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cimorene1558's review against another edition
4.0
I have been dissing this book for years, which now, having re-read it, I feel is not fair. No, I don't find it as fantastic as the rest of Kay's books, but it's by no means a bad book, in fact it's a very good one, it just doesn't have (for me) the emotional weight of the others. And it's not tragic in the way that some of the others are, perhaps because it's more about a beginning than an end (my two favourite history-based Kay works are The Lions of al-Rassan and the Sarantium Mosiac, which are definitely about endings). But the research and the writing are very well done, and by any lesser author, it would be a monumental achievement.
blairconrad's review against another edition
3.0
I like Guy Gavriel Kay. He thinks about the countries he sets his novels in, has interesting characters, and I generally like the level of the magic he introduces into what would otherwise almost be historical novels. In spite of that, for some reason, I often find myself running cool on his books for about the first 2/3s, then finally getting in to them, at least the first time I read a book. This happened to me for Lions of Al-Rassen, Tigana, and A Song for Arbonne. Not this time.
I was grabbed almost from the outset by the characters and events in the various settings, including Alun’s initial exchange with the faerie, the introduction of Kendra, and the relationship between Brynn, his wife, and Ceinion.
I also enjoyed being back in the world of Al-Rassan and Sarantium. It’s familiar enough that it’s starting to feel like home, and I really like the way that Kay has treated (and continues to treat) Jad-worship.
Unfortunately, from the book’s strong start, Kay continues with a sort of gradual downhill slide to the end.
Kay constantly shifts between various characters’ viewpoints, something that could have added interest, but which really just served to break my focus, reducing the involvement I felt. I’m going to have to reread some of the old novels, but I thought his investment in throw-away storylets and characters was higher this time ’round, and for some reason reminded me very strongly of Robert Jordan’s style.
Also, the involvement of the half-world seemed stronger in this book (which might be appropriate for a novel set at the boundaries of civilization), and a little frivolous. In particular, the faerie’s trek through the woods to warn Brynn of the approaching raid was just a little too deus ex machina for my liking.
The thing that really threw me about the ending, though, was the level of “and they lived happily ever after”. The right people get married, certain wronged parties achieve social positions that they perhaps deserve, or at least will benefit from. Furthermore, Ceinion and Aeldred’s acceptance of Kendra’s visions was just a little bit too easy, and I felt like the visions were just kinda tacked in there and didn’t really serve much purpose in the story.
So anyhow, the book was pretty good, and definitely entertaining. It’s still probably a must-read for you Kay fans out there, but I wouldn’t recommend it to a first-time reader. Much better to start with the Tapestry or Sarantium.
I was grabbed almost from the outset by the characters and events in the various settings, including Alun’s initial exchange with the faerie, the introduction of Kendra, and the relationship between Brynn, his wife, and Ceinion.
I also enjoyed being back in the world of Al-Rassan and Sarantium. It’s familiar enough that it’s starting to feel like home, and I really like the way that Kay has treated (and continues to treat) Jad-worship.
Unfortunately, from the book’s strong start, Kay continues with a sort of gradual downhill slide to the end.
Kay constantly shifts between various characters’ viewpoints, something that could have added interest, but which really just served to break my focus, reducing the involvement I felt. I’m going to have to reread some of the old novels, but I thought his investment in throw-away storylets and characters was higher this time ’round, and for some reason reminded me very strongly of Robert Jordan’s style.
Also, the involvement of the half-world seemed stronger in this book (which might be appropriate for a novel set at the boundaries of civilization), and a little frivolous. In particular, the faerie’s trek through the woods to warn Brynn of the approaching raid was just a little too deus ex machina for my liking.
The thing that really threw me about the ending, though, was the level of “and they lived happily ever after”. The right people get married, certain wronged parties achieve social positions that they perhaps deserve, or at least will benefit from. Furthermore, Ceinion and Aeldred’s acceptance of Kendra’s visions was just a little bit too easy, and I felt like the visions were just kinda tacked in there and didn’t really serve much purpose in the story.
