3 scrumptious acts. This isn’t a novella, but at 300 pages, it feels like one.

Welp, the temps are in the high 90’s - so it’s a perfect time to read a book that starts off on the coldest winter night. 😅 Am I’m tricking my brain to feel cooler? 🤞

GGV continues to delight and surprise me. The plot had had me intrigued, but I think if you’ve read more in his catalog, you would appreciate the Easter eggs in this. (This is only my second).

Here’s what I adore about GGV-
1. His prose is solid - creates quotes that stick in my heart in unexpected places.
2. He closes plot circles in a satisfying way.
3. He makes it easy to become emotionally invested in a cast of characters .

Berkley Publishing group - so thank you for this generous copy.

4.25 ish

I spent a bit of time wondering if I actually was going to enjoy this book or not. It felt like perhaps events were coming on too quickly, and I didn’t quite have a grasp of the characters. But by Part 3, despite my qualms with some of its elements being cut to the bone, I got sucked right into its historical yet also fantasy approach. Kay’s whole thing of mixing real world history, changing all the names, and adding magic (and maybe altering an outcome of a battle or two) is right in my wheelhouse. And this is 1400’s France, basically. But with all those other waypoints set into place.

Good book, with some lovely passages that are likely to linger. Excited to read the others in this shared world…which is our world…but isn’t

Excellent companion book to Kay's other work. Review just didn't fit into editorial calendar.
Excellent companion book to Kay's other work. Review just didn't fit into editorial calendar.

4.25 STARS

I was happy to revisit Guy Gavriel Kay's fictional feudal Europe with a brief stop back in Sarantium, one of my favorite settings of his. This rich and mysterious novel follows a brief interlude in the life of Thierry Villar, a tavern poet who finds himself moving in circles of immense influence and political power. You don't have to be a fan or familiar with Guy Gavriel Kay's previous work to enjoy this novel, but if you are, it will be more rewarding.

What I loved: the gorgeous tapestry that Kay weaves through his writing, bringing to life a softer, more fantastical version of historical events that you might be familiar with. (Bonus for Jeanne d'Arc fans!) Each character is fully fleshed out and realistic, with imperfections and details that make them perfectly human. The settings are tangible and he really brings to life this historical fantasy realm.

What was a slight miss for me: The pacing of Written on the Dark felt slightly off. Slow at spots that I'd want a faster clip, and moving a breakneck speed toward the end where I wanted more more more!

All in all, a gorgeous addition to Guy Gavriel Kay's catalogue. Loved it! A very big thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Written on the Dark.

Written on the Dark, set in an alternate medieval France, fits into Kay’s broad, century-spanning world of historical fantasy, stretching from Sarantium (Byzantium) to Ferrieres (France), with a sun god Jad religion and two moons.

A quick-witted poet (and lawyer), Thierry Villar, who is more at home in taverns than among aristocracy, is backed into solving a royal murder—and then into assisting his country against foes foreign and internal. In the process, he interacts with a remarkable mix of people, among them the queen who protects her mad husband, a young girl whose religious zeal might save that king, a renowned woman poet, and an ambiguously gendered person who sees into the “half-world.” These are troubled times of political conspiracies and a long-drawn-out war, none of which Thierry wishes to be involved with—or at least that’s what he assumes.

This intelligent, beautiful novel moves between finely detailed scenes and philosophically sweeping passages. Kay’s graceful language is illustrated in the first chapter where he sets out a key theme: “Not everyone alive in that winter night, and the following day when chaos erupted, would live to see the flowers return, or the warmth of summer, or enjoy the fruits of the harvest that followed. But that is always so. Men and women live with a heart-deep uncertainty every morning when they wake. It is why they go to war, why they write poems, fall in and out of love, plan thefts on dark nights, or try to forestall them. Why they pray. Or refuse to pray. It is the uncertainty that shapes and defines our lives.”

A highly recommended, masterful contribution to Kay’s celebrated fictional world.

Guy Gavriel Kay often writes in a kind of literary haze—elegant, reflective, hovering just above the ground. That’s part of what makes his stories so distinctive. But Written on the Dark felt especially heavy with mist: beautiful in places, yes, but often shapeless and hard to grasp. I liked parts of it, but I contemplated DNFing more than once.

