Children of Earth and Sky

By: Guy Gavriel Kay

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 19 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

The best-selling author of the groundbreaking novels Under Heaven and River of Stars, Guy Gavriel Kay, is back with a new novel, Children of Earth and Sky, set in a world inspired by the conflicts and dramas of Renaissance Europe. Against this tumultuous backdrop, the lives of men and women unfold on the borderlands - where empires and faiths collide.

From the small coastal town of Senjan, notorious for its pirates, a young woman sets out to find vengeance for her lost family. That same spring, from the wealthy city-state of Seressa, famous for its canals and lagoon, come two very different people: a young artist traveling to the dangerous east to paint the grand khalif at his request - and possibly to do more - and a fiercely intelligent, angry woman posing as a doctor's wife but sent by Seressa as a spy.

The trading ship that carries them is commanded by the accomplished younger son of a merchant family, ambivalent about the life he's been born to live. And farther east a boy trains to become a soldier in the elite infantry of the khalif - to win glory in the war everyone knows is coming. As these lives entwine, their fates - and those of many others - will hang in the balance when the khalif sends out his massive army to take the great fortress that is the gateway to the western world....

©2016 Guy Gavriel Kay (P)2016 Recorded Books

Good, but not his best work

I have mixed feeling about this book. I love Guy Gavriel Kay's writing and I mostly enjoyed this book. However I do not believe it is his best work and could use some careful editing. I feel like to much of this book was spent unnecessarily repeating events that happen through multiple viewpoints and he made to many pointed references to the other books Kay has written set in the same universe. I felt like the beginning fourth of the book and the last fourth are the strongest and the middle suffers a bit.

soaring

this beautiful book took me on a fantasy journey unequaled in my 70 years. it is magnificent with the poetic voice of the narrator still ringing in my ears. a triumph

Best book I have read/listened to recently

Honestly this book as made me question several other 5 star reviews I have given. It was artfully written and narrated with the author weaving between character viewpoints and past, present, and future narration with mesmerizing skill. Tip of the cap to the author

Guy Kay... you need not say more...

you know you will enjoy his story.... it's all about the writing!!! art here! So many remarkable characters... in amazing places.

Amazing.

He has done it again. Lyrical, touching, exciting by turns. Great to hear the tie ins with the Sarantium Mosaic.

Good, not great

What did you love best about Children of Earth and Sky?

I liked Kaye's descriptive style, and there were some good action scenes. The characters were fairly flat, and the "happily ever after" ending was a little drawn out and disappointing.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Simon Vance?

There must be lots! I found him stuffy and affected. Especially when he did women's voices, which were very poor, and really detracted from the story.

Any additional comments?

I found the story quite good, but wished that the storyline wouldn't keep shifting from one character to another. I've read most of Kaye's earlier novels and enjoyed them a lot; this one, not as much. It was too predictable and the narrator wasn't a good fit.

Took a little to get drawn in fully

Was a bit slow at the start, but once it picks up it holds your attention fully. Narration was done quite well, as always.

A sure thing.

Kay & Vance in top form per usual. I would recommend this book to all who love a tale well told.

Another great read from Kay!

Where does Children of Earth and Sky rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The story is in the same vein as most of Kays stories. Sweeping epics that are well thought out and complex. The stories tend to come together in the end with twists that make you think.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Danica was my favorite because she was seeking revenge for past wrongs done to her and her family.

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

As always, Simon did a great job with the voices. One of my favorite narrators in the business.

If you could take any character from Children of Earth and Sky out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Danica again because she has that fire in her blood that makes her a very interesting character. Somebody who seems to need some love and light in her life.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed listening to this story! All of Kays stories are worth reading or listening to. Even though this is not my favorite Kay story, it was well worth listening to.
Thank you!

Top Notch Writer and Narrator

Guy Gavriel Kay is a top tier fantasy writer. His style is poetic and the world building of a fantasy, alternative history take on the Italian city states of the Renaissance and the Ottoman Empire is rich and vibrant. Danica makes for a strong female character as well, which doesn't always happen in his books (his female characters can be a bit hit or miss for me). The themes explored are mature and deep. Simon Vance reads the book in a moving, engaging fashion. Hard to find a better combination than Simon Vance reading words written by Guy Gavriel Kay. A triumph.