Like The Lions of Al Rassan, this was fantastic, and a book I will be recommending to many people going forward. The story was compelling, and though the plot and scope felt a bit less sweeping than Lions, I would certainly not say that that detracted from the plot. Perhaps the biggest shortcoming of this book in the comparison is that Arbonne is more stark in it's depictions of good and evil, whereas Lions excelled in presenting the inevitable conflicts of religion and culture that bring two men who worked together and respected one another into conflict. This story, of differing ambitions and backgrounds, was more compelling than the clearly biased perspective of Arbonne.

So Lions is better, but that's largely irrelevant. Everyone should read both! ( )

I took a genre fiction class with Nancy Pearl when I was in graduate school and I've remembered the name Guy Gavriel Kay ever since (it's a memorable name, so fantasy-character sounding). Nancy is a big fan and so I marked some of his books to-read, but I never read one until now -- and only because I listened to [b:Wayward Son|44017627|Wayward Son (Simon Snow, #2)|Rainbow Rowell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1552666477l/44017627._SY75_.jpg|62661027] and wanted to listen to another book with the same narrator (Euan Morton). I have nothing but respect for Nancy, but I usually find medieval fantasy too violent and misogynistic. But it's coronavirus quarantine times and I thought I wouldn't mind getting caught up in a fantasy world, despite any problematic stuff.

A Song for Arbonne has a lot of violence, but it's surprisingly feminist. There's hardly equality of the sexes, but there is a kingdom ruled by a woman that worships a goddess. The female characters are for the most part well-written, though some a little too noble and perfect. The main theme of this book, for me, was toxic masculinity. There's also a great semi-out gay character.

If you like Game of Thrones, you might like this one. I was really surprised by how much I liked it. I could criticize Kay's verbosity (in general I prefer an economy of words) but the plot is so well done and the characters came alive for me by the end.

The ending was just about perfect -- satisfying but with a bit of open-ended mystery. I went into this book knowing nothing about it, so afterward when I read an article about it, I realized this is much closer to alternate-reality historical fiction than fantasy. There's not very much magic in this book and there are real parallel historical events.

I will almost certainly try more GGK novels before this quarantine is over, especially if they're narrated by Euan Morton. Did I mention he has a lovely singing voice? One of my favorite parts of the audiobook. ( )

Oh, my, how I needed this book. I’ve been so eager for an awesome fantasy read, but nothing’s held my attention in quite a while. Guy Gavriel Kay has always been one of my favorite authors. I adored his Lions of Al-Rassan - in fact, it’s my favorite book of all time. So I’m not sure why it took me so long to finally get around to reading A Song for Arbonne, but I’m so thrilled I finally did.

This book was everything I was hoping for - and more! The lyrical language, the immersive world-building, the three-dimensional characters I both loved, and loved to hate. Kay is a master of the craft, and his rich, immersive storytelling is such a pleasure to read.

The story deals with some pretty heavy themes: love, loss, cultural differences used as justification for war, misuse of religious power, the treatment of women as lower-class citizens and sex objects, loyalty and treason. Yet in the hands of a master storyteller, these are handled beautifully. None of these issues are glossed over, disregarded, or included for shock value or just to titillate the reader.

Blaise De Garsenc was one of my favorite characters (along with Bertran), and his character growth was fascinating to read. I adored Signe, Beatritz, Ariane, Lisseut, and Rosala as well. The way Kay weaves the full fabric of human emotion into his characters is enviable!

I’m recommending this book to every fantasy reader I know! ( )

Circumstances don't allow for a detailed review, but that's also due in part to the book. 'A Song for Arbonne' is my fourth GGK-novel read so far. Tigana was my entry (as it was for many other readers out there) into the world of Guy Gavriel Kay, but it took me eight more years and, for example, a novel by the French author Jean-Laurent Del Socorro, to tackle another of Kay's hits: The Lions of Al-Rassan. Both these novels are simply awesome pieces of historical fantasy.

The last one then was The Last Light of the Sun. I had long postponed the reading of that one, as various reviewers didn't think too highly of the book several years ago. Fortunately I have read it, for it was a fantastic journey.

So too then was 'A Song for Arbonne', considered one of the lesser novels. While I'm quite skeptical about songs in books, this was an element that prevented me from checking out the book sooner. As I very much liked the three aforementioned ones, and for reasons of completion, I couldn't ignore the subconscious call. And I was not deceived, even though there is much deception in the story itself.

