50 pages 1 hour read

Guy Gavriel Kay

Sailing to Sarantium

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Sailing to Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay, mosaicist Caius “Crispin” Crispus is summoned to the Sarantine Empire to assist in decorating the Great Sanctuary. During his journey, Crispin encounters political intrigue, religious themes, and other dangers, while a mechanical bird named Linon guides him. With newfound friends, Crispin navigates palace politics and rediscovery his will to live, aiming to achieve artistic greatness. The story includes themes of grief, violence, and existential crises.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Guy Gavriel Kay's Sailing to Sarantium is lauded for its intricate world-building and richly detailed prose. The plot captivates with its blend of history and fantasy, though some find it slow-paced. Character development is profound, but a few readers feel secondary characters could be more fleshed out. Overall, it's praised for its immersive storytelling and evocative atmosphere.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Sailing to Sarantium?

A reader who enjoys Sailing to Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay is likely a fan of historical fantasy with rich, intricate world-building and complex characters. They would appreciate novels like A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin and The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss for their similarly immersive storytelling and depth.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Fantasy

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Historical Fiction

Topics

History: World