The Lions of Al-Rassan

By: Guy Gavriel Kay

Narrated by: Euan Morton

Length: 19 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

The ruling Asharites of Al-Rassan have come from the desert sands, but over centuries, seduced by the sensuous pleasures of their new land, their stern piety has eroded. The Asharite empire has splintered into decadent city-states led by warring petty kings. King Almalik of Cartada is on the ascendancy, aided always by his friend and advisor, the notorious Ammar ibn Khairan - poet, diplomat, soldier - until a summer afternoon of savage brutality changes their relationship forever.

Meanwhile, in the north, the conquered Jaddites' most celebrated - and feared - military leader, Rodrigo Belmonte, driven into exile, leads his mercenary company south.

In the dangerous lands of Al-Rassan, these two men from different worlds meet and serve - for a time - the same master. Sharing their interwoven fate - and increasingly torn by her feelings - is Jehane, the accomplished court physician, whose own skills play an increasing role as Al-Rassan is swept to the brink of holy war, and beyond.

Hauntingly evocative of medieval Spain, The Lions of Al-Rassan is both a brilliant adventure and a deeply compelling story of love, divided loyalties, and what happens to men and women when hardening beliefs begin to remake - or destroy - a world.

©1995 Guy Gavriel Kay (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Lots of drama

In the turbulent region that used to be the stable empire of Al-Rassan, petty kings vie for power. Each of these rulers is ambitions and clever, but none of them has been able to acquire his position without the help of others — crafty advisors, brave army commanders, brilliantly inventive doctors, devoted wives and children — and sometimes the same people who have served them well are the same ones who may later cause their downfall.

The Lions of Al-Rassan is the story of a few of these people, how they worked for (and sometimes against) the rulers they pledged to serve, and how they brought about the rise and fall of nations. The infamous Ammar ibn Khairan — King Almalik’s soldier, advisor, assassin, and poet — is known as the man who assassinated the last Khalif of al-Rassan. The notorious Rodrigo Belmonte — King Ramiro’s best commander — is the most feared soldier in the region. Jehane bet Ishak, a woman who’s ahead of her time, is the stubborn but brilliant daughter of a famous physician. These three, who share different religious beliefs but the same uncompromising personal standards, will have a profound effect on each other and the fate of an empire — not just because of what they do, but also because of their influence on the people they meet along the way.

Like Guy Gavriel Kay’s other works, The Lions of Al-Rassan is well-researched historical fiction (this one hardly counts as fantasy). The setting is similar to the Reconquista and the Crusades of Moorish Spain, though the religions Kay uses are not actually based on Christianity, Judaism and Islam (even though the character and place names sound like they are). Also like Kay’s other stories, The Lions of Al-Rassan is full of political intrigue, romance, poetry and lots of passion. The setting is epic, the characters are epic, and the conflict is epic, but rather than focusing on the grand picture with its galloping armies and bloody battles, Kay has us view a series of small significant moments in which the acts of our three heroes, who learn to love each other despite their differences, influence the big events.

If you’ve read any GGK at all, you know that he loves to create vivid characters that are worthy of the grand settings they find themselves in. His villains are ambitious, brutal, and ruthless. His heroes are brilliant, clever, subtle, witty, dangerous, ahead of their time, and multi-talented (e.g., Ammar ibn Khairan is an excellent fighter, diplomat, advisor, scholar, poet, and lover). Nobody wants to read about dull characters, but Kay’s characters are so impressive that they stretch the bounds of belief. They’re also incredibly introspective and philosophical. They regularly spend pages at a time talking to themselves in their own heads — considering their feelings, reflecting on their past successes and failures, analyzing the motives and behaviors of others, and contemplating the future.

As much as I admire Kay’s characters, sometimes I wish they would stop thinking and just get a move on. The Lions of Al-Rassan could have used a little more action; much of the conflict resolution actually occurs off-screen between the last chapter and the epilogue. Kay elevates the tension and drama by using cliffhangers, intentionally withholding information, and even playing a trick on the reader in the epilogue. While I’ve read most of Guy Gavriel Kay’s work, I haven’t been able to completely embrace his style which is somewhat melodramatic and manipulative and, therefore, intrudes into the story as if it were a character in its own right.

