This duology changed my life. Guy Gavriel Kay is on another level. I want to visit Ravenna and see the mosaics of Justinian and Theodora, Guy captured their relationship so well. And also, the Hagia Sophia. I'm probably gonna cry when I go there, I know I will.
Fantastic review. The best review I have seen for a GGK book. The dramatic reading was excellent. Kay's prose os amongst the best in the genre if not the best. The way he portrays human emotions is hard to top.
Thanks a lot, and I agree, his writing of emotion is just so good. Also like....most other aspects of his writing. Like his banter and dialogue is I think suoer underappreciated
Thanks to you and the Library Ladder guy, I’ve fallen right into the wonderful world of GGK, In one month , I’ve basically acquired 13 of his 15 books! (CurrentlyIn the midst of Tigana ) Your read matches the music perfectly) well done!
I read Kay in publication order simply because I discovered him between Fionovar and Tigana x I tend to re-read them now in chronological order (Sarantine, under heaven, last light, lions, river, brightness, seas, children) though that’s complicated by Tigana & Arbonne not really fitting anywhere specific.
I think the reason for him not being a household name in the book world is due to the fact that his books are hard to pin down in one specific genre. Fantasy readers claim him as their own, Historical Fiction and Literary Fiction readers do the same. The last is always a surprise. I think he's the only fantasy/historic... whatever author who's well respected and held in high regard among literary circles, due to his amazing prose, and seeing you get so excited about his prose was so cool :)
That makes sense. And yes, as A fantasy fan, I am claiming him as my own. Stay away literary fiction people! This has magic, it's (technically a secondary world) it's ours
It's impressive that you had to hold yourself back on going off topic a few times and yet the video is over 40 mins 😅 This video did get me more interested in GGK though, especially the exploration of regular people's lives in these historic times. Sounds like something I would enjoy.
Ya, I think you would really enjoy The Sarantine Mosaic. I actually edited out a couple off topic things as well. Only a couple minutes worth though. There is a lot to say about these books though
Great review Jake. I'm so excited to see you enjoying GGK and giving his books this coverage and exposure. I've been a huge GGK fan since reading The Summer Tree when it was released. Looking forward to following your continuing journey, and you're inspiring me to prioritize a personal reread of all of them. Sarantine is my personal favorite, but there are still plenty of excellent books as you continue.
I feel like a lot of these are going to be even better on reread. For the ones that remain i'm still pretty excited for Under Heaven, A Brightness Long ago, and All The Sea's of the World
You had me at fantasy Byzantine Empire. Ggk may be my next foray after hobb being a history nerd and addicted to ck3 idk why it's taken me so long to jump on the wagon
I have read the same GGK books until now. And i totaly agree about this duology. Lord of Emperors is probably the best book i have ever read! It is sooo good! The second half of Lord of Emperors!!! Just like you said: "It gets better and better and better..."! ❤ The only thing i disagree with, is about the lack of a big climactic showdown. To me, the whole 2nd part of the book (from the part when Krispin got to the island - for the first time) was, in a way, that showdown. I am kind of afraid to start any other book because i will probably be disapoited (after reading this one). 😂
Your hype for this dude has be really excited I still plan to do Publication Order, Always when I do get to him, as I love seeing authors grow over time.
I'm only on Tigana, but I'm really enjoying it so far, regardless of whether I end up liking it or not (I highly doubt I won't love it) you've definitely sold me on Lions of Al-Rassan and this duology.
@@jakebishop7822 I own A Song for Arbonne as well, so I'll definitely give that another go. I didn't DNF cuz of the quality but cuz I don't like reading from hardcovers.
I started my first GGK book today! I went to the bookstore and I found a couple of GGK books ( under heaven, lord of emperors, ysabel, the lions of al-rassan and the last two in the fionavar tapestry) My original pick would be a song for arbonne, but since it wasn't there I picked up the lions of al-rassan and I'm very excited
I am so looking forward to reading these two books! I have finally got around to start a video series about the historic connections of the mythology of “Tigana”, with the first video being about the Triad of the Palm! ua-cam.com/video/hgwv78lBAzo/v-deo.html Hope to put up part 2 and 3 soon, as well as versions with audio in the near future.
I've had this duology on my tbr for like 3 years or something, but the only GGK books I own are Under Heaven and Tigana, which I haven't read yet. I was thinking about starting with Under Heaven because I adore asian inspired settings, but I never hear anyone talk about it. This sounds really good though. I may start here.
