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Summary: Honor, Redemption & Magic - Another great one from G.G. Kay
Review: A magnificently told tale of honor, chivalry and song, Guy Gavriel Kay raises his status as storyteller and master of prose to new heights. The novel has many different levels of plot and theme such as redemption, conflict and the mysticism and magic of the land of Arbonne. Being the expert weaver of tales that Kay is, he brings all of these elements, and more, together in a powerfully satisfying novel. The primary character, the mercenary Blaise is a man at odds with himself, his family and what his position means to the world at large. Blaise's native land, Gorhaut, is ruled by the amoral King Ademar and the even less scrupulous High Elder and Chief Counsellor, Galbert, who also happens to be Blaise's father. Blaise is a mercenary on a self-imposed exile besmirching his father's name and place in Gorhaut due to a treaty Galbert set up prior to the events of the novel. In opposition to the male dominated Gorhaut is the female ruled Arbonne. While Arbonne does not overtly oppose Gorhaut, rather Galbert has a vendetta against the woman ruled land. Arbonne has echoes of Avalon in that it is surrounded by mystery and ruled by the Goddess. The novel begins with Blaise arriving at to the courts of Arbonne in his attempt to secure the troubadour Evrard as part of his job for a local duke. Blaise becomes involved in the eventual struggle between Arbonne and his once home nation of Garhaut. As the novel progresses, Blaise and the reader learn more about Arbonne, each characters ultimate connection to Arbonne and how they will play a role in Arbonne's destiny. The strengths in this novel are Kay's magnificent descriptions of all things chivalric. From Blaise's contemplations and declarations of his honor, to the battles fought, the sword fights, and the inner dialogue characters such as Rosala has with herself, Kay instills each scene, each interaction with a depth of respect and display of veneration that ultimately brings them from page to inner eye with great flair and reverence. Kay also evokes vivid imagery and settings through the songs his troubadours sing. In all Kay displays a talent for writing these scenes and interactions as if he lived during the time period (France in the years 1000 to 1200) in which this novel is based. As the novel draws to a close, intentions and actions are brought into question that still linger. Despite a couple of minor slow spots, the level of Kay's prose and his character development place this novel at the top of the fantasy genre.
Rating: 
Summary: OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!
Review: I was a little bit reluctant to read such a long book when i wasnt terribley interested after reading the back cover. But i read it anyway. OH MY!! This book is absolutely AMAZING!! What a world. What an author! The culture and intertangled and intertwined motives, characters, plot, etc, etc., are utterly complex and wonderful. This book could not get enough stars, i wish there could have been more than five. The characters are believable and seemingly real. The ending was unexpected yet absolutely fantastic, though it did leave me wondering just a bit. !! WOW !! So entirely absorbing and fantastic that you want to finish it quick so you know what happens but then wish it just went on more and more. I recommend this book HIGHLY to anyone who likes historical fantasy that wants to read something besides the ordinary. This is the first book I've read by Guy Gavriel Kay and he is truly, and A Song for Arbonne, one of the best authors and books I've ever read. YOU MUST READ IT!! YOU WONT REGRET IT!!
Rating:
Summary: Very good, but my least favorite by Kay
Review: My first reading of Guy Gavriel Kay was The Lions of Al-Rassan, and perhaps reading such an excellent book has spoiled some of his others for me, particularly the Fionavar books and A Song for Arbonne. This is not to say that these are not excellent books-- in a genre where skill in writing seems to often come dead last, Kay's books are a breath of fresh air. However, Arbonne has far more weaknesses than some of his other books, like Lions, Tigana, or the Sarantine Mosaic. As ever, the plot is enthralling right from the start and continues to do so throughout the book. The characterization is one of Kay's high points, and all the major characters and many of the minor ones are exquisitely done. The relationship between the protagonist, Blaise, and his older brother is not merely a one-dimensional rivalry; it is like real-life relationships, complicated and messy and tragic in its very humanness. The women are extraordinary, from Signe, the dowager countess of Arbonne, trying to save her country while still mourning her husband, to Ariane, who is trying to create a world in which marriages can be made with love, not just for dynastic reasons, to Lisseut, the singer who is trying to deal with the events happening to her and to her country. So why, then, did this book ultimately disappoint me? I can't say without spoiling the ending, but be assured, it is a weak one. Kay has proved that he can pull off extraordinary plot twists-- in The Wandering Fire, Tigana, The Lions of Al-Rassan, and Lord of Emperors-- but his 2 major attempts to do so in Arbonne fall quite flat. In the end, I am left with a sour taste in my mouth, feeling as if I've been unfairly tricked. If you enjoy Kay, you will find Arbonne worth your while, but it doesn't compare to some of his other books. However, as a caveat, I should say that in the forums devoted to Kay , there are many who adore Arbonne unreservedly. Nevertheless, for me its weakness of ending undermines the general good quality of the book.
