The Lions of Al-Rassan

By: Guy Gavriel Kay

Narrated by: Euan Morton

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.

©1995 Guy Gavriel Kay (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Superb

My first GGK novel, and wow. What lyrical language! And a good story to boot, leaving the reader thinking, something I always appreciate in a book. Looking for my next GGK novel now!

sensational

absolutely loved it. amongst the top 'fantasy ' I've read. my only gripe would be ambiguous perspective shifts

There are no words!

This book has become my all-time favorite, and I am a voracious reader. Every work of G.G.K. is as much poetry as prose, but these characters have never dimmed nor faded with age. In heaven I hope our favorite heroines and heros live again, for I long to be reunited with my friends in these pages.

This book is incredible

I'm 80% through. This book is just so touching and incredible.
Another book I tried to read of this author had a lot of magic in it and I quit reading it.
This book does not have magic. The stories are simply astounding.

Interesting from start to finish

Reader was fantastic, story was interesting and overall an enjoyable experience . Extra words to get to fifteen

Magnificent story let down by the narration

If you could sum up The Lions of Al-Rassan in three words, what would they be?

Brutal, Beautiful, Compelling

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is Jehane bet Ishak, a Kindath physician, because she is a very powerful female character.

What three words best describe Euan Morton’s performance?

Inconsistent, Clear, Emotive

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, absolutely! I wish I could have listened to The Lions of Al-Rassan in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

This story is magnificent, but the narration threw me out of the story often. Unfortunately, the narrator tried to speak dialogue in accents and he mixed up the voices and it was difficult to track who was speaking, or what accent that character had.

I will definitely buy the book to read.

Stunning!

Absolutely fantastic- I highly recommend it! My favorite bit is how masterly the characters are written…they will surprise you as they surprise them selves, as this beautiful story unfurls.

Wonderful Adventure!

What did you like best about this story?

Wonderful book, well written. A fast moving adventure that sweeps you away to a land of danger, intrigue, betrayal, romance and honor.

Strong female characters, developed carefully, with promise and regard. Male characters equally thought out, satisfying.

At times difficult to maintain character names, but worth the focus and time.

Beautifully descriptive!

Superb! Very compelling

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

As I listened I was thinking - who else can I tell about this wonderful book? People need to know about it!

What did you like best about this story?

Perhaps the best part of this book is the beauty of the language. It is almost like reading poetry or prose, not just a story. And the wonderful narrator enhances the joy of listening to this immensely.
The story was excellent - complex at times and required attention and the willingness to follow it carefully, but the payoff for doing so was great.
I was struck by the way the author could get behind the eyes of each character so thoroughly. As each person spoke you saw the world from their perspective. It wasn't so much as story about people and what they did as it was about what each main character thought and felt and how they perceived and related to each other. Yes there was action, but in my mind it was secondary to the telling of each character's true nature.

Beautiful

I am admittedly not a sophisticated listener'; basically, I just like to be entertained. I had to listen a second time to try to keep the regions, kings, religions, and characters straight. Despite that, the writing is so lyrical and the narration so smooth and the characters so fascinating that I enjoyed the second listen as well as the first. I will say, though, that I was not always able to distinguish the different characters from the narrator's voice alone. I did particularly enjoy his portrayal of Ammar ibn Khairan.

I loved that the characters were honorable remained loyal and true to themselves. I am going to search for another Guy Gavriel Kay book in hopes that I find another gem.