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mallorysaga's review against another edition
5.0
BLURB
Beckoned by the Emperor Valerius, Crispin, a renowned mosaicist, has arrived in the fabled city of Sarantium. Here he seeks to fulfill his artistic ambitions and his destiny high upon a dome that will become the emperor's magnificent sanctuary and legacy.
But the beauty and solitude of his work cannot protect his from Sarantium's intrigue. Beneath him the city swirls with rumors of war and conspiracy, while otherworldly fires mysteriously flicker and disappear in the streets at night. Valerius is looking west to Crispin's homeland to reunite an Empire -- a plan that may have dire consequences for the loved ones Crispin left behind.
In Sarantium, however, loyalty is always complex, for Crispin's fate has become entwined with that of Valerius and his Empress, as well as Queen Gisel, his own monarch exiled in Sarantium herself. And now another voyager -- this time from the east -- has arrived, a physician determined to make his mark amid the shifting, treacherous currents of passion and violence that will determine the empire's fate.
REVIEW
An intricate tale, as I have come to expect from Mr. Kay, full of interwoven strands, ironic circumstances, and an amazing array of characters. The full range of personalities, ambitions, hopes and dreams permeate the pages beckoning the reader into the very souls of the players. Take it from this humble scribe, but Holy Jad, Guy Gavriel Kay can sure spin a yarn. 5 Stars
Beckoned by the Emperor Valerius, Crispin, a renowned mosaicist, has arrived in the fabled city of Sarantium. Here he seeks to fulfill his artistic ambitions and his destiny high upon a dome that will become the emperor's magnificent sanctuary and legacy.
But the beauty and solitude of his work cannot protect his from Sarantium's intrigue. Beneath him the city swirls with rumors of war and conspiracy, while otherworldly fires mysteriously flicker and disappear in the streets at night. Valerius is looking west to Crispin's homeland to reunite an Empire -- a plan that may have dire consequences for the loved ones Crispin left behind.
In Sarantium, however, loyalty is always complex, for Crispin's fate has become entwined with that of Valerius and his Empress, as well as Queen Gisel, his own monarch exiled in Sarantium herself. And now another voyager -- this time from the east -- has arrived, a physician determined to make his mark amid the shifting, treacherous currents of passion and violence that will determine the empire's fate.
REVIEW
An intricate tale, as I have come to expect from Mr. Kay, full of interwoven strands, ironic circumstances, and an amazing array of characters. The full range of personalities, ambitions, hopes and dreams permeate the pages beckoning the reader into the very souls of the players. Take it from this humble scribe, but Holy Jad, Guy Gavriel Kay can sure spin a yarn. 5 Stars
buckeyebreezey's review against another edition
4.0
I love GGK and all his work. This duology left me confused and frustrated the first time I read it. Half a book for a denouement was irritating. But, upon subsequent readings, I have come to enjoy the book and understand the reasoning for the longer resolution of the novel.
The weavings and interweavings of lives are presented stylishly and with the understanding of how lives intersect. I love the characters here. The entire theme of legacy throughout the two novels provokes images of what that means and how we do that, even if it seems difficult.
My only detractor is the continual use of pronouns to hide initial meanings. It is done constantly throughout the book (usually with she meaning Alixana, Gisel, Shirin, or Styliane interchangeably). This demeans the women and makes them utterly interchangeable, which is so counter to the novel itself and the beautiful characterization of all four women. (Five if you include Kasia).
The weavings and interweavings of lives are presented stylishly and with the understanding of how lives intersect. I love the characters here. The entire theme of legacy throughout the two novels provokes images of what that means and how we do that, even if it seems difficult.
My only detractor is the continual use of pronouns to hide initial meanings. It is done constantly throughout the book (usually with she meaning Alixana, Gisel, Shirin, or Styliane interchangeably). This demeans the women and makes them utterly interchangeable, which is so counter to the novel itself and the beautiful characterization of all four women. (Five if you include Kasia).
saraspock's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved Sailing to Sarantium and had high hopes for Lord of Emperors. When the title of the book is the name of the god that calls you to death, you know you're in for it. Guy Gavriel Kay's ability to build a world, pull in elements that make the sense of place come to life is just absolutely unparalleled. I know he does a great deal of research when writing and it shows in the little details that make his novels pop. He writes compelling characters and I swear, he always leaves me wanting more stories about them. I want an entire book about Rustem's and Shaski's adventures in the west. I want the entire life story of Kyros, who was without a doubt, my favorite minor character. The complex, weaving, multi-POV style will not be for everyone, but I just adore Kay's genius in plotting and his ability to give the reader a satisfactory ending, even if it's not the one you expected. Knowing the ending, I feel compelled to go back to Sailing to Sarantium and start the entire series over. I know I'll revisit these characters again and again.
swiftrelish's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
lukre's review against another edition
4.0
hmmmmmmmm
I think this could have been a single book. A 1000 page standalone, but a standalone none the less. This second book read a bit slower and there were too many repetitions of things from book1 and from this book (which annoyed me a bit). The emotional elements still hit hard, but sadly this was not a 5star book as I expected it to be. GGK is still a fantastic writer and I'll read more from him this year.
