, I have tremendous respect for the artistic goal of this series. It is surreal. As always, rather than judge on personal taste alone, I try to judge a book or series based on how well it executed its apparent goal. Kay's execution of the Fionavar Tapestry is top notch in my eyes, and this final book is certainly no exception.
The Darkest Road is a spectacular and worthy ending to a beautiful series that has managed to deliver on all of the gleaming promise that was first hinted in book one. If you like Kay, you will love the Darkest Road.
The Darkest Road is a spectacular and worthy ending to a beautiful series that has managed to deliver on all of the gleaming promise that was first hinted in book one. If you like Kay, you will love the Darkest Road.