The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay

Events spiral out of control for our three main characters. Maybe not in one piece, but live to fight another day. Yet, each time, we think our characters will make it to the end of the story. Massacres carried out in the name of a religion's god. Men that hope their actions will save the larger group. Kay lulls the reader into a false sense of security.

However, there is always the feeling that this is a temporary situation. They are men that any ruler would want, and for a time they work as mercenaries under the same king. They are evenly matched and both men know it.

Both bound by their honour, their loyalty and their love for the Peninsula. Both esteemed by Jaddite and Asharite rulers. When Rodrigo Belmonte and Ammar ibn Khairan first meet, there is a sense of destiny. Changed in such a way that there will be heartbreak and difficult decisions to be made before this story is done. Intertwined in such a way that it feels inevitable that their lives will be forever changed. Events cause our three characters paths to intersect, and from that point onwards their stories are intertwined. Our three lead characters are from each religion: The Jaddite – Rodrigo Belmonte, the Asharite – Ammar ibn Khairan and the Kindath – Jehane ben Ishak. We have three distinctive religious groups that echo three religions we all recognise: The Jaddites (Christianity), The Asharites (Islam) and the Kindath (Judaism). Kay conjures up images of the vast desert that faces the Peninsula, the bounty of Al-Rassan and the attempts to meld different religions into some form of harmony. When you read the book, you can clearly tell it's based on Spain, but The Lions of Al-Rassan is also it's own unique novel. Yes, Kay creates his own world and it's actually hard to define this book as historical fantasy, historical fiction or fantasy. A fractured Peninsula, with minor kings vying for control, each with his own objective, each wanting to control more of the Peninsula than he currently holds. The blueprint for Guy Gavriel Kay's fantasy world is medieval Spain. It had all the elements that I love in an historical fantasy book - interesting characters, wonderful setting and captivating story.Ĭome with me after the jump to see what I enjoyed about the story. A standalone fantasy book that's well worth checking out. You know that book that's been sitting on your To Be Read list seemingly forever? That book is The Lions of Al-Rassan.

The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay