Customer Reviews

Dzur (Vlad Taltos)

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

_Dzur_ is about two-thirds of a Vlad novel. It's got a lot of fabulous dialogue, some sumptuous descriptive writing, and the welcome return of some old friends. What it doesn't have is much in the way of plot.

I was really looking forward to this one. Vlad used to be a small cog in the big machine of Adrilankha. Then he was a desperate refugee. Now he's back in Adrilankha, but no longer as a bit player. Now, he's a power to be reckoned with.

But _Dzur_ doesn't really show much of a change in Vlad, in Adrilankha, or in the relationship between them. Brust could have set the tale in Vlad's early life, before his exile, without many alterations. It's as though Brust, having made Vlad into a big cheese, is trying to explain it all away so that he doesn't have to tell a different kind of story.

Furthermore, having set up the conflict in the opening chapter, Brust follows with a surprisingly low-key plot. Vlad walks around and talks to people a lot. There's only one bit of action, which lasts about a page. The emotional intensity is very low (something that could have been different if Cawti had any major role to play; she appears, vanishes, and comes back for a brief epilogue). And Vlad's ultimate solution to his problem is something he really could have done around chapter 3. All that walking and talking in the middle of the book contributes very little to the end.

If you're new to the series, DO NOT start here. If you like Vlad, on the other hand, you'll probably enjoy reading this novel. It's, well, Vlad-like. (I particularly enjoyed meeting Kragar again.) But don't be surprised if you're hungry again an hour later.

There are quite a few things to like in this, the 10th volume of Steven Brust's Vlad Taltos series. Like that it IS a book in the Vlad Taltos series. And that it takes the reader with interest in Dragaeran events one step closer to the end of a story arc that I suspect will require 8 more books. Not to mention the action and the snappy dialog.

But I felt the bill of fare was just a little too lean. In previous volumes, Brust has managed to balance action and process to a good effect. Here, I often felt left out of the loop. Several times, Vlad made connections that were never explained to my satisfaction, or said something like "the pieces fell into place," without ever saying what the pieces were or how they fit. This bothered me. Since I've never before had trouble following Vlad's reasoning, I mostly ended up feeling that information was withheld to no good purpose, except maybe to move the story along to the more active bits. But since I didn't have the information, the active bits didn't have the impact they could have.

I had a hard time understanding why Vlad got involved in the situation in the first place. This was mainly because his feelings for Cawti at this point in his history were mainly left unexplored. Several times Vlad himself, as narrator, mentioned something from his past and then declined to go into detail. This annoyed me. Even though I've read all the books in this series and understood what he was referring to, I felt hearing some of Vlad's own perspective would not have come amiss.

A couple plot devices seemed misplaced. The subplot about the Demon Goddess served mainly to distract from the main doings of the book. I got the sense of, "this is going to be relevant later and it has to go somewhere..." I wish it had had more bearing on the matter at hand. Also, as much as I enjoy seeing Kiera the Thief, her appearance in this volume seemed largely gratuitous.

Each chapter is preceded, as others have mentioned, with portions of a description of Vlad's long-awaited meal at Valabar's. Brust has used this interweaving technique to great efect before, notably in _Taltos_. Here, it seemed out of place. There was no clear connection between the meal and the rest of the story. Also, the descriptions of the food were so loving and lavish that it made the action seem rather uninteresting in comparison.

Until Chapter 15, I was a little bored by this book. After that, things started happening and got more interesting.

In the end, I was glad to read another Vlad novel, but I felt strongly that this was a book not really meant to stand alone, but best taken in context as a a transitional point of the series. As such, a reader new to the series should not start here.

As a huge fan of Brust and the Vlad Taltos series, I eagerly awaited this sequel to Issola. Unfortunately, this was perhaps the first in the entire series where I found myself disappointed.

