The Last Light of the Sun is, like all of Mr. Kay's historical fantasy, set in a world very like our own, in a historical period analogous to one from this world. In this case, the story revolves around three cultures: Erling (Viking) raiders, Anglcyn (Anglo-Saxon) farmers, and the Cyngael (Celts/Gaels). The narrative follows several characters from the three cultures as their lives begin to collide.

One of Guy Gavriel Kay's greatest strengths is his ability to handle a large cast and shifting POV characters with skill and grace. He never resorts to the cheap narrative device of switching points of view at crucial moments in order to build suspense. He doesn't need to; his carefully-wrought plot has its own, exquisitely-paced acceleration.

Although this isn't my favourite of his novels, I enjoyed it very much, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy, and particularly historical fantasy.

The Last Light of the Sun is set in the same world as some of Kay's earlier works, The Lions of Al-Rassan and The Sarantine Mosaic (a duology made up of Sailing to Sarantium and Lord of Emperors), but in a very different time and place, and is a standalone novel.