Kay has always leaned on voice over action, but this one takes that tendency to the extreme. Much of the book is spent inside characters’ heads—what they fear, remember, hope for—told to us in extended, lyrical meditations. There’s little immediacy or spark. The narrative often pauses entirely for philosophical asides on art, memory, war, love, and loss. The language is polished, even profound, but it keeps the reader at arm’s length.

Some readers will find that richness rewarding. For me, it lacked the momentum and scene-level tension I need to stay engaged. I admire the intent, but the experience was too muted. A book I respected more than I enjoyed. Thoughtful, but dim. Elegant, but distant.

“The stories told—and heard—are shaped by what we need to, or want to, believe.”

Political intrigue and human struggles, as can be expected with fantasy novels—although this is fantasy-lite, I’d say even just alternate history with a *sprinkle* of mysticism which is mostly just provided through the lens of religion— are cornerstones in the genre that I will eat right up. While it was at first a disappointment for me that the magical elements weren’t seeming to develop as I continued to read, simply due to my own expectations of a high fantasy novel, I found myself still enraptured by the historical setting and very real political gambits of medieval England and France (or not-quite-England-not-France, I suppose) during the infamous Hundred Years War. The characters were diverse, flawed, and lovingly-crafted humans. The relationships and connections between them felt earned, through history that was felt in earnest, or necessary trust luckily placed in the right direction, or simply experiencing a trauma which often unites.

The main character, Thierry, being a poet and encountering his poems throughout felt inspired throughout the lyrical and poetic writing in the prose of the novel. Filled with vignettes of brilliance and words of wisdom. Beautiful, never hitting quite saccharine or cliche levels which is an art, quotes reflecting on religion (or lack thereof), beauty vs survival in life, the relativity of truth and what’s “right,” the banality of death as the world keeps turning and lives keep moving forward, and the constant contradictions of life and living. I adored my time with this book, and highly suggest it to those who enjoy 1400s historical fiction as well as fantasy readers who are looking for a break from the dense world-building and complex magic systems, but want to hold onto a similar atmosphere and plot themes to their typical reads.

It's always a treat to get a new Guy Gavriel Kay novel and step back into his world of European history from a slightly parallel universe. Over the years he's added more and more depth to the universe that he began with the Sarantium duology, and Written on the Dark adds another piece to the tapestry.

Like much of Kay's recent work the focus of the novel remains small and personal, paying attention mostly to how the large currents of history change the lives of individuals, regardless of their own intentions. Historical forces are really the main characters in Kay's books, providing a backdrop against which the characters struggle before inevitably allowing the pattern to carry them along.

The main character here is tavern poet Thierry, who begins as a small time writer and sometimes thief before becoming swept up in events larger then himself and beyond his control. Larger political events are shown through his eyes and those of his associates. As in many of Kay's books what we are given is a snapshot of events that end up changing the course of history, while adding to the overall story of his Europe.

The writing is, as usual, lovely and lyrical. My only major complaint is that Kay tends to use a little too much foreshadowing language ("if only he had known what was about to change..." etc.). Aside from that I'm always happy to have him take my on a dreamlike journey through a history that is almost but not quite out own.

4.25
This is my first Guy Gavriel Kay and it won't be my last! In fact, now I want to devour his entire backlog. His prose is truly amazing, on the same level with Robin Hobb who is one of my all-time favorites. If you enjoy Hobb's politic heavy fantasy novels, I think you'll also enjoy this...and that it's a relatively short standalone unlike Hobb's novels.

There are a lot of POVs that are beautifully interwoven but I'll admit that, while captivated by the setting and writing style, I felt detached from the characters and plot. This touches on life in a world on the brink of civil unrest and war, beginning with an assassination. There are echoes of medieval France in the setting and I loved how it explored the link between poetry and politics.

This was a very slow-moving, atmospheric, poetic (rather fitting, considering the main character is a poet), fantasy-lite novel inspired by the Assassination of Louis I, Duke of Orléans during the Hundred Years' War.

You can read this book without any prior knowledge of the Hundred Years' War between France and England. Still, I found that researching this history made the story more engaging and easier to follow, as it helped me keep track of all the characters.

Some interesting and sometimes obvious parallels:
• Ferrieres = France
• Anglcyn = England
• King Roch of Ferrieres, "the mad King" = King Charles VI of France (also known as the Mad King)
• Bianca di Rizzetto from Batiara, Queen of Ferrieres = Isabeau of Bavaria, Queen of France
• Rollin, Duke de Montereau, the King's brother = Louis I, Duke of Orléans, the King's brother
• Laurent ("the Bold"), Duke de Barratin, a royal cousin = John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy
• Jeanette ("the Maiden"), of Broché = Jeanne (or Joan) d'Arc from Domrémy
• Thierry Villar, a tavern poet = François Villon
• Marina di Seressa, a poet = Christine de Pizan

The story is told in third person from numerous POVs, but constantly revolves around a tavern poet called Thierry Villar, who finds himself thrown into the investigation and political happenings surrounding the assassination of the King's brother, the Duke de Montereau. It's interesting to witness momentous historical and political events unfold from the viewpoint of a regular (but intelligent) citizen who has an in with many important players.

The story is told with a lot of suspense and foreshadowing of an impending war.

There's something about this book that made me feel like I was missing something. Perhaps it's because this is my first time reading a novel by this author, but I suspect that there are some elements and characters (particularly with the many seemingly random references made in the epilogue) that might tie in with his other books.

In any case, this was a beautifully written historical fantasy novel.

It has barely been a week, and we are back with another Guy Gavriel Kay book. This time, we are taking a look at his newest release, Written on the Dark. Set in a historical fantasy version of France, this is the story of a man with the most dangerous job in all the land: an underground guerrilla tavern poet. Unwittingly caught up in some unprecedentedly interesting times, Thierry must decide if he is going to wade waist deep into the tides of history or stick to the rivers and the lakes that he’s used to.

Thierry Villar is a notorious tavern poet. If you find yourself sitting here wondering, “What could a tavern poet possibly be? How is it different from a normal poet?” You rube. You cultureless hack. Obviously, a regular poet is a refined individual who caters to the elite and the wealthy. But a tavern poet? A freestyle assassin who can snipe you with witty insults and observations at your local watering hole from more than 10 feet away (depending on the individual’s hearing). Thierry is a man with an intimate knowledge of the dregs of his city, which is why the provost of the guard has a job for him that he can’t refuse. A very important man has been murdered, cut down in the street. Investigating the crime is a very risky venture in an era when laws are often determined by the rich and powerful. Will Thierry step up to the plate and swim through the currents of history by helping bring justice to a murdered man? Or will he stay in comfortable notoriety, beloved but likely to only be a footnote in the annals of history?

As with all Kay books, Written on the Dark contains all of his signature elements: Small people in big times. Choices that alter the course of history. Proximity to power that drags you in its wake without the ability to meaningfully affect it. Written’s unique angle is its ties to poetry, both in plot and theme, and its exploration of how the choices we make pave our life’s story. All of the characters in this book, who come from different walks of life with very different dispositions, sit at interesting crossroads. Every one of them is presented with choices that lead to very different paths: one that will give up things they love, put them in danger, and make the world a very tiny bit better. The other, continued comfort and joy, but the shame of knowing you could have fixed something or saved someone, yet chose safety.

I really like how Kay dives into the minutia of the decisions. This is not a clear-cut “everyone should always do the right thing” hero story. These characters are taking on extreme risks in uncertain times for the chance that everything will work out to a better, more just world. In all cases, the decisions felt quite tricky, and I honestly see myself choosing safety in almost all situations. And because of this, their choices to place themselves at the center of turbulent times feel even more heroic and interesting.

As mentioned, poetry is a huge component of this book’s core identity. Written is actually quite short for a Kay book, clocking in at just under 300 pages for the copy I read. It favors more punchy observations and quick asides than some of Kay’s other, more lavish explorations of history and the human condition. It has a romantic soul, diving into its inhabitants’ lust for life and the passions that make them tick. It also loves poetic endings, in every interpretation of what that means. Also, the literal poetry that the various professional poets recited was quite fun. I imagine they must have been a labor of great love and energy for Kay, and I think the poems really tie the whole book together.

