Ysabel: A Novel

Written by Guy Gavriel Kay

Narrated by Kate Reading

The internationally best-selling fantasy novels of Guy Gavriel Kay have won the author numerous awards and immense critical acclaim. Ysabel is a contemporary fantasy that centers on the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral of Aix-en-Provence, where a 15-year-old boy accompanies his father on a photo shoot. Befriending a whip-smart American girl and confronting a knife-wielding maniac, the boy finds that the ancient site shimmers with mysteries of fantastical design.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781980090427

Guy Gavriel Kay

Guy Gavriel Kay was born and raised in Canada. He lives in Toronto, although he does most of his writing in Europe. His novels include ‘The Fionavar Tapestry’ trilogy (described by ‘Interzone’ as ‘the only fantasy work… that does not suffer by comparison with ‘The Lord of the Rings’), ‘Tigana’ and ‘A Song for Arbonne’.

Reviews for Ysabel

[renato · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love Kay's books and this is not an exception. I am still blown away by the utterly surprising turn of events of Kay doing YA urban fantasy this sublimely. It is an incredible book. And the ending was so surprising. I know I'm going to have a massive book hangover from this one. Loved the characters, adore the plot, am in awe of the writing.

[librarycin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 starsYsabel is a young adult urban fantasy novel. 15-year old Ned is in France with his father, a photographer. While exploring a cathedral, Ned meets Kate, who is about the same age as he is. Odd things start happening. Without giving too much away, the story involves two men and a woman from 2500 years ago, merging in today’s world and somehow Ned and his family are involved.I liked it. I am not usually a big fan of fantasy, but I’ve found I tend to prefer ya and urban fantasy. I’ve only read one other Kay book, which for me, took an incredibly long time for the story to get going. I was happy that this one started off with the action right off the top.

[sandyamcpherson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked the contemporary crossover to mythical vibe in this novel. Although the narrative struck me as aimed at the younger end of YA, the tale could easily appeal to the adult who likes historical characters intertwined with a modern day adventure. I like YA, so that's not a criticism, just that the story seemed a younger genre than I remember GGK's writing. After all, I devoured the story late into the night during a reading binge.In this novel, Kay departs from the rather tedious style of his 1980's fantasies. His writing had much more adept use of historical events from Roman-Celtic times in ancient Gaul (France) and modern times. Whether young teens will relate to the 15-year-old main characters is not certain (a small point, hot mail as an e-mail domain in 2007, when the book was published, is really dating itself). Minor niggles aside, this book is especially enjoyable in terms of tying in much more ancient myths (Beltane) that pre-date any of the Greek and Roman theologies together with the ruins and historical sites in the France of today. The area around Aix-en-Provence sounds wonderfully intriguing. The final twist in the story was splendid and I was sorry to leave Ned & Kate (the MCs) behind.

[electrascaife · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ned Marriner is on a trip with his dad, who is a famous photographer working on a coffee table book on the region, in the south of France in May. As the crew is setting up to shoot the outside of an old cathedral, Ned thinks it would be funny to poke around on the inside while listening to Houses of the Holy - something to text his high school buddies about back home. But while inside the ancient-in-places space, he meets a girl there on an exchange program, and they both run into a man who seems to be up to no good. Their lives all change from then on, because the man is, in fact, a man out of his time (by about 2500 years) and something big is about to go down on Beltaine, with Ned unwittingly at the center of it all.I loved this book. A grown-up version of Over Sea, Under Stone, with a story that folds in Celtic myth and Greek & Roman history? Be still my Classics-/myth-/fantasy-loving heart. Excellent pacing, great characters, and a very cool story. Highly recommended.

[jercox · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ancient enemies at war in an ongoing love triangle get tangled up in modern reality. This pulled me in far more effectively than other Kay novels I have read recently. The plot was much tighter, with fewer far flung threads to reconcile, and better characters.

