A review by reliures
The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay

4.25

Historical fantasy following several characters from various cultures in an Al-Andalus inspired peninsula during the time surrounding the Reconquista. 

I loved how GGK used historical events and real civilisations to talk about broader themes of religion, faith, destiny, culture, love, family etc. Being familiar with the history of Spain during Al-Andalus and the Reconquista eras, it was great to recognise many events and reading this while vacationing in Andalusia, amongst the areas that inspired this novel, felt like even more profound reading experience. 

His writing is stunning with a gorgeous poetic prose perfectly recreating the atmosphere of an elegant medieval society. His characters were all compelling and complex people and I especially loved Jehane and Ammar. 

I wasn’t a fan of how some important events being told rather than shown, deaths about seemingly important secondary characters happening off screen. 

I really liked the ending and I was happy seeing how some of the characters ended up though I would have liked to learn about the other side characters’ fate. 

Overall a great historical fantasy with gorgeous writing and interesting characters, I will definitely be reading more of Guy Gavriel Kay’s books.