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A review by blairconrad
The Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay
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.