[weeturtle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first G. G. Kay book I have read. I picked it because of the Celtic connection. Ysabel is something of an ancient love story, playing out in modern times in a supernatural fashion and into which a teenage boy gets involved. The writing was good, and in some places felt almost sublime to the point where I would read it over and over again, trying to find how Kay put his words together to create the scene. However, the story pacing was slow, and didn't seem to change much throughout the book, so it's not a something I would read for action or excitement, even if there might be such moments. It is the singular moments that I recall most about the book, rather than the overall story. Everything felt well crafted, but I wasn't glued to the pages.

[sakerfalcon_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am a huge fan of GGK's work, though looked forward to this book with a little trepidation as I am not such a huge fan of teenage boys! I had recently read Robin McKinley's Dragonhaven (a very different book!), which has a teenage boy narrator, and found it heavy going. But Ned Marriner has a likeable personality, realistic but not annoying, and is a sympathetic viewpoint character. I especially enjoyed the dynamic between him and the adults around him, as he seeks both their support and his independence.Provence is gloriously depicted, and the rented villa sounds idyllic! Into this paradise come violent events from prehistory, as mysterious figures loom, appear and threaten. There are violent scenes, but things never get as dark as, say, the events of Fionavar. I don't feel this is a bad thing though, as the characters and atmosphere are all as strong as one expects from Kay.Many readers seem to have been disappointed by this book, and to be sure, it is not in the same class as Fionavar (to which this book is related) or Sarantium. But Kay is doing something different here, looking at the invasion of the distant past into our modern world, and the effect this has on a couple of teenagers and those who seek to protect them. As such, I think he succeeds admirably in showing how they are all forced to change their assumptions and broaden their horizons, as well as writing a thoroughly compelling story. This book could appeal to a younger audience than is usual for Kay's writing, which can only be a good thing for his continuing popularity.

[seriousgrace · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a quick read once I settled into the fantasy aspect of it. I have to admit, the historical side was a little easier to cozy up to at first. The premise is an interesting one. Ned Marriner is traveling with his father in Aix-en-Provence, France on a photography assignment. Edward Marriner has made a name for himself as a professional photographer specializing in coffee table books of unusual landscapes and architecture. Ned's mom is a doctor with Medicine Sans Frontiers and a source of angst for her family as she insists on being sent to treat people in warring regions like Dafur and Bosnia. While in Provence Ned befriends sarcastic and bold Kate and together they uncover an ancient mystery that borders on the supernatural. It seems like a great fantasy until Edward's super assistant Melanie goes missing, sucked into that fantasy world.

[deva1984 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The story of Ysabel centers on Ned, a teen from Montreal. With his celebrated photographer father and his team, he took a sojourn in Aix-en-Provence. There he met a NYC girl Kate and then a mystery man in leather jack while exploring the Cathedral Saint-Sauveur. The man turned out to be ancient, returned to continue a millenniums old love triangle invoking many blood sheaths throughout local history. This is a enjoyable page-turner. No serious themes discussed within you. Characters are well developed and colourful distinguishable. Ned's adventure is thrilling, lightly romanced, and let me say quite dusky but not grim. In the end he saved Melanie, his father's assistant, possessed by Ysabel the Red. And the "Roman" and the "Celt" ended their fierce feud in kinda peaceful although tragic way, as we could expect from the plot. Kay weaves the history of Provence and Ned's family story into this main plot. Surely he alters some historical events here to serve the story. But you could not suspect that of which is made by him. They fit the narratives like oliver oil filling spaghetti. I read the book much as a travel blog (might visit those sites if I have a chance to Aix.)

[threadnsong · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a very interesting book, a bit hard to immerse myself in probably because of the more modern setting. While the language is still lyrical in parts, the story is told from the point of view of a young, intelligent, 15 year old boy living for a time with his photographer father in southern France.

Intriguing in this book is the weaving-in of ancient Celtic ritual and the later layer of Roman bloodthirstiness. The gods of the Celtic worlds are still sometimes called into our world at the right time and with the right intent, and their bloodthirstiness still reigns.

The latter part of the book twists into ways that explain the first part and are a nice, refreshing coda to previous writings.

[ilirwen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've seen negative reviews of this book (but I hadn't seen them when I bought it), but I hadn't read anything by Kay yet, so I wasn't disappointed. Maybe it's because I didn't have anything to compare it to, but in any case I liked it. Well, maybe I should specify that I wasn't too thrilled with the characters, but the setting and the plot were both great.

