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Summary: Kay is amazing once again
Review: I didn't think it was possible for Kay to get any better. I was wrong. Lord of Emperors moved me to tears. I'm always amazed at how intricate his stories are and Emperors is no exception. The thought that must have gone into the chariot race just boggles my mind. It's worth the price of the book just to read the wonderfully detailed description of the chariot race. If you have not read Guy Gavriel Kay before I would definitely recommend The Sarantine Mosaic, starting with Sailing to Sarantium and ending with Lord of Emperors. It is quite involved and there are numerous characters, but it is worth it to keep track of them all.
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Summary: I dream of Sarantium!
Review: Yet again, Kay draws me inexorably into his worlds. I found both "Sailing to Sarantium" and "Lord of Emporers" rich, full of fascinating characters and intricate detail. He makes you care deeply about the world he creates, as well as the characters within. Only authors as good as Kay can make the world in which they live as interesting and detailed as the characters that inhabit it.I tend to read my hardbacks carefully, in small increments (and Kay is one of very few authors I spend the money on to buy the hardback editions). Usually, I have my favorite radio station playing in the background. This book was so rich and descriptive that I still, several months later, link certain passages to the songs I was listening to when I read them--they automatically come to mind when that song is played on the radio. I highly recommend both books--since once you read "Sarantium", you won't be able to stop there!
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Summary: Great wrap-up
Review: Kay, as usual deftly wraps up his story. He's good and I just wish he could write more quickly
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Summary: Exquisite!
Review: This is, by far, the best historical fiction I have ever read and, potentially, Kay's best work yet (meaning a lot coming from me, a huge Kay fan). This book is tremendously intricate, entwining historical fiction, epic fantasy and, perhaps, just a bit of romance. Sumptuous in its detail, "Lord of Emperors" reveals a cast of unique and elegant characters, brims with subtle court intrigue and situates itself in breathtaking world, which clearly reflects the Byzantine empire. This book is elaborate and profound, and even the most evil characters are likeable and deeply layered (Styliane in particular). Tremendously powerful and entirely unputdownable, "Lord of Emperors" is more than worth your time, and I can only give it the highest recommendation.
P.S. Oh and I could not go without mentioning that the scene near the end with Styliane and Crispin was one of the best I have ever read, with its levels and shades of grey- it was heartrending.
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Summary: Sarantine Mosaic, Real or Imagined?
Review: If your type of fantasy is filled with swords and sorcery, non-stop action, and vivacious babes in see-through nighties, Sarantine mosaic is NOT for you. (Although there are a number of beautiful women in varying stages of undress.) Both Sailing to Sarantium and Lord of Emperors are more "literary" than your typical fantasy novel. Kay gives his characters well-formed personalities and doesn't shy away from moral or philosophical dilemmas they find themselves in. The Sarantine Mosaic reads more like Historical Fiction than fantasy. Kay's world is an imaginative alternative to the Eastern Roman Empire. It works well by replacing actual history with similar fantasy constructs. However, these constructs are usually different enough to avoid confusion. I disagree with the editorial review that claims this is a small story. It is a huge story. It is the story of Emperors and Kings and how history hinges on minor events and characters. Don't let the seemingly minor importance of the characters fool you, this is a big story. I would recommend Kay's books to any intelligent fantasy reader. They may not be non-stop action, but the pacing is quick and the suspense draws ever further into the mosaic Kay has created. Read the books together, as one Novel.
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Summary: A sweeping work
Review: "Lord of Emperors" is very different from what I expected it to be. The most disappointing facet of this sequel is that it focuses less on my two favorite characters, while the political intrigues in the city of Sarantium take center stage. While reading "Sailing to Sarantium", I thought that Crispin and Kasia were two of the most mesmerizing characters that I had ever seen in a fantasy novel. They both return in the sequel, but not very much attention gets paid to them. We do see a lot of the minor characters from "Sailing to Sarantium", including Scortius, Crescens, and Alixana. They spend much of the novel playing musical beds, while the Emperor and his enemies scheme for power, but I never really made the same emotional connections with any characters that I did in the original. I'm not saying that "Lord of Emperors" is a bad book. It's quite entertaining with many worthwhile scenes, including another dramatic chariot race and a huge surprise that sets up a beautiful ending. Kay's writing easily matches the high level that we've come to expect from him; his handling of dialogue, description, and emotion is exquisite. However, I feel that he could have done a better job of controlling the plot and of keeping it focused on the central characters.
Rating:
Summary: brilliant
Review: G. G. Kay is astounding in his ability to draw you into his created world.. This book was even better than the first one (sailing to sarantium) which is an acheivement in itself.. Very touching, entertaining and thoughtfull... A must read for any one interested in stories of fantasy with more than two dimensions... Mr. Kay is unsurpassed.
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