Rating: 
Summary: An amazing trilogy
Review: When I first picked this book up, I thought that it was a typical trilogy of Light verses Dark; I prepared to read hashed-out scenes of betrayal and noble sacrifices. And while there are betrayals and noble sacrifices, Kay writes it in such a way that it is never the cliche it has become. The Finovar Tapestry is an exploration of redemption, love, and fate in a way that is uniquely, completely Kay. This trilogy is the only piece of fantasy that I would call literature, with its subtle foreshadows, literary references, and amazing ending. Buy it; you won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: THIS BOOK DESERVES TEN STARS!!!!
Review: I am always bewildered to find poor reviews of this book. People are constantly saying that it is Kay's worst work. How dare they! This is absolutely the most engaging, touching, fabulous story that I have ever read. Most authors don't have the guts to take their stories to the realm of gods. Kay weaves a story that moves far beyond that, placing his work far above anything written before. Reading this, and the following two, I was shocked over and over by the places Kay's characters went. This is absolutely one of the best fantasy novels ever written. Along with Dragon Prince, Ender's Game, Dune, and a few others, it holds a special place on my bookshelf... And there isn't a lot of room!
Rating:
Summary: Very Excelent
Review: I have read all three titles for this trilogy, and i must say that i was deeply moved. The only other fantacy trilogy that i could ever sit through is The Darksword Trilogy. The Summer Tree was my introduction to a wonderfull series where i felt a close connection with the characters. i cried withthem, i laughed with them.. sometimes it was embarasing.. i would be reading on the bus and suddenly burst into tears.. I would recomend this trilogy to anyone who appriciates a deeply moving story!
Rating:
Summary: The great re-telling of an old old story
Review: First the Fionavar Tapestry is not a new story. It is the old story of good against evil, light against darkness. So exactly what Tolkien wrote in his Lord of the Rings. And indeed there are many things very familiar. So is Loren Silvercloak Gandalf and the treacherous mages are Saruman (LOTR) and Metran (FT). In both books are a nation of riders and, of course, elves, even if they don't have that name. And Sauron himself is Rakoth Maugrim. But in the LOTR are only two sides, good or evil. Not so in Kays works. There are usally more sides and more choices. In Fionavar are the good guys and the bad guys and some who stand in between. In Kays books always also grey, showing that not always the borders clear. And charakters which one cannot put to the good or bad I dearly missed in the LOTR. Kay also adds people which one cannot find in another books. So you will not find somebody like Diarmuid, this reckless, dissolute and wonderful untamed prince of Brennin. The Fionavar Tapestry is a story with breathtaking action, it is heart-breaking sad and is glowing with the beautiful and powerfuls words of Kays writing with true magic. Just one thing I must admit as not so good. It is King Arthur and Lanclot and all the stuff from this legend. It is too much cliché and though Kays is doing what he can, this charakters remain plain and uninteresting. I guess I love this book and the two other anyway. And I can just recomment it. Even if you don't like fantasy, these books can bring you to like it, really. One more thing. I will take the chance and tell the world (well all the world which is interested) that I personally find Guy Gavriel Kay can write better than Tolkien and that the Lord of the Ring only almost matches the Fionavar Tapestry.
Rating: 
Summary: The weakest link in a strong and beautiful chain
Review: I have read many many fantasy books including the formidable and much praised "Lord of the Rings" and I must say that Mr. Kay's labour of love (once you read it, you can say nothing to deny it) surpasses them all. It's richness is stupefying and even painful at times. I must say that anyone who rates this trilogy anything less than 4 stars has only read the Summer Tree and not done Mr. Kay the honour of reading his other two books. However, after praising The Fionovar Tapestry, I too must criticize his first book,"The Summer Tree". Indeed it is the weakest book of the trilogy. Having said that, I must also assure you that once you surrrender yourself to it you will see the genius in Kay's first published work. The vast scope of this trilogy is mind-numbing. It will pull you into the first world of all and make you cry out in sorrow and joy. NOW GO READ IT!
