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We’re super excited to be taking part in another Wyrd and Wonder read along!

This year, Beth, Nils, and Scarlett will be joining in Imyril’s read along of The Summer Tree by Guy Gavriel Kay.

We’ll be sticking to the following reaching schedule, and posting a weekly discussion of that week’s chapters. Imyril will be doing the same on her blog, and everyone is welcome to join in! If you don’t have a blog, feel free to join in the conversation on Twitter.

• Week 1: Overture – Chapter 6 (hosted by Imyril)
• Week 2: Chapters 7 & 8 (hosted by the Fantasy Hive)
• Week 3: Chapter 9 – Chapter 12 (hosted by @queenzucchini)
• Week 4: Chapter 13 – end (hosted by @bkfrgr)

SPOILERS AHEAD: This post is a book-club style discussion of the novel, rather than a review to tempt new readers in. We do discuss plot points, character motivations, and twists – if you have not read the book and do not want it spoiled, please do not read further!

The first volume in Guy Gavriel Kay’s stunning fantasy masterwork.

Five men and women find themselves flung into the magical land of Fionavar, First of all Worlds. They have been called there by the mage Loren Silvercloak, and quickly find themselves drawn into the complex tapestry of events. For Kim, Paul, Kevin, Jennifer and Dave all have their own part to play in the coming battle against the forces of evil led by the fallen god Rakoth Maugrim and his dark hordes.

Guy Gavriel Kay’s classic epic fantasy plays out on a truly grand scale, and has already been delighting fans of imaginative fiction for twenty years.

Week 1 – Overture – Chapter 6

1) How are you reading along with us? Is this a first time or a reread? Show us your book cover!

Nils: This is not only my first time reading The Summer Tree but it’s also my first book by Guy Gavriel Kay. At the moment I’m reading the Kindle edition, but Beth has kindly gifted me the paperback so we’re eagerly waiting for our copies to arrive so we can then show off the cover. 

Beth: I’m so annoyed the paperback hasn’t arrived yet >.> Bloody bank holidays! But I am excited to see which cover we end up with. I like the edition Scarlett has, I’m hopeful for that one.

Like Nils though, this is a first time step into the world of GGK!

Scarlett: Yeah, it’s my first GGK novel and thanks to Nils  telling be about it, I was able to read the first four chapters free on Kindle. Luckily, my copy came in just in time. The cover I chose was the latest design, I believe and the 20th anniversary edition. Though I would have loved an older edition, they are hard to come by in my local used bookstores, so now I am reading the physical copy. I do appreciate the map in there, though it isn’t very detailed, or the print isn’t as sharp as I’d like it to be. Still helpful though.

Nils: I can’t wait to look at a proper map! I don’t feel like I know all the places until I’ve seen it on a map!

Beth: I’m the same! There’s a map with the kindle edition, but it’s difficult to see and such a pain to access. It feels necessary with this story though, other places are mentioned a lot and I always like to have something to refer to when an author does that.

2) The prose style is as distinctive as calling the prologue an overture. How are you finding it?

Nils: I loved the overture, there was a lovely atmospheric quality to it, and rather eerie too with the mysterious creature watching over our protagonists.

Beth: Yes! This my first ever literary overture and I loved it lol. It put me in mind of Galadriel’s voiceover at the start of the LotR movies, I loved the tone.

Scarlett: Same here, it was my first one as well. I did love the classic fantasy feel to it. 

Nils: Ooh good shout Beth, it was very much like a voiceover! I have to say, I was jarred somewhat when we moved to the opening chapter and found ourselves in “our world”, Toronto university to be more specific. I wasn’t really expecting that, but thankfully the pace moved quick enough that we didn’t remain there long and were soon whisked off to the magical land of Fionavar.

Beth: Same! I wasn’t expecting to turn up in Toronto!

Scarlett: I know, right? But then I remembered that GGK is Canadian, so it should have made sense, but the difference from switching from Fionavar to the present, was definitely a little jolt.