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Summary: 'Even the birds above the lake, are singing of my love'
Review: A Song for Arbonne, the next book following the tragic epic Tigana. Kay, with the experience of that and the Fionavar Tapestry, puts together another masterpiece almost matching Tigana itself...The setting is medival France. The main character, Blaise de Garsenc of Gorhaut, who left behind his scheming father, outraged by his father, the High Elder of their God Corrannos. He becomes a professional mercenary, and eventually ends up in sun-bathed Arbonne in the south. Unlike Gorhaut, who has strict policies with women and men are fierce and warlike, the men of Arbonne are troubadours(poets) and joglars(singers) who travel from one castle and town to another, writing songs for fair maidens and charming the local dukes, hoping for a fortune. The women in Arbonne are equal if not superior to men. They also worship the goddess, Rian, in addition to the god Corranos. And now, because of this, the puppet King of Gorhaut, Ademar, with the strings pulled by the High Elder, Galbert, intend to invade Arbonne. The main story is Blaise and his CHOICE of loyalty. To his family and country, or to the ones who respect him and have evil against them? Some of the various subplots is the love affair with Alais de Miraval and a duke, Bertran de Talair. Alais's husband, Urte, discovered that the baby was Bertran's making, and he hid it away, never to be found, the answer locked up in Urte's head, a wound for Bertran(Alais died, another blow), to poison the rest of his life and cause a feud that might destroy Arbonne forever. Another tragic subplot is the brief romance between Blaise and the beautiful woman Lucianna Delonghi. She is extraordinary, but uses her beauty as a tool for pleasure and power. Tragedy and how the characters(with their flaws) overcome them is the main idea of this book, and should not be missed! A life-changing experience, like Tigana was. Nothing but the best again from Guy Gavriel Kay...
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Summary: Compelling, Powerful, Thrilling...This book has it all!
Review: As soon as I read the Prologue, and read the elegant paragraphs that Kay is renowned for, and the introduction of the plot and several the main characters, I was swept away... This book has great fight scenes; interesting discussions, often quite humourous, making me laugh aloud; and much more... This book climaxes with a battle at the end, then the all the twists of the plot comes into place and you find yourself in a rush of emotions. I thought about what you have read and I whispered 'Wow'. And that is the only way to describe it. This is possibly Kay's best work, on a level to match Tolkien, Weis and Hickman, Brooks, Goodkind, and all the top fantasy authors and the authors of any other genre very easily, and this work surpasses all but a few books, not just in the fantasy world, but in all literature...
Rating:
Summary: First rate
Review: I had heard great things about Guy Gavriel Kay, and this was my first exposure to his work. To say that I was impressed is an unambiguous understatement. This is as good a fantasy novel as any I've read in a long time. He has created a rich and vibrant world brimming with well fleshed-out, interesting characters. The plot is relatively uncomplicated, but smart and extraordinarily well paced. In fact, the pacing is so good that the over used and hackneyed term "page turner" actually fits just perfectly. The fantasy content of the novel is mostly limited to the creation of a world loosely based on medieval France. Magic is almost non-existent, and there are no trolls, elves, unicorns, etc. The story deals with very human emotions: love, loyalty, honor, duty etc., but also with jealousy, hatred, bigotry, and more. It is also an excellent political thriller with plenty of plot twists and turns. All in all, I could recommend this book to anyone, whether you are a veteran reader of fantasy novels, or a novice to the genre.
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Summary: Read It Slowly
Review: Guy G. Kay is the kind of author that you have to read slowly because his stories are just that good. When you are done with one of his novels you find yourself wishing you weren't, and that dear reader is a very rare thing these days. I can only recommend this book to you with words, and they are far too meager to do Kay justice. I guess I can tell you this, I never read one of Kays books without having another one of his novels ready and waiting, just in case. I never lend my copies of his books to anyone(and I'm a Librarian), instead I buy them their own copies. I hope my actions have spoken better than my words. Give Kay a shot you won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Lyrical prose; poor pacing; developed but distant characters
Review: Lyrical prose; developed characters; but not enough happening! Not enough wonder or plot; it's more like a Historical epic; I never liked any of his characters and he meanders too much on the prose for my tastes; a lot of people love him though; if you loved LOTR then you may very well like this one . . . while I can appreciate his style, he isn't for me; if his pacing was faster, there would have been promise.
Rating: 
Summary: Kay's mediocre title
Review: I love Kay. Have since I was twelve. I have read all of his books. This one is the lowest in my rating of all his books. It doesn't draw you in the way the Fionavar Tapestry does. I didn't become attached to the characters like I did in Tigana and the Sarantine Mosaic. Even the Lions of Al-Rassan has a more compelling story than A Song for Arbonne. It was a nice story, well written, it just didn't give me what I have come to expect in a Guy Gavriel Kay book.
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Summary: Reverberates with the slow, sweet music of humanity
Review: In this homage to the troubadours and the "court of love" of medieval France, GGK comes down from the dizzying heights of _The Fionavar Tapestry_ trilogy and creates a beautiful and memorable tale of mere mortals ensnared by political intrigue, enmity and love. (GGK does allude to Fionavar quite nicely, however, in a brief lullaby.) While the plot is perhaps too complex for adequate summarization here, it's certainly not too complex for your reading pleasure. At the heart of this tale of an alternate medieval reality is Blaise of Gorhaut (Germany), a knight who has traveled to "sun-blessed" Arbonne (France) for the primary purpose of leaving his past behind. As events unfold, however, Blaise is carried higher and higher into the ranks of Arbonne's ruling class, and soon he must confront the daunting destiny that his past has placed before him . . . GGK writes well, as always, and like a good troubadour, he pays tribute to the fantasy genre while ensuring that the reader/listener is surprised and touched by his work. Perhaps most importantly, GGK believes in the beauty of Art and power of Art's beauty to make more beautiful the things which it depicts, in this case Mankind, Men and Women striving to preserve what is good and noble--that is, to ensure that life's music does not become harsh noise, but remains forever a soft, bright song . . . (Thus savor the book's lyric harmonies.) Note: If you enjoy GGK's work, you may wish to see an excellent fan website, brightweavings.com.
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