Most of the disappointment centers around the plot. For the life of me, I still can't figure out why Cawti needed Vlad to bail her out - bail her out of what? We never really find out why the Jhereg returning to South Adrilankha to plague the easterners is a problem for her. It comes across as a rather thin plot device for Cawti to reveal the secret she's been hiding from Vlad since he left.

Aside from the plot weaknesses, there are the problems with the characterizations. After building up the estrangement between Cawti and Vlad for what, 2-3 books now?, their meeting comes across as emotionally flat and rather pointless.

Brust lays down some good hints of things to come. I'm hoping he can actually propel his characters forward with a story that holds together a little better in the next outing.

Three stars only because it's Brust and Vlad.

It is hard to believe that a series of books has kept my attention through 10 books. Yet that is exactly what Brust has done. Every time a new book comes out I go back and reread the entire series up to that point. I read the first ones back in the 80's in high school as they came out, and I thought that the Character of Vlad Taltos was the coolest. He is a member of House Jehreg and a sometime assassin. Vlad once read quickly becomes an immensely popular protagonist. I have introduced these books to numerous friends and all have loved him and the books.

Issola, in the book before Dzur Vlad, is wandering around the countryside with a price on his head, and lamenting about how his life got so turned upside down. Vlad in Dzur, gets to do what he likes best- he starts stirring things up and seeing where the pieces fall.

One of my favorite elements of this series is that you never know how Brust will start chapters off. Each book has had chapter headings in a new and unique way. In the one book it was quick wit "No matter how subtle the wizard a knife between the shoulder blades will seriously cramp his style." In another it is a list of cleaning and repairs to an outfit. In this one it is a recollection of a meal at Valabar's - a restaurant that makes appearances throughout the series. If Brust is able to create the meal described in these snippets he is not only a master wordsmith but must be close to a master chef.

Brust had Vlad come back to the capitol city because his estranged wife is in trouble. He rushes in where angels would fear to tread. He steps into the middle of a power struggle with organized crimes' two sides of the family. He fears getting friends killed or injured, but is more than willing to risk his own neck. However, as Vlad is getting older, he is also mellowing some and maturing.

Vlad realizes that he cannot do it himself. He challenges his patron Goddess to help as much as she can. He also enlists the help of some of those who have offered, but warns them not to take too many risks. Vlad is a little more subdued and subtle in this book compared to some of the earlier ones. However he is just as enjoyable as a character and the journey with him through the adventure in Dzur is as exciting and thrilling as the previous books.

Like the meal described at the beginning of the chapters, Brust's books need to be savored and enjoyed at the pace they come at us. Just as Vlad describes the meal step by step and makes comparisons between preparing a meal and preparing a hit, Brust leads us to discover more and more about Vlad as we go through the courses in this book.

Like each of the previous 9 books in this series, Jhereg (1983), Yendi (1984), Teckla (1987), Taltos (1988), Phoenix (1990), Athyra (1993), Orca (1996), Dragon (1998), Issola (2001), and I'm sure, the forthcoming Jhegaala (2008) this book is a great read. The series is planned to be a total of 19 books, making this one the middle point as far as volumes. It leaves a lot of questions unanswered and the readers salivating for the next volume.

(First Published in Imprint 2007-08-31 as "Series still captivates after 10 books.")

Remember the movie "My Dinner With Andre", where the entire movie is just two guys meeting for dinner and talking? Well, this book isn't too much different than that. In fact, it might have been better if the rest of the weak plot had been left out, since the extended dinner conversation is actually the highlight of the book.

It's not a bad book, per se. It's almost impossible for a Vlad book to be really bad. But it's easily the weakest in the series. I won't describe who Vlad is or what has brought him to this point in life, because the book will be incomprehensible anyway unless you have read most of the other books in the series. [Start with Jhereg or Taltos or perhaps even Dragon.] Dzur is, at best, simply a "where are they now" story about what has happened to the characters in Vlad's past during the time he has been wandering in exile.

