Steven Brust Vlad Taltos series

[elvet]

I first heard about this through our Goodreads book of the month. Though it's not earth-shattering, the books are entertaining and more complex than your run of the mill assassin story. I'm half-way through Athyra now, and am enjoying reading about Vlad's journey and his self doubt about his chosen profession. There's always a little humor and a 'caper' on the go as Vlad deals with his crime organization nook within the Empire.
I bought the first 7 books in 3 omnibus formats, so the price is right. I'm hoping the rest of the published books are going to be easy to find.

 

[Taltos]

Though it's not earth-shattering, the books are entertaining and more complex than your run of the mill assassin story. I'm half-way through Athyra now, and am enjoying reading about Vlad's journey and his self doubt about his chosen profession. There's always a little humor and a 'caper' on the go as Vlad deals with his crime organization nook within the Empire.
I bought the first 7 books in 3 omnibus formats, so the price is right. I'm hoping the rest of the published books are going to be easy to find.

You don't say... really !? Haven't I made enough promo for these books - probably should start 100 +1 threads about this author
Did you read in chronological or in publishing order ? The story is jumping quite a bit in time - which I was reminded again reading Jhegaala recently I was hoping for the continuation of the events described in Dzur - it's actually about the time when he was running from the jheregs after helping Cawti. I think one of the best parts of these books is constant dialogue with his companion Loiosh.
Khaavren romances - which are about the same world are quite different but still quite good read, if you can get over the Dumasque (?) style - which takes about 5-10 rows of dialogue to show one line of actual thought.

 

[elvet]

I searched for threads, but none came up with his name in the title.

Did you read in chronological or in publishing order ? The story is jumping quite a bit in time - which I was reminded again reading Jhegaala recently I was hoping for the continuation of the events described in Dzur - it's actually about the time when he was running from the jheregs after helping Cawti. I think one of the best parts of these books is constant dialogue with his companion Loiosh.

I mostly read them in publishing order, except for Taltos, which I read just after Jhereg. I need to buy the books after Orca.

Khaavren romances - which are about the same world are quite different but still quite good read, if you can get over the Dumasque (?) style - which takes about 5-10 rows of dialogue to show one line of actual thought.

I'm definitely interested in these too. I like his style of writing, and a little swash-buckling doesn't hurt. I also like the fact that the world is the same, so some things will be familiar.
Have you read any of his standalone books?

 

[Connavar]

I didnt enjoy the first book Jehreg, the heist like story in SFF,the writing didnt do it for me. No interest to read that kind of book so not that it was badly written. It wasnt serious enough or fun enough in writing.

Might enjoy the other books in the same world if they are quite different. The first Vlad Taltos book showed something that isnt for me. I dont like often when SFF writers try writing in a crime story. They dont know what they are doing.

 

[murphy]

Another of his books I liked was Freedom and Necessity which was co-written by Emma Bull, another author I like very much.

Here's a blurb on the book taken from Fantastic Fiction:

An extraordinary novel of magic and mystery from two of fantasy's most electrifying young authors. This wild romp leads readers through every corner of mid-nineteenth-century England, from the parlors of the intellectual elite to the dens of the underclass. Not since Wilkie Collins and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has there been such a profusion of guns, sword fights, family intrigues, women disguised as men, secret societies, occult pursuits, philosophical discussions and sheer adventure!

(Now need to pull it out and do a reread.)

 

[elvet]

Thanks, murphy. It sounds good.

 

[clovis-man]

As part of the Chrons crew that read Jhereg this month as our August project on Goodreads, I have to say that I am not quite ready to totally jump on the bandwagon as of yet. I procured a copy of The Phoenix Guards to read next because it's a prequel and may give me insight into the type of world that Brust is trying to create.

I didn't have quite as strong a reaction as Conn, but can understand the reluctance to buy into the Sam Spade school of fantasy. I liked Jhereg, but wasn't entirely blown away.

 

[Connavar]

As part of the Chrons crew that read Jhereg this month as our August project on Goodreads, I have to say that I am not quite ready to totally jump on the bandwagon as of yet. I procured a copy of The Phoenix Guards to read next because it's a prequel and may give me insight into the type of world that Brust is trying to create.

I didn't have quite as strong a reaction as Conn, but can understand the reluctance to buy into the Sam Spade school of fantasy. I liked Jhereg, but wasn't entirely blown away.

In my top three authors is Dashiell Hammett i dont like when they write weak efforts of that field in SFF. China Meiville book City & the City was very good but the crime part annoyed by how weak it was compared to other parts. As big fan of quality crime i cant make excuse for weak versions like other SFF fans...

