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gilroy0's review against another edition
4.0
Not Kay’s best but better than I remembered
I’m working my way through Guy Gavriel Kay’s collected works so I can put them each in perspective. I wasn’t excited at reaching the Sarantium duopoly, because I recalled them as weak. After the masterwork of The Lions of Al-Radanovic, they ARE weak - but they hold up better than I recall. There is just a bit too much of Kay’s usual contrived coincidence, and the main characters are just a bit too good at everything. But the plot - fantastically intricate - flows well and the characters are very well-drawn and vibrant.
I’m working my way through Guy Gavriel Kay’s collected works so I can put them each in perspective. I wasn’t excited at reaching the Sarantium duopoly, because I recalled them as weak. After the masterwork of The Lions of Al-Radanovic, they ARE weak - but they hold up better than I recall. There is just a bit too much of Kay’s usual contrived coincidence, and the main characters are just a bit too good at everything. But the plot - fantastically intricate - flows well and the characters are very well-drawn and vibrant.
jsr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
madao3's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ghenghizcohen's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
judenoseinabook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A wonderful story. Full of twists and turns. Complex believable characters all interlinked in some way or other. Loose ends all tied up
I loved the 2 books and am sad I've finished them.
It is loosely based on the Byzantium of the 6th century under Justinian, with his usual slight supernatural slant. A theme of the story is how ordinary people are affected by the doings of the great and powerful, and how sometimes history can be influenced by the little people as well.
I'm on a mission to re read all of GGK's books over the next few months but have to hold myself back from reading them one after another to allow for other items on the book shelf to get a look in.
I loved the 2 books and am sad I've finished them.
It is loosely based on the Byzantium of the 6th century under Justinian, with his usual slight supernatural slant. A theme of the story is how ordinary people are affected by the doings of the great and powerful, and how sometimes history can be influenced by the little people as well.
I'm on a mission to re read all of GGK's books over the next few months but have to hold myself back from reading them one after another to allow for other items on the book shelf to get a look in.
kluthek's review against another edition
5.0
This is less of a sequel and more of a continuation of the first book. This story contains everything I love and expect from a GGK book - the idea that one seemingly minor decision can change the lives of thousands, and the interconnectedness of the lives of his characters. A respected mosaicist is summoned to the capital by the emperor, kicking off a series of events that include a charioteer, a slave, an undercook, a foreign doctor, the wife of a general, and a dancer. You end up with a sweeping narrative and solid worldbuilding that seems like it should take more than just two books.
filberthoneysac's review against another edition
5.0
I will try my best to put into words the entirety of The Sarantine Mosaic.
--
Sailing to Sarantium was a trip. Literally, figuratively, all of the above. A talented mosaicist makes his way from his homeland to Sarantium, city of cities, in a historical setting I personally know nothing about. I would say that someone more familiar with Byzantium's history might enjoy the duology more thoroughly than I did, but I would also say that such knowledge isn't required to appreciate this masterpiece.
Crispin was a fun character to behold right from the get-go. Foul-mouthed, talented, striking, and blunt.
I do have a few qualms with the books. Firstly, lots of sexy people doing sexy things. Crispin is apparently immensely attractive to every woman he meets. Not a huge problem, just a bit... weird.
--
Sailing to Sarantium was a trip. Literally, figuratively, all of the above. A talented mosaicist makes his way from his homeland to Sarantium, city of cities, in a historical setting I personally know nothing about. I would say that someone more familiar with Byzantium's history might enjoy the duology more thoroughly than I did, but I would also say that such knowledge isn't required to appreciate this masterpiece.
Crispin was a fun character to behold right from the get-go. Foul-mouthed, talented, striking, and blunt.
I do have a few qualms with the books. Firstly, lots of sexy people doing sexy things. Crispin is apparently immensely attractive to every woman he meets. Not a huge problem, just a bit... weird.
zoer03's review against another edition
5.0
Wow what an ending and also I can feel there is room for another book 😜...... basically in children of earth and sky ( not a direct sequel but it is) I am in thrall to this guys writing style I adore the worlds he creates and the characters are so complex and intriguing it’s almost as if I can see them there standing and breathing.
The similarities between his world and the Byzantine history that we know in Constantinople is breathtaking and just dazzling but at the same time strange and unique and magical. Just brilliant
The similarities between his world and the Byzantine history that we know in Constantinople is breathtaking and just dazzling but at the same time strange and unique and magical. Just brilliant
skippen's review against another edition
4.0
A very good conclusion to The Sarantine Mosaic. It read quite differently from the first novel which was mostly a travel book. This second book is mostly the political word of the city. Crispin, our hero and series protagonist, however, takes a large backseat in this book, and only pops up occasionally (sadly). Instead, mostly political figures feature heavily, a doctor, and a bit of chariot racing (which was teased heavily in the first book, but bore no fruit).
Overall, quite good, but perhaps a few too many characters and threads to keep straight at times. All the plot lines and small moves get lost in the bigger picture, but, still a great read. I suspect re-reading the duology would be even a better experience, and not taking a break between the two books would have helped. I do wish Crispin had larger part of the book. He is still central to the narrative but not like he was in the first novel.
Overall, quite good, but perhaps a few too many characters and threads to keep straight at times. All the plot lines and small moves get lost in the bigger picture, but, still a great read. I suspect re-reading the duology would be even a better experience, and not taking a break between the two books would have helped. I do wish Crispin had larger part of the book. He is still central to the narrative but not like he was in the first novel.