The Summer Tree Audiobook By Guy Gavriel Kay cover art

The Summer Tree

Fionavar Tapestry, Book 1

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The Summer Tree

By: Guy Gavriel Kay
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Two-time Aurora Award-winning author Guy Gavriel Kay has been nominated for the World Fantasy Award three times.

In the first book of his Fionavar Tapestry series, five college students meet a wizard who takes them to the heart of the first of all worlds - a place called Fionavar. The students soon discover that they have been pre-ordained as part of the pattern called the Fionavar Tapestry - and if they don't fulfill their destinies, the world will suffer devastating consequences.

©2001 Guy Gavriel Kay (P)2020 Recorded Books Action & Adventure Contemporary Epic Epic Fantasy Fairy Tales Fantasy Fiction Magic Paranormal & Urban Student Feel-Good
Interwoven Storylines • Engaging Fantasy • Beautiful Narration • Suspenseful Plot • Magical Worldbuilding
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Guy Gavriel Kay’s The Summer Tree is a fantasy tale where five university students are transported to a magical realm and undergo a series of adventures. One is separated from the group and wanders a bit with a provincial tribe for a while. Another is recognized as a seer and develops some magical abilities. Another is guilt ridden over the death of a former girlfriend and agrees to sacrifice himself on ‘the summer tree’ which the ruling leader has refused to do. In the background, an ancient evil entity is awakening. There are wizards, but they derived their power from another known as their source.

Kay weaves a number of traditional fantasy themes together to create a unique fantasy realm with both a backstory as well as familial issues that complicate the situation. Each of the students gains some self-awareness and insight, although eventually they finally all make it back to their home world.

The narration is very good with solid character distinction. Pacing is smooth.

Nonspecific fantasy tale

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it’s a good story …it has a lot of things that are similar to other books and authors but I guess that’s fantasy! “there’s nothing new under the sun” as the saying goes…but why, why all the weird accents? Scottish and Irish and Jewish and I’m not really sure what some of the other ones were but it actually made me laugh at places where I probably shouldn’t of been laughing :-/
so if you can get past that, overall, it’s a good start to a Trilogy and the last third of the book is a little easier to bear because now you’ve become accustomed to the narration.

why, why why oh why?

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Many years ago, The summer Tree was my intro to Guy Gabriel Kay’s work. I’ve been a die hard fan ever since. Enjoyed hearing it for the first time in years. The only downside is the voicing for the Canadians- Dave, Jen, Kevin, Paul , and Kim. Really distracting, and seems like an odd choice given how well Mr Vance narrates everything else in this tale.

Love this trilogy

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The Fionavar Trilogy is among the very greats of fantasy. The Summer Tree is mesmerizing. I first discovered the trilogy as a teen almost 40 years ago. I’m utterly thrilled to find them all on audible now. The characters and story can be heartbreaking at times. Very well read by Simon Vance, though I’m still wrapping my head at the Dalrai (sp? I’m listening) having Scottish accents…

One of the great fantasy series

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The book is one I’ve enjoyed since first reading it. The narrator does a good job. Some voices seem unlike the written characters, but are easily distinguished.

Good story

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It was not the best GGK has written the story was not that thrilling. I didn’t like or care about any of the characters. I really didn’t care what happened to any of them
The plot sounded intriguing but the execution was not that great

Okay

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I have been reading since I was six years old, well over half a century. This series, The Fionovar Tapestry, is my favorite ever. The author truly weaves a tale where everything ties together. There are many twists and turns, and much suspense and action along with romance and magic. You will love the characters. The story comes alive.

This is an Intricate Story

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LOVE THIS SERIES!!! Definitely one of my top Favorites since I was 16 till now

Epic Read

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This is one of my favorite fantasy trilogies of all time. I first read it several decades ago and it has not lost its charm in translation to audiobook. Listening to this tail again was like spending time with an old friend. It is well worth your time invested in the age old story of light versus the dark.

Beautifully written and skillfully woven tail

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I wavered back and forth with this novel. It was an engaging read, but it was also quite dark. I attempted to reread it to remind myself of the flow of the story, but found I did not want to reread the torture scenes.
I did really enjoy the world building. The different races, the royal family dynamics, the political power plays, it all weaves together to create a very engaging and intense story. You are left wanting to know what is going to happen next with each character.
The author also did an excellent job fleshing out some of the specific characters. You find yourself invested in each individual and hoping that things end positively for each them. Redemption. I’m interested to read the next novel in the series.

The Summer Tree

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