Rating: 
Summary: Magnificent Fantasy Saga in Viking/Anglo-Saxon/Celtic Times
Review: Guy Gavriel Kay is a master storyteller whose stories evoke ancient European cultures, but with elements of fantasy. Of Kay's previous novels, my favorites are "Tigana" (Italian Renaissance) and "The Lions of Al-Rassan" (Andalusian and Moorish), in that order. His newest novel, "The Last Light of the Sun," is equal to his best work so far, and is a truly magnificent novel. Unlike Kay's last two novels (referred to collectively as "The Sarantine Mosaic"), this new novel stands alone, although it does make reference to previous works, specifically mentioning both Sarantium and Al-Rassan."The Last Light of the Sun" spans a year in the life of many major and minor characters of several different cultures, from the Erlings and Jornsvikings (Scandinavians and Vikings) in the northeast to the Cyngael (Celts/Welsh) in the northwest, whose lands, because of their location at the western edge of the known world, receive "the last light of the sun." There are multiple interlocking plot lines and multiple endings. Some plot lines span the entire novel, but a few marvelous little stories span only a couple of pages. Major characters include kings and queens, princes and princesses, Viking raiders, priests, bards, hounds, faeries, and other mythical woodland creatures. Many plot lines involve deep affection, between man and woman, father and son, or brother and brother, and the reader will encounter surprises involving these affections. There were moments while reading this book, upon reaching the end of a chapter, where I just had to sit back and smile in sorrow, joy, and deep satisfaction at the story that had just unfolded. And when I reached the end of the book, I was surprised that only a year had passed during the telling of the multi-faceted tale. In my opinion, "The Last Light of the Sun" is a truly magnificent novel!
Rating: 
Summary: Another gift from GGK, but not quite as good as his others..
Review: Guy Gavriel Kay is one of my favorite authors. The Fionavar Tapestry is just about my favorite work of literature. So much of his work is just so stirring and imaginative.
I received The Last Light of the Sun for my birthday in June and just finished it recently. (I had to get through my summer reading, school started, etc.) While I was pleased, it was not up to the standards that the Fionavar Tapestry, Tigana, The Lions of Al-Rassan, etc., have set in the past. And it was hard for me to really pinpoint the problems for a while.
I was especially excited when I found out that this book took place against the backdrop of Northern cultures clearly based on Viking and Celtic cultures, which I love. For those fans of The Lions of Al-Rassan, it takes place in the same world, just in a different geological location.
Kay's strength, for me, has always been his characters. He's an author that makes me cry like no other. His characters are just so well-thought and defined that they seem less like fantasy characters from some far-separate era and more like real people that happen to live in a different setting than our present-day world. The characters of The Last Light of the Sun seem to yearn for that kind of presence, but they only make it halfway there. If you've read other books of his, you may be able to almost feel the effort to enliven the characters. Kendra's strange intuitive knowledge of Alun comes across more as a weak literary device than the fascinating, supernatural connection between Finn and Leila in the Fionavar Tapestry. Bern Thorkellson, the Erling who has to escape the shadow of his father's exile and make a living for himself, perhaps fares the best out of all the characters. He manages to deal with his own inner struggles without succumbing to the entirely unlikeable behavior the Cadyr prince Alun displays towards everyone after facing his own personal tragedy. His father, Thorkell, also manages to have some fine moments as a man removed from his own people but still keeping them in his heart.
The storyline itself seems to lack a central drive. It's clear that Kay's attempting to paint an epic cast from all different backgrounds and locations drawn together by Fate to a final confrontation, but he only manages to put together a string of events. It isn't until the last fifty pages or so that there's a real sense of urgency in the work. For the most part, it almost seems like the string of events that make up the plot are unconnected by any far-reaching cohesion.
However, these criticisms do not add up to a bad book. Simply put, it doesn't hold the same magic as some of Kay's other works. But it still is an enjoyable read. If you've never read any Kay, I would suggest starting with The Fionavar Tapestry trilogy (The Summer Tree, The Wandering Fire, and The Darkest Road) or Tigana and see if you like his style well enough to give this one a try. If you're already a fan of Kay, you might as well give this one your time.
Rating:
Summary: Not his best but still far better than the rest!
Review: Having read all of Guy Gavriel Kay's previous work I agree with other reviewers that this is not his best work but this is not a complaint. This author's work is far superior to much of what is being produced in the "fantasy" genre, and I really appreciate any effort by him. I actually prefer The Last Light of The Sun over The Sarantine Mosaic, which I think had too much going on it. This is a rather simple story told in a very elegant way and there are very few author's that can compete with Guy Gavriel Kay's story telling abilities. So I would eagerly recommend this book to whet your appetite for this author's other works.
Rating: 
Summary: SAD DAY FOR KAY FANS
Review: I ABSOLUTELY LOVE KAY'S WRITING AND SO LAST LIGHT WAS A TOUGH READ FOR ME. DIDN'T LIKE THE CHARACTERS OR CARE ABOUT THEM. THE FAIRY STUFF A COMPLETE DISTRACTION AND MEANINGLESS. (IT'S HARD TO GET WORKED UP OVER A SHIMMERING NOTHING WITH NO SOUL OR PERSONALITY.) GRATUTIOUS [Adult relations]. LOTS OF BIRDWALKING. FELT LIKE I WAS READING DISCARDED PORTIONS OF EARLIER WORK. THIS GUY (HA) IS A GREAT WRITER AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HIS NEXT PIECE, BUT LAST LIGHT I JUST DONATED TO THE LIBRARY. OH, HERE'S TIGANA, [AHH].
