What do you think?
Rate this book
Gil Trilogy #1
Lady in Gil
Unlikely hero Tigrallef, a clumsy young man, holds the fate of the kingdom of Gil in his hands as he joins forces with a beautiful member of the Web, an underground rebel movement, to find a legendary statue with the power to overthrow the barbarous usurpers who have been occupying the kingdom. Reprint.
277 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
5 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca J. Bradley
16 books14 followersRebecca Bradley was born in Vancouver, Canada in 1952. She received a Ph.D. from Cambridge in archeology, and spent eighteen years living in England, Ulster, Kuwait and Hong Kong before returning to live in Calgary with her husband and children. She teaches archaeology part-time at Mount Royal College.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 1, 2015
reviews.metaphorosis.com
4 stars
Tigrallef, happily reclusive scholar and memorian becomes a lot less happy when called to stand in for his more ... physical brother as the land of Gil's official Hero. Woefully unprepared, he's sent off to Gil to track down a divinely powerful statuette and oust the vile Sherank interlopers. Just the latest in a long line of heroically honorable failures, he decides on discretion as the better part of valor this time around.
What ever happened to Rebecca Bradley? I ran across her Gil trilogy in 2001, liked it, and never heard anything about her again. She definitely belongs in the Under-regarded Author file, and happily, a quick internet search reveals that she's just this week published a new novel, Cadon, Hunter set in the Stone Age.
I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed Lady in Gil. It's wonderfully off-kilter heroic fantasy. By now, we've seen a lot of reluctant heroes, but here Bradley manages to balance wry humor with derring-do in a way that most writers don't. The book is consistently funny, but also consistently human. There's romance, adventure, and a dash of philosophy, all nicely blended and served up on a bed of easy prose.
Much of the plot is straightforward light fantasy, but Bradley keeps it interesting with slightly unusual characters, and by avoiding the most predictable choices. The result is a story that feels more real and natural than most of its peers. The first book functions as a full stand-alone novel, but most readers are likely to want to continue.
All in all, fun, funny, intelligent light fantasy. Recommended. Also a pretty good place to start your Rebecca Bradley reading, since there just isn't much more. Here's hoping it also comes out as an ebook soon.
December 31, 2021
This is a bland, by-the-numbers fantasy about a guy who's annoyingly good at everything (despite constantly pointing out that he's not a stereotypical hero) who reclaims his country from a cartoonishly evil bad guys. The characters are flat, the romance is pointless, and every element of the main plot is predictable.
The ending was interesting. Definitely a case of too little too late, but it might make me more likely to try the sequel.
The ending was interesting. Definitely a case of too little too late, but it might make me more likely to try the sequel.
July 4, 2017
Pleasant entertainment, but nothing memorable.
April 18, 2020
The island of Gil is a lovely, peaceful place protected by the power of their Goddess, the Lady of Gil. The barbarous Sherkins captured the Island when the population was at a festival and away from their protective Statue of the Lady of Gil. Only a member of the hereditary priest/leader class can unleash the statue’s power. The statue was hidden and the Sherkins can’t find it, but the few rulers who survive have fled and can’t get to the statue. Tigrallef is a scholar. His father was one of many warriors that have quested to Gil to find the statue and save their people. His brother is in training to be the next hero to attempt to rescue, until he is injured and cannot go. Tigrallef, reluctantly, has to go in his place. Well-written, with interesting characters.
September 9, 2025
The start to a spectacular trilogy that ruined (for me) mediocre fantasy about lone heroes saving the day.
Tig is a scholarly young man who has to save the world and reclaim his homeland because his himbo brother who was supposed to do it broke his leg. Luckily for Tig and his mission, Tig puts far less stock in the Heroic Code.
As I reread the books, I'm reminded of Lois McMaster Bujold. These books have a similar wry cleverness to them.
Tig is a scholarly young man who has to save the world and reclaim his homeland because his himbo brother who was supposed to do it broke his leg. Luckily for Tig and his mission, Tig puts far less stock in the Heroic Code.
As I reread the books, I'm reminded of Lois McMaster Bujold. These books have a similar wry cleverness to them.
August 12, 2018
The ending was a tremendous disappointment.
August 24, 2019
I found this series by accident and have been rereading it ever since. Quirky and original, the characters and the world expand in the later books and are well worth the investment.
May 20, 2021
I love this book. Second time reading it. Just the big main character. I love him so much.
August 31, 2015
(Original Review, December 2008)
One of my old favorite and a book I've had so long that I can't recall how I got it.
