Hauntingly evocative of medieval Spain, a deeply compelling story of love, adventure, divided loyalties, and what happens when beliefs begin to remake -- or destroy -- a world. The ruling Asharites of Al-Rassan have come from the desert sands, but over centuries, seduced by the sensuous pleasures of their new land, their stern piety has eroded. The Asharite empire has splintered into decadent city-states led by warring petty kings. King Almalik of Cartada is on the ascendancy, aided always by his friend and advisor, the notorious Ammar ibn Khairan -- poet, diplomat, soldier -- until a summer afternoon of savage brutality changes their relationship forever. Meanwhile, in the north, the conquered Jaddites' most celebrated -- and feared -- military leader, Rodrigo Belmonte, driven into exile, leads his mercenary company south. In the dangerous lands of Al-Rassan, these two men from different worlds meet and serve -- for a time -- the same master. Sharing their interwoven fate -- and increasingly torn by her feelings -- is Jehane, the accomplished court physician, whose own skills play an increasing role as Al-Rassan is swept to the brink of holy war, and beyond.

盖伊·加夫里尔·凯生于1954年11月7日。加拿大文坛享有国际声誉的奇幻大师之一。

20世纪70年代,《魔戒之王》的作者托尔金去世后,凯应邀前往英国协助托尔金之子克里斯托弗·托尔金整理乃父留下的文稿。在此后的三年中,随着托尔金的遗作《精灵宝钻》顺利完成,凯自己也狂热地爱上了奇幻文学。数年之后,凯模仿托尔金风格而成的奇幻小说“费奥纳瓦织锦”三部曲上市,并获大奖。

之后,凯结合自己的兴趣开始创作“仿历史奇幻小说”,这种小说是将真实历史中的人和事进行改编,构建一个完整的架空世界,既具有结构紧凑、有理有序、容易被读者接受的优点,又能借此抒发悠远的历史情怀。在此之前,虽然也有人做过尝试,但凯却是获得突破性成就的第一人。现在与大家见面的《提嘉娜》、《阿拉桑雄狮》和《亚波娜之歌》,即是凯最具代表性的经典之作。

截至目前,凯已获得幻想文坛多个大奖,如世界幻想文学奖、加拿大极光奖、卡斯帕最佳推理小说奖等等。