The Lions of Al-Rassan

Ever have an author whose early work you really like turn into an overly confident wordsmith who cannot write compelling characters anymore, but doesn't realize it? New rule, Guy Gavriel Kay. The next book you write isn't allowed to use the following words: clever, intelligent, sharp, handsome, subtle, unsubtle, fierce, and beautiful. Also, no more sentence fragments for you. You're cut off.

Protip for any aspiring writers: If all of your characters are described this way, and have the same point of view on everything, I really don't care what happens to them. Also, I want my 9 bucks back.

This book has no redeeming qualities. Too much telling, not enough showing. The characters had no depth. Inexplicable sex scenes that did nothing for the plot. Also, this author cant write women at all (hint: write them as if they were normal human beings).

In his historical fantasy novel entitled “Lions of Al-Rassan”, Canadian writer Guy Gavriel Kay has depicted an imaginary world intended to resemble the Al-Andalus and its sophisticated relations with Christian neighboring countries in the late 11th century AD. At the very beginning of my review, I need to praise an author for the selection of this exciting historical setting for his novel. Unfortunately, this is the only thing his work can be praised for. My first impression while reading this novel was that the author never gained control over the story he has been trying to tell to his readers. This might have been achieved by other authors, like David Gemmell, Robert Ervin Howard, Lyon Sprague de Camp, Harry Turtledove, and some more. But he failed. I cannot grasp why Mr. Kay changed the names of countries as well as nations in his novels. Maybe Mr. Kay does this trick in order to avoid the heavy criticism he would be exposed to if he wrote it as a historical, not a fantasy novel. This novel really tries to give a clear view on the living conditions of minorities within a diverse society, but the author does not allow for this, because everything he describes in the end is shallow and trivial. The development of action is very often inappropriate, as the author first construct a strand with a very high tension, and then eventually provides a surprisingly trivial solution of the created situation. The ending of the novel is finally so childish that is simply not acceptable to any reader being of sound mind.

This is without doubt my favorite of Kay's novels. The scope of this story, set in an alternate-world of Spain, sweeps one along with action and suspense, romance, treachery, and heroics that will grip your heart and break it. I have now read this book three times, and it never gets old or stale. Everything I have read and reread by Guy Gavriel Kay is a 5-star saga. Once again, power struggles and intrigues among rich aristocrats, politicians, warring religions and governments are portrayed here with poignancy and grandeur, spread out upon a vast canvas of epic proportions that does not detract from the human drama, the love, the betrayal, and the tragedies of loss that befall another cast of memorable characters that will seize your heart and imagination and not let go. Kay again writes a stunning, complex story, beautifully and masterfully told, with unforgettable moments and scenes that will tug at your emotions. Kay surely is one of the greats among those writers of alternate-world, historical fantasy. Another masterpiece by a writer I admire, respect, and who inspires my own writing, inspires me to reach for loftier goals.

-- Joe Bonadonna, author of the heroic fantasy "Mad Shadows: The Weird Tales of Dorgo the Dowser," the sword and sorcery novel "Waters of Darkness," the space opera, "Three Against the Stars," and the soon to be released sword and planet adventure, "The MechMen of Canis-9."

Kay is a brilliant storyteller and this book is my absolute favourite among his other works. Like most of his novels, the Lions of Al-Rassan is heavy with political intrigue and religious strife. It has a fair amount of romance, friendship and sadly, loss. The writing is very rich and lyrical; I devour his books at a much slower pace. I've read this book 8 years ago and it left such an impression that I still remember the bulk of the plot. I strongly recommend this read. Just beware that this is not your book if you are looking for a quick & easy read and instant gratification.

Jehane unwittingly prevents one of her patients, a merchant, from being executed during a purge of the city's leading citizens. This puts her life in danger and she flees the city at the same time Jaddite commander Rodrigo and his company are exiled by King Ramiro for interfering with a slaughter of a certain village lead by the brother of a powerful constable. Rodrigo and Jehane make their way to Ragosa, to the court of Kind Badir.

When King Almalik betrays Ammar, Ammar joins forces with the king's heir and assassinates the father. The new king exiles Ammar, whom then travels to Ragosa. This is where our three protagonists are brought together, where Ammar and Rodrigo are hired as mercenaries, and where Jehane is hired as a physician. They form a close connection: friendship between the men, and Jehane is the focus of attentions of the two men. Rodrigo doesn't act on it because he is already married to the most beautiful woman in his country and has two sons. To be honest, I didn't know his affection were that strong until the end, when Jehane asks Rodrigo if a woman can love two men and the latter responds no less than a man (meaning that he loves his wife and Jehane).

The kingdoms enter into war (a close reminiscent of the Crusade). Ragosa is threatened. Rodrigo is recalled by his king. Ammar and Jehane leave Ragosa together. Because of their deep loyaties, and being the best each faction has to offer, Rodrigo and Ammar are pitched into battle.

Guy Gavriel Kay is one of the most consistently praised fantasy authors; for instance, Brandon Sanderson calls him the “the greatest living author of epic fantasy“. I had read the first Fionavar Tapestry book, THE SUMMER TREE, but I didn’t understand what all the fuss was about – I thought it seemed like a cross between a more adult Narnia and The Wheel of Time (“Tapestry” instead of “Pattern”). I figured I should give him another shot though, and I’m glad I did, because now I understand, and only the pile of unread books in the house is keeping me from buying his entire bibliography right now.

