Welcome to this week’s Reading Roundup post. Followers of my blog will be aware that I am very unwell at the moment and suffering with intense pain. A form of comfort for me is re-reading my all time favourite books and so I have been trying to do just that. I must admit that I have been finding it very difficult to concentrate enough to read. Even with very powerful painkillers, my brain cannot focus on the plot, which really saddens me.

Anyway, I have managed to read one of my favourite Guy Gabriel Kay books: Thr Lions of Al-Rassan. Here is the cover of the ebook…

And this is the blurb…

“Hauntingly evocative of medieval Spain, a deeply compelling story of love, adventure, divided loyalties, and what happens when beliefs begin to remake – or destroy – a world.

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. Tangled in their interwoven fate – and divided by her feelings – is Jehane, the accomplished court physician, whose skills may not be enough to heal the coming pain as Al-Rassan is swept to the brink of holy war, and beyond.”

This is my response on Goodreads…

Oh, and don’t forget to read some of the other proper reviews on there! 

The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have no idea how many times I have read this book since I bought the paperback copy so long ago. It remains one of my favourite books of all time. GGK’s beautiful writing, clever plotting and wonderful characters draw me in and allow me to escape from my worries and fears. He takes real historical events and people as a basis for his alternative world under two moons, using these to weave complex and exciting stories.

I love the main female character in this book, Jehane. She is knowledgeable, brave, intelligent and resourceful. Such a strong woman. The two main males are also very attractive. As usual, the author also sometimes follows the stories of his lesser characters as sub plots, so that the reader can find out what becomes of them, but not always. As in real life, sometimes we don’t know what has happened to friends and acquaintances that we have met on the road of our lives. GGK also likes to tease his readers occasionally by leading us down alternative paths!

This book continues to resonate long after I have finished reading and I am sure that I will return to it again and again in the future.

View all my reviews

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I am now reading GGK’s more recent work in the run up to the publication of his new book, Written on the Dark. His latest three books are Children of Earth and Sky, A Brightness Long Ago, and All the Seas of the World. This is my first re reading of these books, so I feel that I hardly know them!

Happy Reading everyone!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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