Posted on  20/08/2024 15:48:39

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Buddy read with the fabulous Kay Squad at FBR

An amazing masterpiece by a brilliant writer!

Whit this book, Kay manages to give you a story in which you can get lost and forget yourself reading for hours on end.

Five university students embark on a journey of self-discovery when they enter a realm of wizards and warriors, gods and mythical creatures--and good and evil…
It all began with a lecture that introduced five university students to a man who would change their lives, a wizard who would take them from Earth to the heart of the first of all worlds--Fionavar. And take them Loren Silvercloak did, for his need--the need of Fionavar and all the worlds--was great indeed.

And in a marvellous land of men and dwarves, of wizards and gods, five young people discovered who they were truly meant to be. For they are a long-awaited part of the pattern known as the Fionavar Tapestry, and only if they accepted their destiny would the armies of the Light stand any chance of surviving the wrath the Unraveller and his minions of darkness intend to unleash upon the world…

The Fionavar Tapestry cover art by Don Maitz and Janny Wurts

This incredible journey in a unique world is told in Kay's usual elegant prose and his typical writing style, full of poetry, rhythm and realism.
While Kay is a deeply colourful writer, for the most part he manages to never sacrifice character for poetry, or portray his world just in the hollow tones of an epic saga. There is often something wonderfully immediate in Kay's prose, whether describing a city under drought, a battle against dark creatures, a humorous tavern brawl, or most horribly yet most vividly, torture and it's survival.

What struck me the most with this particular book was the feeling I got while the story started to unfold from its pages. Kay does something extraordinary here. He'll make you feel as if you are not reading. It sounds absurd! I know. But it's a fact. Somewhere after the first few chapters you will suddenly realise that you feel as if your sitting cuddled next to your loved ones in a huge hall in front of a bright fire, with a big mug of mead in your hands, listening to a great bard tell you a wonderful gripping story, that will leave you hanging on to his every word. And that is Kay's greatest talent.

If you love epic fantasy, especially Tolkien type, you're gonna love The Summer Tree.

If you love books full of feelings, with complex characters, elegant prose and masterful writing, you're gonna love The Summer Tree.

If you love fairy-tales told by the fire and want to forget yourself for a little while within the pages of a wonderful book - The Summer Tree is your perfect choice!

Check out this book and more of Guy Gavriel Kay on www.brightweavings.com