The abrupt plot non-resolution was a big letdown. Of course, plot isn't really what most of these books are all about. However, on the character and universe development side, things aren't any better. There is a tiny bit of information about what it means to be a Dzur, but I thought that was actually covered in much better detail by the related Phoenix Guard books. And even though we get to see a fair bit of Sethra, there was nothing much to really add to our understanding of her.

It was time for us to see a post-gangster, post-exile Vlad. Instead, we got something of a regression. In fact, if there was any one of the old characters who really should have been involved in this book, it was actually the one who was explicitly not included ... Vlad's grandfather.

Since he mentions perhaps stopping off there on his way out of town, I'm hoping the next time Brust writes about Vlad the results will be a little more interesting.

One of the strength's of Brust's Taltos books is that everyone is different. Different plot, different narrative structure, different focus on Vlad's life, different chapter intros, sometimes even different narrators. The only sense in which Dzur is different is that, for the first time, it's not. It's a blend of everything that's come before.

In its big details, there's nothing we haven't seen here before. Take a dash of plot and a pinch of characterization from every previous Vlad novel, mix them together, introduce a patented Vlad planned lack of planning deus ex machina at the end, and you've got this book. It works well, and at this point in the story a return to old themes mixed with new is comfortable, but it marks a distinct return to a pre-Phoenix feel and away from the constant newness we saw in the post-Phoenix books.

Of course, there is some new stuff, but of the sort that is itself old in the broad outlines or that just doesn't go much of anywhere. An important relevation is made on page 19 of the HC, the ninth page of actual text, that left me gasping and choking. (And then barely figures in the rest of the book.) You get lots of hints about Vlad's past travels that haven't been discussed yet, like the endless past hints of Barritt's tomb eventually written about in Dragon. You get a standard inscrutable conversation with a certain Demon Goddess that hints at the future without telling you anything at all.

But mostly it's more of that good old time religion. I hadn't really been missing it, but I found it was nice to have nevertheless. This book doesn't move the story forward in leaps and bounds; it's more like breaking in again a pair of comfortable boots that you haven't worn in a long time.

Thank Goodness! Everything's OK now. Vlad Taltos is finally back for some good, old-fashioned derring-do, as only Steven Brust could write it. With Vlad are his constant companions and bodyguards, Loiosh and Rocza, Vlad's invaluable, wiseacre familiar and his mate. You just can't help but feel a sense of anticipation and excitement when opening a new Steven Brust novel - and it's even twice as electric when the novel's about Vlad.

Here's some background for those unfamiliar with the series: In a world where 7-foot-tall elves (Dragaerans) are considered civilized "humans" and actual humans are dismissively called Easterners, Vlad Taltos has actually done well for himself. In his former vocations as assassin and minor crime lord, Vlad had risen to a dubious position of power and had even befriended "humans" of vast influence, such as Sethra Lavode, Aliera, and Morrolan of Castle Black. But, some years ago, an annoying burst of conscience, as well as several misadventures proving detrimental to the Jhereg and the Dragaeran Empire, combined to alienate him from the Jhereg Organization. For the past several years, Vlad had been constantly on the run, with a price on his head.

This book opens up only an hour or so removed from Vlad's recent escapades narrated in Issola (2001). Dzur has him at last returning to his old stomping grounds, seedy Adrilankha, where he truly belongs. Before Vlad's hasty departure all those years ago, he left his estranged wife Cawti the running of his criminal empire in South Adrilankha. Now, it seems that Cawti has lost control of said empire and is in deep doodoo, as a faction called the Left Hand Of the Jhereg, consisting of deadly female sorcerers, seeks to take over. And because Cawti used to be partnered with the current Dragon Heir to the throne, who may have gotten herself involved, there are grave empirical ramifications to consider. So, of course, it's Vlad to the rescue.

