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The Summer Tree by Guy Gavriel Kay - 3* - My Review

This book is a portal fantasy about five University of Toronto students transported to the magical world of Fionavar. They find themselves in a patriarchal world of magic, royal rulers, gods and goddesses, dwarves, fantastical creatures, and a battle of good versus evil. This is the first book in a trilogy and the author’s debut novel. I had heard good things about Guy Gavriel Kay’s writing, so decided to give his debut a try. Perhaps his writing improves in future books or maybe my expectations were too high, but I found it decent but not spectacular. It takes a long time to ramp up and I never became invested in the story or the characters. There are basic questions that I felt needed an answer. Why were the students needed in this fantasy world? How were they able to adapt so quickly? Perhaps these questions will be answered in future volumes, but I doubt I will read any more. I am not a fan of fantasy in general. I seem to really love a very few fantasy books, and the rest do not appeal to me. I was not expecting scenes of sexual violence. Many people have given this book 5 stars, so I think regular readers of fantasy will enjoy this more than I did.

PBT August BWF Extra S and tagged "5-stars" x6:
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...

His writing definitely improves. I read Under Heaven as my introduction to Kay. It's still a top favorite.
I also wanted to look at his earliest work, but this one did not inspire me. I've never finished this trilogy, although I've read many of his later books.

I will give any author more than one chance. I hope I can find one without sexual violence. I'll look into Under Heaven.

The Fionovar Tapestry trilogy is low on my ratings of his work - the bottom really. Others rate highly. My favorite standalone of his is Song for Arbonne - - a medievel France inspired story of courts and minstrels and politics.

Tigana is anotger early work and a standalone and one of my favorites. In fact, it was the book that introduced me to the author and made me a big fan.

Theresa wrote: "The Fionovar Tapestry trilogy is low on my ratings of his work - the bottom really. Others rate highly. My favorite standalone of his is Song for Arbonne - - a medievel France inspired story of cou..."

Yes, this trilogy is derivative of Tolkien and taken from mythology of Wales. (Where I am right now!) It is simplistic compared to his later books. The first one I read wasA Song for Arbonne. It and Tigana are my favorites.

Thanks for the info on the author's other works. I'll check them out to see which one to try next.

Let me know if any of these recommendations contain sexual violence. As you know that is an element I try to avoid.

Not a favorite of mine, but enjoying well written fantasy as I do, I did like it a little more. I gave Under Heaven 5 stars and really cannot recall any sexual violence Joy. However, because of the setting, it could be there-any of it, in any of books can be bypassed, without loss of anything important.

Thanks, JoAnne.

I honestly don't remember any in A Song for Arbonne though Tigana probably had something -- though I don't remember, it was so long ago. But I do remember in Fionovar Tapestry. Vividly.

Thank you, Theresa!