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The Lions of Al-Rassan cover

The Lions of Al-Rassan

Guy Gavriel Kay · Literary Fiction · 528 pages

37 Pulse Score

Based on recommendations from independent creators

slow burnforbidden romancepolitical intriguehistorical fiction
historical fiction
🌶️🌶️🌶️Moderate — some open-door scenes, not the focus

#451 All Time

About this book

Award-wining author Guy Gavriel’s sixth novel, hauntingly evocative of medieval Spain, is both a brilliant adventure and a moving story of love, divided loyalties, and what happens to men and women when hardening beliefs begin to remake -- or destroy -- a world. The ruling Asharites have come from the desert sands, worshipping the stars, their warrior blood fierce and pure. But over centuries, seduced by the sensuous pleasures of their new land, that stern piety has eroded. The Asharies empire has splintered into decadent city-states lead by warring petty kinds. King Almalik of Cartada is on the ascendancy, adding city after city to his realm, even though Cartada is threatened by forces both within and without. Almalik is aided 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 Jaddite’s most celebrated -- and feared -- military leader, Rod

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