Beth: Yeah I just wasn’t expecting “our world”. I’m going into this story pretty blind as to what to expect!

Nils: Kay’s prose does tend to jump around from one notion to the next, doesn’t it? I guess this actually makes it fun piecing the puzzle to the world-building together. It’s fun to spot those nuggets of information which he laces into the dialogue between characters. 

Beth: As much as I loved the tone of the overture, I’m glad the whole book isn’t written in that voice and it relaxes when the story kicks in. What I did love was that it crept back again when Kim had her lakeside vision? As if it was her turn for an overture.

Scarlett: I liked that too, Beth. It’s perfect in intervals. 

Nils: Oh I never thought of that, but now you mention it the tone did shift during her vision!

3) Each visitor gets a little moment to define them before they arrive in Fionavar. What are your first impressions of our travellers? Any you particularly like or dislike?

Nils: In all honesty I personally don’t feel that the characters are particularly defined yet. For quite a few chapters I had a hard time separating them, picking out individual qualities. We do jump from one character to the next and spend only a brief amount of time with each one so I think it’s hard to get to know them at first.

Beth: They get a moment to define them?? I might need to go back and read over the start when the paperback arrives. I don’t recall that at all, and I’m wondering if the Curse of the Kindle has struck me again (I really don’t absorb e-books very well). But like Nils, they haven’t really struck individua chords with me yet….

Scarlett: I had to do some serious concentrating to get the characters. GGK switches between them, and not by chapter and he sort of leaves factual crumbs only, I feel. They aren’t really standing out to me, yet. 

Beth: Ha factual crumbs!

Nils: I agree Scarlett, they aren’t standing out to me either, and it’s not just you Beth, I don’t recall them having moments to define themselves either.

Myself and Beth did discuss on WhatsApp how we would briefly sum up each character and I thought that Jennifer was the feisty one, Kevin the drunken one, Kim the chosen one, and Paul the intelligent one. Dave Martyniuk on the other hand was the easiest to sum up right from the beginning—he’s clearly the annoying one, right Beth? He’s definitely the easiest one to dislike, but having said that now that he’s disappeared in Fionavar, I’m really curious as to where he is and what has happened.

Beth: Omg I’d forgotten about Dave o_o

I thought Kevin was the chatty charismatic one, Paul the serious one, Dave the grumpy (ergo annoying) one. Kim seemed the chatty outgoing one, and Jennifer eventually came across (after the meeting with the Prince) as the strong one?

Scarlett: Ok, I’m taking notes here! 

Nils: I wonder if my assumptions of the five travellers will change over the course of the novel, and having read to the end of chapter seven, I think Kimberley Ford is my favourite. Her chapter with Ysanne the seer has been my favourite so far.

Scarlett: Same. I do feel like she has received the most attention, though I did like the chess scene with the king and Paul too. 

Beth: There isn’t anyone I actively dislike, but I would say Kim is my favourite. That was a great scene Scarlett! Although I’m not entirely sure what I make of Paul just yet, I did love the moment between Kevin and Paul actually, on the river, I felt that was a nice breakthrough for me with the characters and getting a stronger sense of them.

Scarlett: Yes, yes, I do agree with you, Beth. It was a great scene, alluding to their friendship’s dynamic. 

4) …and what do you make of the characters and politics of Paras Derval?

Nils: I really am not liking Prince Diarmuid – from the moment he tries to flirt with Jennifer and she quite rightly puts him in his place, I knew he’d be a bad seed. Other than that I don’t really have any strong feelings towards the other characters. I do like Matt Sören, our dwarf, he’s one of the more interesting characters. 

Beth: I’m not keen on the prince and the wizard, I don’t trust them! Nils you had a really interesting theory about them, didn’t you?

Nils: Ah yes! I think they are essentially the “bad guys”, that maybe our group of travellers are in the wrong hands? 

