Online Store
Online StoreTigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
Two sorcerers leading invading armies have conquered the Palm peninsula. To the east the Barbadian sorcerer Alberico, to the west, the Ygrathen King and the sorcerer Brandin. Brandin’s son is dead, slain by the Prince of Tigana. In revenge, Brandin lays a powerful curse upon Tigana that none shall ever speak its name again.
Eight of the nine peninsula provinces have fallen to the invaders; only Tigana remains independent. There has been a stalemate for twenty years; during this time the charismatic Alessan has formed a resistance. Alessan and his small band aim to rid the peninsula of the invaders, more by stealth than might.
Dianora also has her reasons for wanting Brandin dead; a survivor from Tigana, she has managed to move herself into the position as a member of the sorcerers' harem.
Tigana is Guy Gavriel Kay's fourth book, following on from The Fionavar Tapestry. A perfectly detailed novel, Tigana is set in a region based on medieval Italy and Kay creates a magical world full of wonderful characters, both good and evil, and the stories premise is one of the most original around in fantasy novels.
The curse has wiped the name Tigana from memory, even should somebody remember the name, they will be unable to speak it's name. Only those born before the curse can remember Tigana as it was. The sorcerers of the two invading armies are integral to the plot and the themes of love and revenge run strong.
Kay doesn’t just make the characters purely good or purely evil, whilst the sorcerer Brandin may be viewed as a tyrant, his love for Dianora shows him to be a sympathetic and caring man. The resistance fighters, led by Alessan, though fighting in a cause that must be viewed as good use murder and violence to achieve their ends.
Tigana is an immense achievement, a complex and loving piece of writing that is a must read for any fantasy fan.
You may also like...
Carl from United Kingdom
This book is special, read it as soon as you can and find out why.
Richard from United Kingdom
Magnificent, enchanting, extraordinary. One of the best books I've ever read.
Submit your own mini-review
Let people know what you think about Tigana. You can write your own mini-review and give the book the rating that you think it deserves. Your reviews will go towards giving Tigana its overall rating that will decide where Tigana finishes in the top 100 fantasy books of all time.