THE LIONS OF AL-RASSAN is set in the equivalent of the Iberian peninsula in the era of Moorish Spain. The Asharite city-states of the south and the Jaddite kingdoms of the north have had a tenuous peace despite their religious differences, but the winds are changing. Rodrigo Belmonte, the celebrated Jaddite captain, and Ammar ibn Khairan, the notorious right-hand man of the Asharite King Almalik of Cartada both find themselves driven away from their countries, and end up in the same city. Jehane, a Kindath physician, finds that her life is increasingly interwoven with theirs, as the world that she knows slowly begins to fall apart around her.

Despite being set in a secondary world, THE LIONS OF AL-RASSAN is clearly meant to evoke history – the names of the countries are different, and the religions are based on the celestial bodies of their world – but the map of the world is the same, and the Asharites, Jaddites, and Kindath represent the Muslims, Christians, and Jews, respectively. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that at first, but it’s a brilliant way for the author to take readers into how it felt like to live in that world without having to be too closely tied to historical accuracy.

Rodrigo Belmonte and Ammar ibn Khairan are the heart and soul of this book. They’re from very different worlds, but have a lot in common – both are larger than life, principled, intelligent, compassionate – heroes that actually deserve their reputation. When they finally meet, the world itself shivers a little bit. We see their story play out from many points of view, but the most important (and third protagonist) is Jehane, who is exceptional in her own right, but not as relevant to history. These three break the barriers of faith and country to develop an enduring friendship, but even the greatest of men are just men, and cannot resist the inexorable pressure of history waiting to be made.

The characterization of this book is exemplary – I’ve already talked about Rodrigo and Ammar a little bit, but Kay takes what would have been trite and cloying in less subtle hands and makes you truly believe in their legend. They’re not flawless – Rodrigo is somewhat reckless, and Ammar is a master of manipulation, but they still manage to make you believe in the ultimate goodness of humanity. I loved Jehane – the book blurb describes her as “increasingly torn by her feelings” which made me dread some sort of love triangle, but thankfully there’s none of that – she’s capable, intelligent, mature, and extremely skilled at what she does. I was pleasantly surprised to find that she’s also fully in control of her own sexuality. The supporting characters were fantastic, too – Alvar, one of Rodrigo’s young soldiers who gradually opens his eyes to the complexities of the world around him, and Rodrigo’s long-suffering, loving, and frankly, impressive wife Miranda were two of my favourites.

One of the biggest themes in this book is conflicting loyalties – to king, country, church, and family/friends. Rodrigo and Ammar are exiled by their respective monarchs, but they still don’t lose their love for where they’re from. Alvar loves where he’s from, but when he realizes what the world is actually like, he makes very different choices from what he would have imagined when setting out as a young soldier. Ramiro’s wife, Ines, is loyal to her god and her church, but that is tested when it endangers her country. Even the Belmonte’s cleric, Ibero, makes a terrible choice, and ends up regretting it dearly. Many of the choices made could have almost gone the other way, and are sometimes influenced by almost-random events (like Ramiro’s decision after the meeting with his fellow Espereñan monarchs) and it ends up making the coming war and its effects seem even more tragic.

Kay is an incredible writer – he uses the common themes of honor, loyalty, and sacrifice but elevates them to a whole different level – I thought I was beyond being moved by those things. He’s also tricky sometimes; there are several scenes in which you think you know exactly what’s going on but his cunning phrases and slight omissions mean that what actually happens is a complete surprise. The scene at the end of the Carnival in Ragosa, and the epilogue are two examples. I don’t think I could read his books all in a row if they’re all this intense, but I’m so glad I have them to look forward to.

I could keep going on, but I don’t think I could convey any better how amazing THE LIONS OF AL-RASSAN is, so I’ll stop here. I highly recommend it, I think it’s one of the masterpieces of fantasy.

In the turbulent region that used to be the stable empire of Al-Rassan, petty kings vie for power. Each of these rulers is ambitions and clever, but none of them has been able to acquire his position without the help of others -- crafty advisors, brave army commanders, brilliantly inventive doctors, devoted wives and children -- and sometimes the same people who have served them well are the same ones who may later cause their downfall.

The Lions of Al-Rassan is the story of a few of these people, how they worked for (and sometimes against) the rulers they pledged to serve, and how they brought about the rise and fall of nations. The infamous Ammar ibn Khairan -- King Almalik's soldier, advisor, assassin, and poet -- is known as the man who assassinated the last Khalif of al-Rassan. The notorious Rodrigo Belmonte -- King Ramiro's best commander -- is the most feared soldier in the region. Jehane bet Ishak, a woman who's ahead of her time, is the stubborn but brilliant daughter of a famous physician. These three, who share different religious beliefs but the same uncompromising personal standards, will have a profound effect on each other and the fate of an empire -- not just because of what they do, but also because of their influence on the people they meet along the way.

Like Guy Gavriel Kay's other works, The Lions of Al-Rassan is well-researched historical fiction (this one hardly counts as fantasy). The setting is similar to the Reconquista and the Crusades of Moorish Spain, though the religions Kay uses are not actually based on Christianity, Judaism and Islam (even though the character and place names sound like they are). Also like Kay's other stories, The Lions of Al-Rassan is full of political intrigue, romance, poetry and lots of passion. The setting is epic, the characters are epic, and the conflict is epic, but rather than focusing on the grand picture with its galloping armies and bloody battles, Kay has us view a series of small significant moments in which the acts of our three heroes, who learn to love each other despite their differences, influence the big events.

