Guy Gavriel Kay

Hauntingly evocative of medieval Spain, a deeply compelling story of love, adventure, divided loyalties, and what happens when beliefs begin to remake – or destroy – a world.

The Lions of Al-Rassan

The ruling Asharites of Al-Rassan have come from the desert sands, but over centuries, seduced by the sensuous pleasures of their new land, their stern piety has eroded. The Asharite empire has splintered into decadent city-states led by warring petty kings. King Almalik of Cartada is on the ascendancy, aided always by his friend and advisor, the notorious Ammar ibn Khairan -- poet, diplomat, soldier -- until a summer afternoon of savage brutality changes their relationship forever. Meanwhile, in the north, the conquered Jaddites' most celebrated -- and feared -- military leader, Rodrigo Belmonte, driven into exile, leads his mercenary company south. In the dangerous lands of Al-Rassan, these two men from different worlds meet and serve -- for a time -- the same master. Sharing their interwoven fate -- and increasingly torn by her feelings -- is Jehane, the accomplished court physician, whose own skills play an increasing role as Al-Rassan is swept to the brink of holy war, and beyond. Hauntingly evocative of medieval Spain, The Lions of Al-Rassan is both a brilliant adventure and a deeply compelling story of love, divided loyalties, and what happens to men and women when hardening beliefs begin to remake -- or destroy -- a world.

The Lions of al-Rassan

Sandrin

I AM SO CONFLICTED RN 4 stars or 5

On one hand, I love when characters are either hot men or dangerous women (all of them smart and charming af), on the other hand, i hate it when said characters meet bad ends.

The author even managed to bamboozle me at the end almost making me give the story 2 stars out of pure pettiness. 

The book had certain sadness to it, a very rich world, dazzling, colorful, and yet still filled with yearning for something lost or about to be because change is inevitable. At first, I didn't quite connect with the characters maybe because there were too many POVs but I grew to like them all, well most of them (sorry Alvar). I appreciate how the story was not black and white, or good against evil with clear bad guys and clear good guys. LOVED ALL THE GREYS. 

So even though I'm sad and hate a certain ending the author told us very early it was going to happen, I do think this book deserves 5 stars (or at least 4.5 because I still am very petty).

Patricia Santos

Bo Gotthardt

Rory O'K

Scordatura

Didi Chanoch

Magnus Dahl

The lions of Al-Rassan

Kelsi Proulx

Julia A.

Home to three very different cultures, Al-Rassan is a land of seductive beauty and violent history. Peace among the Jaddites, Asharites and Kindath is a precarious, elusive thing, made so by the ever-present shadow that divides the peoples but draws extraordinary individuals together. Ammar ibn Khairan--poet, diplomat, soldier; Rodrigo Belmonte--accomplished military leader; and Jeanne bet Ishak--brilliant physician; these three find their lives interwoven by a series of remarkable events that take Al-Rassan to the brink of war. Hauntingly evocative of medieval Spain, "The Lions of Al-Rassan" is an exhilarating story of love, divided loyalties, and what happens to men and women when passionate beliefs conspire to remake--or destroy--a world.

The Lions of Al-Rassan

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