juicy fantasy

perfect. so many epic moments and a fantasy lovers ideal listen for nonstop fun with amazing world building

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One of the greatest authors beautifully narrated

I’ve read everything he has ever written, and now happily enthralled by revisiting his magical worlds in audiobooks.

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awesome

Just as awesome as I remember when I read this over 20 years ago. Simon Vance is brilliant!

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Too much conversation, too much sophistry.

The narrator's performance was one of the best I've heard on this platform. His tone, character expressions, and general voice quality was simply amazing. The story although not to my liking, seemed very high in quality. Well written as it was, there were simply too many conversations, and too little story telling. During the actual story telling, the novel was woven into an overly complex web of sophistry. It resulted in a program too difficult to follow, and hence too difficult to enjoy. End result, this novel is simply not for me.

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1 person found this helpful

Outstanding!

I have read this book time and time again, and each time reveals new layers of entwined complexity. I love it.

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Strikingly Cerebral Fantasy

Author Guy Gavriel Kay endeavors to create a mythical world where religious traditions and myths from multiple cultures (Norse, Celtic, AngloSaxon, AmerIndian) are unified around a concept the author calls "The Tapestry".. from which they borrow dieties & legends. Now under threat (due to the resurgence of an evil figure named 'Rakoth Maugrim'), Five University of Toronto students are teleported to Fiovanar to fulfill a prophecy where outsiders will restore the order imposed by 'The Weaver' thousands of years ago.
The plot is complex (following each of the five seperately) and loaded with so much allegory, metaphor, and thematic resonance that readers pretty much have to research the book on the Internet to get a decent understanding of what's going on. The succession politics of the kingdom of Brennin; the role of self-sacrifice on the Tree Of Summer to ensure the health of the kingdom; the numerous magical creatures & artifacts mediating destiny; and the various conflicts among the dieties and magical entities throughout an elaborate history are explored exhaustively

*phew*

At the same time, Kay's style has a distinctive K.LeGuin storytelling simplicity to it and 'Narnia'-like whimsy that makes the book feel sophomoric at times. The world-building is impressive (albeit nuanced) and includes an imaginative magic system that involves Wizards using "Sources" (most often Dwarven companions instead of Familiars) to feed the Mana required to manipulate energy. The book definitely had me - as a dedicated Fantasy-SciFi reader - thinking.

As to narration: reader Simon Vance turns in a creditable performance - exhibiting exemplary diction, cadence & timbre that is comfortable to consume for hours, and an unbeatable understanding of the author's near-academic tone.. but his voice-acting is questionable. I am a definite fan of Mr Vance.. but accents are obviously his Kryptonite - demonstrated in this book by straight-up cringeworthy attempts at Canadian dialects. Portraying dwarves as cartoonish "Transylvanian"-accented characters is also a questionable choice (although not reading them as Scottish is somewhat refreshing).
The sum of Good + Bad = an average narration overall.

I rate this first book in the 'Fiovanar Tapestry' Trilogy 5.5 stars out of 10. It's worth a download - and good enough to prompt me to continue with the series - but unless you're prepared to invest some contemplation, paying a Credit for it would be debatable (this book is totally unsuitable to play in the background while you do other things).

ATTN PRODUCERS: A PDF with a map of Kay's imagined realm (+/- a dramatis personae/pantheon of Gods) would  considerably improve this audiobook

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He Got The Dalrei Wrong

I have loved this story since I was a teen and stumbled across it in high school. Simon Vance is a very good narrator but why, oh why would he give the Dalrei Scottish accents? They were Plains people. More akin to North American Natives then anything else. This was very disappointing to me.

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I enjoy the story but not the accents

The Toronto ‘accent’ almost ruined this for me and I love the story (have read before).

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Simply Awful

I don't even have words for how bad this was. Absolutely none of it made any sense at all. Forget suspending disbelief, just turn your brain completely off because you'll get angry otherwise. Paper thin characterization, a nonsense plot that bears no depth whatsoever, and my god, some of this dialogue...

I understand GGK is well loved and more than likely improved after these early novels, but this is such an abysmal beginning to a career that I cannot fathom how his work ever took off. I gave up after chapter 6 on this one. Life is too short. Treat your brain better.

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Not for me

I was enticed by the fantasy and new world in the beginning. However, as the story progresses I do not feel like each character got enough page time as they deserved. I feel like certain characters (Dan and Jennifer) were left out way too often and also that last chapter, I don’t understand why Jennifer had to go through that or be raped by a god. I wish there was more explanation with the world they’re in and the gods and more of a linear line between the characters. This book was a sand storm of confusion for me.

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1 person found this helpful