If you've read any GGK at all, you know that he loves to create vivid characters that are worthy of the grand settings they find themselves in. His villains are ambitious, brutal, and ruthless. His heroes are brilliant, clever, subtle, witty, dangerous, ahead of their time, and multi-talented (e.g., Ammar ibn Khairan is an excellent fighter, diplomat, advisor, scholar, poet, and lover). Nobody wants to read about dull characters, but Kay's characters are so impressive that they stretch the bounds of belief. They're also incredibly introspective and philosophical. They regularly spend pages at a time talking to themselves in their own heads -- considering their feelings, reflecting on their past successes and failures, analyzing the motives and behaviors of others, and contemplating the future.

As much as I admire Kay's characters, sometimes I wish they would stop thinking and just get a move on. The Lions of Al-Rassan could have used a little more action; much of the conflict resolution actually occurs off-screen between the last chapter and the epilogue. Kay elevates the tension and drama by using cliffhangers, intentionally withholding information, and even playing a trick on the reader in the epilogue. While I've read most of Guy Gavriel Kay's work, I haven't been able to completely embrace his style which is somewhat melodramatic and manipulative and, therefore, intrudes into the story as if it were a character in its own right.

If you're a fan of Kay's work, The Lions of Al-Rassan will almost certainly please you -- Kay uses the same formula here, just in a different setting with a different plot. His characters are bold and full of life, and they live and love in a tumultuous world.
The audio version of The Lions of Al-Rassan, recently produced by Audible Frontiers, is outstanding. Euan Morton, who also read A Song for Arbonne, has the required strong masculine voice, yet reads the female roles well, too. His voice is suitably dramatic (yet not overly so) and his pace and cadence are flawless. This was a great production and highly recommended. I do suggest having a list of character names to view, however, because many of them sound similar at first.

Al-Rassan was the stronghold of the western Asharite faith until Ammar ibn Khairan killed the last khalif, splintering the land into feuding city-states. In the north the Jaddite kingdom of Esperana similarly splintered into three smaller nations, each harbouring a desire to conquer the others and unify the entire peninsular in the worship of the sun-god. King Ramiro of Valledo appears to be the most likely to succeed, due to the skills of his infamous general Rodrigo Belmonte and his elite company of soldiers. Political intrigue and expediency soon see both Rodrigo and Ammar exiled to Ragosa, the beautiful Asharite city by the lake, where their destinies become entwined with that of Jehane, a Kindath physician, and where the fate of Al-Rassan and Esperana will be decided.

When it comes to epic fantasy, Guy Gavriel Kay is one of the more interesting writers around. For someone toiling in the genre of vast armies and immense battles, the depiction of war and combat seems to mildly bore him. That's not to say that Kay can't handle those elements, but he is far more interested in his characters, in their motivations and what role they play in the political world around them. A possible weakness of Kay's work is that his fascination with his character's internal struggles sometimes displaces his interest in the wider plot (as in The Sarantine Mosaic, the languid pace of which detracts from a strong central premise), but in his strongest works - this book, Tigana and A Song for Arbonne - he combines this element with a mastery of storytelling to produce something truly compelling.

This is the story of El Cid and the Reconquista of Spain given a thorough make-over, with historical elements mixing with original material throughout. On one level, Kay's light remixing of history occasionally makes the reader wonder what the point of 'fantasising' the story was in the first place. It's pretty clear throughout that the Kindath are the Jews, the Asharites are Muslims and the Jaddites are Christians (even though their individual belief systems are very different to the 'real' religions, everything else is practically identical, down to their naming conventions). In fact, one of the reasons for the delay of the long-gestating movie version of the novel appears to be writer and director uncertainty whether the film should reflect the book or be set in 'proper' Al-Andalus. However, these factors do allow Kay to tell his own story, using history where he wants but retaining the freedom to create his own material elsewhere. Most notably, he manages to compress the latter four centuries of the Reconquista into a much smaller period of time to better suit the action. The result is a story which feels familiar and new at the same time.

The book studies several themes and ideas: faith and tolerance, friendship and love, family and camaraderie, war and idealism. Kay illuminates these ideas through his characters, and whilst Kay has always been a gifted creator of fascinating protagonists, arguably he has never bettered the cast of this book: Ammar and Rodrigo, whose rivalry and friendship forms the core of the novel; the gifted physician Jehane; the imprudent soldier Alvar; even minor characters like the merchant Husari and the outlaw Tarif, all seem to leap off the page as fully-formed individuals, whose actions and reactions will determine the fate of the peninsular. Events culminate in the book's inevitable final showdown, and whilst some readers may find the skipping of much of the war and the major battles to focus on one key event in particular to be a bit of a cop-out, those familiar with Kay will recognise that for him, war is nothing to be glorified in its depiction, but only to be used as an event to mould his characters and reflect on them, and in that endeavour he succeeds impressively.

The Lions of Al-Rassan (*****) is a book that has improved since I first read it thirteen years ago. Thoughtful but never boring, dramatic but never over-the-top, it is a beautifully-written and thought-provoking novel from one of fantasy's more underrated authors. The novel is shamefully out-of-print in the UK, but the Voyager paperback edition can still be found on the store. The US edition is published by Eos.

Actually a 4.5. I was initially skeptical about the creativity department, where the author seemed to merely changed the names of the religions and practices of Andalusia Spain for his story. This isn't some fantastical world cut out of whole cloth, as we've come to expect from fantasy. Sometimes it felt like just history of medieval Spain with names changed. (Hence not 5 stars).

