Dans Mon Catalogue

Paperback, 528 pages

English language

Published June 17, 2005 by Eos.

ISBN:: 9780060733490

(1 review)

The ruling Asharites of Al-Rassan have come from the desert sands, but over centuries, seduced by the sensuous pleasures of their new land, their stern piety has eroded. The Asharite empire has splintered into decadent city-states led by warring petty kings. King Almalik of Cartada is on the ascendancy, aided always by his friend and advisor, the notorious Ammar ibn Khairan — poet, diplomat, soldier — until a summer afternoon of savage brutality changes their relationship forever.

Meanwhile, in the north, the conquered Jaddites' most celebrated — and feared — military leader, Rodrigo Belmonte, driven into exile, leads his mercenary company south.

In the dangerous lands of Al-Rassan, these two men from different worlds meet and serve — for a time — the same master. Sharing their interwoven fate — and increasingly torn by her feelings — is Jehane, the accomplished court physician, whose own skills play an increasing role …

The ruling Asharites of Al-Rassan have come from the desert sands, but over centuries, seduced by the sensuous pleasures of their new land, their stern piety has eroded. The Asharite empire has splintered into decadent city-states led by warring petty kings. King Almalik of Cartada is on the ascendancy, aided always by his friend and advisor, the notorious Ammar ibn Khairan — poet, diplomat, soldier — until a summer afternoon of savage brutality changes their relationship forever.

Meanwhile, in the north, the conquered Jaddites' most celebrated — and feared — military leader, Rodrigo Belmonte, driven into exile, leads his mercenary company south.

In the dangerous lands of Al-Rassan, these two men from different worlds meet and serve — for a time — the same master. Sharing their interwoven fate — and increasingly torn by her feelings — is Jehane, the accomplished court physician, whose own skills play an increasing role as Al-Rassan is swept to the brink of holy war, and beyond.

Hauntingly evocative of medieval Spain, The Lions of Al-Rassan is both a brilliant adventure and a deeply compelling story of love, divided loyalties, and what happens to men and women when hardening beliefs begin to remake — or destroy — a world.

12 editions

Arunsr1ni reviewed The Lions of al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay

Review of 'The Lions of al-Rassan' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Having read this on several recommendation threads in Fantasy reddit for having lyrical quality and a tendency to move you, while having no fantastical elements at all(called historical fantasy) I took the book up. The story's background is inspired by Moorish Spain, and so, for people who know the history of the peninsula the ending is guessable. But that did not deter me even a bit from enjoying the story, particularly the four characters of Ammar ibn Khairan of Ashrite(parallel to Islam), Jehane of Kidath(of Judaism), Rodrigo Belmonte of Jad(of Christianity) and Alvar de Pellino a young Jaddite soldier. The religions in the book does not have any similarities with the real world ones.
Main themes in the book are the bigotry and tolerance, while introspective analysis of the consequences and motivations of going to a war. The writing was perfectly paced, with constant back story to make the reader …

Having read this on several recommendation threads in Fantasy reddit for having lyrical quality and a tendency to move you, while having no fantastical elements at all(called historical fantasy) I took the book up. The story's background is inspired by Moorish Spain, and so, for people who know the history of the peninsula the ending is guessable. But that did not deter me even a bit from enjoying the story, particularly the four characters of Ammar ibn Khairan of Ashrite(parallel to Islam), Jehane of Kidath(of Judaism), Rodrigo Belmonte of Jad(of Christianity) and Alvar de Pellino a young Jaddite soldier. The religions in the book does not have any similarities with the real world ones.
Main themes in the book are the bigotry and tolerance, while introspective analysis of the consequences and motivations of going to a war. The writing was perfectly paced, with constant back story to make the reader familiar with characters faster. Having written poetry himself, Guy finishes the book with a dual inter-spread with verses about a poem on Love.
The book tore my heart, it shook me, it left me wanting for more. The author knows how to move the story and mostly to set the environment and take the reader to his realm.
Contrary of the other series I was reading - Malazan, the effort and ease with which reader enters the author's realm is smooth(no comparison between the two, Malazan by itself is an amazing work). The book gave me a feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment of having read something that will stay with me for long time.
A definite recommendation.

Subjects

American Science Fiction And Fantasy
Fiction
Fiction - Fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy - General
Fiction / Fantasy / General