Although I’m not sure I understand all the politics in Paras Derval though… what do you think Beth, Scarlett? 

Scarlett: I totally agree with you. Prince Diarmuid seems untrustworthy, but I can’t put my finger on it yet. I want to trust the process of our travellers and feel just as exposed to what is to come that we don’t know yet.

Beth: That’s a good point Scarlett, Kay is certainly doing a good job of allowing the reader to experience the story as the characters do. Currently, I think the prince and Loren are scheming to put the prince on the throne. The people are unhappy with the king because he was called to the summer tree, but he refused to go, so now they believe Molnir the thunder god is punishing the kingdom with a drought. But could it all be Loren’s doing as he tries to force the king out? I’m not sure what this has to do with the visitors though, and the blokey trapped under the mountain. Or the pretty but angry witch that shouted at them in the throne room…

Nils: Yeah I got a sense that they were scheming to put the pervy Prince on the throne, and that’s an interesting theory Beth, what if Loren is behind it all? This is what makes me think that Loren and the Prince are the “bad guys” – though I’m most likely going to be wrong here! It’s very hard to predict anything here!

However I am predicting that Rokoth – the one imprisoned under the mountain – is about to be set free. 

Scarlett: Oh, I like that thought you all. You might be onto something!

Beth: Pervy Prince™

5) The obvious question: would you accept Loren’s invitation? Given the reception from Diarmuid and Gorlaes, would you regret it?

Nils: Initially I’d be a lot less ready to believe in a magical world than our characters are in this novel. 

There isn’t anyone I actively dislike, but I would say Kim is my favourite. LOL NILS YES

(I’m finding myself forgiving a lot because it’s a “classic/traditional/old” book)

Scarlett: Same. That went waaaay fast to me. I would call this in today’s fantasy as a not well fleshed out premise/presentation of events. There wasn’t much fanfare for these circumstances, in my opinion.  

Nils: Absolutely Scarlett.

Beth: Agreed!

Nils: I understand Kimberley Ford accepting it’s existence as she’s been seeing the world in her dreams, but the rest of them barely even question it for long, nor show a sense of great wonder when they do arrive in Fionavar.

Scarlett: Yes, I do agree with that. But we didn’t really learn of it till chapter 6 if I remember right.

Nils: That’s right, it’s at the beginning of chapter six.

Beth: Paul seems even more accepting and understanding about it than she does, do you think he has some kind of ability too?

Nils: Yes! There seems to be quite a focus on Paul so I’m thinking there is a lot more to him than meets the eye.

But yeah, after my initial shock and disbelief, hell yes I would accept an invitation to go to Fionavar! (I’m still upset I’m not in Middle-Earth yet, so I’ll take any magical realm I can get really!) To see a land full of magical creatures, to live in a palace and attend the King’s festivities, yeah I’ll take that over the real world anyday.

As for would I regret it? Probably after the first creature tried to kill me, but not because of the Prince or Gorlaes. 

Beth: I’ve seen some very funny TikToks along the line of this question, about portal fantasies and the characters can’t wait to get home. Like why, so you can pay your taxes and listen to Brenda next door complain about the weather? Hell no I’d choose sleepover in a witch’s cottage any day of the week thanks!

Nils: Count me in too!

Scarlett: Love it! 

6) How/Do you judge Loren for keeping so many secrets from the visitors

Nils: Erm… What secrets?! 

Beth: well, we know there’s stuff he’s not telling them, based from snippets he’s mentioned to Matt at the start? And there’s a pretty huge moral issue in dragging people into another dimension on the pretence of a party when actually it seems there’s far more important Magical Prophetical Wosnames going on. But then, they wouldn’t have gone with him, presumably? Or at least he obviously doesn’t think they would.

Scarlett: There’s definitely a hidden motive there or we wouldn’t be given these subtle hints.