However, the eloquence of dialogue and characterization saved this novel. The fundamental relationship in the novel is friendship (where different types of human relationships are built on top of it), how it becomes tested in times of war and dogma, and how it is rather convincingly (if somewhat idealistically) sketched. A major weakness of fantasy is that it overlooks friendship and tends to deploy other kinds of more intense/violent relationships as gimmicks. I applaud Kay for taking the challenging task of trying to "build" friendship in an almost authentic manner, as bonding and meeting of the minds over wine and long talks through the night, between men (and women!) of different cultures and beliefs.

Another thing I appreciated is how a story can still be interesting even when most of the characters were essentially "good" in nature. Currently it is in vogue to bring "gritty" realpolitik into fantasy novels (see: Game of Thrones - Despite both Jaime Lannister on GoT and Ammar ibn Khairan here were portrayed as dishonorable kingslayers, ibn Khairan's other role as poet/courtier and his ability to make use of the assets of wit as well as war is much more winsome imo), under the assumption that jaded modern readers would get bored with goody2shoes trying to defeat a dark lord, or find that kind of worldview juvenile. Kay's novel reminds me of the heroic epics of old, where honorable men try to do what's right according to their values, but competing amidst other things demanding their devotions, including admiration for each other (the cross-cultural bromance is quite touching). This sense of competing loyalties and feelings drives the story along.

The author uses some gimmicks in story telling that I'm ambivalent about. Sometimes he'd go on for pages without telling you the name of the character who may or may not have died/whatever in the previous chapter. While this can heighten the tension, I feel that it is rather heavyhanded.

The ending wrapped things up rather nicely, though not perfectly. If it had went as I thought it would, there would have been a lot of weeping.

Overall a wonderful story/allegory about the Spanish "Reconquest", portrayed in a gently balanced view, painting the loss of Andalusia to religious zealotry on both sides. Ah, that dream of a perfect civilization, with arts, tolerance, progress, and prosperity; the fountains and poetry. Is it lost to us forever? Or shall we mourn its passing in verses on moonlit nights?

Suggested musical accompaniment: Irfan Irfan's "Star of the Winds" and "Fei", especially reading the last scenes.

OK, I just finished reading this book about 10 minutes ago. I spent about a week reading the first half on and off, but once I got to the second half, I finished it in 2 days. It is beautifully written and a good story. To me, the first half of the book set the scene wonderfully, but it was the second half of the book that was a true "page turner" and I had a hard time putting it down to go to sleep once I got into the story.

Let me admit from the beginning that I bought this book because 1) I read Sailing to Sarantium and loved it and am hoping it will be made into a movie, and 2) I heard the Lions of Al-Rassan was being made into a movie instead and wanted to see why.

The characters in The Lions of Al-Rassan are well-developed, and I particularly identified with Jehane, the Kindath physician that is the opening character in the book. The two male leads are both unique and honorable characters, who like Jehane, the reader will come to love as the story moves forward. I am very interested to find out who will play these 3 main characters in the movie.

Kay writes in a way that draws you into the historical world being created. The surroundings, interactions between people, and background are described in depth, which serves to place you in the world of the characters not only physically, but culturally, which is quite an achievement.

I know I am stereotyping the sexes, but I think as a whole, men would like this book more than Sarantium. It is full of conquest, death, sex, and honorable characters, which will make a great movie. I think women (like me) might like the characters, art, and romance in the world of Sarantium more.

Though there are several bloody scenes, the gore in Lions of Al-Rassan wasn't overly gratuitous and did lend to the story.

Overall, great book. Buy it and read it. But check out Sailing to Sarantium, too!

OK, I just finished reading this book about 10 minutes ago. I spent about a week reading the first half on and off, but once I got to the second half, I finished it in 2 days. It is beautifully written and a good story. To me, the first half of the book set the scene wonderfully, but it was the second half of the book that was a true "page turner" and I had a hard time putting it down to go to sleep once I got into the story.

Let me admit from the beginning that I bought this book because 1) I read Sailing to Sarantium and loved it and am hoping it will be made into a movie, and 2) I heard the Lions of Al-Rassan was being made into a movie instead and wanted to see why.

The characters in The Lions of Al-Rassan are well-developed, and I particularly identified with Jehane, the Kindath physician that is the opening character in the book. The two male leads are both unique and honorable characters, who like Jehane, the reader will come to love as the story moves forward. I am very interested to find out who will play these 3 main characters in the movie.

Kay writes in a way that draws you into the historical world being created. The surroundings, interactions between people, and background are described in depth, which serves to place you in the world of the characters not only physically, but culturally, which is quite an achievement.

I know I am stereotyping the sexes, but I think as a whole, men would like this book more than Sarantium. It is full of conquest, death, sex, and honorable characters, which will make a great movie. I think women (like me) might like the characters, art, and romance in the world of Sarantium more.

Though there are several bloody scenes, the gore in Lions of Al-Rassan wasn't overly gratuitous and did lend to the story.

Overall, great book. Buy it and read it. But check out Sailing to Sarantium, too!

Differences in religious viewpoints really can destroy the world, as we know it. However, some relationships can survive a radically different viewpoint, which shows that there is hope for us all.
But first things first: this has to be the best fantasy novel I've read in a long time. I couldn't put it down! The writing style was incredible; the characters magnificent - I could relate to each and every one of them on some level. The female characters in particular were breathtaking - strong, yet feminine. Not a stereotypical one among them. I loved the way Kay kept me guessing as I read as well. Things never turned out quite the way I expected, and the plot twists were exciting and well executed. Kay has an amazing grasp of language. Some of the descriptive passages left me in complete awe. I also appreciated the use of our own religious background to infuse this novel's history. I could see glimpes of Jews (the Kindath), the Muslims (Asharites), and the Christians (Jaddites).
Kay has an incredible writing style - uniquely descriptive, captivating, and enchanting. It leaves you breathless with anticipation and eager to turn the next page.
The plot line was superb. It was complex, yet it flowed beautifully, and every small detail was eventually explained.
As far as characters go, I loved Jehane. She was strong, brave, and willing to enter into dire circumstances without a second thought to her own welfare. I also loved her father. He was the epitome of a courageous, kind physician. He overcame a terrible handicap to return to his family and his practice, to a degree. I also liked both Ammar and Belmonte. They were both so... real. Very much alike, very stubborn, well-spoken, brave military leaders.
I would recommend this book to lovers of fantasy, historical fiction, and fans of a darn good story alike.

