The Lions of Al-Rassan

Rating:
Summary: Touching, beautifully written, powerful and thoughtful book!
Review: I will not mince words - this book takes a while to get going. But a thing as true is that few books are as worth the wait as this one.

The story tells of a woman named Jehane and two men, Rodrigo and Ammar. Jehane is a doctor, Rodrigo - a military hero, and Ammar - a legendary monster. Jehane lives by her doctor's oath. Rodrigo fights with as much honor as flesh-carving work can encompass. Ammar weaves his way through court intrigue, soiled by it to the point of no return. Yet he persists, not for his own honor, for little remains of that, nor for his own survival, but for the survival of his culture - the culture of Al-Rassan.

Three people - each touched by the hand of a ruler; three lives twisted forever by the touch. Jehane's father, the most renowned physician in two generations, kept his doctor's vow at the cost of cruel punishment by the hand of the king he helped. Rodrigo stayed loyal to a dead king and was exiled by the new one - exiled away from his land, away from his sons, away from the woman he loves madly - whom every man loves madly, having once laid eyes on her. Ammar killed a ruler to put another in his place - killed an inept ruler, replacing him with a better. It was done to keep Al-Rassan breathing. It shattered his life, branded him a monster. Now, a man who once turned the fate of a kingdom is at the mercy of a cruel, power-mad ruler - a ruler he brought to power. And Ammar is still the favored royal scapegoat.

Jehane, Rodrigo, Ammar - each defined by a role and a task; none fully encompassed by a single role. Jehane, sworn to protect life, seeks to take one, in bloody revenge. Rodrigo, who lives by his loyalty and honor, seeks to return home, knowing that to return to his wife's arms he must also embrace a traitorous king. Ammar, who is lost in the eyes of the world, seeks to right his monumental mistake, to save his world and, perhaps, to shed light on those who had shifted their crimes to his shoulders.

Three people, each different, each haunted, are thrown together. With never a reason to wish each other's acquaintance, they see each other's complexities and, against all odds, find comfort, and friendship, and love. And through it all, a question looms over them like a dark cloud - will the world come calling them back to their narrow, ill-fitting - but undeniable - roles?

Kay is a master. He creates three exceptional people - exceptional, and exceptionally real. He weaves an engrossing story and a rich world that will not bend to accommodate the wishes of three mere mortals. What's more, he tells the story of the fall of Granada, the last Muslim state in Spain, with life, passion and a deep respect for the truth, for it is Historical Fantasy that is Guy Gavriel Kay's domain. He captures three very different cultures with never a move to simplify them to something less than they were, to stereotypes. The same can be said for his characters - not just the three, but all his characters. Vivid, beautifully told, heart-warming, heart-rendering, and healing - such is the story of The Lions of Al-Rassan.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, original fantasy
Review: Differences in religious viewpoints really can destroy the world, as we know it. However, some relationships can survive a radically different viewpoint, which shows that there is hope for us all.

But first things first: this has to be the best fantasy novel I've read in a long time. I couldn't put it down! The writing style was incredible; the characters magnificent - I could relate to each and every one of them on some level. The female characters in particular were breathtaking - strong, yet feminine. Not a stereotypical one among them. I loved the way Kay kept me guessing as I read as well. Things never turned out quite the way I expected, and the plot twists were exciting and well executed. Kay has an amazing grasp of language. Some of the descriptive passages left me in complete awe. I also appreciated the use of our own religious background to infuse this novel's history. I could see glimpes of Jews (the Kindath), the Muslims (Asharites), and the Christians (Jaddites).

Kay has an incredible writing style - uniquely descriptive, captivating, and enchanting. It leaves you breathless with anticipation and eager to turn the next page.

The plot line was superb. It was complex, yet it flowed beautifully, and every small detail was eventually explained.

As far as characters go, I loved Jehane. She was strong, brave, and willing to enter into dire circumstances without a second thought to her own welfare. I also loved her father. He was the epitome of a courageous, kind physician. He overcame a terrible handicap to return to his family and his practice, to a degree. I also liked both Ammar and Belmonte. They were both so... real. Very much alike, very stubborn, well-spoken, brave military leaders.

I would recommend this book to lovers of fantasy, historical fiction, and fans of a darn good story alike.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely one of Kay's best!
Review: Wow! I have been reading reviews of Kay's work, and I will say that I refrained from commenting at all on Tigana, because there are so many so willing to take up its cause and proclaim its glory. But here, I am finding readers maligning this as one of Kay's LEAST splendid works??!! On the contrary, this is one of my favorites, to be read and read again, as are all of Kay's works, in my opinion.