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: I have the impression that Kay's trilogy The Fionavar Tapestry, has not been as widely read as many of the other 'epic fantasies' out there, and that's a terrible shame, because most of those other stories pale in comparison to these three wonderful books. Wow! If I were Guy Gavriel Kay, I could probably put into words how much I enjoyed this trilogy, but since I don't have his writting skills, I won't even try. I've read Donaldson, Eddings, Brooks, Fiest, Jordan, Goodkind, Williams, Martin, Hobb, and so many other terrific authors, none of whom have written anything better than The Fionavar Tapestry. Definitely one of my all time favortites. Wow! (Did I already say that?)
Rating: 
Summary: Engaging, but lacks the focus of Kay's more mature work.
Review: While the three books that form the "Fionavar Tapestry" are engaging, they all suffer, to varying degrees, from a loosely scripted, and at times, implausible plot, as well as the inclusion of Arthurian elements that remain contrived and unnecessary except as a "hook" pandering to the appeal the Camelot legend holds for many readers, and that has already elsewhere been overworked. Further, I question the plot device of characters that are transported by varying means from "our" world into parallel fantasy realms that appear popular with many fantasy writers: Effectively used to inform the story in Donaldson's "Covenant" series, other writers turn to its use solely as a clever artifice by which to move characters around. Though better than most of the fantasy fiction about, this trilogy lacks the focus of Kay's later, more mature and individual works, such as "Tigana" or "Song for Arbonne." Read these if you are seeking serious and original fantasy tales. Save the "Fionavar Trilogy" for moments of simple, unexamined diversion. (As "The Summer Tree" is the weakest book in the trilogy, I have only rated it individually two stars, whereas I have rated the series three stars overall in my review of "The Darkest Road.")
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Summary: Kay Treats Subject Matter With Style
Review: _The Summer Tree_ was my introduction to the SFF genre back in 1988, and I have never "gone back," so to speak! I am now 36 y/o, and I have *never* been able to forget this book, or its sister volumes which together comprise "The Fionavar Tapestry." Kay takes what some might consider a "weary" plot device and brings the world of Fionavar stunningly and painfully (at times) to life. Kay is a master wordsmith, in my opinion, and I found myself caring deeply about what happened to these characters. Let it be noted that I have, conversely, been *intensely disappointed* with GGK's other offerings outside "The Fionavar Tapestry" - did Kay's writing style take on that dusty, historical flavor in response to some peoples' accusations that he is a "Tolkien wannabe"? Mr. Kay, I beg you, resist these idiots and ignoramuses and venture back into the world of fantasy - you've proven you can write a fantasy, and very stylishly to boot.
Rating:
Summary: Was this Guy Kay's first book?
Review: Very soon into this work I began to feel a sense of amateurishness that I never felt with the Lions of Al Rassan or A Song For Arbonne. The language was nowhere nearly as polished, the characters flatter, the plot more contrived and imitative. So I looked at the copyrights. Sure enough, this was the first of Kay's published writings. My, has he come a long way!! I didn't even finish the summer tree. As soon as I found out it would be just another of those "Dark Lord" books--where the good guys battle a persona of ultimate evil--I just yawned and chucked it aside. The writing is really kind of corny sometimes, I didn't care much about any of the characters--except perhaps Peter--and the idea is, well, how shall we say, a tad old? This book is basically a poorer rendition of LOTR mixed with Narnia. Kay matured magnificently in the books that came after, peaking, I think, in The Lions of Al-Rassan. Given the great stuff he's written since the Fionavar Tapestry, I think we can forgive him his youthful flailing.
Rating:
Summary: I loved the Fionavar Tapesty!
Review: Maybe I'm just not as critical as I should be but I adored the Fionavar Tapestry. Yes, I agree that perhaps the plot is a little contrived, but fantasy novels by definition seem to require a certain amount of that! I have read most of Kay's other novels and found them harder work (I was not so keen on Tigana - yes, I can hear the sharp intakes of breath from here!). My only criticism of the series is at the end - WHAT HAPPENED TO SHARRA? There was the heart wrenching death of Diarmuid (sorry folks for those who haven't read it - and yes, I cried)and then she's barely mentioned again for the rest of the book. Did that bug anybody else or is it just me? Still, have to admit they are probably my favourite books in the whole world (along with Stephen King's The Stand, but that's another review........!)
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