An imaginary beauty China

Guy Gavriel Kay is not writing novels spectacular, except perhaps his first series of tapestry Fionavar 1: the tree of the summer. It rather is part of the Fantasy called "literary" where descriptions, moods and characters are widely favored over grandiose events. This does not mean that his novels are boring, they simply will not please everyone.

That said, all Kay's novels do not have a "hook" very efficient (I had to take me twice to get into that Tigane yet I loved the final). The other fault I usually found it is related to his choice of writing imaginary fantasy but in reality based directly on real historical events.

Or if you have the misfortune of knowing the time used, confusion between the book and the story (with names and events with different names) me is quite difficult to bear.
But in Heaven Hunder these defects do not exist, my knowledge of Chinese imperial history with significant gaps that could be called gaping holes, and for his philosophy. As for the teaser, it's perfect, embodying the subtle magic of the spirits and the subtlety of the policy of the empire of the Tang era.

The hero of this story, Shen Tai, has chosen to spend two years of compulsory mourning to honor the memory of his father on the last battlefield of it. Kuala Nor, instead of the last confrontation between the Empire of Kitai (China) and Toguran Empire (Tibet) and where very many dead await burial for more than twenty years.

Shen Tai for two years so it employs. Shen Tai, a former soldier, former follower Kanlin (martial arts) and Mandarin apprentice is only a very minor part in the political scene of Kitai, but the decision of a distant princess Togurienne assign two hundred fifty stallions in Sardis thanks instantly propels the midst of a very unstable political situation, even murderous, where each faction will seek its support.

Why? Because Tai Shen was the only one to bear every night departed spirits wailing and because the possession of one of these horses is already a rare honor.
Through this character and his past that will prove to you gradually, you will be immersed in the intrigue surrounding a Byzantine emperor who was great but at the end of his life, became the prey of the most beautiful and ambitious courtesans, delectable, divine Wen Jian.
Accordingly, Premier Kitai today is none other than the cousin of Wen Jian, a man of intrigue and court will never hesitate to use his power for personal ..., what Shen Tai and his sister will have to suffer.

Shen Tai will travel throughout the Empire to go offer his horses to the Emperor, the only solution to keep his head on his shoulders! In so doing we discover with him this brilliant civilization, its boundless admiration for its scholars, its treatment of women, the weight of the hierarchy and the sophisticated pleasures. We also understand any political intelligence needed to survive this great empire, its management Bogu barbarians (Mongols) "purchased" by a shoddy princess who is none other than the sister of Shen Tai, and used by his brother to advance the interests of his family (yes women of the empire are only pawns) to the finesse required for military regions remain subservient to central government.

But you will also witness the operation of political power based on a coterie, the short-termist decisions based on purely personal interests or instinctive reactions.
Guy Gavriel Kay writing novels revolving around beautiful characters, any discovery will be made with the utmost lightness and grace, carried by a young man whose mad passionate love and loyalty to her sister will give life to this story.

Note the treatment of women in the Empire where they do not count, Kay finely describes the means by which they seek still to master their destiny, moreover when the point of view of the narrator passes feminine, the text switches the present and gives it more strength.

Remarkably, the literary prize seed.