Nils: I kind of think that our five travellers already know Loren is holding secrets, and that the “festivities” was just a ploy to entice them to come to Fionavar. I mean they’re in university, surely they can’t be that naïve?! 

Scarlett: You’d think! Yet, they went! 

Beth: And once there, they agree to go on random and extremely dangerous trips into enemy territory or spend the night alone with the elderly witch they just met… seriously did their mothers not tell them not to magically transport themselves into other dimensions with suspicious strangers who lie about their identity and possibly murder people who follow them?? Having said that, I’ve never warned my own kids off this. Maybe I should.

7) There is a lot of worldbuilding so far! Intriguing or overwhelming? Anything standing out for you?

Nils: Ahh, the worldbuilding has been my favourite part so far! Fionavar is so mysterious, ethereal and strange. The creatures like svat and the lurking wolves, the concept of the Summer Tree where kings are summoned to sacrifice themselves for the land’s needs and the drought gripping the lands have me fully intrigued, and honestly the more knowledge we gain, the better it becomes. That’s why I loved the scene where Kim is shown the Tapestry of the world, we get to see its creation, a glimpse into its history—the war with Rakoth—and we begin to feel sad because the lands are clearly dying too.

Scarlett: I’m enjoying that too. I can’t wait for more. So far I am envisioning a very colorful world…and so many waterfalls! Perfectly magical. The wolves though!? Overall, very nice. 

Beth: I am enjoying the world building, I loved the lios alfar? Is that what he was called? That visited the king and Paul. I love the sense that it’s a world with a deep and complex past.

Scarlett: Yes, I enjoyed that part as well. 

Nils: I think I need to go back and read about the Lios Alfar!

In terms of the magic system, I really like that it works on balance. Whatever power is taken from the land is also given back. What did you both think? 

Beth: I’m looking forward to seeing more magic though! What you say about the balance is really interesting actually, do you think that’s why the land is suffering so badly? Is too much power being taken from it?

Nils: Yes! I remember there was a bit that said bringing people from another world upsets the balance further because energy is taken from the land to do the magic but nothing is given back. Which again makes me question why Loren upset the balance further?! Why was it so important to bring Kim and the other four over? 

Scarlett: Yes, I like the magical premise and the balance system. I was wondering the same thing, Nils!? I honestly haven’t figured it all out. 

8) And as always: any other thoughts this week?

Nils: I think we need to talk about that sex scene at the end of chapter six as it was something we both weren’t impressed by, wasn’t it Beth? What did you think of it Scarlett? 

Scarlett: Ha, ha, ha….that’s so funny we are going there! I was surprised that it even came up and that she let it happen. But gosh that last remark “ Done! I’ve plucked the fairest rose in Shalhassan’s garden.” Not my kind of lover! 

Beth: Classy wasn’t it, Scarlett! Yeah safe to say I was not a fan of that. I really thought Pervy Prince, with all his letters, was building up to something, like eloping with the princess and uniting the countries. But they just shag under a tree and there was that sense of empty male conquest.

Nils: Absolutely, and he was quite rude towards her before they shagged. Personally I think she should have told him to piss off.

Scarlett: I agree with you both. There was nothing memorable about it. It makes me wonder why GGK wrote it that way though. 

Beth: I can’t work out if it was deliberate, or whether it’s just a case of how things were portrayed in the eighties? You’re right Nils, he was rude, like he was being cruel in order to manipulate her?

I wonder what Jennifer and Loren have been up to whilst everyone else has had these adventures? And I’m also curious about Voldemort Prince – the older brother who cannot be named because he’s been kicked out?

Scarlett: I wondered the same thing.

Nils: Aileron? I really hope we see him soon, and that he’s nicer than his brother. 

Scarlett: Ah, the twist! Good thinking! 

We hope you enjoyed our first discussion – safe to say the opening of the novel raised a number of questions!

Next week, we’ll be discussing chapters seven and eight.

If you’d like to join in the conversation, you can comment below, or on our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!