He wrote the crap out of those chariot scenes, you're so right. There are a couple very dramatic horse races in A Brightness Long Ago that aren't quite as good as the chariot scenes but still very climactic. I'm so curious to see what you think of his later works as you keep reading. I feel like you're nearing the end of the height of his writing (imo) but maybe you'll feel otherwise. However, there are SO MANY easter eggs in the later books (in this world) from this duology so keep an eye out!
I will definitely keep looking for easter eggs. I am still really excited for Under Heaven, and A Brightness Long Ago. Which I have heard really good things about
Loving your videos Jake, thank you for your content. Just picked up some GGK on eBay , going to stay with ‘Tigana’ cheers for one of the recommended entry points. 👍🏻😀
Great video Jake! Really want to get into GGK after your last few reviews. You said it doesn’t matter too much where you start, but is the easiest entry point either Tigana or Lions?
If I may add my 2 cents: "Tigana" I would recommend for it's World Building (and possible the best written villains ever!) and "Lions of Al-Rassan" for it's Characters. That said, I might actually prefer "A Song for Arbonne" myself, with the just amazing dialogue between the awesome characters of Blaise of Gorhaut and Bertran de Talair (and many more!).
@@MacScarfield I’ve started Al-Rassan since this, and I must say it is fantastic. There are 3-4 scenes in the opening 150 pages that are incredibly written, you can feel the tension and stakes
This duology changed my life. Guy Gavriel Kay is on another level.
I want to visit Ravenna and see the mosaics of Justinian and Theodora, Guy captured their relationship so well. And also, the Hagia Sophia. I'm probably gonna cry when I go there, I know I will.
Fantastic review. The best review I have seen for a GGK book. The dramatic reading was excellent. Kay's prose os amongst the best in the genre if not the best. The way he portrays human emotions is hard to top.
Thanks a lot, and I agree, his writing of emotion is just so good. Also like....most other aspects of his writing.
Like his banter and dialogue is I think suoer underappreciated
Thanks to you and the Library Ladder guy, I’ve fallen right into the wonderful world of GGK,
In one month , I’ve basically acquired 13 of his 15 books! (CurrentlyIn the midst of Tigana )
Your read matches the music perfectly) well done!
I read Kay in publication order simply because I discovered him between Fionovar and Tigana x I tend to re-read them now in chronological order (Sarantine, under heaven, last light, lions, river, brightness, seas, children) though that’s complicated by Tigana & Arbonne not really fitting anywhere specific.
Excellent chess analogy. Always important to know general rules and principles so that you know when to break them.
It still catched me of guard when I see super grand masters seeminly ignore all the guidelines for the opening
I think the reason for him not being a household name in the book world is due to the fact that his books are hard to pin down in one specific genre. Fantasy readers claim him as their own, Historical Fiction and Literary Fiction readers do the same. The last is always a surprise. I think he's the only fantasy/historic... whatever author who's well respected and held in high regard among literary circles, due to his amazing prose, and seeing you get so excited about his prose was so cool :)
That makes sense. And yes, as A fantasy fan, I am claiming him as my own. Stay away literary fiction people! This has magic, it's (technically a secondary world) it's ours
You weren't kidding. These books were great
Absolutely
It's impressive that you had to hold yourself back on going off topic a few times and yet the video is over 40 mins 😅 This video did get me more interested in GGK though, especially the exploration of regular people's lives in these historic times. Sounds like something I would enjoy.
Ya, I think you would really enjoy The Sarantine Mosaic.
I actually edited out a couple off topic things as well. Only a couple minutes worth though.
There is a lot to say about these books though
Great review Jake. I'm so excited to see you enjoying GGK and giving his books this coverage and exposure. I've been a huge GGK fan since reading The Summer Tree when it was released. Looking forward to following your continuing journey, and you're inspiring me to prioritize a personal reread of all of them. Sarantine is my personal favorite, but there are still plenty of excellent books as you continue.
I feel like a lot of these are going to be even better on reread. For the ones that remain i'm still pretty excited for Under Heaven, A Brightness Long ago, and All The Sea's of the World
You had me at fantasy Byzantine Empire. Ggk may be my next foray after hobb being a history nerd and addicted to ck3 idk why it's taken me so long to jump on the wagon
This sparks joy
Just ordered the 4 mentioned GGK books after watching this!
