Πολεμιστές του λυκόφωτος

Sarantine Universe #3

by Guy Gavriel Kay, Αυγουστίνος Τσιριμώκος (Translator)

Για γενιές ολόκληρες οι Έρλινγκ της Βίντμαρκ, θαλασσοπόροι και πολεμιστές, όργωναν τις θάλασσες με τα καράβια τους με τις δρακόμορφες πλώρες, σκορπώντας στο πέρασμά τους τη φωτιά και το θάνατο. Αλλά οι καιροί αλλάζουν ακόμα και στο μακρινό Βορρά.

Τώρα ο κόσμος δονείται από την κλαγγή των όπλων και τις ιαχές των επιδρομέων. Οι πολεμόχαροι Έρλινγκ, οι φιλόδοξοι Άνγκλσιν και οι ανυπότακτοι Σινγκέιλ βλέπουν τα νήματα της ζωής τους να μπλέκονται απρόσμενα μεταξύ τους. Κι ενώ στις εσχατιές του κόσμου οι κοιλάδες και οι λόφοι αντηχούν ακόμα τις μελωδικές φωνές των ξωτικών, οι άνθρωποι διαμορφώνουν τις δικές τους συμμαχίες, ώσπου φτάνει η ώρα της μοιραίας αναμέτρησης...

Σε αυτή την ιστορία, που είναι πλασμένη με υλικό τη βία, την ομορφιά και τις υπερφυσικές δυνάμεις που δρουν στα δάση όταν πέφτει η νύχτα στο μισόκοσμο, ο πολυβραβευμένος συγγραφέας συνθέτει μια μνημειώδη σάγκα, που μας ταξιδεύει χίλια χρόνια πίσω και ζωντανεύει τον πολιτισμό των Κελτών, των Αγγλοσαξόνων και των Νορμανδών της βόρειας Ευρώπης.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Historical Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Canada

605 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Guy Gavriel Kay is a Canadian author of fantasy fiction. Many of his novels are set in fictional realms that resemble real places during real historical periods, such as Constantinople during the reign of Justinian I or Spain during the time of El Cid. Those works are published and marketed as historical fantasy, though the author himself has expressed a preference to shy away from genre categorization when possible.

Reviews

[Paul O’Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the nighttime you prayed for light.

I think Kay is one of the most important writers in fantasy today and often overlooked. His writing is phenomenal.

I’ve seen his works being described as ‘historical fantasy’. That’s a lie. There’s nothing historical about them. They are heavily inspired by certain civilisations, but this isn’t a fantasy version of ‘historical fiction’. I just wanted to make that distinction as historical fiction fans might be disappointed if they jump into this one expecting a real setting.

The term I use when describing Kay to friends is ‘grown up fantasy’. There are fantastical elements within each of in his stories but Kay is a master at making the reader feel the emotions of his characters. And the books of his I’ve read so far are all very ‘human’.

his heart breaks again and again all the long night.

You stood by kin in this world because there was no one else to stand by, or who might ever stand by you. A rule of the northlands. You died if you were too much alone.

We like to believe we can know the moments we’ll remember of our own days and nights, but it isn’t really so. The future is an uncertain shape (in the dark) and men and women know that. What is less surely understood is that this is true of the past as well. What lingers, or comes back unsummoned, is not always what we would expect, or desire to keep with us.

As you can see, some of the above examples are beautiful. I always find myself taking lots of notes when reading Kay, more than any other author. Also, to my surprise, my new favourite curse is in this book and I’ve used it several times already. “Fuck that forever!”

If you want a deep and meaningful book with elements of fantasy set in a great world then Kay is your man and this book is great.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a difference in writing compared to Abraham's! GGK could write a telephone book and I'd still find it gripping.

What I love most beside the impeccable writing is that his stories do not have the common fantasy tropes, they all deviate one way or the other from that, each of them with a unique theme.

This novel's characters were inspired by Vikings, Anglo-Saxon's and Celts, and is set in the same world as The Lions of Al-Rassan. It is also a fairy tale, but not what one would expect. It's sweet, and brutal, and lyrical, and descriptive, and contemplative, and breathtaking - all in the same time.

The narrative follows several characters whose destinies intertwine, but there are also some very short - let's call them mini-biographies - of random characters which happen to mingle at one point in the thread and then are gone - I loved those, they add so much charm to the story.

This was my third GGK, and the fourth will follow soon.

[Brooke (B for Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

While GGK's writing is excellent, this narrative did not compel me like his other book Under Heaven. I have noticed a tendancy for this author to get a little carried away with style. When that happens, the appeal to the reader can get lost, or the plot is sacrificed for style. GGK is a great writer who I hope to see tune and refine his craft if he can keep his head where the sun shines. This book will appeal to lovers of historical fantasy, as there are magical elements in this book, however the story just lacks the sparkle and shine that engages and delights.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The flow of time and events is a large river; men and women are usually no more than pebbles in that, carried along. But sometimes, at some moments, they are more. Sometimes the course of the stream is changed, not just for a few people but for many."

This is the story of such moments. It’s the story of an Anglycn king who, having unified his land, looks for ways to preserve its peace for his children. Of an Cyngael cleric who dreams of uniting all people under a benevolent God. Of a young, Ehrling man who wishes to escape the life bequeathed to him by his father’s impulsive actions. Of that father’s search for a new path that has meaning and purpose. And of a Cyngael prince struggling in the wake of loss.

In the way that only he can, Guy Gavriel Kay invokes our own history and subtly weaves in elements of fantasy and myth. Here he takes the world of the Saxons and Danes circa the mid-to-late 800s A.D. and recreates it as the world of the Anglycns and Erhlings, with the Cyngael standing in as the Welsh/Celts. Having just come from reading the third book in Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon tales, Lords of the North, I was primed for this story and was able to slip into it with ease. If I have one complaint about this book it’s that it could’ve been a little longer so that the endings for the various characters could have had some space to breathe a bit more.

