A wonder of wonders! As with all of Kay's writing, The Sarantine Mosaic is beautiful. Each sentence is crafted to perfection to entice you into this parallel Byzantine world where creatures from the spirit realm walk among us. The supernatural elements are brought in so subtly that the whole imagined universe almost feels like it should be our own realm. Kay's religious nuances and historical accuracy make Sarantine culture feel real. This fantasy universe is so well done the story should count as historical fiction.
Kay also weaves the serious and the lighthearted together into a perfect tapestry. Reading his work I always get a full range of emotions which he artfully evokes with the deftest of turns. As a reader, I become so immersed in the feel of the places and people, that it really feels like I'm living the experience.
​The characters are also beautifully varied. Crispin, the mosaicist embarking on this journey to legendary Sarantium, the emperor and his wife, charioteers and common people, Sarantines and a whole number of outlanders struggling to find the middle ground between their beliefs and those imposed by the empire. All is brought together into a coherent picture. Snap-shots making up the individual pieces of Kay's great literary mosaic.
I loved this book -- enjoyed every moment of it. The characters are unforgettable, the scenery tangible and the entire story is a work of art equal to that of the mosaicist who is the protagonist. I highly recommend this series!