If you’re a fan of Kay’s work, The Lions of Al-Rassan will almost certainly please you — Kay uses the same formula here, just in a different setting with a different plot. His characters are bold and full of life, and they live and love in a tumultuous world.
The audio version of The Lions of Al-Rassan, recently produced by Audible Frontiers, is outstanding. Euan Morton, who also read A Song for Arbonne, has the required strong masculine voice, yet reads the female roles well, too. His voice is suitably dramatic (yet not overly so) and his pace and cadence are flawless. This was a great production and highly recommended. I do suggest having a list of character names to view, however, because many of them sound similar at first.
Originally posted at FanLit.

The poetry of Al-Rassan

My only real complaint is that the main characters were too perfect/heroic. This book was beautiful. Poetry was moving and the drama was excellent. The way the story was told was also interesting. Definitely more character driven.

liked it better the second time

I'm a huge GGK fan, I think his imagery and writing are second to none, across all genres and time periods. He is also not afraid to explore all emotions; his books explore joy, terror, love, loss ... and often there is a melancholy note of what could have been or is lost. On to this book - the love triangle bothered me the first time as these never end well ... and I think of all his books this one hits a little trite in the middle with the main story line, but recovers both of these plot lines by the end. The themes are heroes and heroines, and Renaissance men, as always based on historical events ... and also fathers and sons ... the legacy fathers want to build and leave, and the difficulty living in the shadow of a great father. These storylines are masterfully written from multiple perspectives. Throw in some combat, some romance, what is not to like ... and reflect on if you are so inclined. it also made me go spend a couple hours on Wikipedia reading about the real Reconquista.

One of the Best

This story is one of the best I've ever read/listened to. The ending... wow are you kidding me! Why isn't GGK more discussed? Is a travesty!

Another unique and compelling Kay book

As usual, Kay amazes me with his eye for everything from smallest details of a courtyard to the full sweep of his fictional land's history.

His characters refuse to stack neatly into neat categories like "hero" and "villain", particularly in this book. And even though they achieve great things, they are equally being swept up by events in thrilling and sometimes tragic ways.

(FYI, unlike previous books I've read by Kay, there is little magic in this one. This one is also a bit bloodier at times, but not gratuitously so I think.)

I could have used a map at times. The names of cities, provinces, kingdoms, peoples and kings come fast and furious. There is a pleasure in having a world's history and geography revealed gradually, and I was able to follow along with effort, but a quick look at a map here and there to confirm my understanding would have been nice. (I assume the printed book had a map, but I didn't find one online.)

This is an epic and emotional story, not a light read. I'll need a break before starting my next Gavriel Kay book. Most of his books are stand-alone though so I am anticipating reading more by him without the agony of waiting for the next installment of some ongoing series.

While there are many great and enjoyable fantasy authors, Kay is in a completely different league than most. Highly recommended. (If you want more magic in your fantasy epic though, maybe try Tigana first.)

I want more

If you could sum up The Lions of Al-Rassan in three words, what would they be?

A fantastic fantasy book. I wish this was the beginning of a series. It contains a set of very interesting and fascinating characters.

Exceptional adaptation of an exceptional work!

Lions is one of my favorite books of all time and the audiobook definitely doesn't disappoint; excellent production, narration, etc.

phenomenal

what can I say? Guy is a phenomenal author who never disappoints. highly recommend this book.

Still my favorite GGK novel.

GGK's world-building echoes that of JRRT(yes, I know GGK worked on Professor Tolkien's notebooks, readying them for publication.)but I wish there was more about this novel's world and its characters. This is a marvelous feast, and I am full...but I know that I will be hungry tomorrow and the Lions of Al-Rassan won't be on the listening menu again.

I love guy Gabriel kayes books

His characters are well defined, and often are «  good » or trying to do good. I like the way he brings the force of ancient religions and beliefs into play. (I have to admit I do like a happy ending ). Wars give him a chance to juxtapose many forces playing off one another,
I hope he enjoys writing these stories as much as I do reading them.
The reader was perfect.