Sincere apologies to those inquiring: I read the book many many years ago, and just happened to notice that there was not one review. Considering the caliber of the author (he was the one commissioned to finish and edit Tolkien's Simarillion), I find that remarkable. Every Gavriel Kay book is a world that is so captivating and rich with emotionally developed characters that I would think there would be dozens of reviews. His works are not populated by fantastical characters but the world where his characters reside is definitely not our world. 'Lions', like the epic, Tigana and the most remarkable Fionavar tapestry, put Mr. Kay in a league of his own. and while he did not write the beloved Lord of the Rings, he is in actuality a better writer. With a credit like that you can expect this book, and his many others, to be a richly rewarding read. If you have never read his work or if you are looking for more, get this book! Tigana and the Fionavar Tapestry trilogy are unquestionably his masterpieces. The Lions of Al-Rassan is also well worth your time. I should re-read "Lions" and write a proper review!! When I do, I will.

Guy Gavriel Kay is one of fantasy's more individual authors: First, unlike most of his contemporaries, he has abandoned the seriesfor stand alone works; second, each of his books takes place within different and distinct worlds loosely based upon actual historic periods; and, finally, his writing is more mature and skilled than the majority of his peers, verging in style upon that of the traditional historical romance.
In "Lions of Al-Rasshad" Kay turns to the period of Moorish Spain for the backdrop to his tale, interweaving the cultural and political conflicts between Moslem, Jew, and Aryan nobility, each struggling to retain their cultural heritage while attempting to achieve dominance over their cultural as well as religious foes. Typical of Kay's work since the "Fionovar Trilogy," the resolution of their mutual struggles and intrigues are neither conclusive nor entirely expected, elevating the story above the typical good triumphing over evil common to fantasy tales. Nor are Kay's characters reduced to architypal caricutures, but instead are motivated by personal and often conflicting motives all too human to be viewed simply in terms of right and wrong. And, as always, Kay brings to his work a freshness in approach that makes his work stand apart from the rest of contemporary fantasy.

The historical undertones make this seem less of a fantasy and more like a fairytale or a fable, and the lesson to be learned here would be religous fascism. Through the eyes of the main characters, all who hail from the various warring fractions, we see the pointlessness of this holy war. The beauty in this book is the beauty that is found when people forget their religions and instead, be human. The horror in this story are scenes illustrating the religious followers exercising their faith on their neighbours; the Nazi-persecution of the Jew-like Kindath and the Christian-like crucifictions. Kay is a master in that, by using different backrounds, the reader transcedes religious rightiousness and sees the self-destructiveness in it. Anyone, no matter their religious/ athesist backround would find something in this story of a world that is torn away from those who, given their choice, would love it, and instead are forced to watch it burn in the name of their respective gods. This would be a great story for grade 7 to read, a very eloquent arguement for tolerance, and the travesty of war. Something for everyone in this book. A masterpiece without the usual horrendous writing done by fantasy authors.

I usually avoid Fantasy. Part of it is the abundance of books where the back page reads something like:

"an ancient evil has awakened in the land of X. Y is the only hope, in a desperate struggle against Z."

Tolkien was a trailblazer, his numerous followers less so.

Gabriel Kay, along with George R.R. Martin, are two authors who can write entertaining, non-formulaic, fantasy. Kays' are much less gory than Martin's current Song of Fire and Ice series, so better suited to a younger audience (there is a bit of sex though).

Set in pseudo-1450 Spain, Lions is just brilliant. The characters are larger than life, as in all Kay's books. The main ones may sometimes even be a bit too perfect/smart. But the plots are intricate, twisty, yet always logical, without being overbearing. The fantasy worlds he describes are constantly challenging you to recognize their historical counterparts in Europe and the Middle East.

Kay also writes poetry, so I actually took the time to read ibn Khairan's (a poet/warrior/general) various verses.

You do end up feeling for the characters, especially as Kay is not adverse to killing some major ones on occasion.

The main formula is really "historical fiction", but rest assured, there are occasionally some magic/fantasy elements in Kay's books.

The gist of this review basically applies to the Sarantium books as well the Last Light of the Sun.

Ok, Guy Gavriel, I am done reading you. I understand what people love about your books, but after trying many of them, I have reached the conclusion they are just not for me. Here again is a tale of honor and bravery, where the main male characters are better than anyone else at everything, and the main female characters are stunningly beautiful and love fiercely. Of his books, this one is perhaps the most egregious in this regard, as it contains not one but two astonishingly accomplished and famous men, and not one but two beautiful and spirited women. Actually, make that closer to three or four of each. This tale again contains elegiac writing for glory that has passed, in this case Al-Rassan and the ruling 'lions' thereof are gone, and songs and poems that lament this passing. And again, there is heavy-handed foreshadowing of loss, which does come to pass.