This is now my seventh book by Guy Gavriel Kay so I think it’s safe to say that he’s a favorite author of mine. He has a smooth and easy writing style, not simplistic by any means, that gently pulls readers onward through to the tale’s inevitable conclusion. Along the way he’ll make you think, he’ll fill you with yearning and wonder, and he’ll likely tweak your heart a time or two for good measure. His writing is a balm to my soul, offering familiarity and warmth as the sentences he pens wrap me up in cocoons of comfort. I eagerly look forward to my next journey with this word master.

[Joshua Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eight books into Kay's works and I still marvel at how he manages to always write such beautiful endings to his books. The setting of The Last Light of the Sun was inspired by Anglo-Saxons, Welsh, Celts and Vikings, and had some fun tie-ins to the Sarantine Mosaic. (Though I longed for a map!). The narrative was a bit unclear and meandered a bit at the start, telling the story from many points of view, but once the storylines came together and the larger picture emerged, this was typical Guy Gavriel Kay: a compelling and inventive story with a rich writing style superior to most. This also had the most magic of any of Kay's books I've read (save Tigana), and I really enjoyed seeing this aspect of Kay's writing, as the Faerie magic worked perfectly within this setting, and was a highlight of the book as a whole. 4.5/5

[Ctgt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgetting is part of our lives, my lord. Sometimes it is a blessing, or we could never move beyond loss.

Guy Gavriel Kay, how do I love thee? Let me count....alright that might a bit over the top but I have to say Kay is one of my favorite authors so you can take that into consideration if you read on.

Kay dips his toe into 8th century Anglo-Saxon, Welsh and Viking cultures using characters from each to weave together another fantastic historical fiction tale with a touch of the mystical, faeries. Characters to identify with and a great prose style are the two main reasons for my Kay love. Tigana and The Lions of Al-Rassan were my first two reads and I loved them both, Under Heaven was great but I didn't click with the characters as much. This story was back to form for me.

Bern Thorkellson an Erling(viking) escapes Rabady Island and ends up joing the Erling mercenary force at Jormsvik.

Alun and Dai ab Owyn, Cyngael(Welsh) princes of Cadyr plan a raid on an outlying farmhouse of Brynn ap Hywll, famed fighter and leader of the neighboring province. Fortunately for the brothers, they are thwarted by Ceinion the Jaddite(Christian)high cleric to the three Cyngael provinces, who comes uopn and warns them that Brynn and a large party are currently staying at the farmhouse.

Aeldred king of the Anglcyn(Anglo-Saxon) is setting up a series of forts to protect his people from the raiding of the Erlings. At the same time he is attempting to raise his subjects through knowledge and scholarship and has ask the high cleric Ceinion to join him in this endeavor.

My favorite part of the whole book is the exploration of the relationship that is formed between Alun and a curious faerie.

Her hair went pale, nearly white, came back towards gold but not all the way. She said, "You were in the pool. I...saved you there." Her voice, simply speaking words, made him realize he had never, really, made music with his harp, or sung a song the way it should be sung. He felt he would weep if he were not careful.

There are several encounters throughout the book and I thought Kay did a wonderful job of conveying the magic of these moments, how the two interacted trying to understand each others view of the world. How Alun struggled with this legend/myth, how it might change not only his views on the world but might actually change his world.

"Will my own world be there when I leave you?"
"I don't know what you mean. This is the world we have."
She was beside him, very near. The glade would have been dark were it not for the light she cast. Her hair was all around him, copper-coloured now, thick and warm; he could touch it, had been doing so, in a wood on a summer night. They lay in deep grass, edge of a clearing. Sounds of the forest around them, murmurous. These woods had been shunned for generations by his people and the Anglcyn, both. His fear was beside him, however, not among the trees.

Kay also spends some time on the question of fate or consequences of actions/inactions.

Some paths, some doorways, some people were not to be yours, though the slightest difference in the rippling of time might have made them so. A tossed pebble landing a little sooner, a little later.

But sometimes the most gallant actions, those requiring a summoning of all our will, access to bravery beyond easy understanding or decription....have no consequence that matters. They leave no ripples upon the surface of succeeding events, cause nothing, achieve nothing. Are trivial, marginal. This can be hard to accept.


Just another fantastic story from Kay.
4.5 stars

[Jake Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

And so a difficult truth about human courage was played out among those trees. A truth we resist for what it suggests about our lives. But sometimes the most gallant actions, those requiring a summoning of all our will, access to bravery beyond easy understanding or description...have no consequence that matters. They leave no ripples upon the succeeding events, cause nothing, achieve nothing. Are trivial, marginal. This can be hard to accept

(about half a page of stuff happens)

A hard truth: that courage can be without meaning or impact, need not be rewarded, or even known. The world has not been made in that way. Perhaps, however, within the self there might come a resonance, the awareness of having done something difficult, or having done ...something. That can ripple, might do so, through in a different way.


This inexplicitly has a lower rating than every GGK book except Ysabel. I don't understand why, I thought it was fantastic.

You can start with this if you want, although I don't see a good reason to, unless you really like vikings, which is the setting this has.

Anyway, it was great. Three main group of characters all of which I loved, and as they often do with GGK, I feel like all three groups were the primary group, because of how well I feel I know basically the entire cast. Alum, and Dai, the brothers are probably my favorite though.

This book also has a good amount of the supernatural, less than most books, but more than most GGK books, and he is just so good at making supernatural elements feel otherworldly.