Usually i love crime hybrids in SFF Richard Morgan,Charlie Huston i have read good versions of. Huston is a crime writer before his Joe Pitt books. You would like that series Clovis.

I havent given up on Brust but Jehreg didnt prove anything to me. If it was better SFF i would have read more of the series.

 

[Moontravler]

Thanks for bringing these to our attention, Elvet. Certainly looks like some interesting reading. I'm already on the lookout for Jhereg after spotting your mention of these books on Goodreads.

 

[Taltos]

I searched for threads, but none came up with his name in the title.

I think they might have been mentioned in mystery-SF threads but he is usually not so well known.

I mostly read them in publishing order, except for Taltos, which I read just after Jhereg. I need to buy the books after Orca.

My respect to people who can do that - I would have been quite annoyed when the story is jumping from end to begginning to middle etc. I read first 10 books as they should be in timeline - but now the new books describe events that have been happening between those books - and I'd rather read what will happen afterwards.

I'm definitely interested in these too. I like his style of writing, and a little swash-buckling doesn't hurt. I also like the fact that the world is the same, so some things will be familiar.
Have you read any of his standalone books?

About the Phoenix Guards - don't be so sure that there are similar things - the world and races are the same but all the other things are quite different. And sadly but no - I haven't read the standalones - although I should put some of them into "to be bought" list - as if it isn't long already.

 

[Taltos]

I didnt enjoy the first book Jehreg, the heist like story in SFF,the writing didnt do it for me. No interest to read that kind of book so not that it was badly written. It wasnt serious enough or fun enough in writing.

Might enjoy the other books in the same world if they are quite different. The first Vlad Taltos book showed something that isnt for me. I dont like often when SFF writers try writing in a crime story. They dont know what they are doing.

Strange - I would have been sure you like these stories - although they are not classic mystery or detective stories as the main character is the "bad" guy. Still - they should have enough noir feeling, sarcasm and fun dialogue - to appeal to people who enjoy mystery and SFF.

 

[Connavar]

Strange - I would have been sure you like these stories - although they are not classic mystery or detective stories as the main character is the "bad" guy. Still - they should have enough noir feeling, sarcasm and fun dialogue - to appeal to people who enjoy mystery and SFF.

Trust me i have read 100s of noir books and there was nothing noirish about this. Noir SFF hybrid is Charlie Huston Pitt books, Takeshi Kovacs by Morgan. Taltos writing was too straight and arrow for hardcore crime ei noir.

It was more like Ocean Eleven new version and i dislike that stuff. If it was more Bogart and Film Noir i would have loved it.

It wasnt fun enough or serious enough. Maybe just a weak first book who knows.

 

[TWErvin2]

I am currently reading Vallista, Steven Brust's most recent Vlad Taltos novel.

Normally, I really enjoy the books in this series (except for Teckla and Orca).

I am within pages of 1/3 of the way through and am largely disappointed. It's beginning to make Teckla and Orca look good. I sort of understand what Brust is doing (or trying to do) with the mystery and gathering pieces to solve the problem, but good dialogue between Vlad at Loiosh, a snappy remark or description can only take the story so far.

My question: Is there anyone here who's read the novel, and can tell me if there's a decent payoff at the end? Does it add to the overall story arc for Vlad? Or is this book just filler before his next 'adventure'? Trying to decide if I want to invest the time in finishing it.

 

[TWErvin2]

I went ahead and finished Vallista. It was largely a disappointment, knowing (or having experienced) the top quality Steven Brust can produce.

It is mostly Vlad wandering around a mysterious mansion, trying to figure out how it works to help the girl Devera escape it. There is some fun dialogue, especially between Vlad and Loiosh, but really not much action. A reader interested in some of the backstory and intricacies of the world he's created will get a few tidbits, and I did enjoy the ode, so to speak to Sticks. Other than that, Vlad tells his story, wandering around, checking out rooms, being 'transported' around, speaking to folks, mostly servants and a dancer, but there are others...and it does get in a scrap or two, but really, a weak effort. Maybe 3 stars.

To be sure, others might like it more than me, and I'll certainly pick up his next novel in the series. I just hope it's better. A lot better.

 

[vanye]

If you take a gander at my avatar, you can see a likeness of Loiosh that my wife has painted for me.

 

[TWErvin2]

If you take a gander at my avatar, you can see a likeness of Loiosh that my wife has painted for me.

Pretty darn cool

 

[grimshawl]

I have read most of these. I enjoy them but wish the books didn't jump around quite as much.