I think it's mostly the elegiac quality of his books that does not sit well with me, although the perfection and beauty of his main characters is a close second. I have not read one Kay book in which the glory days are as the book is taking place, and a culture in its full bloom is portrayed. Of his books I've read, Sailing to Sarantium came closest in that regard, but its sequel Lord of Emperors slid right back into mournfulness. It is certainly distinctive, and Kay has certainly honed his style, but it is not for me.

After feeling disappointed with Tigana it took me a while to pick up another Guy Gavriel Kay book, but eventually I decided to give this one a try. Boy have I been missing out. The Lions of Al Rassan, is devoid any of the flaws that weighed down Tigana. All that was left was a brilliant story with crisp, poetic prose, intruiging and sympathetic characters and a solid amount of action. This is, in my opinion, just about the perfect epic fantasy story, if not so much fantasy. More it is a fictional retelling of history without much in the way of typical fantasy elements. As far as stand-alone fantasy stories, this one has no equal in my reading experience.
Being a self contained novel of a fairly large scope, Kay relies heavily on info dumps, which have a tendency to destroy the flow of language in most fantasies, but his prose is so fluid that even this doesn't hurt the story. He places these informational tid-bits perfectly and ties them into the current events of his story in a way that lets him do in one novel what other authors take three 500+ page books to do, and it never bogs him down. That's writing ability to envy.
If Kay's other novels live up to the standard set by this one, then he will be destined to join such authors as Martin and Hobb as my all time favorites. I am already looking forward to Arbonne and the Sarantine books.

What an incredible read! Words like soft verses against the tapestry of life, caught in that unique moment of grace when exceptional men meet, a time between present and future when religion, past and duty are suspended to make room for adventure, love and friendship. A meeting of lions in a world on the brink of change, where they can appreciate the greatness of time and fickleness of humanity. This book is like on of those wonderfully carved ancient talismans, proof of master craftsmanship and, at the same time, a wondrous game of light and shadows.

If you're at all familiar with Medieval Spanish history and the stories surrounding Spain's national hero, El Cid, then the basic plot of _The Lions of Al-Rassan_ won't come as any surprise. That said, in Guy Gavriel Kay's capable hands, you will still cry at the ending that you know is coming all along. The novel is set in an analog of a Medieval Spain that might have been, at a point when the three conflicting religious groups who share the peninsula are living in a fragile peace with each other. The story is told through the eyes of three main characters, one from each religion: a Jaddite (Christian) warrior, Rodrigo Belmonte, who is the El Cid character, an Asherite (Muslim) warrior, and the female Kindath (Jewish) physician who loves them both. Their personal lives are affected by events on a grand historical scale; you will be drawn into their escapades and dilemmas as the story marches to its inevitable conclusion.

I loved Sailing to Sarantium and Lord of Empire so much that I dove into this book head first. I was a bit put off by the obvious Kindath connection (blue and white moons, had to wear blue and white clothing, um, ok, gee I wonder who he's talking about) but I pushed that aside and really enjoyed the book. There were many twists in this book that I found interesting, and the writing had me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. But I had problems with the book that turned it from a 4 star to a 3 star: there was way too much Deux ex Machina for one thing. I also thought the main characters a little too shiny and perfect; I really liked the characters, but I wanted Ammar and Rodrigo, and esp Janene to have some human weakness somewhere. And the ending disappointed me; too many ends tied up too neatly together. The fight between Ammar and Rodrigo was the climax of the book; it should have ended soon after, showing the reading the aftermath. That being said, I really liked this book. I am a big fan of historic fiction, and with this author, am finding myself enjoying Historic Fantasy as well. I will definitely continue to read more of his work, and despite my quibbles, would recommend reading this book.

The Lions of Al-Rassan proves again that Guy Gavriel Kay is one of more talented writers in fantasy fiction today. However, there is something about Lions that just seems missing. It may be perhaps that I am spoiled, since reading Kay's earlier works of A Song for Arbonne and Tigana, and that I may come off too critical, but after reading those two past works you cannot help but compare. Kay is definetly a huge step up from most of the trash plaguing the fantasy genre, but with this book, his talents seem a bit off.
I had no problem with Kay basing much of his world on France in A Song for Arbonne, or basing Tigana on Italy. But here in Lions, the world is just a little bit too evocative of Moorish Spain. I was hoping that Kay could have used a little more of his creativity and a little less of real history. And the Kindath, Jaddites, and Asharites were a little to alike to the Jews, Christians, and Muslims for my comfort. And no magic, not even a little? That was a bit disappointing.
The problems I had were that unlike previous novels, in Lions, Kay didn't really seem to have many central POV characters. There were obviously some with more than others, but the viewpoints were too spread out among too many characters, and I didn't feel I could connect with Kay's characters due to this fact. Kay draws his characters well, you don't find many stereotypical characters in his stories, but my gripe is that I didn't have time to get to know these characters, because Kay danced around to too many different people too often.
Also, this time around, the writing wasn't as tight. I didn't really sense any direction or flow to this book, things just sort of happened. The dialogue was sometimes a bit contrived, and various sequences seemed just a little to convenient sometimes, a little too "save the day at the last minute" kind of thing. While Arbonne and Tigana seemed to almost flow in a circle with the seasons, Lions seemed more disjointed, and i often just put down the book out of boredom, unlike Arbonne and Tigana which often kept me reading page after page after page and not even noticing it. One of Kay's greatest strengthsis his writing style, its almost poetic. But here in Lions I didn't get the same feel, (not until the end and the epilogue, which were excellent).
For those of you who have not read Guy Gavriel Kay before, this is by now means a bad book. I would just suggest that you read Tigana or Song for Arbonne before Lions of AL-Rassan. You'll understand my review better. Lions is only a single book, so its hard to compare it too many of the authors out there with all their 'epics' going around such as Martin, Jordan, Goodkind, Erikson, etc. However, Kay is a very worthy author, one who every fantasy reader should attend too. This book is not your typical sword and sorcery type, neither is it a political or military fantasy. So those of you who are looking for lots of fighting and magic spells will not find that here, neither will you find complex webs of mystery and intrigue that matchs anything of Erikson, Jordan, or Martin.
And for those of you would have read Kay before, it's better than the Fionavar Tapestry, but not up to par with Tigana and A Song for Arbonne. However, until we all find something else to read out there, Lions of Al-Rassan is a worthy read.

