"Very special fantasy"
The kingdoms fight each other and within each realm; feuds
are the order of the day. The Erlings of Vimmark are
feared for their vicious naval raids done due to a barren
and cold land for much of the year. In Cyngael, the clans
are constantly feuding and raiding while Anglcyn is a land
that is growing stronger and larger thanks to the
leadership of King Aeldred. When sibling Princes Dai and
Alun are caught in an Erling raid, Alun sinks into a
depression. The cleric of Cyngael, Ceinion of Llywerth, accompanied by
Alun, decides to travel to Anglcyn and the court of King
Aeldred. While there, mercenary troops start raiding,.
They are led by the man that killed Alun's brother. The
attempt is foiled but the killer escapes and persuades the
mercenaries to travel to Arberth to kill Brynn and
retrieve a valuable sword. Aeldred's son Athelbert, Alun
and an Erling in service to Brynn's wife prepare the
villagers for the coming battle. THE LAST LIGHT OF THE SUN is a very special fantasy novel
that will be read in one sitting because readers will find
it impossible to put down. Guy Gavriel Kay is a fantastic
world builder drawing on facts from the Middle Ages
including the Vikings, Anglo Saxons and Celts. Though it
is difficult to keep track of the exploits of the various
characters (just read the two paragraphs above for a
rudimentary idea), the key cast members feel genuine,
three dimensional and at least the good guys are very
likeable even with flaws. This is a world one would want
to revisit to see how the sun rays reflect on the next
generation. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted February 21, 2004
|
