#thelionsofalrassan

[the-mad-bird-diaries]

✨“The deeds of men, as footprints in the desert.” The Lions of Al-Rassan is a beautiful novel. Guy Gavriel Kay's writing style is exquisite and mesmerizing, I can't praise him enough. This story happens in a world based on Al-Andalus and the events presiding Spanish Reconquista. I never was a fan of Spanish history, but after this book I felt an urge to research it and even visit Andalusia. For me, it's a high mark itself. The novel is more about characters than about the plot - about brave and honorable people who had to make hard choices in their lives. This story reflects deeply on what happens with people during the wars. And muse about things that can seem easy, but that are not easy at all. About love, life, parenthood, duty, and loyalty. And about how it's hard to understand what is right. This story follows four main characters - people from different worlds and shows us their way through the end of the familiar world. I liked the theme of blending different cultures and religions, and the idea that if people want and work on it - different cultures could coexist together and learn the best from each other, create something even better. And the idea of how hard it is. The war and political events left as a background to the story of these people and their friendship. There is some action in this story, brutality too, but not as much as you can expect from such kind of story. It's slow-burning and reflective. And as for the fantasy aspect... Well, it exists in such a small amount, only some small hints and details - that's all. The only question I have is why GGK is so good, but I see his praise on bookstagram not THAT often? I feel like I need to read all of his books just to promote them. 📖“Make your country—all of Esperaña if you can unite it—into a land that understands more than only war and righteous piety. Allow space in your lives for more than battle chants to inspire soldiers. Teach your people to... understand a garden, the reason for a fountain, music.” #guygavrielkay #thelionsofalrassan #historicalfantasy #fantasy #fantasybookreview #fantasyreview #book #books #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd-3CCggjnZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[escapevelocitycollection]

"The Lions of Al-Rassan is a perfect showcase of how to tell a complex story that has it all - characters, politics, war, scheming, growth, you name it - in a single volume." - Peter

Remember Peter's post on this book from Andalucia? Our long-expected review of Guy Gavriel Kay's historical fantasy on the reconquista of Esperaña is finally here - go to https://escapevelocitycollection.com/the-lions-of-al-rassan-guy-gavriel-kay/to find out what he has to say!

[escapevelocitycollection]

I went on holiday to the sunny south of Spain, to visit Sevilla and Córdoba - or should I be saying Seviles and Cartada? I took the opportunity to finally crack open my copy of Guy Gavriel Kay 's The Lions of Al-Rassan, a standalone fantasy novel inspired by the struggles between the Moorish Caliphate in al-Andalus and the Christian kingdoms of the north of the Iberian peninsula. It's been great reading about the palaces and cities of Al-Rassan while visiting the places that inspired them - such as the Real Alcázar of Sevilla or the Mezquita in Córdoba. It's back to work for me now, but hopefully I'll upload a review of Lions in the not-too-distant future! - Peter