Rating: 
Summary: Better with more readings
Review: I just finished reading this book for the third time, and I find that I enjoy it more each time that I read it. The first time I read it, I liked it, but didn't think that it measured up to Kay's classic Fionavar Tapestry. I think the reason I didn't like it as much the first time is that the reader is kept in the dark too long about the reason for the big feud between the Dukes Bertran de Talair and Urte de Miraval. It's kind of hinted at in the prologue, but you don't know anything concrete until at least halfway through the book. Re-reading the book, I already knew the big secret, so I was able to enjoy the story without killing myself trying to figure it out (of course any good story needs some element of suspense, but this one kept you in the dark a little too long).I also found it a little disconcerting when Kay would suddenly switch his narration style to present tense for the passages that took place in Gorhaut. It's an interesting writing style, and it does add to the feel of the scene, but the switching back and forth between past and present tense sometimes made it hard to read (particularly in the scene where the characters meet and Kay changes tense almost mid-paragraph). These negative comments aside - I still have to give this book five stars! The world Kay has created is very detailed and lovingly described. The characters are unique and their complicated relationships are enthralling. Blaise is the perfect protagonist, someone who is lost and ends up re-discovering himself in ways that he never would have expected. Even the minor characters become important, and the ending is absolutely beautiful. Guy Gavriel Kay is one of the finest writers out there today and I would recommend his books to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Liked them ALL
Review: I have read many of the GGK reviews and find that most people are not agreed on which of his books is the best...they go into all sorts of nick-picky fits about how this book or that wasn't thought provoking Who cares! I have read many of his books and believe them all to be the best fantasy I have ever read. McCaffrey pales in comparison. All the characters in Kay books are highly developed and nothing expected.... Read Song for Arbonne because it is a wondrous love story with an incredible outcome...read it because there is a war between two countries...read it straight through without stopping because in the end everything works out (in its own painful way), every minor plot line is resolved...read it because there is so little good fantasy out there and what is out there does not compare. A Song for Arbonne is a good read for women who like strong female characters in their books, a good read for men who like stong male characters, and a good read for anybody who would love nothing else but to be transported into a world where the poetry and music is woven into the very soul of the tapestry.
Rating: 
Summary: A Worthwhile Read
Review: This is my first time reading Kay. I would not categorize this novel as the typical fantasy novel - and that's why it works. Kay's writing is detail oriented and perspective driven. The characters are well thought out. Kay does have a tendency to get a bit long-winded, but in the scheme of things, the read was more than satisfactory.
Rating:
Summary: Better than I expected
Review: I had read The Fionavar Tapestry (at my husband's behest) and thought it was certainly engrossing though sometimes irritating and not terribly thought provoking. I found A Song for Arbonne on our bookshelf and gave it a try. Almost from the outset, it reminded me of two books I love: The Mists of Avalon and Here Be Dragons. The fantasy aspects of the story enhance it; they don't distract as they sometimes did in The Fionavar Tapestry. Plus, Kay has no shortage of strong female characters; in fact, their presence or absense is a major theme. The family interplay in A Song for Arbonne is dead-on, even if it is all taking place in a mythic quasi-France. The relationship between the estranged brothers was very well-done; I don't typically get misty-eyed over fictional characters, but by the brothers' last scene, I was. I would recommend this book even to people who don't like think they like fantasy. It's not *about* fantasy; it's about interesting, flawed people facing difficult situations. In other words, it's like any good story.
Rating:
Summary: Winding down my spasm of Kay reading
Review: I have now finished everything that Kay has published since the Fionavar tapestry (of course, he has a new book out in four days). And I'm exhausted. So why read so many? Even at his worst (like this) the characters are compelling, the intricate plots ensnare the reader, and the "stakes" for both character and reader are far more significant than in ordinary fantasy fare. In the case of Arbonne, there are more characters, and they are less finely drawn: de Talair seems but a shadow of similar Kay heroes (Alessan), but the key, Blaise, is still his own man, just like Crispin. The bad guys (Ademar, and Galbert de Garsenc) seem much more like stock bad guys than I have expected from Kay. But the conflict between the two religious ideologies and the metamorphosis of each character makes this one worthwhile. Highly recommended, though I would point unfamiliar readers to Tigana or Al-Rassan first.
Rating:
Summary: A definitely great book
Review: I read this book because I read everything from I can lay my hands at. And I knew from the beginning that this book would be worth the money and the time to read it. I deserves the five stars I gave it, but I must say that it is not the best. I somehow lacks the elegance of Kays other books, though I am unable to put my finger and say "Here, here it is not so good". I just didn't come to really feeling for the people, whose life is this story. A Song for Arbonne tells of a land which enjoys great freedoms and is now forced to pay the price for it. The cruel, and not very intelligent, king of the northern Gorhaut wants to come south and destroy Arbonne, mostly because of religious differences. In Arbonne the mighty gather to discuss what to do. It is a quite extraordinary lot that comes together. Blaise, the son of the northern High Priest, Rudel Corezze, a assasin; various high ranking guys from Arbonne and Bertran and Urté, the two mightiest lords in Arbonne and these two hate each other. The reason? Of course, a woman. Though don't expect this story to run like most stories with such a assembley, because it won't. Which is the point to all of Kays works. It differs from the rest, and, combined with his almost magical words, that makes him, in my opinion the best writer, ever. I can only say, one thing: I didn't like this books as the rest of his, but you should go and try for yourself!
Rating:
Summary: blew me away
Review: I discovered this book--dog-eared, dirty--in a used book store, and knew I had to have it. I felt I knew each of the characters personally from the beginning. Contrary to the opinion of other reviewers, the characters were perfect--there certainly were very few stock characters, which always makes a book better. Unless you prefer predictable, boring storylines, this is a perfect book for anyone who enjoys delightful plot twists and characters who seem to come alive before your eyes.
Rating:
Summary: Can't get enough of great reads like this.
Review: Guy Gavriel Kay is my favorite author. I own a copy of every book he has ever written, and this one I have read three times. Each time was better than the time before. I look forward to each new book Mr. Kay writes with eager anticipation. If you like fantasy, or if you just love to curl up with a really great book that will transport you to another time and another place, read this book. Read all his books. You won't be disappointed. Be prepared to laugh, to cry, and to become involved in the lives of the characters. And too, as I am at the end of each of his novels, be prepared to be saddened that the tale couldn't just go on and on. Truly this is, and in my opinion all of his books are, the kind of story you will want to read again and again. Bet you can't read just one. :)
Rating:
Summary: my favorite
Review: Such a tale I have never read. Four years after reading it, it remains my favorite book. The tale constantly asked the reader to turn the pages. The imagery and incredibly real atmosphere the Kay created made it seem insane to put the book down. It was just one of those books that made me take a deep breath whenever I was finished. WOW.
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book, Guy is a great writer
Review: What I liked about this book is that he really expresses the feelings of the charcters. The way Mr. Kay writes his characters he makes it feel like I could run into one of them any minute. He has the gift of writing, you know like when they write about a storm, you look up and except it to be raning, Mr. Kay writes like that. The plot line was wonderfull. You should read this book, and if you like it read, Tigana and The Lions of Al-Rass
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