[charlie68_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I had some problems with the story, partly to do with the reader not putting enough emotion into the reading, but also because the pathos seemed forced and the whole main plot unbelievable. I enjoyed the historical underpinning of Celtic, Roman themes but it wasn't enough to save the novel as a whole.

[memccauley6 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I had such high hopes for this story… It starts out at the funky Aix-En-Provence Cathedral… I love Provence! So, I’m reading…. and I’m asking myself “What’s the deal? I’ve seen rave reviews of this book”. So I tell myself that maybe the prose is so muddled because this book had been translated into English. However, I quickly discover that the author is Canadian.
The main character is a fifteen year-old boy who bears no resemblance to any fifteen year-old human I have ever heard of. As a former fifteen year-old myself, I feel insulted on behalf of teenagers everywhere. It’s like the author thought if he threw in enough brand names and buzz words the readers wouldn’t notice. (Coke, Nike, iPod, earbuds, jpeg, etc.) Needless to say, I didn’t finish, but I could see where the author was going, and it reminded me of Labyrinth by Kate Mosse (Which I can’t recommend either, although it is set in another French town I love – Carcassonne)

[renbedell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Took a little while to get into, but once it gets going I could not put it down. The story is very engaging with characters that are very believable and diverse. The banter between characters is amusing. The suspense and twists are written very well that you never know what is coming. While it is a contemporary novel, it is still based on historical fiction themes that GGK usually explores. Fantastic book!

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Even though Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay will never be on my list of favorite books by him, it was still an interesting and engaging read. Those used to his usual epic story-telling will find this book quite different. I felt it was more of a YA read, set in our world with fantasy aspects, instead of his usual rich and deep historical fantasies set in worlds of his own creation.An event which transcends time, and has been recreated through the last 2500 years is on the verge of being triggered when the story opens. A romantic triangle that is destined to be played out over and over again. Ned, a fifteen year old, has come to Provence with his world famous photographer father and a group of his assistants. With time on his hands, he explores the cathedral in Aix-en-Provence, meets a young exchange student, Kate, and they are swept up into a time spanning saga that eventually involves the whole group. I found the addition of a couple of characters from the Finovar Tapestry provided an link to this authors other work, and eventually went a long way to explain some of the things that Ned was experiencing. It isn’t necessary to have read the Finovar Tapestry beforehand, but I think it would aid in the overall understanding of Ned’s abilities and his family connections.Ysabel has such a different feeling to it from his other books, that I was glad this wasn’t my first Guy Gavriel Kay book. A fast read, a lighter read that I normally expect from this author, but still an above average fantasy with lots going on to hold the readers attention.

[wishanem · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I still like Guy Gavriel Kay's flowery writing, but this particular story didn't ever click with me. I've always had that problem with Fantasy in a modern setting. For some reason every logical inconsistency and irksome details bothers me, in a way they don't when a story is set long ago or far away. On top of that I didn't connect with any of the characters in this one. They were a bit too flat and their interactions with one another seemed artificial too often.

[zjakkelien · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I understand why some people are disappointed in this book; if you get into Ysabel thinking you're getting a regular Guy Gavriel Kay, than this might be a bit of a let down. The writing style is different. Every now and then it shows flashes of regular GGK, but overall it's more superficial and less dramatic. On the other hand, if you make a habit of checking out reviews before you read a book, then you know this, and are not surprised. Such was the case with me, and I really enjoyed this book. I knew there was a link to Fionavar, and I was very happy to see Kim and Dave again. I would have liked it better if Kim had had a bit more power. After all, I think she says Earth has need of a dreamer too when she returns here. I would have liked to see a bit more evidence of that. Still, nice story, nice characters, swift pacing. Not as compelling as a normal GGK, but a good read nonetheless.

[stuart10er_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful book. I really enjoyed it. A young Canadian gets embroiled in a a story retold over two thousand years. This was aimed at young adult readers as there is a fair amount of teen angst over sex and their place in an adult world. It is typical high quality writing by Kay.