To those citing his use of religion and historical setting as a weak point, I would completely disagree. The strongest aspect of Kay's works are the incredibly complicated, passionate weavings of love and duty he creates within his characters. And where better to find such heartrending conflict than in the very real (and still relevant) religious conflicts of Moorish Spain? Having studied this period of European history, and having studied the religions drawn from, I can say that I found his depiction to be a particularly moving one, and this period is more vibrant, more poetic, more epic to me than medieval Europe or Classical Rome-- though I will grant that is only my opinion. The representation of all three religions in the three main characters-- the Jews in Jehane, the Muslims in Ammar, and the Christians in Rodrigo-- well, that informed their external and internal conflicts in a very real way, because of the conflicts which are simply inherent between those religions, theologically as well as politically.

The strength of his female characters in this book, particularly Jehane, resonate more than in his other books I think. And ultimately, the inevitable, giant conflict between Rodrigo and Ammar is earth-shattering, and had me crying, holding my breath, afraid to turn the page yet absolutely compelled to turn it and find out what happened. This is Kay at his best! Don't miss it!

Rating:
Summary: Not as grand as Tigana or Arbonne..
Review: The Lions of Al-Rassan proves again that Guy Gavriel Kay is one of more talented writers in fantasy fiction today. However, there is something about Lions that just seems missing. It may be perhaps that I am spoiled, since reading Kay's earlier works of A Song for Arbonne and Tigana, and that I may come off too critical, but after reading those two past works you cannot help but compare. Kay is definetly a huge step up from most of the trash plaguing the fantasy genre, but with this book, his talents seem a bit off.

I had no problem with Kay basing much of his world on France in A Song for Arbonne, or basing Tigana on Italy. But here in Lions, the world is just a little bit too evocative of Moorish Spain. I was hoping that Kay could have used a little more of his creativity and a little less of real history. And the Kindath, Jaddites, and Asharites were a little to alike to the Jews, Christians, and Muslims for my comfort. And no magic, not even a little? That was a bit disappointing.

The problems I had were that unlike previous novels, in Lions, Kay didn't really seem to have many central POV characters. There were obviously some with more than others, but the viewpoints were too spread out among too many characters, and I didn't feel I could connect with Kay's characters due to this fact. Kay draws his characters well, you don't find many stereotypical characters in his stories, but my gripe is that I didn't have time to get to know these characters, because Kay danced around to too many different people too often.

Also, this time around, the writing wasn't as tight. I didn't really sense any direction or flow to this book, things just sort of happened. The dialogue was sometimes a bit contrived, and various sequences seemed just a little to convenient sometimes, a little too "save the day at the last minute" kind of thing. While Arbonne and Tigana seemed to almost flow in a circle with the seasons, Lions seemed more disjointed, and i often just put down the book out of boredom, unlike Arbonne and Tigana which often kept me reading page after page after page and not even noticing it. One of Kay's greatest strengthsis his writing style, its almost poetic. But here in Lions I didn't get the same feel, (not until the end and the epilogue, which were excellent).

For those of you who have not read Guy Gavriel Kay before, this is by now means a bad book. I would just suggest that you read Tigana or Song for Arbonne before Lions of AL-Rassan. You'll understand my review better. Lions is only a single book, so its hard to compare it too many of the authors out there with all their 'epics' going around such as Martin, Jordan, Goodkind, Erikson, etc. However, Kay is a very worthy author, one who every fantasy reader should attend too. This book is not your typical sword and sorcery type, neither is it a political or military fantasy. So those of you who are looking for lots of fighting and magic spells will not find that here, neither will you find complex webs of mystery and intrigue that matchs anything of Erikson, Jordan, or Martin.

And for those of you would have read Kay before, it's better than the Fionavar Tapestry, but not up to par with Tigana and A Song for Arbonne. However, until we all find something else to read out there, Lions of Al-Rassan is a worthy read.

Rating:
Summary: El Cid meets the Crusades
Review: A very well written book, with excellent characters, good action, intrigue - very well thought out and done. A combination of El Cid, the Crusades and Mardi Gras.

The one thing I had a problem with was his use of religion. Everyone of faith was a blood thirsty dog and only those who didn't really take their faith seriously were good and/or happy. The history he took this from has plenty of drama in it so Mr. Kay really shouldn't have needed to distort history as much as he did. Since most of his distortions favored the Jewish side of the equation, my guess is his sympathies lie in that direction which is fine, it just leaves an inaccurate view of what really did happen.

Rating:
Summary: highly enjoyable
Review: An excellent novel. The story is roughly situated in Al-Rassan, a replica of the medieval El Andalus with its complex relationships between the Moors, Jews and Christians. Kay captures the splendour and refinement of the Moorish Spain with Castillians eyeing greedily the ever increasing decadence of the Moorish society. He also is an expert in making one sigh with nostalgia for the times in which poetry, chivalry and quest for power and love were inextricably linked in the quest for the fullness of life. After all, love poetry came to us from the Moors (via the troubadours). His is an inspiring story, especially in these days, when ethnic stereotyping is raising its ugly head - in LOA-R what matters is personal dignity, courage and integrity and these are found across the board in all ethnic groups; likewise for the greed, hatred and delusion. This is a story whose protagonists are fully embroiled into the paradox of having to choose between love for one's country/ethnic group and love for another person regardless of where he/she comes from. I am thankful for this opportunity to witness Kay's vision of the past (and of the future) in which what matters is beauty, elegance and true power, informed by intelligence.

