A review by jandi
Lord of Emperors by Guy Gavriel Kay

inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Why did I find this book so compelling?   The plot moves very slowly, and it is inexplicable why every female character finds the not so interesting Crispin so alluring. Yet, the way that Guy Gavriel Kay describes the world, I felt transported to Byzantium, sharing in the excitement of the chariot races (which added nothing to the plot, but were fun to read) and navigating the struggles of power succession.  I enjoyed the prose, the twists and the exciting races.  I really wish that the female characters, all of them powerful, intelligent and with agency, were better fleshed out and had more depth.   I was not a fan of the ending

Crispin and Aliana setting out together.  I'm sure Aliana had other options...

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