Her voice, simply speaking words, made him realize he had never, really, made music with his harp, or sung a song the way it really should be sung.

Like, how good is that.

GGK also does this thing, it kinda reminds me of The Little People in Abercrombie books. Where you basically somewhat quickly see the life story of a characters who life only briefly intersected with a part of the story being told. I love these, both to see how there is so much going on outside are story, but also to see how an afterthought in the story of one persons life can be a defining moment of another.

Also nitpick time, not just for this book, but for multiple GGK books, and really a huge amount of media.

GGK, if somehow you read this, and are still doing this. Please stop knocking people out via hits to the head, and have them be fine a day later. They need to recover for like...a while, they probably have brain damage. Casual knockouts to transport someone, so they can wake up and other than a headache and be fine are not a thing.

Anyway, probably no reason to start here, but it was a compelling, and emotional read as almost all GGK's books have been, and the mans writing is truly next level.

Oh also there is a bit at the start of chapter 12, that is 8 pages, and I have no idea why it was there. I guess maybe it was one of those little people type things, except I don't think it intersected with the main story at all.

9.1/10 I do not understand why this books rating is so low compared to the authors other works.

[Pranav Prabhu · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something different about The Last Light of the Sun compared to Kay’s other historical fantasy books that is hard to properly describe. It leaves the impression of having read a dark fairytale: the more dreamlike, ethereal aspects of the story being the most memorable. At least, that is how I seem to think about or remember it a while after completion.

The setting is inspired by the British Isles during the Viking raids, under the reign of Alfred the Great — his equivalent in this story being the king Aeldred. One of my favourite threads was about the rebuilding of a nation: how it grew from just a small outpost with a handful of fleeing men into a feared, stable, and educated state under Aeldred’s guidance and rule. The Erling culture is based on the Viking people and the other major groups include the Anglycn and the Cyngael, the Anglo-Saxon and Welsh equivalents.

The setting isn’t as vibrantly alive and involved in the story as some of Kay’s other historical-based works, but it has some of the best incorporations of fantastical, otherworldly, and supernatural elements I’ve read. This includes the large haunted forests where ancient, bestial gods reside, and the fae folk, with hidden pools of moonlight associated with their presence. There is a fleeting, elusive quality to them, where the characters remain unsure whether their experiences with these mythic elements were actually real, something conveyed wonderfully in the tone of the writing.

The novel follows a varied cast of characters in different locations as they seek to fulfil what they imagine to be their destinies. The central perspective characters include Alun ap Owyn, a Cyngael prince who seeks revenge on the Erling, Bern Thorkellson, the son of an infamous raider who joins an elite group of Erling mercenaries, and some of Aeldred’s children, among others. While each of their journeys was compelling on the whole, I find the characters in this book less memorable than in some of Kay’s other works. They are distinct, have recognizable personalities, and are well fleshed-out, but aren’t close to being as outstanding as some others, probably due to me not being as emotionally invested in them as I have been with the ones featured in other works set in this same world. After reading the book, I find it relatively harder to recall the minor characters, although how the overall story plays out — the slow building of each character’s arc and how they intertwine near the end was really well-done.

A major theme explored throughout the book is the rise of so-called civilization from previous lives of wilderness and constant danger, exemplified by Aledred’s establishment of his nation and increasing education and knowledge and stability by introducing effective governance and standardization. There is even a reference to the manuscripts of a prominent character in the Sarantine Mosaic being read by King Aeldred. Also explored is the resulting rise of the Jaddite religion, the worship of the Sun God Jad — this world’s analogue of Christianity. There is a particular homogeneity that results from this shift, and much of the novel, such as with the wilder Erling culture and their worship of the Norse-equivalent gods as well as the Cyngael people and their fae folk, is steeped in the sorrow of the older, mythic aspects of their societies being slowly phased out by the encroachment of supposed civilization and their emphasis on the Jaddite religion. The Cyngael Jaddite cleric Ceinon functions as an excellent representation of this widespread movement. The inevitability of these changes marks the story with a darker, mournful atmosphere to complement these themes. There are others too, such as the complicated lessons of legacy and fatherhood, in Bern Thorkellson’s character journey.

I really enjoyed this novel, and it only rises in my estimation as I think more on it after reading. It has a small but noticeably different tonal shift compared to the other books set in the same world, and the incorporation of the divine and supernatural elements were excellent. The conclusions to all the character arcs and the plot were fitting and emotionally engaging, although they might seem a little too perfectly wrapped up by the end, adding the fairytale feel to the novel. However, due to my decreased emotional investment in these character stories and the relative reduction in overall memorability, I would rank this a tad below some of Kay’s other historical fantasy books, but this is still a fantastically woven and compelling tale that is definitely worth reading.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think my love for Guy Gavriel Kay is sufficiently well known. He gets three stars on this one only because I feel it isn't up to his usual high standard. For any other author, I'd probably give it four and call it a pleasant surprise.

As all his novels are, this is based on a historical area and cultural group. This time, he chose the British Isles and the Vikings, and the people who lived there before. As always, his research is impeccable. As always, his mood is beautifully drawn. The poetic like language I have come to expect from Kay is there, woven into the descriptions and actions of the characters.

However, this time the language just didn't sing for me. I've cried at Tigana, The Lions of Al-Rassan, The Sarantine Duology, and even Song for Arbonne. This time, it just didn't reach me. I don't know if the characters were as real to me. There was an odd distancing thing that is not usually characteristic of his writing. It felt... like a formula that he was fulfilling and not like a series of well observed commentaries, beautifully written and inserted into a lush world. This was okay, and certainly better than Ysabel or the majority of Under Heaven, but it can't live up to his best.