Guy Gavriel Kay has created another utterly believable world in which you can immerse yourself. The characters as well as the setting are well-rendered and draw you into the story. One of Kay's greatest strengths is to include many of the elements of traditional fantasy, yet be innovative enough to maintain interest and excitement. There is very little black and white in Kay's worlds, but many shades of grey. Lions of Al-Rassan is no exception to this rule, and all of the characters face difficult choices, with few clear-cut answers. Kay is a master at evoking strong emotional response to his stories, and characters stay in your mind long after the book is finished. Lions is a welcome addition to Kay's other novels, and ranks with the very best of contemporary fantasy.

The story is well told, with a beautiful narrative voice that easily draws the reader into its rhythyms. The characters are three-dimensional, well-developed, instantly sympathetic. We care, deeply and immediately, about them and their stories.
Kay has built his story loosely on the history of the Iberian Peninsula and Middle East, but he has made it his own world. His fantasy version of this time and place is believable and engrossing, complex enough to claim its own reality, but not so complex that the reader ever feels like a stranger there.
This is my first introduction to Guy Gavriel Kay--and I will read anything else he has written just on the stength of this book's quality. Kay is a master storyteller.

Although the style and storytelling of Kay meet his usual high standards this book had one major flaw in my opinion. For those with knowledge of medieval Europe it is playing in spain during the reconquistada and the major character looks a lot like El Cid. Kay's work has been based on medieval episodes and places in Europe for a while(Tigana - Italy; A song for Arbonne - southern France) but not before did he come this close to real events. With the amount of research into the events Kay should either write a 'real' historic novel in which at least major events and important persons have their own name or he should get away from reality and write once more 'real' fantasy.

This book, by Guy Gavriel Kay, is a grand fantasy adventure that is nevertheless based on real events and real historical characters and situations. It opens in the peninsula of Esperana, which is divided between the native Jaddite (sun-worshippers) kingdoms to the north and the rich Asharite (worshippers of the stars) province of Al-Rassan, ruled by a collection of petty kings. The story revolves around to heroes of these different sides. One, an invocation personified of the Spanish hero El Cid, is named Rodrigo Belmonte and the other is Ammar, an Asharite courtier who has the dubious honor of being the man who killed the last Khalif. The Jaddites, the natives of this land, lost the whole south to the Asharite, who invaded two or three hundred years before.

The historical events which provide Kay with the backbone of his story all occurred between 700 and 1500 AD in Spain and Portugal and are collectively known as the "Reconquista", a Spanish word meaning the Reconquering. The sprawling Muslim world first made it's contact with the Catholic world in Spain, and it conquered the south and at one point, all but the far northern reaches of the peninsula. But slowly, in a long and brutal struggle, the Christian Spain pushed back the Moors. This long bloody, terrible campaign of centuries is here, and shown in all it's terrible impact. For those of us who enjoyed the military side of the Ender books, Robert Jordan's masterpiece and other great works, there's enough realism here to compete, if not enough focus to appeal directly to that kind of taste.

At the heart of this book, Kay has a lot to stay about human misery and how humans deal with it. He has a lot to say about how we alleviate the misery that our differences often cause, and how the history of our conflicts cannot simply be forgotten. There is no perfect or even easy answer in this book. I highly recommend this book as one of the better works of fantasy I've ever read.

I enjoyed the book tremendously, because of the very powerful characters, especially the women. I felt all the time that the book should be titled 'The Lionesses of Al-Rassan'. I found it a bit difficult at times to keep up with who is who, and from which country. There were so many names, towns, geographical features, kings and places. But the author has provided a map and a list of who's who. Conflict, motivation, setting were great. I loved every moment of reading it... except the end. I got really annoyed. The whole book was a build-up to the duel between Amman and Rodrigo. Ok, we got the duel in the end. But that's when the author decided to play silly games with the reader, not telling us who the viewpoint character is, just referring to him as 'he'. It got even stupider later. He tries to mislead us into thinking that Jehane married that young soldier turned doctor, buy withholding the names and by strewing false clues. Now that sort of trick is what would-be writers do when they submit their first story to a women's magazine. The readers who have held on close for the journey of an epic like this deserve more courtesy. I felt the author was insulting my intelligence. I got really really angry. What's more, it's all too happy and sweet, everyone lives happily and peacfully and likes each other. Is all this sickly-sweet happy ending stuff really necessary? I agree with previous reviewers that the character of Amman was not as well developed as he should have been. THe idea was good, the potential was there, but the author didn't flesh the character out enough for a central protagonist.