This sparks joy
I have read the same GGK books until now. And i totaly agree about this duology. Lord of Emperors is probably the best book i have ever read! It is sooo good! The second half of Lord of Emperors!!! Just like you said: "It gets better and better and better..."! ❤
The only thing i disagree with, is about the lack of a big climactic showdown. To me, the whole 2nd part of the book (from the part when Krispin got to the island - for the first time) was, in a way, that showdown.
I am kind of afraid to start any other book because i will probably be disapoited (after reading this one). 😂
It honestly doesn't make sensed how good the second half of LoE is.
Your hype for this dude has be really excited I still plan to do Publication Order, Always when I do get to him, as I love seeing authors grow over time.
I hope you enjoy Fionavar. It is a weird combination of amateurish and brilliant
I'm reading it now, I'm at the part where Crispin gets to meet the Emperor. I'm liking this more than Tigana and Lions of Al Rassan.
I love that part! I hope you continue to enjoy the book
Where is Asharias on this map?
There.
Good, now where is Sarantium?
*Hand on heart* Here
I'm only on Tigana, but I'm really enjoying it so far, regardless of whether I end up liking it or not (I highly doubt I won't love it) you've definitely sold me on Lions of Al-Rassan and this duology.
I do hope you continue to enjoy them.
And glad you won't be reading just Tigana
@@jakebishop7822 I own A Song for Arbonne as well, so I'll definitely give that another go. I didn't DNF cuz of the quality but cuz I don't like reading from hardcovers.
I started my first GGK book today!
I went to the bookstore and I found a couple of GGK books ( under heaven, lord of emperors, ysabel, the lions of al-rassan and the last two in the fionavar tapestry)
My original pick would be a song for arbonne, but since it wasn't there I picked up the lions of al-rassan and I'm very excited
I hope you enjoy it!
I love The Lions of Al-Rassan
I am so looking forward to reading these two books! I have finally got around to start a video series about the historic connections of the mythology of “Tigana”, with the first video being about the Triad of the Palm! ua-cam.com/video/hgwv78lBAzo/v-deo.html Hope to put up part 2 and 3 soon, as well as versions with audio in the near future.
that sounds super interesting!
I've had this duology on my tbr for like 3 years or something, but the only GGK books I own are Under Heaven and Tigana, which I haven't read yet. I was thinking about starting with Under Heaven because I adore asian inspired settings, but I never hear anyone talk about it. This sounds really good though. I may start here.
I hear very good things about Under Heaven, but haven't read it.
So I will get back to you in June
He wrote the crap out of those chariot scenes, you're so right. There are a couple very dramatic horse races in A Brightness Long Ago that aren't quite as good as the chariot scenes but still very climactic. I'm so curious to see what you think of his later works as you keep reading. I feel like you're nearing the end of the height of his writing (imo) but maybe you'll feel otherwise. However, there are SO MANY easter eggs in the later books (in this world) from this duology so keep an eye out!
I will definitely keep looking for easter eggs.
I am still really excited for Under Heaven, and A Brightness Long Ago. Which I have heard really good things about
Loving your videos Jake, thank you for your content. Just picked up some GGK on eBay , going to stay with ‘Tigana’ cheers for one of the recommended entry points. 👍🏻😀
Tigana is fantastic. I hope you enjoy it!
@@jakebishop7822 Thank you. I’m sure I will.
lotr video better be this long, jake.
No comment
I just finished it....it is even longer
Great video Jake! Really want to get into GGK after your last few reviews. You said it doesn’t matter too much where you start, but is the easiest entry point either Tigana or Lions?
Tigana and Al-Rassan are probably the 2 best entry points.
Tigana if you want a more fantasy like series, A;-Rassan for more historical
Awesome. Order placed. You are at least 50% responsible for my dire bank balance
@@joshparkin7562 i feel bad....ish
If I may add my 2 cents: "Tigana" I would recommend for it's World Building (and possible the best written villains ever!) and "Lions of Al-Rassan" for it's Characters. That said, I might actually prefer "A Song for Arbonne" myself, with the just amazing dialogue between the awesome characters of Blaise of Gorhaut and Bertran de Talair (and many more!).
@@MacScarfield I’ve started Al-Rassan since this, and I must say it is fantastic. There are 3-4 scenes in the opening 150 pages that are incredibly written, you can feel the tension and stakes
Book sounds mid
Great review but we already knew I was gonna read this with it being your book of the year 😃
Well, I appreciate you watching it, since this is probably my favorite review on my channel.
It's so good BTW
God dang why was I reading 4 Brian Staveley books instead of this 😞
The world may never know
Where did you get those covers for your Kay books?
Thesw are the Penguin Canada editions