Like The Fionavar Tapestry, this feels like an early work. The world is interestingly designed, but it feels strangely empty. I got the feeling that nothing would happen in the world if it weren't for the main characters. Rather than a complex society they're moving around in, the world is a simple system for them to manipulate at will.

And, also like Fionavar, it felt like there were a lot of throwaway details stuck in for no compelling reason. For example, one of the characters dreams of being in Fionavar, though there's no real connection between the books.

It's unfortunate that the first of Kay's books I read was The Lions of Al-Rassan, because that book is so good that his other works are vaguely disappointing in comparison.