I read this book years ago and of all the books I've read by Kay, (Tigana, Lions of Al Rassan, Fionavar Tapestry) I liked this one the most, because of the subject matter and theme, since I've read a lot of history of the Troubadour period, and love medieval music. But as I recently started to reread it, while I admired the prose, I could not get past the inclusion of graphic violence and sex (which I've encountered before in his other books) which I found distasteful and as far as the plot goes, predictable. I don't know why I am surprised as I've run into this aspect of his writing before, and find it mars the story for me, which otherwise I might have enjoyed. Somehow I remembered this book was good, but this rereading has proven disappointing. I had to stop reading at chapter 3 this time. No matter the the rest of the story, there is always that aftertaste of revulsion, images and scenes you can't unread.