The Lions of Al-Rassan

Guy Gavriel Kay is a Canadian fantasy author who assisted Christopher Tolkien in editing The Silmarillion and went on to write richly realized historical fantasies set in worlds that echo real historical periods. The Fionavar Tapestry, his first series, was followed by standalone novels set in analogues to Byzantium, Tang Dynasty China, and Renaissance Italy. He is celebrated for his literary quality and emotional depth.