Come on, Kay! Get back in form! I'm rooting for you!

[Sud666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book. The prose is reminiscent of Mary Stewart (The Hollow Hills) or Poul Anderson (The Broken Sword) due to its almost classical feel. This is a fantasy world that is heavily influenced by the historical real world. Without giving away spoilers, this is a book worth reading, the story revolves around several key figures from the various races. It is a story of violence, revenge, the passing of an era, a clash of cultures and love. The story concerns a young Erling's attempt to prove himself as a warrior, his father's attempts to make amends for his mistakes, a young prince searching for revenge and a King's attempt to transform his realm into a more civilized one that will resist attacks from the Erlings forever.

While this is not Earth, the time frame is analogous to circa 800 AD England. The three main races are the Erlings (Norsemen), the Cyngael (The Welsh) and the Anglcyn (Anglo-Saxons). The Anglcyn King, Aeldred, is heavily influenced by Alfred the Great (848- 899 AD). The main religion of Jadism is Christianity and Jad is God.

The gist? The main characters have stories that start independent of each other, but they all end up intertwined by the end. An Erling warrior, Bern, flees his homeland due to the sins of his father, Thorkell Einarson, and joins the Jormsvik Erlings- an elite group of reavers/mercenaries who are based of the real life Jomsvikings ( an order of Viking mercenaries or brigands of the 10th century and 11th century who hired themselves out to various Lords). Meanwhile, two Cyngael Princes are caught up in a blood feud between a Cyngael lord named Brynn ap Hywll and the sons of "The Volgan", a renowned Erling reaver who died at Brynn's hand. Thrown into this mess is the Anglcyns who seek to build burghs and set up a system to prevent future raids (very similar to what Alfred did to fend of the Vikings in England).

That is all I will say about the plot. Oh, did I mention there are also fey creatures? There is certainly a magical element involved and it comports well with the old pagan beliefs commonly found among the historical Welsh peoples. I truly enjoyed the character of Thorkell. While never saying it directly, his actions show the deep love of a father for a son.

A truly wonderful book. Great story, beautifully written and at once magical, yet quite real. I will certainly look up more books by this author. Consider me a fan.

[Kat Hooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.

The Last Light of the Sun is another of Guy Gavriel Kay’s brilliant historical fantasies. This one blends Norse, Celtic, and Anglo-Saxon histories with a bit of faerie mythos. We follow a few main characters from each of these societies as they interact with each other to shape their land and destinies. As usual in a Guy Gavriel Kay novel, we see the struggles from each perspective, so there’s no single “hero” or “villain.” We understand what motivates each of the characters and their culture and we can admire their strengths and recognize their weaknesses. In the end, we want everyone to win but, of course, that’s not what happens.

I thought the cast of The Last Light of the Sun was not as accessible or compelling as that of Tigana and A Song for Arbonne (though I really loved a couple of the side characters, especially Judit and her brother Athelbert) but, as always, each is a work of art. All of GGK’s characters (even the minor ones) are passionate people full of hopes, fears, dreams, and plenty of spirit. This complete characterization — the reader’s ability to be fully in the head of the point-of-view character — is one of the things that sets this author above others. It occasionally makes the plot move slowly, because there may be a lot of history and motivation to relate, but it’s usually interwoven so well that it serves to give us necessary information while moving the plot at the same time. Here’s an example from the beginning of the book from the point of view of a character who we’ll never meet again:

Here in the remote, pagan north, at this wind-scoured island market of Rabady, he was anxious to begin trading his leather and cloth and spices and bladed weapons for furs and amber and salt and heavy barrels of dried cod (to sell in Ferrieres on the way home) — and to take immediate leave of these barbarian Erlings, who stank of fish and beer and bear grease, who could kill a man in a bargaining over prices, and who burned their leaders — savages that they were — on ships among their belongings when they died.

Just as the people that GGK writes about are full of passion, so is his writing. Kay is so serious about his style — obviously working hard to get it just right — that it’s a joy to read, even though occasionally it goes just slightly over the top:

She said nothing, though he thought she was about to. Instead, she stepped nearer, rose upon her toes, and kissed him on the lips, tasting of moonlight, though it was dark where they stood, except for her. The blue moon outside, above, shining over his own lands, hers, over the seas. He brought his hands up, touched her hair. He could see the small, shining impossibility of her. A faerie in his arms.

Tasting of moonlight? I’m going to let that one pass…

There’s also quite a bit of philosophizing in The Last Light of the Sun, mainly about how an individual’s actions can have unexpected and life-changing effects on others. Some of this was relayed in a few vignettes in which we’re quickly told the rest of the life history of very minor characters. These episodes were meant to be contemplative, but I found them intrusive since they felt rushed (decades of life summed up in a few paragraphs), broke up the plot, involved characters whom I didn’t care about, and contained repetitive insights about the uncertainty of life or the tendency for seemingly small actions to have long-lasting consequences. Perhaps more pensive persons will appreciate these parts. Fortunately, they were short, so they didn’t preclude my enjoyment of the novel.

I listened to The Last Light of the Sun on audio (Penguin Audiobooks). Holter Graham did an excellent reading. I hope to hear more from him in the future.
www.fantasyliterature.com

[Ivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of all Kay's books I read so far I like this one the least. Writing again is top notch but story lacks cohesion and I was never really pulled me in and while I did enjoy writing and some superbly written scenes at no point I really cared to see where story was going.

[James Morpurgo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very underrated tale from GGK. I've been on a bit of a norse and Viking inspired fantasy reading mood recently and this certainly was another great addition to my list.