I think this could have been a single book. A 1000 page standalone, but a standalone none the less. This second book read a bit slower and there were too many repetitions of things from book1 and from this book (which annoyed me a bit). The emotional elements still hit hard, but sadly this was not a 5star book as I expected it to be. GGK is still a fantastic writer and I'll read more from him this year.
januaryf's review against another edition
5.0
I've read this book multiple times, and each time it amazes me at how beautiful words can be, and how much you can care for fictional characters. Read it.
mobysbooks's review against another edition
5.0
As I mentioned in my review of part 1, The Sarantine Mosaic is really one story, effectively one book only separated in two for publishing reasons. 'Lord of Emperors' builds on the wonderfully vivid foundation that Kay established in the first act.
Most of this book takes place in the eclectic yet also dangerous streets and palaces of Sarantium, and it's a great setpiece that thrives with interesting culture and spectacle. A great part of the appeal of this story comes from this aspect, for instance the chariot races that are a significant part of Sarantine culture, something that patricians and peasants alike look forward to. Kay uses chariot races as climactic events that are more thrilling and vivid than a lot of battle scenes written by other authors.
Of course there is more to this book. Combine the beauty of Tolkien's prose, the clever tension of George R. R. Martin's political intrigue, the drama of a Greek tragedy, and you can imagine what this duology is like. I love this kind of fantasy, enchanting you with tragic relationships and shifting allegiances, deeply emotional and always unpredictable.
If you've read Guy Gavriel Kay before and enjoy his style, I can not recommend this enough. You will know how Kay tells his stories and this is in my opinion the pinnacle of his abilities. If you are new to his books or interested, maybe start with one if his standalones.
He has a fan, moreso an admirer in me, and so far I loved every word I've read of his.
Most of this book takes place in the eclectic yet also dangerous streets and palaces of Sarantium, and it's a great setpiece that thrives with interesting culture and spectacle. A great part of the appeal of this story comes from this aspect, for instance the chariot races that are a significant part of Sarantine culture, something that patricians and peasants alike look forward to. Kay uses chariot races as climactic events that are more thrilling and vivid than a lot of battle scenes written by other authors.
Of course there is more to this book. Combine the beauty of Tolkien's prose, the clever tension of George R. R. Martin's political intrigue, the drama of a Greek tragedy, and you can imagine what this duology is like. I love this kind of fantasy, enchanting you with tragic relationships and shifting allegiances, deeply emotional and always unpredictable.
If you've read Guy Gavriel Kay before and enjoy his style, I can not recommend this enough. You will know how Kay tells his stories and this is in my opinion the pinnacle of his abilities. If you are new to his books or interested, maybe start with one if his standalones.
He has a fan, moreso an admirer in me, and so far I loved every word I've read of his.
andreacpowers's review against another edition
4.0
It's aging (all the women are beautiful) but engaging read. I read it too long after the first volume and had to rely on the wikipedia summary to remember events there.
gilroy0's review against another edition
4.0
Not Kay’s best but better than I remembered
I’m working my way through Guy Gavriel Kay’s collected works so I can put them each in perspective. I wasn’t excited at reaching the Sarantium duopoly, because I recalled them as weak. After the masterwork of The Lions of Al-Radanovic, they ARE weak - but they hold up better than I recall. There is just a bit too much of Kay’s usual contrived coincidence, and the main characters are just a bit too good at everything. But the plot - fantastically intricate - flows well and the characters are very well-drawn and vibrant.
I’m working my way through Guy Gavriel Kay’s collected works so I can put them each in perspective. I wasn’t excited at reaching the Sarantium duopoly, because I recalled them as weak. After the masterwork of The Lions of Al-Radanovic, they ARE weak - but they hold up better than I recall. There is just a bit too much of Kay’s usual contrived coincidence, and the main characters are just a bit too good at everything. But the plot - fantastically intricate - flows well and the characters are very well-drawn and vibrant.
jsr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0