Rating:
Summary: Finest Fantasy Writer Today
Review: With the Lions of Al-Rassan, Guy Gavriel Kay has proven his status as "the" finest fantasy writer today, even as one wonders how truly fantastic the book actually is. Kay succeeds where others writer fail in creating a hauntingly beautiful world filled with the virtues and vices of human nature. Even without knowing the historical context (especially applicable in the post 9-11 world), it would be difficult to believe that his Al-Rassan does not exist, as lyrically portrayed as it is. I am not a weepy reader, but I never can manage to finish a Kay book without shedding at least a few tears, whether of joy or sorrow. If you enjoyed this book, I highly recommend his "Sarantine Mosaic" which takes place in the same world several centuries earlier and is deftly written with the same haunting realism.

Rating:
Summary: My favourite
Review: I am currently devouring GG Kays works having fallen on "Sailing to Sarantium" thanks to the good publicity in my local library.

The majority of the comments that the previous reviewers have made have been quite valid. But there are a couple of things that just made it for me.

1. The clear linkages to Sarantium (which I believe was published after "Lions".) Jaddites, Asharites etc. I love imaganing how his world developed from the world around Sarantium to the world around Al Rassan.

2. The fact that the main characters were going to come to conflict due to the events unfolding around them. And right to the end, you never knew which way it would fall.

Of course, there was the deft skillful writing to hold it altogether.

My only criticism was the way he played with the reader at times, setting them up for falls and then leaping away at the last moment.

My favourite so far....

Rating:
Summary: Woow
Review: The lions of Al Rassan is the first book by Kay I read, and I have subsequently bought all his books, and read them all, but I still think this is the best (or perhaps second best, after lord of Emperors). He writes well, with a fluid style that is all too often absent in fantasy, and does not use stock characters. I appreciated, too, his setting (quite a fair number of people have been criticizing his use of historical themes, but personally I think it is a welcome change after the masses of fake middle earth and pseudo medieval worlds somehow all identical; if that is all fantasy readers want, then no wonder they should hate Kay). The characters are believable, and he has crafted a fine story. On the minus side, though (I only found out after reading all his books), he has this standard plot twist which is: a character is dying or left for dead, everyone grieves for him, and then through the intervention of a technical outsider he is miraculously saved. The first time you buy it. The sixth or seventh time, while not failing to surprise you, does leave a sour taste somewhere.
That said, it is minor, and should not prevent your enjoying it to the full.

Rating:
Summary: Not Kay's best work
Review: With The Lions of Al-Rassan, the latest in his collection of fantastical alternate histories (the others being Tigana, A Song For Arbonne [which I have yet to read] and the Sailing To Sarantium/Lord of Emperors duology), Guy Gavriel Kay seems to have got stuck in a rut. Elements of the increasingly familiar formula include:

a) At least one main character who is superior to every other human being in the world in just about every respect (attractiveness, skill in battle, intelligence, tolerance, insight...)
b) The obligatory and unnecessary (plotwise) graphic sex scene
c) At least one semi-random and out-of-the-blue pairing off of previously unmatched characters, usually at the end

In Lions, Kay also takes his fondness for melodrama to the extreme. There is far too much use of narrative devices like ramming home points with run-on descriptive sentences that come to a sort of crescendo, dropping bombshells on the reader at the end of a chapter, and hiding information to keep the reader guessing who just got messily killed.

I also have to agree with other readers who said that the setting wasn't properly developed - we heard lots about the vanished glories of Al-Rassan, but never saw them, which left nothing much to mourn for. The provinces of the Palm and the city of Sarantium (settings for earlier books) seemed much more real.

Lions does have some points in its favour. I liked the theme of individuals having to cope with the realities of conflict and their divided loyalties (even if they were excessively perfect individuals when compared with the unthinking soldiers and/or bloodthirsty maniacs who made up most of the rest of the cast), and Kay's take on Christianity, Islam and Judaism (developed further from Sailing to Sarantium and Lord of Emperors) was intriguing in both its similarities and differences to the real world. The political intrigues and the inevitability of the central conflict were also quite interesting.

On the whole, though, I would advise potential readers to leave Lions and try some of Kay's other work. It put me off reading A Song for Arbonne in case it was more of the same (I may still try it in case it's better) - don't let it put you off reading Tigana, which in my opinion is Kay's best work to date.