I've been saving up my eventual reads of The Lions of Al Rassan and Sailing to Sarantium and getting through some of GGK's lesser celebrated works but it became very obvious that this book was set in the same world as those and had some light connections to these stories but I didn't think there was anything particularly significant in terms of spoilers and more likely easter eggs so readers could easily start here or read before the more popular books like I have. In fact, fantasy readers looking to sample his writing may find The Last Light Of the Sun a more comfortable introduction rather than some of his less magical, more historical fictional style books.

Looking forward to adding more GGK to my 2025 TBR, it's about time I finally tackle the Sarantine Mosaic...

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author brought together the 8th-9th century Viking/Anglo-Saxon/Welsh cultures marvellously, through the stories of protagonist[s] from each: Bern Thorkellson and his father, the exiled Thorkell Einarson of the Erlings; Prince Athelbert of the Anglcyn, and Prince Alun ab Owyn from the Cyngael. Three of these characters, ostensibly enemies, work together to prevent a revenge raid on the Cyngael farm of the man who, a generation before, had slew a famous Erling and now has his sword. Bern has become a mercenary, and is involved in that coming raid; his father had fled to Cyngael and is a servant on the farm. The princes, Thorkell, and Alun's faithful dog make their way through a haunted wood to arrive at the farm. I held my breath. Can they prevent carnage? The only nods to fantasy I could see are the same world of the blue and white moons as that in Kay's Sarantium trilogy; faeries with ever-changing hair color; and souls which had been taken by the faerie queen, then discarded when no longer useful to her, becoming malevolent green spirits.

I liked very much the different points of view of the three protagonists, their cultures, and the characters' interior thoughts. We were presented with motivations. The novel was well plotted, except the ending was a little too 'pat'. Characterization was very good and I liked that the author used no terribly outlandish names. Bizarre names are a real blot on fantasy, in my opinion. I liked that the author used a variation on the 'King Alfred and the Cakes' story; also that Alun, at the farmhouse, an amateur harpist, recited the author's variation on a poem from the Canu Heledd medieval poem cycle: "Ystall Gynddynlan" [The hall of Cynddylan]. http://www.kmatthews.org.uk/history/c...
Poem #2. The time period absolutely came alive for me through the excellent writing.

Yes, this book was a fantasy, but I consider it a fine example of a Viking story and I felt Vikings were presented accurately. I feel the author really did his research into this whole historical period. I felt he really captured the Welsh spirit. I did not see how Jadwiga and her fiancé fit into the story. There was one small episode, then they were dropped. I wish there had been more on Judit, Athelbert's sister.

[Alexander Theofanidis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ένα ανάγνωσμα που επάξια συναγωνίζεται το Ysabel για τον τίτλο του "χειρότερου βιβλίου του Kay".

Όπως πάντα, ο Kay παίρνει ένα χρονικό πλαίσιο και μια γήινη τοποθεσία και πλάθει επάνω του το μύθο του (στη συγκεκριμένη περίπτωση τον εξεμεί ανόρεχτα σε πολλές αραιές ξινισμένες γουλιές). Εν προκειμένω, επιλέγει τα βρετανικά νησιά την εποχή της εξάπλωσης των Vikings, τόπο και εποχή που -για κακή του τύχη- έχουν απασχολήσει με εξαιρετική επιτυχία και άλλους συγγραφείς (λέγε με Bernard Cornwell, για παράδειγμα).

Φυσικά, προσπαθεί να γράψει όπως πάντα -περισσότερο ποίηση παρά πεζός λόγος, αλλά αυτή τη φορά αντί για σάγκα, βγαίνει ένα νερουλό, ανέμπνευστο, βαρετό μέχρις ναρκοληψίας μυθιστόρημα "της σειράς", που αν διαβαστεί με προσδοκίες Tigana, Lions of Al-Rassan, Sarantium, Song For Arbonne έρχεται όχι σαν χαστούκι, αλλά σαν χλιαρή χλαπάτσα να ραπίσει τις παρειές του αναγνώστη.

Φυσικά, επειδή είναι και πονηρούλης, έχει αναφορές έστω και έμμεσες σε κάποια από τα αριστουργήματα του παρελθόντος του, αλλά ναι, καλά το μαντέψατε: ΔΕ ΦΤΑΝΕΙ.

Τα συνήθη συστατικά είναι εκεί. "Μαγεία", πλάσματα ανάμεσα σε κόσμους, πόλεμος, σίδερο και φωτιά, πάθη των ανθρώπων, αλλά όπως και με το μαγείρεμα, δεν αρκεί να έχεις τα σωστά υλικά. Η φωτιά ήταν χαμηλή, το βιβλίο χύλωσε άσχημα και αντί για μια λυρικά επική ιστορία βγήκε ένα πράγμα που μόνο από OCD και αγάπη για τον Kay διαβάζεται.

Στο δε φινάλε, κάνει σα γριά με τα παντρολογήματα και τις καταλήξεις των ιστοριών. Ντροπή μεγάλη.

Βιβλία σαν κι αυτό σε κάνουν να εκτιμάς τον μακαρίτη τον Gemmell, που ποτέ δεν έγραψε κάτι μέτριο...

Τα δύο αστεράκια είναι μόνο και μόνο επειδή τον Kay τον αγαπήσαμε και δεν πάει το χέρι να τον μαυρίσουμε και ίσως επειδή -σε ελάχιστα σημεία- διαφαίνεται κάτι από τον παλιό καλό του εαυτό. Όχι καθαρά, όχι δυνατά, περισσότερο σαν θολή εικόνα μέσα στην ομίχλη, ενώ φοράς γυαλιά ηλίου και ίσως έχεις και τα μάτια μισόκλειστα, λίγες μέρες πριν κάνεις εγχείριση για καταρράκτη.

