The Last Light of the Sun

by Guy Gavriel Kay | Science Fiction & Fantasy |
ISBN: 0743484231 Global Overview for this book
Registered by Xeyra of Seixal, Setúbal Portugal on 10/28/2005
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6 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Xeyra from Seixal, Setúbal Portugal on Friday, October 28, 2005
Book Description:

There is nothing soft or silken in the northlands, where for decades there has been bitter, bloody war between the Vikings, the Celts and the Anglo-Saxons. But times change, even in the north, and for a generation there has been peace...And yet, what has changed once can always change again...

In this wonderfully imaginative historical fantasy from Kay (A Song for Arbonne), seemingly random deeds connect Erling (Viking) raiders and Anglcyn (English) and Cyngael (Welsh) princes: If only Bern Thorkellson hadn't stolen that horse in a desperate act of vengeance against his sorry fate; if only Dai ab Owyn hadn't stepped outside the safety of Brynfell right at the moment when the Erlings attacked; if only Ivarr Ragnarson hadn't been born ill-formed and downright cruel; if only Aeldred hadn't been king of the Anglcyn; if only Thorkell Einarson had murdered only one man and not the second; if only Alun ab Owyn hadn't stepped into that pool on a moonless night and seen the Queen of the Elves in procession.

At first glance, each individual's act appears to be a normal human response. It's only later, as the characters' paths cross, that the pieces come together to weave a dazzling tapestry of conjoined fates. Solid research, filtered through vibrant prose, serves to convey a sense of how people really lived and died in Viking and Anglo-Saxon times and how they might have interacted with the realm of magic on a daily basis.

The death of a prince, the new life of an exile, and the dreams of a king will be the threads from which the tapestry is woven, and the world is changed forever...

Journal Entry 2 by Xeyra from Seixal, Setúbal Portugal on Sunday, October 30, 2005
The only book by this author I had read was "Tigana" and I absolutely loved it. So I had very high expectations when I picked this book up. And they were met. Granted, it's not "Tigana", but it's nonetheless an incredible story by this great author. The Last Light of the Sun was well-researched, well-written, gritty, and utterly believable, and the characters are people you identify with and understand, even in the bloody world they inhabit.

Kay is a master storyteller... there's no doubt about it. I have other books of his in my TBR and I will certainly be reading those sooner rather than latter.

Sending to MissyZ, who won it on the Fantasy Swap. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Journal Entry 3 by MissyZ from Clapham, Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Thanks, Xeyra - This book looks fabulous!
I'll be lending it to my mother to read first, but I can't wait to get into it! :D

Journal Entry 4 by MissyZ from Clapham, Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, January 5, 2006
Wow!
I've never read any of Kay's books before, but will certainly be looking his name up next time I'm in a book store!
Last Light of the Sun is an immensely complex piece of literature. He has evidently done a huge amount of research for this novel, and it pays off as the pseudo-Viking Scandinavia is rich with detail and the impact of religion on the Old spiritual beliefs of the people gives a good insight into the many beliefs that have been lost to organised religion throughout history.
I'll admit that it took me quite a while to get my head around the various characters and the different 'tribes', but I was engrossed in the story as soon as I'd figured out who belonged to whom. It's a book that if my own copy, I'd return it to the bookshelf to read again at a later date to pick up all the details that I missed first time though. As it is, this book will be passed on to Krin511 to get her teeth into...
I look forward to reading this one again someday...

RELEASE NOTES:

Sending to Krin511 as part of the last BookRelay YBS of 2005! Hope you enjoy it!

Journal Entry 6 by krin511 from Olney, Maryland USA on Monday, February 13, 2006
Arrived today - thanks!

May 28, 2006: Reserved for CdnBlueRose as part of a reverse wishlist relay!

Journal Entry 7 by krin511 from Olney, Maryland USA on Sunday, June 4, 2006
A well written epic saga based on the interactions between the Welsh, English and the Vikings in the 9th century.

I especially liked the way three different story lines came together. Also, the list of names at the beginning was very helpful to keep characters straight!


Journal Entry 8 by CdnBlueRose from Steinbach, Manitoba Canada on Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Received today - thanks krin!!!

Journal Entry 9 by CdnBlueRose from Steinbach, Manitoba Canada on Friday, June 9, 2006
I received another copy of this book from one of the Book Worms exchange partners so now I have duplicates!! As such, I am making this one AVL and will find someone to pass it along to....

Journal Entry 10 by CdnBlueRose from Steinbach, Manitoba Canada on Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Mailing to karendawn - ENJOY!

Journal Entry 11 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Monday, June 19, 2006
Oh happy day! This book arrived today. Thank you so much, Rosie. This is a book I've wanted to read for a while and has been at the top of my wishlist!

Journal Entry 12 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Friday, August 11, 2006
This book was extremely well written. So many characters leading separate lives that would intertwine with one another. Very solid plot, excellent characterizations. But I especially loved the little historical bits. It was obvious (to me) that Aeldred was modeled off of King Alfred the Great (even down to the little story about burning the cakes!!) and it was fun to try to pick out the bits that were actually based off of history.

This one is going off to Breeni today.

Journal Entry 13 by rem_HKR-388626 on Monday, August 14, 2006
Received today! Thanks so much!

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