I'll direct to other reviews here for a detailed report. What is instantly noticeable, is the absence of a dramatis personae. I'm very much past the age where a large cast of characters is easy to remember. Being used to a list in his previous novels, and as Mr Kay didn't use that many subclauses to explain who's who, I kind of lost track the last few weeks. As I mentioned above, circumstances haven't been favourable to read the book in one sitting or the period I usually devote to reading such a brick (+600 pages). It's thus up to the reader to compile a list to refer to or have an excellent memory.

We're in the south of France, in the 12th century AD. At least, it is said that the story was inspired by the Albigensian Crusade in medieval Provence. Troubadours (some of whom are of noble descent, like dukes) and joglars are an important part of the story, as they make people's lives easier, lighter, more romantic. Also at the various courts. And let it be the various courts who will play a role in trying to dominate the region, more particularly Arbonne.

Arbonne is ruled by women, is quite open-minded and free-spirited. It is surrounded by other kingdoms: Arimonda, Gorhaut, Gotzland, Portezza and Valensa. Each worship either or both of these gods: the wargod Corannos and the mother goddess Rian, hence also Rian's Island where priestesses advise Arbonne, but also offer shelter and help to those in need.

After Gorhaut had waged war with Valensa, it wanted to conquer and destroy Arbonne. Main reasons: female ruling and a female deity. However, Coran soldier Blaise, one of the sons of the High Elder of Gorhaut, who's the advisor of their king, Ademar, wanted nothing to do with the quest his father had in mind. As he's a mercenary-for-hire, he's to be feared, but his skills will help him to find his true fate and express himself in favour of Arbonne and against his father crusade against this kingdom and everything it stands for.

'A Song for Arbonne' is a tale of music, of life, of love (a key aspect of Arbonne), of struggles of various kinds: personal, political, religious. It's a story where our protagonist and others with him in Arbonne, are to fight for what they believe in, somehow trust that everything will be alright, and make a difference in a male-dominated world, where one force seeks to dominate all. Some will pay heavily for their curiosity or the intention to help, others will surpass themselves and see the error of their ways, especially as push comes to shove. More precisely, as Blaise kind of led the way, offered an alternative. A former mercenary, timid at times, who would make due with his past and contribute to a better future for all. Including the heirs.

Despite my (!) previous "fears", which proved to be unfounded, and the few problems I had with this book (no dramatis personae and a few other, minor things), I can only heavily recommend 'A Song for Arbonne', also a stand-alone book. Not in the least because of Kay's writing style, which is a lust for the eye.

On a(n interesting) side note, there is a small reference to his debut trilogy, 'The Fionavar Tapestry' (which I haven't read), as in one song there is mention of Fionvarr. I wonder how intentional that was and how 'Arbonne' is possible linked to the trilogy.

----------

Still to read:
* The Sarantine Mosaic duology (Sailing to Sarantium, Lord of Emperors): Byzantium at the time of Justinian I (6th Century)
* Children of Earth and Sky: Dubrovnik and the Balkans (15th Century)
* A Brightness Long Ago: early Renaissance Italy (15th Century)
* All the Seas of the World (his newest anno 2022, set in the same world as Children of Earth and Sky, and A Brightness Long Ago, and apparently to be read AFTER these previous two books for better understanding)
* Under Heaven: Tang Dynasty China during the An Shi Rebellion (8th Century)
* River of Stars: the Jin-Song Wars of China (12th Century) ( )

I'd actually say 3.5 *'s, but more toward 4 than 3. So, going with 4. I absolutely loved the concepts, characters, and intricacies of the plot in this book... This is really the type of book I enjoy. It's fantasy, but without the strange races and only containing very subtle magic. It's political, but not in the modern way. It's intrigue and plotting through the lives of many characters. The unfolding of the story was well done through the majority of the book, yet a little rushed in the end.

My biggest critique is that I really yearned for this one to be longer, to contain more detail in the unfolding, and to tie things together more in the end. I felt the book was almost too ambitious for the length. The book moved through an enormous amount of time and events in rapid succession. I do like fast-paced books. However, in this case, I felt the story would justify a slightly slower pacing and further development in parts of the plot.

Many of the reviews I read prior to picking up this book indicated that it was difficult in the beginning to keep the characters sorted out. I can see that, but it does all tie together throughout the remainder of the book. It is definitely worth persevering through any confusion that arises early in the story. ( )