Υ.Γ. Παρατηρώ ότι πολλοί εκθειάζουν το βιβλίο και ξεφορτώνουν αστεράκια με τη σέσουλα. Δυστυχώς, πρόκειται για το κλασικό σύνδρομο "βαθμολογώ την άποψη που έχω για το συγγραφέα αντί για το βιβλίο καθεαυτό" που οδηγεί ΦΤΩΧΟΥΣ ΑΝΙΔΕΟΥΣ ΦΟΥΚΑΡΑΔΕΣ να το διαβάσουν και να αποκτήσουν εντελώς λάθος εικόνα για τον Kay, το fantasy και ίσως και τη λογοτεχνία συνολικά. Όταν έρθουμε στα πράγματα (όποιοι κι αν είμαστε, όποια κι αν είναι τα πράγματα στα οποία θα έρθουμε) αυτοί που το κάνουν, δε θα περάσουν καλά, σας το υπόσχομαι...

[Wealhtheow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really excellent fantasy set in the medieval Europe . There’s a minor fantasy element (the fey), but the majority of the plot concerns the Vikings’ last raids on England. Exile Bern Thorkellson and his fellow mercenaries venture onto Anglcyn for plunder and glory, but waiting for them are the combined forces of King Aeldred and his Cyngael allies. The majority of the book does not concern war, but rather the inner workings of the characters’ minds and the wyrdness of Fate. The characters are each well developed and very interesting, and I would have read a book about any one of them. Unlike Barbara Hambly, who struggles to marshal all of her characters together into a single story, each little act and decision adds up to a greater whole. Near the beginning, a peasant girl’s murder is mentioned—and near the end of the story her sister’s nonviolent vengeance turns the tide of battle.

[Sotiris Karaiskos · Rating 4 out of 5]

As it is his custom the author continue his game with the creative use of real history in a fantastic environment. This time it goes to Northern Europe, in the Viking era, giving us a story that reflects the climate of the time and the psychology of the people who lived then perhaps better than many historical novels. This story, of course, belongs to the field of fantasy, which means that the presence of the metaphysical element is quite strong, but the author tries to narrate a more realistic story based on the reality of that era and some of the historical events we know, with his well-known beautiful writing which is full of emotion also in this book and gradually builds the tension to the exciting end. The problem is that the relatively small size of the book and the fact that the author refuses to hurry in his narrative limits things somewhat, hindering the greater development of the very interesting ideas, so in the end I was somewhat unsatisfied, asking for something more that was not given. Nevertheless, even with these constraints, the author knows so well how to handle the language, knows so well how to play with the symbolisms, knows so deeply the cultural elements he remodels and, in general, knows how to narrate so well a story that is difficult to do not leave this book happy after a few hours of special enjoyment.

Όπως συνηθίζει να κάνει ο συγγραφέας συνεχίζει το παιχνίδι του με την δημιουργική χρήση της πραγματικής ιστορίας σε ένα φανταστικό περιβάλλον. Αυτή τη φορά πηγαίνει στη Βόρεια Ευρώπη, την εποχή των Βίκινγκς, δίνοντάς μας μία ιστορία που αντικατοπτρίζει το κλίμα της εποχής και την ψυχολογία τον ανθρώπων που την έζησαν ίσως καλύτερα από πολλά ιστορικά μυθιστορήματα. Αυτή η ιστορία βέβαια ανήκει στο χώρο της φαντασίας, κάτι που σημαίνει ότι είναι αρκετά έντονη η παρουσία του μεταφυσικού στοιχείου, περισσότερο όμως ο συγγραφέας προσπαθεί να αφηγηθεί μία πιο ρεαλιστική ιστορία βασισμένη στην πραγματικότητα εκείνης της εποχής και σε μερικά από τα ιστορικά γεγονότα που γνωρίζουμε, γραμμένη με την γνωστή πανέμορφη γραφή του που και σε αυτό το βιβλίο είναι γεμάτη συναίσθημα και σταδιακά χτίζει την ένταση μέχρι το συναρπαστικό τέλος. Το πρόβλημα είναι ότι το σχετικά μικρό μέγεθος του βιβλίου και το γεγονός ότι ο συγγραφέας αρνείται να βιαστεί στην αφήγηση του περιορίζει κάπως τα πράγματα, εμποδίζοντας την μεγαλύτερη ανάπτυξη των πολύ ενδιαφέρουσων ιδεών και έτσι στο τέλος έμεινα κάπως ανικανοποίητος, ζητώντας κάτι παραπάνω που τελικά δεν δίνεται. Παρόλα αυτά σίγουρα ακόμα και με αυτούς τους περιορισμούς ο συγγραφέας ξέρει τόσο καλά να χειρίζεται τη γλώσσα, ξέρει τόσο καλά να παίζει με τους συμβολισμούς, γνωρίζει σε τόσο βάθος τα πολιτιστικά στοιχεία πού αναδιαμορφώνει και γενικότερα ξέρει να αφηγείται τόσο καλά μία ιστορία που είναι δύσκολο να μην αφήσω αυτό το βιβλίο ευχαριστημένος μετά από λίγες ώρες ιδιαίτερης απόλαυσης.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though fantasy rather than historical fiction, Kay's books evoke different regions of medieval Europe, and The Last Light of the Sun is set in the harsh northern realms analogous to Scandinavia and England, among the Anglcyn (Anglo-Saxons), Cyngael (Welsh), and Erlings (Vikings): rather a different setting from the warm regions and courtly society of his previous (particularly the two books of The Sarantine Mosaic and The Lions of Al-Rassan. The language is beautiful, and Kay deftly interweaves the stories and viewpoints of different characters, until the stories all come together into the finale.

