Guy Gavriel Kay

.... is a writer of what I can probably best describe as 'historical fantasy'. His first works were the Fionavar Tapestry, which was pretty much straight up fantasy, and pretty good at that.

Now he writes fiction based on different historical periods, but set in fantasy settings. OK, I may be making it sound like crap, but I think his stuff is really good. For example, probably my favourite of his works is "The Lions of A-Rassan", which is set in a world based on mediaeval Spain. Northern Spain in the period in question was controlled by the European based Christians, while Southern Spain was controlled by the Moors from Northern Africa/Middle East. Yes, they are the ones responsible for the Alhambra and all that. Anyway, this book is well written fiction, with the added bonus that comes with good and well researched historical fiction - a bit of blurring of the lines between fact and fiction. It follows several characters on both sides of the 'fence' and explores a lot of issues that come from that.

He has also done stories based on 18th/19th Century Italy, Mediaeval Languedoc and the Byzantine Empire, just to name a few.

OK, on to the point. I just got his most recent book, at least the most recent one I have found here. It is The Last Light of the Sun, and is set in the era of the Vikings, and Celtic/Anglo/Pict British Isles. For obvious reasons to any who have read my ranting before, there is something of a fascination in that period for me, so it is exciting in itself. I am about a quarter through, and loving it. If you are some random trawler, please don't post and ruin it (like I get any random trawling through here), but I just want to recommend it.

No, not getting any kickbacks, unfortunately. Unless someone who knows someone, in which case, bring it on baby!