In terms of where I would rank Written on the Dark in the larger body of Kay’s work, I would put it somewhere around the middle. While still easily one of the best books of 2025, Written lacked the depth and weight of some of Kay’s bigger stories, like Sarantium or Lions. The choice to focus the book around essentially a singular event led to a more intimate story, but it also kept Written from achieving the more epic scope that Kay’s other books are known for. Written is a quiet and thoughtful member of Kay’s bibliography that you might forget is there, but it is full of shockingly emotive moments when you take a closer look.

Written on the Dark is a masterpiece of poetic scale and was a delightful entrant into the best books of 2025. Its smaller scope is refreshing, but it still packs a powerful punch despite its shorter length. If you are at all curious about the life of an underground guerrilla tavern poet, then the book you have been waiting for has finally graced your to-be-read pile.

Rating: Written on the Dark – 9.0/10
-Andrew

“Sometimes we retain the quiet moments that come in the midst of chaos, or after it. The city, my city, in the night. Our lives, written on the dark.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨

First off, thank you @acebookspub for the free copy of Written on the Dark! #berkleypartner

I have enjoyed Kay’s work since I first read Tigana for a Sci-Fi Fantasy English course I took in University.

His character development, world building, and poetic prose is what I, as a lover of epic fantasy, dream about when I crack open a book.

The beginning of Written on the Dark had me hooked and I binged the first 100 pages.

The rich characters, solid world building, engaging plot points, and a jarring start to the book had me on the edge of my seat.

Also, the LGBTQIA+ representation is top notch, whether they were a MC or a side character, they were well developed! The non-binary character was so well done it left me wanting a book just on their story.

But then we hit a wall. The story went from “oh this is going to cause complete civil unrest” into a meandering, boring, stumble to a painfully predictable conflict resolution.

Essentially, what we have is the equivalent of Dandelion (Jaskier from The Witcher series) as a lawyer/bard doing Geralt’s side quests that eventually come together to form some sort of a conclusion to a mediocre conflict.

Also, that epilogue was unnecessarily sad but it left the reader feeling like this book is some sort of bridging between two different time lines in a series. Like Rouge One in the Star Wars franchise.

I enjoy Kay’s writing style and that made the book enjoyable for me but also very disappointed in the actual story and plot itself. It started off so good and fell so flat.

If you are looking for a fantasy that is a low stakes mystery/journey this one is great. But if you are hopping for an action orientated and high stakes plot, I suggest checking out Tigana instead.

Editor's note: This roundup is scheduled to publish in Georgia June 11 online and June 14 print in several newspapers. Will also publish in Mississippi and Alabama during the month in newspapers and magazines, timing up to local editors. Link below will be active June 11.

From new series starters (Michael Connelly’s “Nightshade”) to the tried-and-true (Kendra Elliot’s “Her First Mistake”) our beach bag is already overflowing, and what we offer here are just a few — OK, actually 25 — of the best beach reads published through the end of June. Later this season we’ll round out the list, but for now, find an old favorite, a debut thriller or just about anything in between — including a North Alabama favorite who you just might see dining at a Cullman restaurant.

“Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man” (Berkley) by Jesse Q. Sutanto: A lovable Chinese tea shop owner stumbles upon a distressed, young woman — and a murder, the investigation of which she decides to serve up herself. With lots of tea and nosy charm, Vera tackles the project unasked as a “favor” to her (hoped for) future daughter-in-law. Sutanto mixes cozy mystery with smart humor and heartfelt moments.

“When She Was Gone” (Blackstone Publishing) by Sara Foster: When a young nanny working for one of Perth’s wealthiest families disappears, a tense investigation unravels the secrets of a seemingly perfect family, forcing everyone to confront the lies they’ve told themselves and each other. Foster delivers a taut, emotionally resonant thriller that lingers. And as expected from Blackstone Publishing, the story itself is packaged beautifully with subtle and tactile cover art: Buy the hardcover of this one.

“Follow Me” (Thomas & Mercer) by Elizabeth Rose Quinn: An eerie digital breadcrumb trail leads a tech-savvy woman into a web of deception and danger. Quinn crafts a smart, suspenseful mystery that taps into our modern fears of surveillance and online identity. “Heathers” meets “The Stepford Wives” in this tale of twin sisters.

“The Book That Held Her Heart” (Ace) by Mark Lawrence: In this final chapter of The Library Trilogy, a mysterious book bridges love, loss and literary magic in a haunting story that defies time and tests the bond between Livira and Evar — one that has never been more taut. Lawrence blends fantasy and emotion in this lyrical, genre-bending tale.

“The Great Pyramids: Collected Stories” (Arcade Publishing) by Frederick Barthelme: This sharp, wry collection captures small-town oddities, human longing and ironic twists with Barthelme’s signature minimalist flair. A masterclass in short fiction that’s both grounded and subtly surreal.

“The Boomerang” (Thomas & Mercer) by Robert Bailey: Big Pharma is on trial as Eli James, chief of staff to the president, attempts to rescue his daughter from a cancer diagnosis while simultaneously stumbling upon a cover up that could affect millions of lives — and more importantly to the bad guys, billions of dollars. Bailey keeps the thrills high and the emotional stakes higher. He also lives with his family in Huntsville — and has been know to visit Cullman County now and then. Let him know what you think of his latest if you see him around town.

“A Thousand Natural Shocks” (Blackstone Publishing) by Omar Hussain: A reporter fleeing his past while investigating a serial killer becomes entangled in a cult that promises a pill to erase his memory. The story turns to a test of time as dark secrets about the cult and the serial killer surface in an attempt to reconcile everything he’s learned with his past — before his memories evaporate.

“My Friends” (Atria Books) by Fredrik Backman: Backman returns with a moving meditation on friendship, aging, the quiet heroism of everyday people and a famous painting picturing an isolated moment of time of three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier. Tender, funny and unmistakably human, this is Backman’s most eloquent and lyrical story to date about how lives intersect in unknowable and unpredictable ways. An engaging read from the author of “A Man Called Ove.”

“The Language of the Birds” (Ballantine) by K.A. Merson: Arizona is no average teenager and when she finds a cryptic ransom note, she sets out to solve the riddles — and save her mother. Unwittingly, she becomes entangled in a worldwide treasure hunt that involves a centuries-old secret her father took to his grave. A quirky, surprising story soars in an introspective mystery.

“The Eternal Warrior” (Blackstone Publishing) by Ari Marmell: An immortal fighter who defies even death — an Eternal Warrior — is caught in a conflict that spans centuries, grappling with his past sins and the future of humanity in an attempt to reclaim everything that has slipped from his personal history. Marmell delivers epic fantasy with grit, heart and unrelenting pace.

“Nightshade” (Little, Brown and Company) by Michael Connelly: Done with Bosch and Ballard, at least for now, Connelly’s new series starter centers on another one-name detective, Stilwell. Due to department politics, the Los Angeles County sheriff detective has been exiled to a low-level post on Catalina Island, where he promptly begins to ruffle local feathers as he unearths secrets the natives would rather keep to themselves. Hopefully Connelly’s flair for backstory and depth will surface in future offerings, but for now, our first meeting with Stilwell offers a familiar, fun summer read.

“Kaua’i Storm” (Thomas & Mercer) by Tori Eldridge: In the lush Hawaiian landscape, a repatriated national park ranger uncovers a mystery surrounding the disappearance of her two cousins. Unfortunately for her, it’s a mystery and investigation that neither the family, the locals nor the police truly want exposed. Eldridge blends action and cultural depth in a uniquely tropical thriller.

“Rockets’ Red Glare” (Blackstone Publishing) by William Webster and Dick Lochte: A high-octane political thriller unfolds against the backdrop of a potentially explosive Fourth of July. Lochte’s sharp storytelling and fast pacing make for a perfect July 4 holiday page-turner. The book is the first in a series with Tribal Police Deputy Sage Mendiluze. Reacher and Pickett fans will find common ground here.

“Written on the Dark” (Ace) by Guy Gavriel Kay: Kay returns with an evocative, elegant historical fantasy set in a world where poetry, memory and fate collide. Centering on a tavern poet who must cater to both rogues and courtiers, Thierry Villar must also navigate churning political waters in a game of assassins and armies. Richly imagined and beautifully told storytelling.

“A Dead Draw” (Thomas & Mercer) by Robert Dugoni: In book 11 of the Tracy Crosswhite series, a pair of cold cases stir ties to the murder of Tracy’s sister in the form of suspect Erik Schmidt. When Schmidt is freed due to an investigative error, the lives of her friends and family are under direct threat. Schmidt is a master of taunt and tease as he draws Tracy deeper into his dark world. Wonderful character building in this story and the sensitive drawing of Lydia, a young woman on the spectrum whose mannerisms echo those of Tracy’s murdered sister, is exceptionally done. One of Dugoni’s best works, the author brings in just enough backstory to both start the series here, and reward long-time readers with vintage Crosswhite.

“The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club” (Ballantine Books) by Martha Hall Kelly: In a story told through dual timelines, Kelly’s narrative is a personal ode to her mother’s heritage. Involving a contemporary mystery, set at Martha’s Vineyard, whose only answers will come from the past, the story taps a wartime romance set in 1942 — and a beach read written for today. Kelly is touring extensively for this book through the end of July. Meet up with her at marthahallkelly.com/events/.

“The Turn” (Blackstone Publishing) by Christopher Ransom: An heirloom, of sorts, following his father’s death sends Casey Sweet into his dad’s past — and a current country club where Casey might just have met the long-lost son he never knew he had. Written in the tradition of “Caddyshack,” Ransom’s new novel is an engaging summer break.

“The Afterlife Project” (Podium Publishing) by Tim Weed: Humanity is facing extinction. A group of scientists with the capability to send a test subject 10,000 years into the future. One of the last women on Earth capable of getting pregnant. All of this portends that the survival of humankind is at stake in a futuristic setting evoking the ills of today.

“It Takes a Psychic” (Berkley) by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle: A psychic investigator — actually, a para-archeologist — with a flair for romance and the paranormal dives into a case filled with danger and sizzling chemistry. Castle delivers her signature mix of mystery charm in a story centering on a long-dead cult leader and illicit paranormal experiments. “It Takes a Psychic” is No. 18 in Castle’s A Harmony Novel series.

“The Ghostwriter” (Sourcebooks Landmark) by Julie Clark: An author’s past returns to haunt her in the form of a ghostwriting project undertaken for her estranged father. When the project turns out to be just another one of dad’s lies, writer Olivia Dumont is forced to confront her relationship with her father … and a web of family secrets.

“Stop All the Clocks” (Arcade) by Noah Kumin: Kumin’s debut is a meditative, poetic novel about time, grief and the modern-life moments that define us … in ones and zeroes. The death of a colleague and the collapse of her AI company send Mona Veigh’s life in directions not determined by any algorithm.

“Plays Well with Others” (Blackstone Publishing) by Lauren Myracle: A bout of social media betrayal forces Jake Nolan from her job, house and husband and into a receptive bungalow on Sweetwater Lane. There, she befriends those just like herself — people itching to act on entrenched thoughts of retaliation.

“Her First Mistake” (Montlake) by Kendra Elliot: Elliot has written nearly two dozen thrillers set in her home state of Oregon and this latest offering features a minor character from the Columbia River novels: Here, Deschutes County sheriff’s detective Noelle Marshall gets her own origin story. A cold case murder mystery, this is the tale that explains what happened to Marshall to make her the detective she is today, or at least what she becomes in later storylines. A fulfilling storyline delivers much more than backstory in a captivating summer read.

“Jill Is Not Happy” (Scarlet) by Kaira Rouda: In this darkly comic tale, Jill and Jack live an enviable life in South California and, as recent empty-nesters, an unbearable marriage. A road trip “to reconnect” is really a cat-and-mouse game unknown to each other as they unwittingly match their cunning to pull one in … and push the other over, the more-than-metaphorical ledge.

“The Farm House” (Poisoned Pen Press) by Chelsea Conradt: Looking for a fresh start after her mother dies, Emily Hauk and her husband depart for a farm in rural Nebraska. Learning nothing from centuries of thrillers (“The Amityville Horror,” anyone?), they should have asked why the asking price was so low. Unknown to them, everyone who has ever lived on this farm has died. The lure of the soil is compelling, though, as Emily digs into the mystery enveloping her new home.

Reach book reviewer Tom Mayer at tmayer@rn-t.com or tmayer132435@gmail.com.

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Written on the Dark is GGK's shortest novel, and in a lot of ways, I think it needed to be longer. Brightness Long Ago, his next shortest, is over 100 pages longer, and is my second favorite GGK novel. So it's not like it needed to be huge! But a lot of it felt rushed or haphazard in the exploration of its themes and characters. The plot just kinda comes in for awhile and then is over, and then people hang around for awhile, and then more plot stuff happens....all of this, in isolation, is great. But it left the novel feeling like it was not as good as the sum of its parts. This sounds negative, and in comparison with Guy's other novels that I've read, it is. But it's still a GGK book, which means it is still very good. The prose is still great, every minor and major character's inner life is accounted for, and there are some great characters in this one. Theres a chapter in this book that is primarily following Joan of Arc (but GGK twisted, so not really) that is spectacular.

And part three of this book is incredible. The whole climax was extremely gripping and moving. And then the epilogue is...maybe, just maybe, the best epilogue I've ever read. It ties into Sarantine Mosaic and Brightness Long Ago, my two other favorite works from GGK, and it made me so incredibly emotional.

So I can't fault it too much.

8.5/10

Guy Gavriel Kay’s latest novel Written on the Dark explores the same different-but-familiar fantasy world that appeared in some of his previous works, including All the Seas of the World and A Brightness Long Ago.

While it takes place in a different, imaginary locale, a world with two moons and unique geography, religion, and customs, Written on the Dark was inspired by medieval France, and includes a Joan of Arc figure, albeit with a happier ending.

The protagonist, Thierry Villar, is a tavern poet. Definitely not included among the great and powerful, he is nonetheless swept up into important events within his world. As in some of Kay’s other books, Written on the Dark shows us how slight nuances can affect the tide of events, at the personal level as well as more broadly. Kay’s knack for developing a strong sense of place is exhibited once again in this novel.

Set against a backdrop of courtly intrigue and political unrest, Kay’s characters are people the reader can care about. We see character growth in Thierry himself, who, despite the vicissitudes of fate, is an active participant in his own life, relying on his wits and knowledge to work his way out of tough scrapes.

Loss, nostalgia, beauty, and a sense of magic are also woven into the narrative. Steeped in a different time and place, Written on the Dark contains echoes of our own world’s history, lending a ring of authenticity to the narrative. Those who enjoyed All the Seas of the World and A Brightness Long Ago should enjoy this latest addition to Kay’s works.

** spoiler alert ** This was my first Guy Gavriel Kay book which was probably a mistake. I definitely am not going to write him off, but this book wasn't very impressive.

In the good column, I will say that Kay does have a way with descriptions and settings. The beginning of the book started out very well, and I really felt the cold of winter and the chaos of the events. Also, I will say the characters of Thierry (in the beginning, at least) and Robbin were pretty captivating. The political interplay was intriguing as well (though it didn't really pay off).

Now let's talk about what didn't work. The biggest issue for me in this book is the female characters. Marina is the best written of the bunch (but why, oh why, was she naked in the bed with Thierry??), but she really only revolves around Thierry and his story. Silvy cannot be in a section or chapter without something relating to sex being mentioned. When we first meet her, we find out she's sleeping with her female coworker (we learn she sleeps with women so she won't get pregnant, because that's how sexuality works). She meets Marina and what do they talk about - if Silvy has slept with Thierry (not passing the Bechdel test). Then Silvy starts sleeping with Marina for whatever reason. A little later, a Silvy part and again we need to be told that she's still sleeping with her coworker. Thierry shows up and they decide to be together...by saying that they should start sleeping together. Can Silvy be thought of without sex being mentioned?

Let's talk about the interlude too, while on female characters. A super hot, maybe supernatural woman seeks out Thierry solely to bang him. Why did we need an entire section for this? There's also the Joan of Arc stand-in, Jeanette, which was just a bizarre side-story to be honest (in the acknowledgements, GGK admits he wanted to "save" Joan of Arc, but this just didn't suit the story).

The epilogue is apparently a throwback to GGK's older books, which went over my head entirely and ended up just being confusing. Overall, I'm giving it three stars and not two due to: a)the writing style and b)the first quarter of the book.

A beautiful and stirring meditation on the transitory nature of life and how one man can change the course of his life with the simplest of acts. Guy Gavriel Kay is never better than when he is examining the everyman, a simple soul with no lofty aspirations or grand, intricate schemes to take over the world. His poet, Thierry, is that perfect blend of loveable rogue and gentle soul who the reader happily follows through Kay's touch of strange medieval French countryside as world's shift, lives are irrevocably changed and the great pattern on the weaver's loom takes shape.