The problem for me was that none of the characters grabbed me in the way that Kay's characters usually do, and thus, the conclusion was less emotionally satisfying. Perhaps it was the lack of a strong central female character like Jehane of The Lions of Al-Rassan or Dianora of Tigana; there were interesting women - Kendra, Judit, Enid, Rhiannon - but we got a point of view from only two of them (Kendra and Rhiannon) and none of them received enough screen time to get to know them well. I felt curiously distanced from the male characters as well, even those who might be considered the main characters, Bern and Alun.

On my second reading, I had a similar reaction and was able to think about it a bit more. Part of it, I think, is that I'm more familiar with the history he's using as a base -- early medieval England and Wales -- and so some of the sense of wonder I've felt in other books is lacking. Part of it, as I said in my earlier comments, is that I never connected as much with the characters, particularly as The Last Light of the Sun is lacking in strong female characters (as compared to pretty much all of his other books).

I guess I'll just have to leave it at that: it doesn't work for me as well as Tigana or The Lions of Al-Rassan, but I'd still rather be reading any book by Kay than most other fantasy.

[Kostas · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

On of the few writers from our era in the Fantasy genre, and perhaps the best one out there, that can make quality stories even through his stand-alone books is definitely Guy Gavriel Kay and this book is no exception.

The story of the book, inspired by the Vikings raid in the time of Alfred the Great, is, perhaps, a bit darker than Kay’s other books as his writing is also a little tougher. But in this book he has managed to make a magical story, filled with wonderful characters that pass through war, sacrifice, betrayals and love.

I know the book might not be perfect, and perhaps not everyone is going to like it, but personally I like it a lot, both for the story and also for Kay’s unique style. So, for those who are fans of Kay's works read this one and, I believe, you won’t be disappointed.


Ελληνική κριτική:
Ένας από τους λίγους συγγραφείς τους Φανταστικού της εποχής μας που κυκλοφορούν, και ίσως από τους μοναδικούς, που μπορεί να προσφέρει ποιότητα ακόμα και μέσα από τα αυτοτελές βιβλία του είναι σίγουρα ο Guy Gavriel Kay και το βιβλίο αυτό δεν αποτελεί εξαίρεση.

Η ιστορία του συγκεκριμένου βιβλίου είναι επηρεασμένη από την επιδρομή των Vikings την εποχή του Αλφρέδου του Μέγα, και είναι ίσως πιο σκοτεινή από άλλα βιβλία του Kay που έχω διαβάσει , όπως επίσης και η γραφή του είναι λίγο πιο «δύσκολη» απ’ ότι συνήθως. Όμως μέσα σε αυτό το βιβλίο έχει καταφέρει να κάνει μια μαγική ιστορία, γεμάτη με υπέροχους χαρακτήρες που περνάνε μέσα από πόλεμο, θυσίες, προδοσίες αλλά και αγάπη.

Tο βιβλίο σίγουρα δεν είναι εξαιρετικό, και ίσως δεν θα αρέσει σε όλους καθώς είναι λίγο πιο «βαρύ» από άλλα βιβλία του, αλλά προσωπικά μου άρεσε πολύ, τόσο για την ιστορία όσο και για το υπέροχο στυλ του Kay. Οπότε όσοι είστε λάτρεις του Kay δοκιμάστε το και, πιστεύω, δεν θα χάσετε.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking place in the same world as Al Rassan and the Sarantium Mosaic, the locale of this story is far north of there and a few hundred years later. A different narrator than the other Kay books I've listened to lured me to try this one in audio format. It was a good decision.

As in all of Kay's books, there are several points of view and this time it seemed easier to follow than some of his other books. The picture he paints of the land and the characters is vivid and moving. The land is undergoing changes and the raids of the Ehrlings (read Vikings) up on the Anglcan (read English) are no longer as easy as they used to be. He follows the struggles of Alun ab Owyn, Bern Thorkellson and his father Thorkel Alannson, King Aeldred and his children, and the priest Cenion as they attempt to deal with honor and loss, cultural and religious changes, and love.

There is more magic in this book than in the others I've read. Faeries and other supernatural creatures populate the landscape while the religion of Jad harshly punishes those who are able to see and communicate with the Fey.

There is some extremely gory torture and killing that is hard to read about or listen to, but I'm sure it's historically accurate. All in all, a very enjoyable book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be one of Kay's more challenging books. Shorter than most of the others, it seemed less substantial, somehow. Once I was engrossed in the story, it was over too soon.
Still, the first time I read it, i felt it didn't stand up to his earlier work. By that point I had fallen in love with The Lions of al-Rassan, and everything else suffered by comparison.

A second reading totally changed my perspective. The story is so intimate, so visceral, and I had originally expected the kind of sweeping drama from Lions and the Sarantine books. I was totally unprepared for this. Everything fits so beautifully, and I was emotionally exhausted when I finished.

[Liviu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A multi-layered historical fantasy in the alt-Earth cycle of the author which contains the Sarantium duology and the Lion of Al Rassan, this book is a pleasure to read; Vikings, Anglo-saxons and Welsh people in a tale of families, light magic, battles and religion. The world of the faeries and the gods is ending and the world of Jad - a Christ analogue - is starting to become dominant.

[Sara the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think its safe to say that my favorite Gavriel-Kay novel is whichever one I'm reading (or having read to me) at the moment. I've actually owned this particular masterpiece for years but have only now gotten around to enjoying it.

This epic story of love, death, and deep magick is set in fantastical version of the British Isles when Viking raiders haunted the shores and warring clans vied skirmished over land and cattle and faerie queens still ruled in the vast, impenetrable forests.