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Summary: WARNING: PRINT PROBLEMS IN COPY I RECEIVED
Review: I am a big fan of Guy Gavriel Kay and have enjoyed his earlier works. I have been enjoying The Last Light of the Sun in Hardback edition that I had pre-ordered from Amazon - right up until the point that the copy I received was MISSING pages 279-311, and discovered that pages 249-278 had been double-printed by mistake. I've just notified Amazon of the problem and am waiting to hear back from them. But if you order the book, check the pages listed above when you receive it to make sure that they are in order and accounted for!
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Summary: Different but compelling
Review: I generally dislike fantasy and I am hard on historical novels because I see both done badly all the time. Kay is a notable exception who blends both. I have read all of his books, as well as the current reviews. I agree this book badly needs a map, but otherwise I found it delightful. It IS different from the Sarantine Mosaic, but I actually enjoyed it more. It is darker, bloodier, and the connection between the Celts and Faierie real rather than implied. My sense is that many fans disliked it because it is very different from earlier works, with a larger cast of characters (and no map), and a bleakness that one doesn't find in Tigana or the Sarantine Mosaic. While some found the Fairie and minor character sidebars distracting, I found them fascinating and thought this device gave depth to the time in which the story is placed.
I bought the hardback version, and don't begrudge a dime of it. I'm ordering another hardback copy for a family member who is also a fan, so clearly I think the book merits buying. So why four stars? Because I'm very critical and almost never give 5 stars (one exception was Dorothy Dunnett's Checkmate of the Lymond series, the finest historical novel ever written in an excellent series, and another was Carol Berg's Restoration, an excellent conclusion to her rai-kirrah series.)
Rating:
Summary: 4.5
Review: I had to give it fewer than five stars because it's not QUITE the masterpiece THE FIONAVAR TAPESTRY, A SONG FOR ARBONNE, THE SARANTINE MOSAIC, and TIGANA were. This is not to say it isn't an excellent book. Comparing this book to Kay's others, it's good. Comparing this book to most other people's fantasy/historical novels, it's the best. The only author I've read who can match Kay in this department is Jaqueline Carey. (Check her out!) Set in the same world as THE LIONS OF AL-RASSAN and THE SARANTINE MOSAIC, THE LAST LIGHT OF THE SUN is about the intertwined destinies and adventures of several Erlings (Vikings), Cyngael (Welsh), and Anglcyn (can you guess by now?) The characters are, as usual, suitably subtle and complex, the plot is equally so, and the theme of sorrow in joy and joy in sorrow running through the book makes everything the more affecting. Historical and/or fantasy fans should enjoy this book (with its blend of both genres), and fans of Kay mostly will as well. The only hitch this last group might encounter is that LAST LIGHT OF THE SUN is just slightly less enthralling than his other work. Since Kay's other books are so incredible, a tiny dip in his story-telling powers might seriously disappoint some followers. I noticed it, but I wasn't overly bothered. THE LAST LIGHT OF THE SUN is still an awesome tale, beautifully told.
Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: I have read and loved everything GGK has written (well, OK, I didn't read his book of poetry), but this one is just too much a rehashing of all his devices and characters. There's the big scary presence in the woods (Sarantium). There's the climactic duel between two great fighters, where one spots a technical weakness in the other (Darkest Road, Al-Rassan, Arbonne). There's two brothers with a difficult relationship where one is dead or half-dead and the other has to release him (Darkest Road). And some of his writing devices have become rather tedious, as the last reviewer mentioned. There's entire chapters devoted to minor characters we never see again, although we get to hear their entire life stories. There's backtracking to retell something we just saw from a different character's point of view. In his other books, the plot is so engrossing that these things don't catch your attention, but here I found myself flipping forward and skipping a lot. It's worth reading, but I'd wait for the paperback if I were you.
Rating:
Summary: I wish I could go back to Fionnavar
Review: I liked this book. It eased my hunger for Kay's writing. But it's just not enough. I want the epic battles from The Summer Tree and The Darkest Road. I want to weep when Diarmuid sacrifices himself for Arthur. There were moments in Last Light where I felt like it almost happened again. I wouldn't mind reading about the first battle for Bael Rangat and the imprisonment of Rakoth Maugrim. I could also live with finding out what happens on Earth now that we have a Seer. What about Green Ceinwein's child with Davor?
Rating:
Summary: Stunning...
Review: I picked up Last Light of the Sun because I have been hearing for quite a while how good an author GGK is. Let me now add my voice to all those praising GGK. This was certainly the best novel I have read this year! A great cast of characters, an interesting world, and strong prose, this book has it all. I read some critical reviews of the novel and I must say I don't understand. There was not one thing about this novel I did not enjoy, a gripping, gritty, visual tale that picks you up and sweeps you away. A fantastic alternative to the current genre drivel (Eddings, Goodkind, Jordan, etc.). Highly recommended.
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