Steven Brust took 5 looooong years off from the Taltos series, instead choosing to spend time crafting the Viscount of Adrilankha trilogy, which was interesting stuff (especially if you like Alexander Dumas) but not nearly as much fun as the exploits of our sneering, sarcastic ex-assassin. Vlad Taltos is one of the most complex, most romantic, and most fully realized characters in literary fantasy. Vlad, in the early books, was corrupt and self-serving, yet endowed with a saving grace of humor, a steadfast sense of loyalty to his friends, and an occasional penchant for doing the right thing.

Then, as chronicled in Phoenix, he had a change of heart about his questionable profession. Oh, he hasn't stopped killing - there are too many bounty hunters and revenge-seekers out there looking to take him down with Morganti weaponry. But what we have now is a decidedly "kinder" Taltos. It was interesting to see Vlad frolic in new environments, as recounted in Athyra, Orca, and Issola. But, now, he's come home. Longtime readers will know what that entails, regarding Cawti and a certain secret she's keeping from Vlad. And will the transmogrified Lady Teldra keep Vlad alive just a bit longer? And will he have any more "chats" with the goddess Verra?

The faithful reader is reintroduced to past characters such as Aibynn, Daymar, and Kragar. And, of course, recurring favorites Sethra, Kiera the Thief (one of my favorites), and Cawti make an appearance. Aliera, Morrolan, and Noish-pa, sadly, do not. But there's a legendary assassin, more dreaded and more capable than Vlad (longtime fans of the series will know who), who makes a fleeting cameo. The reader will also make a new acquaintance who plays a key role in Vlad's machinations: the Dzurlord Telnan (had to be a reason for the book's title, right?).

Dzur is definitely NOT the book to begin reading about Vlad's exploits, as there are plenty of references here that will confuse readers who haven't prior knowledge of Lord Taltos and his world. Trust me, start with Jhereg or Taltos.

Steven Brust, along with Robin McKinley and Nina Kiriki Hoffman, is one of my cherished fantasy writers. Maybe it's his Gypsy heritage, I dunno, but there's something magical and, even after all this time, something still so fresh about his stories. And Brust doesn't get any better than when he's telling stories about Vlad, who is a most cool and romantic figure. And Vlad slinking into Adrilankha's depraved underbelly - ah, that bodes well for the reader. Be warned that the pace of the book is leisurely, as Vlad doesn't get to flex his muscles much here, but, intead, gallivants all over Adrilankha and converses much with Easterners and Dragaerans. But it's still very well done. The writing here is lyrical, even in its colloquialism (except for Athyra, the Taltos books are narrated in first person); the style is evocative in its deceptive simplicity. It's, dare I say, Roger Zelazny-ish. And there's no higher praise than that, really.

Two stars for a Steven Brust novel!

Anyone who has read the majority of other Brust novels know that he can be a very entertaining, skilled writer. So what is the reviewer thinking?

Well I'm thinking that when someone buys a book they're entitled to assume that it can stand on its own merits, even if it is part of a series. Dzur fails to do so on a number of counts. They believe there is going to be an interesting plot. Afraid not. They believe there is going to be some characterisation and, in the case of a series, possibly some character growth. Sorry, most conversations sound very similar irrespective of whether Vlad is talking to Sethra, Kragar, Mario or Telnan. And character growth consists of Vlad's hands shaking at the thought of holding his son.

Very little happens in the book and what does happen makes little sense. What little plot there is consists of Vlad trying to remove Jhereg influence from his wife's area of town to protect her - even though he also believes "if anything, it will be worse for them" if he succeeds.

The conceit of describing a meal as the book progresses added nothing to my enjoyment and I abandoned reading those paragraphs towards the end of the book. I hope this is not a sign of Mr Brust getting bored with writing and so resorting to playing games to increase his own interest in the book. To be fair, those readers who have read the Phoenix Guards know that the author is very capable of adopting an unusual approach or style and pulling it off, but in this case I felt it was just a space filler.

