The Last Light of the Sun

By: Guy Gavriel Kay

Narrated by: Holter Graham

Bern Thorkellson, punished for his father’s sins, denied his heritage and home, commits an act of vengeance and desperation that brings him face-to-face with a past he’s been trying to leave behind...

In the Anglcyn lands of King Aeldred, the shrewd king, battling inner demons all the while, shores up his defenses with alliances and diplomacy - and with swords and arrows. Meanwhile his exceptional, unpredictable sons and daughters give shape to their own desires when battle comes and darkness falls in the spirit wood...

And in the valleys and shrouded hills of the Cyngael, whose voices carry music even as they feud and raid amongst each other, violence and love become deeply interwoven when the dragon ships come and Alun ab Owyn, pursuing an enemy in the night, glimpses strange lights gleaming above forest pools...

Making brilliant use of motifs from saga and song and chronicle, Guy Gavriel Kay conjures a work of subtle, intricate richness, bringing to life an unforgettable world balanced on the knife-edge of change.

©2004 Guy Gavriel Kay (P)2009 Recorded Books

Narrator did a Great Job

Norse stuff is somewhat played out at this point, but that wouldn’t have been the case when this book was written. Likewise, GGK handles the overall story in a way that keeps everything engaging. The narrator did a much better job than those of Kay’s earlier books (that I’ve listened to).

Quintessential GGK, but the narrator is a bit weak.

Not his best, but still great GGK. That means a poetic and masterful telling of the joy and sorrow of people striving for good and honor, often in opposing groups, in a historical representation of our difficult world.

The narrator is decent, but he can't imbue the prose with the gravitas and emotion that others (like Simon Vance or Tim Gerard Reynolds) do so well.

Guy Gavriel Kay can do no wrong

I'm on a mission to read every Guy Gavriel Kay novel. This is number 14 of 15, for me, with only A Song for Arbonne remaining. I have simultaneously read and listened to most of these, for a fully immersive experience. As with every GGK book I've read so far, this is a masterclass in storytelling and writing. My problem, unfortunately, is with the narrator. Although I truly believe it's a case of "it's not you, it's me " Maybe I'm biased because I don't prefer audio books with American narrators, but I like to think I'm pretty fair because accent is often made up for with a solid reading. That just wasn't the case here. Much like in the narration of the Sarantium duology, there is very little inflection or poetry in the reading - and Guy Gavriel Kay's writing is nothing if not poetic. It was also almost impossible to distinguish between characters as the narrator barley changed his voice. It's not that it is a bad reading, but I think I've been spoiled by Simon Vance.
Regardless, it's an excellent book with an okay narration and, as with every GGK novel, I highly recommend it.

Perhaps the first time for 5 stars in all three categories for me

Unreal how good this book is… with a caveat. I at times knew that there would be people who could if they wanted judge this a little harshly for not having the character depth they might want, not enough intrigue, beliefs and preconceived notions not challenged, etc. etc. but that’s not why I was reading this book. I was reading it to be entertained, to learn more about Vikings and Alfred the Great of England, and kingdoms and fiefdoms of medieval Great Britain… of course names and locations changed, with Kay’s signature fantasy twist… and to just feel a little better for the journey I was taking.

It was a wonderful voyage. I am incredibly grateful for the trip!! BTW — if you have gotten super tied to Simon Vance taking you through Kay’s magnificent worlds, like me, Holter Graham is a shock to the system… but I can assure you once you reconcile the fact that Holter is not Simon Vance, will never be Simon Vance… and comes from an entirely different part of this Earth that Simon Vance, and thus differently accented… you will soon come to really enjoy Holter Graham.

I should note that I lived in Denmark as a kid so I’m a sucker for all things Vikings. I was thrilled to live in this world with maybe the only mildest of disappointments that we didn’t really get to live in the world of the Norsemen as much as had been hoped… but… even though I am trying to complain, I can’t. It’s just too good.

My highest recommendation.

Good twist of fantasy and history

I really liked this fantasy recreation of the end of the viking age. It reminded me of the Norse Sagas. I thought the author captured the acceptance of fate in Norse culture.