| Author: Guy Gavriel Kay | |
| Rating: 8.5 | Reviewer: Paul |
| Genre: Fantasy | Publisher:Roc |
| Pages: 432 | Orig Pub Date: February, 2007 |
| Binding: Hardcover |
Let's be straightforward for once: I really enjoyed this book.
Guy Gavriel Kay, most notably known for Tigana and The Last Light of the Sun, gives the world another captivating novel, Ysabel, his tenth to date. It's set in the present day in the southern part of France, but still focuses largely on historical fantasy.
Ned Marriner and his father, an award-winning photographer, are setting up for a photo shoot in the Saint-Saveur Cathedral of Aix-en-Provence, a historically ancient structure that is marveled at for its beautiful architecture. During the slow and intricate setup, Ned wanders away, only to run into a girl his age and a man who's seemingly ageless. This man is searching for something. Both these strangers will change Ned's life instantly, as will what Ned discovers located in the tunnels below the church. Unknowingly, Ned will play a part to an ancient game of love, life, and death, and all those around him will be drawn in as well.
Let's be straightforward for once: I really enjoyed this book.
Ysabel has, by far, the most engaging dialogue I've ever come across. There's wit and humor and honesty and emotion in it, each character acting their age and showing it by simply how they talk. At first, I worried that Ned would simply be a character left to the shadows, but he turned out to be anything but that. It's very clear how much he grows as a character by viewing his interactions with his family and friends; though he's only 15 or so, he's responsible without coming across as too old. He's young, flirtatious, joking half the time, but still knows when to take things serious.
The plot starts out a little slow, and for the first few chapters I couldn't even tell I was reading a genre book; it could've been by Dan Brown (though written a lot better) for all I knew. But once the plot picks up, it really picks up. Cadell and Phelan, two Celtic deities (or something of that sort) that stir up most of the trouble, are villainous but not entirely evil. There are many times I found myself sympathizing with Cadell and the fact that he suffers for ages, never reaching a true moment of contentment. Their powers and abilities are clearly the fantasy bit, but never seem jarring.
Guy Gavriel Kay is somehow able to bring a family together from all different parts of the world and still, the book continues on naturally. Each family member shines on their own levels, showcasing off distinct and lifelike personalities. The pacing is superb, the hint of a countdown helping to push certain characters forward and give that sense of unease when the time really starts to diminish. The culmination of everything at the end, with Ned at the forefront, is worth the buildup. Though I had guessed the ending somewhat early, I was very pleased to see how it played out.
As the year winds down (and even though this won't be officially out until February 2007), I'm not afraid to claim this as one of my favorite reads of 2006. It's captivating, fun, intense, and all around a great and original adventure brimming with fun characters that come just as alive as the history they unravel does. Buy it the day it comes out. Really. I insist.
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