The early parts of the story are slowed down by more information then plot, but the world is vivid(if grim) and the narrations dry, dark humor makes things move at a quick pace. The first chapter drops you right into the story without any build up and expects you to catch up, which is how the worldbuilding is unfolded as well. Probably the first story I encountered that had a smart, bookish protagonist, I like how he turns his skills towards the task of rescuing his homeland when everyone expects that he's useless. Calla is a refreshing female character, strong and smart without being one of the leather clad ass kickers that haunt many of the books I've read lately.
Much of the book is grim, gritty, and laced with hopelessness that at times gets close to being over the top. Twists and turns, some more predictable then others, keep the action from slowing down. It's been awhile since I last reread it, so it doesn't seem as spectacular as my memories say it is, but it is still one of my solid favorites.
One of my old favorite and a book I've had so long that I can't recall how I got it.
The early parts of the story are slowed down by more information then plot, but the world is vivid(if grim) and the narrations dry, dark humor makes things move at a quick pace. The first chapter drops you right into the story without any build up and expects you to catch up, which is how the worldbuilding is unfolded as well. Probably the first story I encountered that had a smart, bookish protagonist, I like how he turns his skills towards the task of rescuing his homeland when everyone expects that he's useless. Calla is a refreshing female character, strong and smart without being one of the leather clad ass kickers that haunt many of the books I've read lately.
Much of the book is grim, gritty, and laced with hopelessness that at times gets close to being over the top. Twists and turns, some more predictable then others, keep the action from slowing down. It's been awhile since I last reread it, so it doesn't seem as spectacular as my memories say it is, but it is still one of my solid favorites.
September 24, 2014
Lady in Gil sucked me in right from the opening line. Like all good writers can, Rebecca Bradley brought Tigrallef to life - actually made him real. Tigrallef's personality - no, most chracters in this book are beautifully portrayed and rounded out rather well. I do wish Angel was filled out more, and so was Shree, but they were just side-characters, I suppose.
The prose was lively, entertaining full of good, chuckle-worthy punch lines and amusing conversations. Reading Tigrallef's train of thought is pleasant, because he's not another idiot who thinks predictably (in fact, I'm inclined to think he is partially insane).
Half the things he did, I didn't understand, but then again I was rushing to the next chapter all the time, so no wonder. One day, but not soon, I will go back and actually visualise and make sense of the tunnels and what Tigrallef did, but for now I am satisfied that I just read a good book. Even if .
The prose was lively, entertaining full of good, chuckle-worthy punch lines and amusing conversations. Reading Tigrallef's train of thought is pleasant, because he's not another idiot who thinks predictably (in fact, I'm inclined to think he is partially insane).
Half the things he did, I didn't understand, but then again I was rushing to the next chapter all the time, so no wonder. One day, but not soon, I will go back and actually visualise and make sense of the tunnels and what Tigrallef did, but for now I am satisfied that I just read a good book. Even if .
July 31, 2022
I read this book before I started writing reviews as a matter of course. I recently discovered that Goodreads reader 'metaphorosis' has said everything I would want to say (I actually thought it was my review from long ago, our opinions matched up so well). So I thought I'd better add a review of my own, but how much simpler to say "read metaphorosis' review, as I agree entirely".
Note: I have written a novel (not yet published), so now I will suffer pangs of guilt every time I offer less than five stars. In my subjective opinion, the stars suggest:
(5* = one of my all-time favourites, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = actually disappointing, and 1* = hated it. As a statistician I know most books are 3s, but I am biased in my selection and end up mostly with 4s, thank goodness.)
Note: I have written a novel (not yet published), so now I will suffer pangs of guilt every time I offer less than five stars. In my subjective opinion, the stars suggest:
(5* = one of my all-time favourites, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = actually disappointing, and 1* = hated it. As a statistician I know most books are 3s, but I am biased in my selection and end up mostly with 4s, thank goodness.)
September 29, 2015
Although this is volume one of a trilogy, it is fairly self contained. Tig, retiring scholar, is suddenly forced into the role of champion on behalf of the exiled rulers of Gil, to return and try to recover the lost artefact, the Lady, which will enable him to overthrow the sadistic Sherank invaders who have enslaved the people and imposed a reign of terror for the last seventy years.
The main character is quite engaging and some of the subsidiary characters are developed enough to be able to tell them apart, but the constant emphasis on the filth and squalor that the conquered folk of Gil are forced to live in, becomes a bit wearing after a while. Also, there are some not convincing stereotypes such as the prostitute-with-a-heart-of-gold, and it was pretty easy to guess the identity of the traitor and the 'twist' re two main characters.
