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antrapp1026 's review for:
The Summer Tree
by Guy Gavriel Kay
This is the third of Guy Gavriel Kay’s novels I’ve read, but it was the first he wrote, and while there are some first-novel weaknesses apparent, there is also, as ever, an abiding depth and sureness of approach that is always compelling. Of the three I’ve read (Tigana — his masterpiece — and The Lions of Al-Rassan being the other two), this is by far written in a style that is most traditional to the tropes of High Fantasy, and that’s where some of its occasional creakiness lies; there are lots of mysterious names and a ton of info dumping about Fionavar’s ancient history that calls to mind the excesses of J.R.R. Tolkien. But when Kay makes choices that feel more personally drawn, and when he grounds and fleshes out his vast cast of characters, there are few writers of fantasy who are better at evoking beautifully rendered moments.
Even though there were passages that felt a little obtuse here, I had plenty of faith in his overall skills to ride it out, and I’m glad I did. I am definitely interested to see where he takes his version of Good going to war with Evil in a Mystical Land in the second and third volumes of this trilogy.
Even though there were passages that felt a little obtuse here, I had plenty of faith in his overall skills to ride it out, and I’m glad I did. I am definitely interested to see where he takes his version of Good going to war with Evil in a Mystical Land in the second and third volumes of this trilogy.