Pentapod reviewed River of stars by Guy Gavriel Kay
Review of 'River of stars' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
I have to say this is the Guy Gavriel Kay book I've liked LEAST so far. It's still an interesting book, but it doesn't come anywhere close to his earlier sweeping epics like Tigana or the Lions of Al Rassan. Basically it reads like historical political fiction, and doesn't really have a plot per se; it's more just a recounting of the events in the kingdom of Kitai, centering around the outlaw and then soldier Ren Daiyan. If you can have a fictional biography, it's kind of that. It's still interesting, and is apparently based on early dynasties in China which may explain the strong historical feel. But it also seems to meander around a lot and the plot such as it is is very anticlimactic. If you love historical China and fiction based in those times then you'll probably enjoy this; but generally I'd recommend Kay's other works before …
I have to say this is the Guy Gavriel Kay book I've liked LEAST so far. It's still an interesting book, but it doesn't come anywhere close to his earlier sweeping epics like Tigana or the Lions of Al Rassan. Basically it reads like historical political fiction, and doesn't really have a plot per se; it's more just a recounting of the events in the kingdom of Kitai, centering around the outlaw and then soldier Ren Daiyan. If you can have a fictional biography, it's kind of that. It's still interesting, and is apparently based on early dynasties in China which may explain the strong historical feel. But it also seems to meander around a lot and the plot such as it is is very anticlimactic. If you love historical China and fiction based in those times then you'll probably enjoy this; but generally I'd recommend Kay's other works before this one.