In summary, very disappointing. All Steven Brust fans like myself will read it of course, but if you have not already read most of his other books, this one should be left alone until you have.

Dzur is a long awaited novel to continue the Vlad Taltos series. While a pretty good book, it is not as interesting or well written as Dragon, Issola, Jehreg, Yendi or Taltos. Thus, it sits in the middle of the Vlad Taltos books thus far.

The plot harkens back to earlier works where Vlad has a problem to solve, this time helping his former wife, Cawti, out of some trouble, while keeping himself alive (and his soul intact).

Some new characters are met and I appreciated the return of Kragar, and of course the wise-cracking banter with Loiosh kept things lively.

As the story line takes up right after the end of Issola, when Vlad visits Valdabar's to eat, the beginning of each chapter is filled with descriptions of the food served and some conversations with a Dzur sent by Sethra to keep an eye on Vlad. I skipped most of this as it became very tedious reading, except the occasions where there was conversation between Vlad and the Dzur that didn't focus on what they were eating. Maybe there were some hints or parallels the author intended with each chapter, but I couldn't keep focused on the unending food and wine combination descriptions to find this out. (Someday I might reread the novel and give it a shot)

In addition, I thought the final scene lacked somewhat (not the epilogue with Kragar and Cawti's surprise for Vlad) but the solution/resolution to Vlad's complicated mess that he stepped into after offering to help Cawti out of her situation with both the Right and Left Hands of the Jhereg.

Readers of the series will enjoy some details of the world that are fleshed out or noted, and a few surprises along the way (an appearance and subsequent revelation or two that I did not expect). It's not a book for someone new to the series to hop in on. It also could've used a little bit better copyediting, but that's pretty minor in the scheme of things.

Although it's in the middle of the Vlad series quality wise, Brust is still a top notch writer, so even his average effort is better than most that's out there. If you're a fan of the series, you may find some small disappointments, but will be glad you read it.

A long-time lover of Brust's writing and of the Vlad Taltos series, I was smugly delighted to find this book on my doorstep two days ago. As always with Brust, the book was beautifully structured, entertainly written, filled with great snarky dialog, and lovely. Sadly, it's more of a novella than a true novel, seemed at times like Brust was stretching to fill space, and was much slower paced than other entrys in this series. The main conciet of this novel is the structure - Burst alternates scenes from Vlad's meal at Valabar's between the chapters, during which Vlad and his dinner companion compare the progression of a meal to assasination and heroics. In fact, the theme of each course mirrors the plot development in the novel. Very interesting for other writers, but I think it takes away a little bit from the overall story. If Brust is following the writing-as-dinner theory he uses in this novel with the whole Vlad Taltos story arc, this novel seems to fall in the lull right before your main course. It's a lovely break, returning Vlad to Adrilanka, setting up the next book in the series (chronologically), letting us look both ahead and behind without showing much character development.

Rather than showing character development, it shows how Vlad has changed over the course of the last books, how he could change further, and how he hasn't changed at all. I second one of the other reviews that mentions this isn't a good place to start if you've never read the Taltos series at all. It wouldn't make much sense, and you wouldn't get half the jokes, and you wouldn't appreciate the comparative lull in the pace of these novels. Frankly, since the next novel isn't out yet and I can't go straight to the meat, I'm not very appreciative of the lull in the pace of these novels, either.

As far as the next book - I have a sneaking suspicion that we'll see what happened to Vlad's finger in the East (has anyone else noticed that Brust loves to make you wait when you're on the verge of something huge happening to Vlad?). We know that Vlad will have a huge motivation to get his life back in order, that he'll have to confront the fact that he's not just friends with people that are used to scare small misbehaving children, he's becoming one himself. I have a sneaking suspicion that he's being set up to become a God (already being a Goddess's dupe). Perfect time to tell a story that happened (chronologically) three books ago! Just a suspicion, but I'll be shocked if I'm wrong.