So anyhow, the book was pretty good, and definitely entertaining. It’s still probably a must-read for you Kay fans out there, but I wouldn’t recommend it to a first-time reader. Much better to start with the Tapestry or Sarantium.
singsthewren's review against another edition
4.0
This book is absolutely beautiful. The writing is simply gorgeous, and I could not put it down. It's been awhile since I've read a traditional fantasy, and it was a nice break in stride. This book has an absolutely beautiful voice - I could not put it down. The narrative is really different; fast-paced and sort of staggering, like it's stumbling towards beauty. It was really different, and I loved it.
Great plot and wonderful weaving of disparate stories into a great narrative with a satisfying conclusion. The sense of history and layers of the past was amazing.
I had two issues with it. First of all, the sexism was sort of annoying. It was definitely the society and not Kay (there were some strong female characters who helped alleviate the pall), but why is every society so freaking sexism? Especially when a society is based so strongly on Vikings, and there's a lot of evidence that women were completely equal in Viking society; or at least certainly not treated the way medieval Europe treated its women.
The other problem I had is that fantasy trope of taking Earth cultures, giving them new names, and then slightly altering their society. The best parts of Kay's world are the parts that diverge from the Earth societies he's copying: the three part rhyming structure of one society, the melodic voices that come down to fae ancestry, etc. Why not just dive away from Earth entirely? We would be just as hooked.
Great plot and wonderful weaving of disparate stories into a great narrative with a satisfying conclusion. The sense of history and layers of the past was amazing.
I had two issues with it. First of all, the sexism was sort of annoying. It was definitely the society and not Kay (there were some strong female characters who helped alleviate the pall), but why is every society so freaking sexism? Especially when a society is based so strongly on Vikings, and there's a lot of evidence that women were completely equal in Viking society; or at least certainly not treated the way medieval Europe treated its women.
The other problem I had is that fantasy trope of taking Earth cultures, giving them new names, and then slightly altering their society. The best parts of Kay's world are the parts that diverge from the Earth societies he's copying: the three part rhyming structure of one society, the melodic voices that come down to fae ancestry, etc. Why not just dive away from Earth entirely? We would be just as hooked.
thejdizzler's review against another edition
3.0
Guy Gavriel Kay is at his best when he writes about people. Not about melodramatic bullshit that filled most of this book. This was a story about change, the passing of a mantel from father to son, the fading of an age into history. But really this was a story about Bern Thorkellson and his father. And I wish that could have been richer. I did not find the retelling of "The Ballad of the White Horse" very compelling, or the mysticism of the pseudo-Welsh storyline. More Bern, more Thorkell, more Radaby.
catrink's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable read, especially at lunch. Nice melding of northern European mythology, along with the British Isles.
amyappy's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this, but it doesn't stand out to me as being as... memorable as GGK's other works. It seems ironic to me that when working with real history (Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, Celts), Kay's depiction of his settings seems less than fully realized. There were precious few characters in here I didn't like, and I was completely satisfied with the ending... which maybe is why it feels less epic? Less haunting? This won't stick with me and cling to the corners of my mind for days and months (years?) like some of Kay's other novels will. Not to say that it isn't well-written. On the whole, with the scope and style of the narration (some beautiful thoughts, but a few of the narrative insights felt a little... pushy), it feels less like sociopolitical commentary and more like a fairytale or a story told to you by the fire. Which, considering the course of the story, is perhaps what he was working towards. :-)
ginggercakes's review against another edition
4.0
As always, author has created a beautiful and inspiring world. The way that author writes always blows me away, its like poetry, like a song. This tale is a beautifully woven masterpiece of trust, friendship, love and heartache. The characters are powerful and meaningful and as the journey progresses you see them interact with and without each other.
Slowly paced, you get the information with detailed accuracy. Author is a master of fantasy and storytelling.
Slowly paced, you get the information with detailed accuracy. Author is a master of fantasy and storytelling.
mindyt's review against another edition
4.0
Really I give this a 4.5 star rating. I completely enjoyed reading this book, was totally absorbed in the characters and even thought about them when I wasn't reading! The author did a wonderful job creating fully formed characters that grew and matured through the story. He also gave vivid descriptions of the lands, traditions and ways of the times.
vlphildreth's review against another edition
4.0
I felt like this was a more successful novel than Under Heaven. The characters' motivations were more complex. They were not necessarily more likeable (are any of Kay's characters?), but I felt more empathy for them. The intersection of cultures was wonderful. The conflict was compelling. I hope he writes more in this universe.