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The Lions of Al-Rassan

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The Lions of Al-Rassan

By: Guy Gavriel Kay
Narrated by: Euan Morton
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About this listen

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. Classics Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Royalty
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Rich and majestic. A tale of beauty, love, honour and pride. It gave me goosebumps

goosebumps

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I don't think any words I could write would do this book justice. I'm grateful you don't have to be capable of creating great beauty in order to appreciate that created by others. I thank Guy for sharing his beautiful creations with the world. This one is my favourite. Even after a dozen 'readings'.

Pure, delightful, sorrowful beauty

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I have many books by this author, both in print and through Audible.
This is an excellent audible book.

Wonderful to listen to this reading.

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Extremely well written and structured. Had me invested in the world and the characters from the start. Narrator could definitely have varied the voices a little more.

Masterpiece

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This man is fast becoming a favourite author of mine.
This story had suspense, humour and love in a historical setting.
It was a tad hard to follow some of the characters with similar sounding names.
Highly recommend

Wonderful

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This is one of the most exceptional books I have ever read. The audio version has a superb narrator in Euan Morton. But my goodness! Kay is an outstanding writer. I have enjoyed Tigana, Children of Earth and Sky, A Brightness Long ago, and All the Seas in the World thus far - it's why I got this book- but THIS, this book is extraordinary. 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. Absolutely, without question, forever and ever the characters will stay with me and Kay's words will continue to inspire me at a point in history when our world is in need of inspiration, understanding and love.

Beautiful and bewitching

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I am a 31yo, very unsentimental man, and this is the first time in my life a book has ever moved me to tears.

Truly one of the most beautiful, moving books I’ve ever read.

In a world increasingly divided, this story is a brutal, passionate, necessary reminder of what makes us human.

10/10.

Gripping. Heart wrenching. A true masterpiece.

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I liked everything. Far out…so well written. This was my first GGK novel. I best get to the next. Amazing read.

Holy hell of jad

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Great naration, great story plot.. But, why so horribly violent? Sickenly violent.. Is that what todays readers thrive on?

Good story telling - but so gruesome!

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I understand it's an Arabic story but the characters names are so similar it makes it hard to follow. I think it may have been because it's in an audiobook. I had to constantly keep rewinding to re listen to names . Got lost multiple times following storylines that I shelved it a few hours in.

Hard to follow.

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