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whatcassiedid's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
Once again, my feelings have been very hurt by GGK
judenoseinabook's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
I have read this book before but did not remember much of the story, I can't think why as it is magnificent. A wonderful tale of love, loyalty, friendship, and the evils of war, political intrigue and religious excess.
He paints a picture of a divided land and the conflict of divided loyalties like no other author I can think of.
I love the strong women in the story as well. The main character in this multi viewpoint book is a woman doctor with strong views.
The story one of Kay's parallel histories, set in a thinly disguised medieval Spain and I want to go and discover more about the actual history now.
He paints a picture of a divided land and the conflict of divided loyalties like no other author I can think of.
I love the strong women in the story as well. The main character in this multi viewpoint book is a woman doctor with strong views.
The story one of Kay's parallel histories, set in a thinly disguised medieval Spain and I want to go and discover more about the actual history now.
peterkeep's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure how to rate this book. I think I've got it pegged as somewhere in between 4 and 5 stars, and I keep going back and forth.
On one hand, this book is technically superb. It's beautifully written, has a core group of wonderful characters who grow and change and form great bonds with each other, and has a well developed setting and plot. It's easy to see the parallels to Spain's history, and I think the connection helps without distracting too much.
And I really don't have many (if any) complaints about it either. It's not like it trades off these good qualities for some real flaws or anything. I guess for me, it was just about how well I was drawn in. I wasn't consumed by this book. It took me a bit to read, simply because I had to make time for it. Not that it was a slog or anything, but it didn't jump to the top of my priority list unless I made myself put it there.
Anyways, it was my first book by Guy Gavriel Kay, and I've got [b: Tigana|104089|Tigana|Guy Gavriel Kay|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348738842s/104089.jpg|1907200] sitting on my shelf waiting for me, so it should be nice to get another of his read sometime as well. He's a great writer and this was a really good book.
On one hand, this book is technically superb. It's beautifully written, has a core group of wonderful characters who grow and change and form great bonds with each other, and has a well developed setting and plot. It's easy to see the parallels to Spain's history, and I think the connection helps without distracting too much.
And I really don't have many (if any) complaints about it either. It's not like it trades off these good qualities for some real flaws or anything. I guess for me, it was just about how well I was drawn in. I wasn't consumed by this book. It took me a bit to read, simply because I had to make time for it. Not that it was a slog or anything, but it didn't jump to the top of my priority list unless I made myself put it there.
Anyways, it was my first book by Guy Gavriel Kay, and I've got [b: Tigana|104089|Tigana|Guy Gavriel Kay|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348738842s/104089.jpg|1907200] sitting on my shelf waiting for me, so it should be nice to get another of his read sometime as well. He's a great writer and this was a really good book.
arya_13's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
isabel_tong's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
slow-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? N/A
5.0
mcrowey's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tristanv's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mrbear's review against another edition
5.0
This book was quite fantastic. I would describe some of the slight issues I had with it, but in reality it compares so favorably to so many books I've liked in the past that I can't justify giving it less than a 5.
I wont write too much, since I think this review says most of it:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/19603946
My answer? Rodrigo.
UPDATE: August 8, 2022
I finished a rereading of this today. I still enjoyed it (and had forgotten enough that the twists of the story were a surprise again), but perhaps not quite as much as I had the first time. I’m a bit more aware of the faults and heavy-handedness of Kay’s writing now, having read more of his books. That distracted slightly from the story, which itself is a bit less believable on a second read. But I’d still recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, who will almost definitely love it.
I wont write too much, since I think this review says most of it:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/19603946
My answer? Rodrigo.
UPDATE: August 8, 2022
I finished a rereading of this today. I still enjoyed it (and had forgotten enough that the twists of the story were a surprise again), but perhaps not quite as much as I had the first time. I’m a bit more aware of the faults and heavy-handedness of Kay’s writing now, having read more of his books. That distracted slightly from the story, which itself is a bit less believable on a second read. But I’d still recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, who will almost definitely love it.
rolypoliak's review against another edition
5.0
Such a well written and emotionally charged book reminding readers that change is inevitable. Loved it and somehow dreaded the inevitability at the same time.
mangokiste's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0