Kay-esk novels

[pkhill]

Hey all,
I'm a huge fan of GG Kay's work, in particular Tigana and A Song for Arbonne. I've had a lot of trouble finding any other books of a similar feel and timber, does anyone have any suggestions that might be like either of these two incredible books?

[farseer2]

I'm also a big fan of GGK. However, I'm unable to recommend a similar writer. There are other great fantasy writers, but Kay's style is so personal that none of them are quite like him, as far as I know.

[Mithfânion]

It is a tough ask.

I think there are parallels with Tolkien, I have noticed people who like Kay often enjoy JRRT as well. Even though there are clear differences.

Lois Bujold and her Chalion series has been suggested. The Name of the Wind by Rothfuss as well in terms of ambience. Riddle-Master trilogy by McKillip has a feel that I could compare to Fionavar. Hobb's Farseer books?

[nicba]

I think the author I have found that most closely resembles GGK is Judith Tarr, especially her books set around the time of the crusades.

They are 'historical fantasy' and has some of the same sense of taking place in an almost real world, though they all have somewhat more magic in them than GGK's books.

The absolutely best, I think, is The Hound and the Falcon about a monk with elven blood going on a pilgrimage to Constantinople:

THE ISLE OF GLASS
THE GOLDEN HORN
THE HOUNDS OF GOD

The following thematically similar books are also quite good. My favorite is the last one on the list:

HOUSE OF WAR
DEVIL'S BARGAIN
PRIDE OF KINGS
KINGDOM OF THE GRAIL

Her newest books, about William the Conquer, is at least as much 'historical romance' as historical fantasy and thus does not reach the level of the former novels, I think.

[Alchemist]

Kay is unique--most great writers are. You might have to look outside of the genre for a comparable tone, but even then...

[algernoninc]

Patricia McKillip - The Riddlemaster books have a similar lyrical intensity and fascination with lost civilizations. Her standalone books also merit attention : The Forgotten Beasts of Eld and Winter Rose being my favorites.

Ursula K le Guin has some similarities with GGK style, and if you are up to a very hefty volume about the death of a civilization i would say Gary Jennings "Azteca" - the magic is minimal [some encounters with god-like figures], but the historical details and the emotional intensity have made a great impression on me

[Bond]

Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series reminds me a lot of Kay. There's more explicit sex and romance but the wistful writing style is of comparable calibre. The use of a world roughly conforming to European geography with matching religions is similar too.

[Icarium]

you guys seem to be looking at particularities and i think what we re looking for here are other authors who give off the same vibe and feeling in their writing and i have to agree with the majority, i have never read another author that gave off the same feeling... he s a great author... cant say i really liked his last book but tigana and song of arborn were really something else.

[Werthead]

I often think that Scott Bakker has a comparable style, but kind of inverted. So whilst Kay's books, though often tragic, are also often romantic and have happy endings, Bakker is more cynical and downbeat. There's a similar prose style in there though.

In terms of the same positive 'warm' feeling you get from a good Kay book, there's not many authors out there who do the same thing.

[phil_geo]

Haha! I must link to my thread about how Anne Bishop is similar to Guy Kay. Full disclosure requires that I point out that no one agrees with me and I was soundly scolded, but I stand by my reasoning and recommendation!

http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showt...ht=anne+bishop

[saintjon]

I love when someone has a reason to say "Haha!"

Seriously I've been up and down the genre and no one else is Kay. My other favourite authors have their own different way of doing things, and I just don't think anyone else could pull off what he does. Now that I think of it it wouldn't be such a bad thing if there were more writers like Guy Kay, but he has such a killer combination of talents as a storyteller it doesn't seem likely.

edit: The Bakker/Kay comparison is interesting, like putting a jaded philosopher next to a passionate bard.