[babybelle-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ah.Not so good.The weakest of all his books.Well enough written but dull.Girl goes back in time as her ancestor

[amaraduende · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

WONDERFUL. So different from his other books! This is from a young man's perspective, in the "real world." Kind of like Kay's version of McKinley's "Dragonshaven," with the very different narrator.

[cecily2_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm not sure why it seems to be getting such a lot of average reviews. One person commented that they liked Kate more than Ned and wished she had played a larger role. And yeah, actually, I don't think Ned is an amazing character; I'd probably have liked it more if they had switched places and the story was from her perspective. I also felt that I would have enjoyed a slightly less abrupt writing style, with longer sentences and paragraphs and some slower-paced scenes. But even despite those things I would still give it an enthusiastic 5 stars.

[gypsysmom_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm not really a lover of fantasy but I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. I've always meant to read something by Guy Gavriel Kay since he is from my hometown, Winnipeg, but his being a fantasy writer gave me second thoughts. Then, when my work book club was looking for something to read I noticed that the Library Book Club Kit for this book was available. I proposed to the club that we give it a try. We'll be discussing it in about a week but I think that it will be quite well-received.Ned and his father, a famous photographer, are spending a few months in Provence while his father photographs for a new book. Ned has been taken out of school in Montreal to go with his father while his mother, a doctor with Medecins Sans Frontiers, is in Darfur. Along with Ned and his father are Melanie, the hyper-organized personal assistant and two other helpers, Greg and Steve. On the first shoot, of the cathedral in Aix-en-Provence, Ned goes into the cathedral while his father is shooting the exterior. He meets Kate, an exchange student from New York City, who is very knowledgeable about history. Together they encounter a strange man coming out of the tomb under the baptistry. And that's just the start of strange things. Two men, one Roman, one Celt, have been coming back to this area for 2500 years to vie for the love of a woman. This time of year, Beltain or May Day eve, brings the spirit world very close to the temporal world. Ned is somehow able to sense things connected with the time these men first met. He and Kate stumble onto a gathering at the start of Beltain and they draw Melanie into it. In an effort to save Melanie, Ned, his father, Steve, Greg, Ned's mother, aunt and uncle come together. They encounter druids, shape-changers, wolves, wild boars and other dangers. I'll never think about Provence the same again.

[Tiana Warner · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Entertaining but forgettable.

[rarebagpiper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lovely weaving of myth and history. Guy Gavriel Kay is a master storyteller.

[theidlewoman · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Guy Gavriel Kay can be a very, very good writer and it's precisely for this reason that I felt so disappointed by this book, because I know how much more he is capable of. "Ysabel" covers ground which is similar to Kay's early "Fionavar Tapestry": people in the modern, real world suddenly find that they have a central role to play in ancient or magical events. I confess that I didn't enjoy the "Fionavar" books, which felt clunky and immature after books such as "Sailing to Sarantium", through which I first discovered Kay's work. "Ysabel" turned out to owe much more to "Fionavar" than I'd initially realised, although the penny didn't drop until I was close to the end. By that point the link felt like a rather needless gimmick.Fifteen-year-old Ned Marriner, accompanying his photographer father to Provence, becomes inadvertently involved in a timeless cycle of desire and retribution. Two men and a woman are bound to eternally re-enact their ancient love triangle among the forests and Celtic sites of the South of France, and the most recent incarnation of their story threatens Ned and those he holds dear. In trying to blend the ancient and modern, Kay shuttles between two styles of writing which sit together very awkwardly. The modern-day characters exchange banter which is full of slang and pop-culture references which already risk becoming dated, and which make the novel feel as if it's aimed directly at a 'young adult' market rather than the broader range of readers who enjoy Kay's other books. The mystical side of the story is dealt with in a richer, more archaic kind of prose which is closer to Kay's style in "Sarantium" or "The Lions of Al-Rassan." The problem is that, by having two markedly different styles, Kay doesn't seem to know what kind of book he wants to write. Moreover, the changes in tone are very noticeable and, by drawing the reader's attention to the construction of the book, it actually destroys any faith we have in his imagined world. Part of the difficulty is in the choice of Ned Marriner as the protagonist. Kay apparently feels it necessary to fill the book with references to iPods, Google and mobile phones, which actually often makes it feel as though he's trying too hard to show that he's down with the kids. The teenage narration feels even less convincing when it sits side by side with the rare moments in which Kay forgets himself, and soars away with some stirring scene, like the ritual at Entremont. I felt that the characterisation of Kate Wenger during that scene was particularly poor.Objectively, this is not a bad book, but (being in my mid-twenties) I felt ten years too old for it. At his best, Kay can create complex, believable characters and richly engaging worlds. I just hope that with his future novels he'll return to the historical fantasy which he does so well. It is difficult to believe that such a magisterial author could write such a technically clumsy book at this stage in his career. Judging by some of the other reviews here and on Amazon, I am not the only person who feels like this.

