Sailing to Sarantium 航向塞伦庭

In the first part of The Sarantine Mosaic, author Guy Gavriel Kay weaves a tale of politics, intrigue, and adventure inspired by ancient Byzantium. The story begins with Valerius the Trakesian rising to the Golden Throne of the vast empire ruled by the fabled city, Sarantium, and his ambition to create a glittering dome that will proclaim his magnificence down through the ages.In a ruined western city on the far distant edge of civilization, we meet Crispin, a mosaicist who cares little for ambition or intrigue. Still grieving for the family he lost to the plague, he lives only for his arcane craft. But an imperial summons to the most magnificent city in the world is a difficult call to resist, and Crispin sets out on a journey carrying with him a deadly secret and a Queen's seductive promise.As he navigates a world still half-wild and tangled with magic, Crispin learns that no journey is simple, especially a journey to Sarantium, from which none return unaltered. Along the way, he meets a cast of interesting and complex characters, including the fierce charioteer Rustem, the seductive dancer Varghese, and the powerful Empress Alixana.Kay's writing is poetic and elegant, drawing readers into a richly imagined world that feels both familiar and otherworldly. The intricate political maneuverings and power struggles, paired with themes of grief, redemption, and fate, make for a captivating read that will leave readers eager to continue the journey in the second book of The Sarantine Mosaic.Overall, Sailing to Sarantium is a beautifully written, captivating tale of ambition, politics, and magic. Fans of epic fantasy and historical fiction will not want to miss this sweeping adventure.