Against this beautiful, haunting backdrop a great king struggles to unite his people and realize a dream of a new and glorious kingdom that will survive to be inherited by his children, a young warrior fights to overcome the ruin brought on his family by a traitorous father, and a prince falls perilously close to joining the very forces responsible for the death of his beloved brother.

Full to bursting with Kay's gorgeous, poetic prose, incredible, heart breaking romance, and steeped in wonderful Celtic lore as usual my only problem is that now that I've finished I have no earthly desire to read anything else.

[Stelios Pol]

DNF 30%
Μαλλον πρεπει να παρω απόφαση οτι το φανταζι δεν ειναι το είδος μου..

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I thought this was the worst Kay novel I'd read; by the end I considered it among his best.

My negative opinion stemmed from the long narrative passages early in the book. They read like history texts--interesting, but not engaging. Eventually, having defined his collision courses, Kay turned up the heat and brought his story to a boil.

Among modern writers of my experience, Kay is one of the best expressing the internal dialogue of his characters--the thoughts, emotions and even the errors in judgment.

Even better, he sensitively handles that gray area where the natural and supernatural meet. A few other writers may have more original and interesting supernatural worlds, but Kay is a master of exploring the intersection from the point of view of a character who thought he knew all about the "real" world and is suddenly or subtly confronted with experiences unexplainable from that paradigm. Not only fun to read, but a trigger of great reader introspection.

Could have used a map.

[boogenhagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vikings - I like them, and I like GGK so this is the best of both worlds.

[Jake Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first GGK book and wow, its was fantastic! Set in a anglo-saxon/celtic/norse world that has many things plucked from real history and given a fantasy tweak. With many characters who would be recognised by other names in our own history, King Alfred the Great, Ivar the Boneless, potentially King Arthur and Merlin (might be stretching on that one).

The characters were great and I love any book that has a setting like this one so it was always going to be a winner for me!

Will definitely be tackling more GGK!

4.5 ⭐️

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars for this earlier work. Kay gives us Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, and Celts, all plopped down in his 'quarter-turn to fantasy' alternate world. This history nerd loved every page--all 500 of them.
I went down many a rabbit hole on Wikipedia, searching for/refreshing my memory of the historical context. For those who aren't history buffs, don't worry. The story stands on its own legs.

"There is nothing soft or silken about the north. The lives of men and women are as challenging as the climate and lands in which they dwell. For generations, the Erlings of Vinmark have taken their dragon-prowed ships across the seas, raiding the lands of the Cyngael and Anglcyn peoples, leaving fire and death behind. But times change, even in the north, and in a tale woven with consummate artistry, people of all three cultures find the threads of their lives unexpectedly brought together."

I loved our two young men, Erling Bern Thorkellson, and Cyngael, Alun ab Owyn. The Anglcyn leader and his family were also intriguing, as was the traveling Jaddite clergyman and scholar. There's also a lovely touch of the much older (and scarier) world of the Fae.
I especially appreciated the author's 'Easter eggs'--those little bits that reference his earlier books set in this world. I'm not sure I caught them all, but I smiled at the ones I did recognize.

Guy Gavriel Kay is one of my auto-buy authors. And I'm so happy that I have a new one (Written on the Dark) to look forward to.

[Ariana Deralte · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. It was about Vikings, early British kings, and even the fair folk for goodness sake! But time and again, whenever I was finally getting into the story or bonding with a character, GGK would pull you out of the story with either a seemingly unrelated until pages later historical aside, or comments about really obvious things like how one small choice can make a difference. Regarding the historical asides, I felt an awful lot like I was reading GGK's version of Les Miserables unabridged since there'd be ten pages on something only tangentially related to the main story line before he'd deign to let you see the main characters again. (To be fair, in Les Mis, it was more like 50-100 pages;)

Having just read Under Heaven recently (and having read the Sarantium ones years before), I can safely say that GGK makes history strangely boring. I admire that he really does his research and gets his culture right, but he often drains the life out of it as well. This book, less so than others since his fight scenes, especially the first raid, were excellent to read. I'd have been content with just that if I hadn't had to read about the life of some random miller/farmer etc right after that. Pure boredom. (I've seen authors make random asides to other people's lives work, like in American Gods, but it destroyed The Last Light of the Sun).

I liked some of the characters well enough, but I knew GGK well enough to know exactly what would happen to all of them. Down to and including the inexplicable woman who falls in love with the man she met only once. Meh. I'm not letting anyone talk me into reading another GGK book. He's had enough chances from me.

[Trent · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one should be shocked to read that, having now finished nine Guy Gavriel Kay novels in just under five months, I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Light of the Sun.

It has everything I have come to expect and admire about Kay's writing: lush prose, a fully realized setting, a large cast of believable and interesting characters, and a story that is both inspiring and tragic (and dramatic - ALWAYS dramatic). It is, arguably, the best Viking novel I have ever read.

While I would probably place it near the bottom of my overall GGK ranking, that is like talking about a least favorite dessert - it's still dessert! And still very good.

The novel follows three people groups in Kay's alternate Earth setting (previously used in The Lions of Al-Rassan and the Sarantine Mosaic) during a period a few hundred years after Sarantine and a few hundred before TLoAR:

- The Cyngael (based on the Welsh)
- The Anglcyn (based on the Anglo-Saxons)
- The Erlings (based on the Norse Vikings)

We follow characters from all three perspectives as the modernization of their island leads to inevitable clashes between the three cultures and ways of life.

The Last Light of the Sun is not Kay's best (that title belongs to The Lions of Al-Rassan), but still very, very good, and much better than the Goodreads rating would have you think. The audiobook is also excellent.

Highly recommended, as all Kay works are.