[thecrow2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A 15 years old teenager entangling the magical myths of Provance. A rather interesting coming-of-age type of novel sometimes not with the most convincing characters and best storyline but overall a good read. But really, as someone else noticed, Coldplay as a rockband???

[porch_reader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Guy Gavriel Kay is an author that I learned about through LT. I've never read any of his books, but when I found this book on a sale table, I decided to start with it. When Ned Marriner is visiting France with his father, he meets Kate Wenger, an American exchange student, at a cathedral. Together, they stumble upon a stranger with whom Ned feels some connection. As the story unfolds, Ned and Kate are pulled into an ancient conflict, and together with Ned's family, they must summon all of their resources to figure out what's going on and save someone they love. This was a great story and an excellent summer read. Two things made it stand out. First, the storyline was beautifully constructed - pulling me along at just the right pace, never failing to surprise me. Second, the characters were very believable. Ned and Kate are teenagers, and their relationship felt very much like a relationship that would develop between two teenagers on holiday. Each of the other characters also felt distinct and believable, and the relationships between then were excellently written. This is an excellent fantasy novel, but even if you don't consider yourself a fantasy reader, you might give this one a try.

[yarrow_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There were a few things wrong with this book but I really enjoyed it anyway. It reminded me a lot of the Dark is Rising series, but set in the south of France. I also enjoyed reading about the history Provence and would like to read more. Really fun :)

[jolerie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Their names are Ysabel, Cadell, and Phelan. At least this time around, that is what they are called. This isn't the first time. In fact, they've played out this story for over two thousand years. It has become an endless cycle of love and sacrifice. This time, with Aix-en-Provence as the backdrop, the story will unfold once again, but this time Ned Marriner, a teenage boy from Montreal Canada will become the wild card that will force Ysabel to choose differently - a choice that will change the fates of not only herself, but of the two men that she has loved for over two millennia.Yasbel held me rapt from the very beginning. Like any good story, the plot and mystery are revealed page by page, line by line, causing a tension and anticipation that bordered on torture. This would be a book that I would have devoured in one sitting if time was a luxury I could afford. It took a little adjusting to the style of the writing since I have become so accustomed to Kay's usual pattern of character and world building. In comparison Ysabel was nowhere near as intricate or complex as his other works and because of that the ending was the only negative component in the book. I was left wanting more, as if there should have been more answers. But in some ways, perhaps that is a sign that I truly enjoyed the book - I didn't want to leave the characters the way they were and yet I was relieved that I had reached the climax and characters had found their resolution even if I was a bit reluctant to let them go.

[seekingflight · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, as a simple retelling of the plot would possibly have discouraged me from reading it. But I have enjoyed Kay’s books in the past, and enjoyed this one also, although it’s perhaps difficult to really capture a sense of what it’s about while avoiding spoilers ... Essentially, 15-year old Ned is with his famous photographer father in Provence, France, and stumbles upon a mysterious stranger with a knife while exploring a historic cathedral. The stranger tells Ned and Kate, the exchange student he encounters in the cathedral, that they have “stumbled into the corner of a very old story”, and should back away now, and the story sort of evolves from here ... Part of what I liked, I think, were Ned’s musings on time and history and narrative, and their resonances through the ages ...