This extraordinary gift threatens to engulf Shen Tai in the political and dynastic struggles that surround the throne of the Kitan Emperor, but also permits Shen Tai to form friendships and gain access to the most powerful figures in Kitai. Shen Tai, the second son of a renowned general of Kitai, is given a lavish gift of 250 prized Sardian horses from the Kitan Empress of the neighbouring Taguran Empire to honour his work burying the dead of both sides at a battleground in the far west of Kitai still haunted by the ghosts of the slain soldiers. In 2013 he published a second novel, River of Stars, set approximately 400 years later in the same world. Under Heaven takes place in a completely new world, as seen by it having only one moon as opposed to the two moons normally present in Guy Gavriel Kay's works. It recounts events based on the An Shi Rebellion. The swork, set in a secondary world based upon Tang China, is a departure for Kay in that takes place outside of a setting based on Europe the Mediterranean. Kay's eleventh novel, itd was published in April 2010 by Viking Canada. Upon finishing both books I experienced that "pause," where you turn the final page and just sit there for minutes mulling everything over.Under Heaven is a historical fantasy novel by Canadian author Guy Gavriel Kay. Excellently written, fantastic themes and characters. If you haven't read either of these books, I'd strongly recommend them.
How did others find this method of re-telling and re-working of history? And to anyone knowledgeable about Chinese history in particular, how did you feel about the representation and working of the source material? The setting of both is also thoroughly ancient China, but because he's not actually writing a book set in ancient China there's no obligation to complete and utter historical accuracy. I was curious what other readers thought about 'historical fantasy' - Kay bases both of these books on actual historical events in Chinese history, but fudges place/people names just enough to make them his own. Just finished River of Stars a couple of days ago (Under Heaven a couple weeks before that), and I thought the two works were absolutely magical.
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