'Lions' is Kay's latest novel and profoundly illustrates his gradual change of style from pure fantasy in the Fionavar triology towards the more historical fiction in this book. There is virtually no magic in 'Lions', but a haunting sense of personal tragedy and percieved destiny, a shade of style which also occurs in Kay's other books, and helps make the story beautiful and believable. He skillfully illustrates the almost percieved shadings of life and feeling that we all catch a glimpse of from time to time, but never quite can name.
Regretfully, 'Lions' lack the brilliant sublety and complexity of earlier novels such as 'Tigana'. The development of the story is less surprising and the plot itself more simple. The poetic and hauntingly beautiful language is still there, though this, too, is simpler and less compelling. Though the story itself is tragic, I miss the sense of greatness - there is some small nuance missing in the language or a depth to the story to make it a truly perfect book.
It is, however, still Kay's writing, obviously done with a master's hand, and as such definitely worth reading. Though not at his best in 'Lions', Kay is a gifted artist in the field of writing and a great inspiration to someone who appreciates beauty in any form.

I have been hungrily devouring Guy Gavriel Kay's book's for the last couple of months, and if you haven't read any of his stuff yet, consider yourself incredibly lucky...and get started right away! Personally, just to begin, I would start with Tigana and A song for Arbonne, two of his earlier works that are my favorites. These two books are more what one would expect of a Fantasy novel, as they have all the requisite good/evil battles with magical beings set in imaginary lands.
The Lions of Al Rassan differs from some of his other work in that there is no real magic (except for a few of the characters who have "the sight"). But as much as I hate to admit it, as an avid Fantasy fan, it really did not make much difference to me. The story is really engrossing, the characters were so compelling and the bond between them so strong, that I was swept away into this mythical world, just as I have been transported in other the great fantasy novels I have read.
The mythical quasi-moorish world of Al-Rassan is hauntingly beatiful, and one can really see that the author has done his homework (as he usually does, all of his books always seem to be meticulously researched without being dull, historical replicas ...you won't want to leave this enchanting place!)
I think Kay is one of the best Fantasy writers out there (should I even limit it to "Fantasy"? I think at this point he has crossed over into main stream fiction and is doing so beautifully...I think many new readers will be lured into the Fantasy genre due to the impact of his books...they really appeal to anyone who enjoys a well-written adventure novel).
His characters are all incredibly passionate (yes, and sexy!), fiercely intelligent and a joy to read. In particular, he really knows how to develop women characters who are not weak little needy things, but are every bit as strong as the men. I think the fact that both the men and women are intelligent and have strong, healthy libidos is great. Kay writes true to life, REAL human beings, conflicted in their desires, in their choices to do good or evil. It is refreshing to read a fantasy novel where the characters are not one-dimensional. It makes for a far more complex and interesting book than standard Epic Fantasy fare.
Enjoy!

A reimagining of the story of El Cid. Beautifully written it tells of the various factions vying for control of Al-Rassan. The Jaddite leader from the north is thrown together with a Kindrath doctor and a leader from the south. Ultimately there is no way for everyone to win as they get swept up in this retelling of the Reconquest.

the best book about the reconquista ever. and so beautiful. it changed my life when i was in espana. it's like historical fiction/fantasy (though pretty low on fantasy elements in this one). focuses on a jew, a christian, and a muslim who forge an unlikely friendship despite all odds, in the sunset of that golden age. highly recommended.

History has condemned Ammar to the role of monstrous butcher as he betrayed an inept monarch by killing him and brought to the Al-Rassan throne a stronger but abusively insane king. Though hated by everyone even the person he put in charge, Ammar will do anything to save his beloved country. As he did once before, he plans to correct his mistake with the same deadly precise solution.

Dr. Jehane is a physician just like her father, who had to choose between his life by bowing to his cruel ruler or his oath. His daughter has doubts that a physician can adhere to their oath to heal while kneeling to the savagery of the monarch. She plans to break her oath by killing the killer of her father.

Rodrigo is a great swordsman recognized by everyone as a hero for his loyalty to the deposed ruler. Since heroes cannot expeditiously be royally killed, he was exiled by the new king. His beloved wife and his children remained behind in Al-Rassan. He wants to come home to see his woman one more time, which means he must bow to the ruler.

Three individuals from different walks of life impacted by the same pivotal moment are coming together perhaps at another focal point.

This is a reprint of a classic mid 1990s tale that fictionalizes the fall of Moorish Spain. The three superb main characters struggle with the past and present and have no hope for the future while the support cast brings the era to life. The story line remains powerful and insightful while also entertaining readers with an extraordinary historical fiction thriller that transports audience back to the twelfth or thirteenth century.

Harriet Klausner

Once again, Guy Gavriel Kay fashions a world similar to
our own, weaving history and fantasy into an unforgettable
tapestry of strong men and women in time of holy war.
Conflicts between duty and the heart are given bittersweet
voice in a setting reminiscent of Moorish Spain. Palaces,
walled cities, murder and betrayal provide the backdrop for
an unforgettable climax, which will result in a life taken
and a culture transformend.

I am currently devouring GG Kays works having fallen on "Sailing to Sarantium" thanks to the good publicity in my local library.
The majority of the comments that the previous reviewers have made have been quite valid. But there are a couple of things that just made it for me.
1. The clear linkages to Sarantium (which I believe was published after "Lions".) Jaddites, Asharites etc. I love imaganing how his world developed from the world around Sarantium to the world around Al Rassan.
2. The fact that the main characters were going to come to conflict due to the events unfolding around them. And right to the end, you never knew which way it would fall.
Of course, there was the deft skillful writing to hold it altogether.
My only criticism was the way he played with the reader at times, setting them up for falls and then leaping away at the last moment.
My favourite so far....

An almost perfect work of storytelling. If only I could find books this well-written more than once every five years, my life would be infinitely richer. I'd like to die happily, propped up in bed, with some good down pillows, adequate light and a book like this one.