http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...Lord of Emperors is the second (and final) novel in Guy Gavriel Kay’s THE SARANTINE MOSAIC duology. The story, set in a pseudo-Byzantine Empire, mostly centers on Crispin, a mosaicist from a neighboring kingdom who’s been commissioned to decorate the ceiling of a new chapel the emperor is building. Against his wishes, Crispin has been drawn into the Sarantine court’s political intrigue. In this second installment, the political turmoil finally comes to a head and Crispin’s life is, once again, drastically altered by events he can’t control. Not only are his and his friends’ lives in danger, but the changing political climate has major consequences for his art.While reading Sailing to Sarantium, the first book in the THE SARANTINE MOSAIC, I had a hard time believing in the characters and the drama — I thought the plot lacked the world-shaking significance that the characters seemed to be overwhelmed by at every moment. I felt manipulated — like Kay was showing me murder, lust, adultery, shocking brutality, witty repartee, and titillating suggestions to make me feel like there was more going on than there really was. While I liked Kay’s characters, it felt like a big soap opera to me and I was impatient with the story.The first part of Lord of Emperors is more of the slow drama and introspection that occurred in Sailing to Sarantium — every character analyzing what everyone else says, scrutinizing each gesture, contemplating every look, even reporting how they would think about this word or that gesture when they looked back on it sometime in the future. We’re reminded over and over how subtle and dangerous everybody is:The room seemed laden and layered with intricacies of past and present and what was to come. Nuances coiling and spreading like incense, subtle and insistent.There are several sweet and touching scenes, but most of Lord of Emperors is more of the melodrama of Sailing to Sarantium. Finally, about 2/3 of the way through, there is a major upheaval followed by a slow unwinding of its tragic consequences. There are some real heartbreaking scenes in the last third of the novel, and the story ends on a beautifully bittersweet note. It just takes a really long time to get there.Guy Gavriel Kay’s strength is making his characters come alive. Thus, when the big events finally occur, they really are painful and tragic and we worry about these people’s futures. I cared about Crispin, his queen, the charioteers, and the cook and his apprentice. However, I didn’t feel the need to be privy to every thought they had along the way — how many times do I need to be told that Crispin is thinking that only two women in the world wear a particular perfume? THE SARANTINE MOSAIC should have been trimmed down to just one book — I would have enjoyed it a lot more.I also think I would have felt more appreciation for THE SARANTINE MOSAIC if I had read it earlier in my acquaintance with Guy Gavriel Kay’s work. His world and characters are so full of life, there’s so much drama and passion, and I admire the character development. At this point in my reading history, however, I can’t help but notice that Kay’s intrusive style, which I’ve always thought of as almost over-the-top, never changes. Now that I’ve read ten of his novels, what I once admired — the type of story, the deep characterization, that particular distinctive prose — starts to become tiresome. If you’re new to Kay, or if you can’t get enough of his style, you’ll have a better experience with THE SARANTINE MOSAIC than I did.Again I listened to Audible Frontier’s audio production which was narrated by Berny Clark. Dialogue is his strength — I thought it was perfect. His narration is a little too slow (I had to speed him up) and I think some listeners will think it’s also a little bland, but I liked how his reading didn’t elevate Kay’s drama even further.
