The Catenan Republic is built upon the Hierarchy, a social structure where those at the top sap the Will of those below them to gain strength and live longer. In this pyramid structure which is eight levels deep, the Octavi are the lowest of the low, and of course, the most numerous. They receive Will from no one, yet cede half of their own Will to the Septimus above them, thus they are weaker and shorter lived. Each Septimus receives Will from eight Octavi and cedes half their own Will to the Sextus above them, who receives Will from seven Septimi, and so on up the Hierarchy. There are three primary pyramids in this society: Religion, Military, and Governance and they are all vying for power. This society has become so strong that they have conquered everyone around them. But like most empires, when there is no external threat to focus on, in fighting becomes the norm. Then there is Vis, born to ruling family of Suus, the last society to fall to the might of the Hierarchy. Vis has kept his identity hidden and vowed to never cede his Will to those who killed his family, but soon he will be the age where he must. Can the vengeance of one young man topple an empire?

Guy Gavriel Kay has written many good books but my favorite is The Lions Al-Rassan. As always with Kay the writing is superb, the world feels completely real, and the characters are compelling. Religion, politics, poetry, and three memorable characters are all about to collide and be torn apart as Al-Rassan is poised to fall under a weak king. Centuries ago the Asharites, fanatic worshipers of the Stars, came across the sea from their desert land and conquered Al-Rassan. Ammar ibn Khairan is a poet, warrior, and an advisor to kings. He is also an assassin on behalf of those kings. But Al-Rassan cares more for commerce these days than faith and the desert fanatics see them as little better than infidels and consider Ammar one of the worst. Rodrigo Belmonte is a noted general of one of the three Jaddite kingdoms that border Al-Rassan to the north. The Jaddite horsemen, followers of the Sun, are restless and want more glory, more land, and to exterminate the Kindath, who worship the Moons, and are tolerated in civilized Al-Rassan. Jehane bet Ishak, a Kindath physician, finds herself caught between gathering armies and two great men as the three of them are thrown together one fateful night just before their world crumbles.

To review a book a read 25 years ago would usually require reading the book again. Perhaps the greatest recommendation I can offer for A Song For Arbonne is that 25 years and thousands of books later I remember it well. Arbonne is land of wine, music, and very fine seaports coveted by its landlocked neighbor Gorhaut. Unfortunately for the aging Countess who rules Arbonne the bulk of her armies belongs to her two dukes who have been on the verge of civil war for years. Enter Blaise of Gorhaut, an ordinary mercenary in the employ of one of Arbonne's lesser barons and let the game of thrones begin.