Sailing to Sarantium

by Guy Gavriel Kay
Sailing to Sarantium cover
Good Books rating 4.22
Historical Fiction
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Paperback • £12.99
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Technical
  • ID: 4596
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780007342082
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2011-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

In the first installment of The Sarantine Mosaic, Guy Gavriel Kay crafts a tale of ambition and artistry set in a world inspired by ancient Byzantium. Emperor Valerius, risen to power amidst turmoil, envisions a monumental dome to cement his legacy. Meanwhile, Crispin, a skilled mosaicist still mourning his family's loss to the plague, is summoned to the imperial court. His journey to Sarantium, a city of splendor and danger, is fraught with secrets and seductive promises. As Crispin navigates the treacherous path to the fabled city, he carries a deadly secret and a talisman from an alchemist. The journey is not just physical but also a spiritual one, where the boundaries between past and present, reality and magic, blur. Sarantium, a place where no one remains unchanged, awaits him with its own mysteries and challenges.

Reviews
Fantasy Book Review · 2025-10-21
magnificent 4.40

This book tells a magnificent story of empire, conspiracies, and both physical and spiritual journeys. The reviewer finds it beautifully written and deeply engaging.

This reviewer praises the magnificent storytelling in this book, which they find both sweeping and deeply engaging. They appreciate the rich tapestry of empire, conspiracies, and journeys, both physical and spiritual, that the story weaves. The reviewer finds the writing beautifully crafted, with a depth and richness that makes it a standout piece. They highlight the immersive quality of the narrative, which they find both compelling and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    Sailing to Sarantium tells a magnificent, sweeping story of empire, conspiracies and journeys, both physical and spiritual.

    The story is beautifully written, with a depth and richness that is hard to find in modern fantasy.

    The characters are memorable and insightful, adding to the overall richness of the narrative.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
captivating 4.00

The reviewer praises Guy Gavriel Kay's 'Sailing to Sarantium' for its richly detailed world-building and intricate political intrigue, though some characters may feel underdeveloped.

They loved the book's immersive setting and the way it blends history with fantasy, creating a vivid and believable world. The political maneuvering and cultural depth are particularly compelling, though some characters could have used more development to fully engage the reader. Overall, it's a captivating read that fans of epic fantasy will enjoy, despite a few pacing issues.

Quick quotes

    The world-building is exquisite and immersive

    The political intrigue is masterfully crafted

    Some characters feel underdeveloped and lack depth.

steelypips.org · Unknown · 2025-10-21
inspiring 3.50

The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss challenges traditional work norms and encourages readers to design a lifestyle prioritizing freedom and personal growth. The book introduces concepts like outsourcing, automation, and mini-retirements to achieve a life of adventure and self-discovery.

The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss is a refreshing critique of societal norms around work and retirement. Ferriss encourages readers to question the traditional notion of retirement and instead create a lifestyle that prioritizes freedom, adventure, and personal growth. The book introduces concepts like outsourcing, automation, and mini-retirements to achieve a life of adventure and self-discovery. While some concepts may be difficult to implement, the book serves as an inspiring wake-up call to reconsider the traditional approach to work and life. The reviewer found the book's core vision compelling but struggled to apply its specific techniques to their own passions.

Quick quotes

    Ferriss encourages readers to question the traditional notion of retirement and instead create a lifestyle that prioritizes freedom, adventure, and personal growth.

    The point isn’t about making money at all; it’s about making time, which is life’s most precious commodity.

    There is just less competition for bigger goals.

The Magic Book Corner · 2024-08-20
masterpiece 5.00

This duology is a masterpiece, paying homage to art, women, beauty, and love. The writing is elegant and almost poetic at times.

This reviewer believes this duology is a masterpiece, celebrating art, women, beauty, and love. The writing style is elegant and poetic, making it a standout piece. The reviewer also appreciates the depth and richness of the story, which they find truly captivating. They highlight the beautiful prose and the emotional resonance of the narrative, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    This duology is, simply put, a masterpiece!!

    A wonderful homage to art, to women, to beauty and to love!

    Kay's writing is elegant, almost poetic at times.

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