Review of the Duology The Sarantine Mosaic is a duology, consisting of Sailing to Sarantium and Lord of Emperors, by Guy Gavriel Kay. Kay’s The Lions of Al-Rassan was one of the best books I read last year, so, when I embarked on my plan to read at least 52 books this year, I was keen to include some more of his work. It was hardly a surprise to me then, when I loved both books.The Sarantine Mosaic covers a few months of the life of a mosaicist. These particular months are during a period of tension (religious, cultural, personal, and miscellaneous) in an analogue of Justinian I’s rule of Constantinople. The titles, and settings, are allusions to W. B. Yeat’s poem, Sailing to Byzantium.It seems to have become normal for authors to drag their characters’ stories out over eight, ten, or more books, milking the literary creativity (and cash) cow for every drop. While there is undeniably pleasure in returning to the same characters you know and love, it is very refreshing that Kay seems to regard them as something to be played with once (or in this case, twice). Authors like George R. R. Martin, Robert Jordan, and J.R.R. Tolkien may argue that the “tale grew in the telling”, but for Kay, the tale is set from the get go. His books cover the critical incidents in his characters lives and no more. In fact, after finishing two of Kay’s works, I am left wanting more from all the characters. Hardly a bad thing.Kay’s settings are where he leaves lesser authors in the dirt. Rather than retread the same ground that has been stomped on by every other since Tolkien, Kay mines the depths of history. The Lions of Al-Rassan is set in an analogue of medieval Spain, and the Sarantine Mosaic an analogue of Constantinople. His other work features analogues of China and England. But rather than just take a historical location, Kay fully adapts the setting; many of the characters in his books are adaptations of historical figures. This leads Kay to create incredibly human characters. By working with real tensions and conflicts, and recasting them in a fantastical setting, Kay creates engrossing tales that positively ring with authenticity.Kay also has a gift for words. While many authors get by with workmanlike prose that gets the story told, you get the sense with Kay that every word has been carefully chosen for fit and context. He is a mosaicist, while some authors are “brickys”. Kay alludes to poetry, history, and carefully chooses his words because he has a deep appreciation of language and culture. It is this appreciation that shines through in his books, and it is this appreciation that makes them spectacular.Go, read some Guy Gavriel Kay. The reason The Sarantine Mosaic is excellent is the same reason The Lions of Al-Rassan is excellent; Kay is an excellent writer. There is no point critiquing his books on character or plot or setting, I don’t think Kay is capable of fucking these things up. Instead, Kay moves far beyond the bare building blocks of a book. The joy of his work is in the details, the tesserae even.Originally from Harry Guinness's blog.
What do You think about Lord Of Emperors (2001)?
Very good read and satisfying conclusion to the two part series. Kay sometimes has a few writing habits that may sometimes annoy (giving way too much information about insignificant characters, repeating the same lines in the main characters head too many times) but his ability to touch emotions unexpectedly is very good and the way he sets up conversations between characters that say so much without being overly wordy is exquisite. Couple notes: This two book series is my first foray with Kay but won't be my last. After finishing the book I learned more about Byzantine history and was fascinated by the parallels. I knew of Justinian and Belisarius but not the importance of Theodora. Lastly, the final mosaic the main character makes, is it based on the mosaics in the Basilica of San Vitale?
—Ethan
Another terrific novel from one of my favorite authors.Set in a Constantinople analogue during the reign of Justinian II he takes all the politics and intrigue of the period and puts his own fantastical spin on it.Crispin makes for an interesting protagonist, especially for a fantasy novel, an Artisan and a Widower he someone becomes enmeshed with all the major players during an eventful time.Written in gorgeous prose, as is usual I was really sucked into the world and dearly wish I could have seen the mosaics and chariot races for myself. Although these written accounts are about the next best thing.I always like how the author plays around with his omniscience, by taking a side character and showing us how their life played out. He also made a good point on the nature of history and momentous events are more a matter of perspective.This is not really a criticism, more an observation. I really appreciate how large a role women played in the novel but I could not help but roll my eyes a bit when he introduced *another* extraordinarily attractive and brilliant woman. Sometimes they are just average too. Although, I suppose average women do not make as good Empresses. Anyways, this is definitely one of my favorites of his work. Very well done.
—Jared I.
This is the second and final installment of this 2 parter. I am disappointed, I admit. Many reviewers said that the first novel was slow going, but was doing the groundwork and setting the scene for the second part. There is no doubt that the second half of the book flows more easily ; however I feel the first book was better in its promise of what was to come, than the second was at fulfilling it.I also found it intensely annoying that the main character, a humble artisan, should have 3 of the 4 most beautiful and powerful women in the known world, all wanting him!
—Emma Beeckmans
