Customer Reviews

The Book of Taltos

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This volume contains the first and fifth books (chronological order in the series, not publishing date) in the continuing series of Vladimir Taltos adventures by Steven Brust. Taltos is all of the following: a sometime assassin, mobster, witch, philosopher, swordsman, noble, and detective who lives a stranger-in-a-strange-land scenario as what we would consider a normal human in a nation of 6.5 or 7-foot tall humanoids (Draegerans) who often have numerous magical abilities. The books, other than "Taltos" are named for the houses of the 16 noble classes and one peasant class in the society Taltos lives in. Here are the books in chronological order, not publishing order, with the books in the "Taltos" compendium in CAPS:

TALTOS 4.5* -- Brust's funniest of the series, loaded with deadpan humor. This is a simple tale that establishes the beginnings of Taltos' relationships with many of the recurring characters of the other books. In regular paperback form it's 180 pages and you can read it in a few hours. Well-paced, good resolution of the three plotlines

Yendi 4* -- complex and satisfying for a short book, humorous

Jhereg 5* -- the first-published and best of the bunch, gives useful background and is the real starting point of the series

Teckla 2* -- maudlin and introspective without much context or reason for the tone

PHOENIX 4* -- picks up the pace after Teckla and re-establishes some of Taltos' business arrangements (he's an assassin and a small-time mob capo), has a complex and twisting plotline and has more of the humor of the first three books. Nonetheless, it still has some of the pall from the Teckla woven throughout the story.

Dragon 4* -- published 8th, returns to form of witty banter, smart introspection and twisty plotting of earlier books

Athyra 1* -- meandering and depressing; only book not told from Vlad Taltos' first-person point of view, actionless and largely themeless

Orca 4* -- better plotting and pacing for this Athyra follow-up, plus intricate mob-financing issues explored by Taltos in unmasking Orca-house mob syndicate

Issola 4* -- Newest entry is a philosophical stemwinder about the history of Vlad-world and the purposes of the g*ds. Therefore, Issola is not the place to start but it is a solid addition to the series if you've read some of the others.

Overall the Taltos 2-in-1 is a good place to start, but you should think about getting it with the Jhereg 3-in-1 compendium (Jhereg, Yendi & Teckla) because the five stories together have a continuous narrative arc and Phoenix will make much less sense if you haven't read the three Jhereg-compendium novels.

There's nothing that I don't love about this book, and series. If you enjoy fantasy, sarcastic wit, twisting plots, and a cloak and dagger theme... Sit down for a page turner :) One thing that's extremely good to know about this series: There is no starting point, Steven Brust said so himself (I don't remember where, sorry). He also said the best place to start would be in the order of publication (So this one ;) ). Enjoy!

I have enjoyed this series yet would have preferred reading them in the chronological order instead of published order, which I am trying to do from here on out. I don't understand why he would have written it in the order he did, bouncing around between times. Would make one adjustment to chrono order in author's notes add the prologue for Jhereg as the first read.
The bouncing from past to present within chapters is a little confusing yet an interesting way of covering both. Like his humor and style. Great series, definately keeps your interest. Well worth reading. Looking forward to the next book

So far he has never written a novel in the series I did not like. The world is fascinating and has great depth.

If you're familiar with Steven Brust, you'll enjoy the world of Vlad Taltos. They're fast moving stories complete with powerful friends and enemies, a complex world and lots of tongue-in-cheek humour.

This is a great light hearted read. The characters are real characters, and a lot of the comedy is slap stick, but when you need a light read to get your mind of things, Steven Brust's work is wonderful.

This is the second collection of books about Vlad Taltos - human assassin in a world of elves. It's a great read! This collection continues the story of Vlad - the first 3 books are in "The Book of Jhreg" which I also highly recommend.

The second book in a trilogy of the collections of the stories of Vlad Taltos, this book is just as good as the first. Though it only contains 2 books instead of the 3 of the previous one, the writing has improved and it provides both good back story for Vlad Taltos and picks up where the last book left off. Again I find it annoying that the books couldn't be published in chronological order, but even so, it is still a very good book. The stories are as interesting as always and the characters are even better developed than they were before. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy or mystery books.

These books are a cross between fantasy and gangster story telling. These books are well written and you want to keep reading them over and over.

This is an omnibus containing Taltos and Phoenix

A novel in three parts, or streams. Vlad is involved in some heavy duty witchcraft, is looking back at his earlier life in some greater detail than in earlier books, and is also showing us how he met Morrolan.

As far as the latter goes, a complicated sorcerous plot leads Vlad and Morrolan on a decidedly dangerous mission to Deathsgate Falls and the Paths of the Dead.

A couple of the important magical artificats appear : Spellbreaker, for Vlad, and Aliera's Great Weapon.

4.5 out of 5

Vlad gets himself into quite a lot of poo owing to his desire to keep his estranged wife Cawti from being executed as a revolutionary.

Before that, though, he makes a deal with his patron goddess of witchcraft, and the two end up being related via the kingdom of Greenaere, some 'work' and possible war.

Vlad ends up on the lam from the Jhereg because he testifies about their goings on to the Empress.

4 out of 5