The main character is quite engaging and some of the subsidiary characters are developed enough to be able to tell them apart, but the constant emphasis on the filth and squalor that the conquered folk of Gil are forced to live in, becomes a bit wearing after a while. Also, there are some not convincing stereotypes such as the prostitute-with-a-heart-of-gold, and it was pretty easy to guess the identity of the traitor and the 'twist' re two main characters.
February 16, 2020
4.5 stars
(2020) This is the amazing first volume in one of my favorite fantasy series. A young princeling whose family has been a refugee from their homeland in Gil wants nothing more than to spend his life as a “memorian” in the archives. Instead, he is summoned to be the latest member of his family to go off, by himself, to reclaim the family throne. He lacks all of the “princely” (an adjective also applied to females in this book—they are all referred to as Scions) virtues, but it turns out that the scholarly virtues he possesses are what he needs.
Would-be reader, you have a wonderful fantasy trilogy awaiting you. Waste no time—dive right in!
(2020) This is the amazing first volume in one of my favorite fantasy series. A young princeling whose family has been a refugee from their homeland in Gil wants nothing more than to spend his life as a “memorian” in the archives. Instead, he is summoned to be the latest member of his family to go off, by himself, to reclaim the family throne. He lacks all of the “princely” (an adjective also applied to females in this book—they are all referred to as Scions) virtues, but it turns out that the scholarly virtues he possesses are what he needs.
Would-be reader, you have a wonderful fantasy trilogy awaiting you. Waste no time—dive right in!
August 11, 2007
with the addition of carol berg's books i was hoping that amazon was finally reccommending stuff for me that i would like, but lady of gil turned out to be a real disappointment. it is extremely plot driven, whereas i prefer character driven work. in addition, the characters are unbelievable and the plot cheesy. the author seems entranced with her own cleverness, and i didn't think she was very clever. figures with authority have titles like "primate". there is no reason to feel fear or care about the characters and i put the book down before finishing.
Read
January 30, 2015An unexpected find. I spotted this at my library, looking a little forlorn and unloved, and it turned out to be a far better read than its neglected state would have you think.
Following the adventures of unlikely hero Tig - a historian who becomes a reluctant and unheroic hero - the story is dark but not po-faced like most current grimdark efforts, nor is it a bloated mess of POVs. The writing is crisp and clean, and while we get no happily ever after, we get as much reality as magic will allow.
I'll definitely be looking for the rest of Bradley's books.
Following the adventures of unlikely hero Tig - a historian who becomes a reluctant and unheroic hero - the story is dark but not po-faced like most current grimdark efforts, nor is it a bloated mess of POVs. The writing is crisp and clean, and while we get no happily ever after, we get as much reality as magic will allow.
I'll definitely be looking for the rest of Bradley's books.
January 3, 2014
It is a good world that has been built up in the story. There were even a few good twists and turns that came unexpectedly and I appreciate that. There are a few drawbacks for this book that are maybe explained in the two sequels but I am not certain if I will ever read them. The entire experience left me a bit meh about it all.
Full review on my blog:
http://redletalis.wordpress.com/2014/...
Full review on my blog:
http://redletalis.wordpress.com/2014/...
April 22, 2010
Not incredibly literary, but a great read for a fantasy novel. What I thought was really wonderful about it was how it tied the past to the present. The hero was a dusty bookworm who had memorized old maps of the conquered land and thus he was able to prevail... Let's hear it for the archivists and map memorizers! The history buffs!
February 19, 2014
Another fantasy series that I found quite by chance in teh days when I used to scour the Fantasy/Scifi section of the public library. Easily the most fun books I ahve ever ready. Witty, funny, dry and yet with solid plot and original characters. You can't go wrong with Rebecca Bradley's Gil Trilogy.
July 3, 2011
I really liked this book. It keeps you anticipating the next page. And it has some different turns that I never saw coming. Which is s bonus to me as I can lose interest when the whole story is pretty much known by the 5th chapter.
June 24, 2014
I liked that the characters were nuanced. The ending wasn't too pat.
I'm surprised there's a trilogy here, since the ending felt nicely final. Not sure I'll pick up the next ones, even tho I found no fault in the writing. (I'm currently burnt on out series - blame GRRM)
I'm surprised there's a trilogy here, since the ending felt nicely final. Not sure I'll pick up the next ones, even tho I found no fault in the writing. (I'm currently burnt on out series - blame GRRM)
May 20, 2014
Nothing special
May 18, 2012
I think I was most intrigued by the epilogue--how the world reacted and how it rebuilt itself. Which, all in all, I think is kind of a bad reflection on the book?
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews