[mshnd06]

Anyone read this series? Thoughts?
I just picked it up at the used bookstore. I've always enjoyed Anderson's sci-fi but I hadn't tried any of his fantasy.

[Lowlander]

I really enjoyed this series. Poul Anderson was always good in historical fantasy set in the early middle ages (Broken Sword, his viking fantasies) and King of Ys is no exception. The period (late Roman empire Gaul) is very well portrayed. Although there never was a city of Ys ruled by priestesses in real Gaul the novels read more like history than fantasy, probably because the fantasy elements (magic) are not very dominant.

However there is one element that could perhaps be a problem. Poul Anderson was an old fashioned and rather conservative writer. The attitude in these books towards women is not always pc. Whether you like this series will also depend how much you like/dislike the main character Gratillonius. The man is a real old school Roman : tough, ruthless, strong sense of honor, brave. I like him although he could be a real tough bastard sometimes.

MINOR SPOILER WARNING

The series is also rather gloomy which can be expected since the legend of Ys is about a lost sunken city (Atlantis theme).