Kay cannot write a bad book even if under death treath.
Another story that could be historical fiction with fantasy elements or fantasy with historical elements.
To be honest i don't care as this huge book kept hooked and turning pages.
GReat world building and storytelling
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Written on the Dark
Written on the Dark by Guy Gavriel Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's really quite fascinating to see how my reactions to a handful of authors change over the years. The first book I read by Kay left me with a sour taste in my mouth, but it also happened to be one of his first, most popular works.

But later? I kept giving him a shot (being pleasantly surprised), and another, and another--and sooner, rather than later, I was utterly enthralled, lost in the writing. I became so thoroughly immersed in the world and the people who journey there that I was literally enchanted away from the real world. Kay's writing has real magic in it.

In this particular book, we follow Thierry again, the poet who ALWAYS gets into trouble in a world near to, but not quite France, starting with first a murder investigation, and ending in massive, massive changes for a character I'd grown to love over the previous volumes.

But more, it's about his growth rather than the certainly interesting historical-adjacent happenings that reward students of history. Joan of Ark, anyone? But don't be deceived. This novel isn't about her. It's very much about seeing the world through a growing poet's eyes, encountering both danger and kindness, and ultimately... well, I think you ought to read it. It's a very beautiful book.

In the interest of full disclosure, I think Guy Gavriel Kay is one of the best genre writers practicing in the field today. It’s entirely possible, I think, that he hasn’t written a bad book. And, to be clear, I think he’s knocked it out of the park again. If you’re an existing Kay fan, you’re going to enjoy Written on the Dark immensely. If you’re not…well, you’re probably going to enjoy it, too.
Kay is known for his alt-history work. Set in worlds that are perhaps one step removed from our own. Where the names are a little different, the faces are familiar but not quite the same, where the thrust of events nudges at the back of your mind, but the details, the intimate, the human, the emotional filigree of the experience, are all very different. And in themselves, these smaller stories can change, shift the rolling path of great events in another direction. Small things, things people do, can change the world. The way two people see each other, the way a chance meeting in the street can lead to a conversation that shifts paradigms…is something Kay portrays very well. And I tell you what, Kay can write a world. He has a lush, lyrical prose style, which provides his setting with weight, and beauty, and a sense of capturing that beauty alongside the costs. Blood on a silvered blade. And this is a world that you might have run across before, a world which feels quite similar to medieval France. High chivalry, armoured men on horses, and a desire to make the world beautiful, in poetry, in life.


Indeed, the protagonist, Thierry, is a professional poet. Maybe professional is taking it a bit far, as he also has several less salubrious side-hustles. But he’s a smart man, and living in his head is no hardship. A fast talker and risk-taker, Thierry is also a thoughtful man, one who knows that words can shift mountains, assuming you can find the right words. That words can build legends, if you can find the right words. That words can shatter men, if you can find the right words. But that from time to time, the world is a dark and deadly place, and if the silvered tongue of chivalry and love can’t do the job, then a dagger at your belt wouldn’t be the worst thing to have. Kay has a penchant for male artist protagonists, and exploring the dichotomy within them of making art and craftsmanship in a more martial world, and this is no exception. But, to be fair, it’s a good bit. The tensions both within Thierry and within society are explored with a compassion and honesty and a sense of truth. And Thierry’s relationships, his struggles with his friends and his lovers and his social and political superiors, sit within a broader sense of events. Within a world on the cusp of change, where the right word in the right place can move a pebble into an avalanche. There's a sense of the epic here, intertwined with characters whose relationships keep that scale grounded, intimate, and human.


I don’t want to spoil the story, but I will say that Kay never has a problem keeping my attention. This is one of those books whose first few pages grabbed onto my heart and mind, and refused to let go until I was done reading it, at some unconscionable hour of the morning. It’s a story with some romance, some heart, some rapid pivots and sharp twists. It’s a story that, I know it’s a cliche, is a page-turner, because it for sure kept me turning pages.


Kay has always been a great writer, but I think he’s at the top of his game here, telling a tale that is at once a soaring piece of theatre, and an intensely personal story. It is, in short, really rather good, and I encourage everyone to go and pick it up immediately.