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kiwi_fruit 's review for:
The Summer Tree
by Guy Gavriel Kay
I loved my first book by Guy Gavriel Kay, [b:Tigana|104089|Tigana|Guy Gavriel Kay|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348738842s/104089.jpg|1907200], but this first book of his famous The Fionavar Tapestry trilogy was a disappointment.
Like many fantasy novels written in the 80s, the author mixes characters from the modern world with the fantasy one, using the device of magical portal or “crossing” to move characters between them. I don’t like that, I prefer my fantasy pure fantasy, an imagined story, fleshed out characters that live in their own world with their own laws, even magic should have some laws to govern it. Probably it is because of my rational mind, for the same reason I do not like time travel, portals don’t work for me.
Another complaint I have with the book was that a lot is introduced without explanation. Legendary figures, places and events occurred centuries in the past are casually mentioned, while the reader is not privy to the background, the modern characters either have an innate understanding of what is going on or they seem to be content with accepting these bits of information as if it all make sense. I mean, if you were to be transported in a world that is alien to you wouldn’t you ask a few more questions?
If it sounds too negative, I readily admit that there are positives too. GGK’s style is engaging, the writing, like in Tigana, is richly descriptive and lyrical; the world building is well done, overall not a bad book. Like many series, the first book may prove to be the weakest because of plot building and preparation required to sustain the series itself.
The violence at the endwas off putting for me and so I will not continue this series, but I might reach for another one of GGK standalone novels. 2.5 stars
Like many fantasy novels written in the 80s, the author mixes characters from the modern world with the fantasy one, using the device of magical portal or “crossing” to move characters between them. I don’t like that, I prefer my fantasy pure fantasy, an imagined story, fleshed out characters that live in their own world with their own laws, even magic should have some laws to govern it. Probably it is because of my rational mind, for the same reason I do not like time travel, portals don’t work for me.
Another complaint I have with the book was that a lot is introduced without explanation. Legendary figures, places and events occurred centuries in the past are casually mentioned, while the reader is not privy to the background, the modern characters either have an innate understanding of what is going on or they seem to be content with accepting these bits of information as if it all make sense. I mean, if you were to be transported in a world that is alien to you wouldn’t you ask a few more questions?
If it sounds too negative, I readily admit that there are positives too. GGK’s style is engaging, the writing, like in Tigana, is richly descriptive and lyrical; the world building is well done, overall not a bad book. Like many series, the first book may prove to be the weakest because of plot building and preparation required to sustain the series itself.
The violence at the end