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mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
4.0
This is the tenth book in the Vlad Taltos high fantasy series. I highly recommend the series, but would suggest beginning at the usual starting point, "Jhereg." The central character is the eponymous Vlad Taltos, a young human assassin in a society dominated by far longer-lived Dragaerans. Most of the books are narrated by Vlad in a dryly witty fashion that I find considerably entertaining. Most of the books have a fun tone, despite varying amounts of destruction and occasional disturbing scenes. Several of the books have quite intricate plots, and the series has satisfying overarching threads with intermittent revelations.
This book in particular pleased me very much. Indeed, it may well be my favorite to date. I liked most of the book considerably, though no more than I'd liked "Teckla" and "Phoenix." Spoiler warning....
4.5 out of 5 delicious stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
This book in particular pleased me very much. Indeed, it may well be my favorite to date. I liked most of the book considerably, though no more than I'd liked "Teckla" and "Phoenix." Spoiler warning....
Spoiler
I liked the slightly-over-the-top culinary panegyrics at the beginnings of the chapters. I liked Vlad (of course), and Loiosh (of course), and Kiera, and Kragar, and Telnan. Most of all, however, I liked the epilogue, which moved me very much. It strikes a haunting, understated, sweet, sad note as Vlad prepares to meet (second spoiler warning!) his son, and as it is made clear to the reader how much his friends matter to him.4.5 out of 5 delicious stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
suzemo's review against another edition
4.0
In which our chronological timeline continues and Vlad comes back to Adrilankha to solve a problem at the behest of Mario(?!) and solves a problem for his ex-wife without actually interacting with her.
It's nice to see Vlad back in the proverbial saddle. Not a whole lot with the overall story arc (and nothing with the mytharc) really happened. It was nice to see Sethra and Kiera and I like our new Dzur Lavode.
It's nice to see Vlad back in the proverbial saddle. Not a whole lot with the overall story arc (and nothing with the mytharc) really happened. It was nice to see Sethra and Kiera and I like our new Dzur Lavode.
misterjay's review against another edition
4.0
Steven Brust's Taltos series has been one of my favorites since I first discovered it almost two decades ago. The latest entry in the series, Dzur, finds Vlad coming back to Adrilankha for the first time in several years.
He has come back to help his estranged wife, Cawti, out of a situation she has been unable to extricate herself from. Throughout the story, the reader is introduced to several old friends who have been absent from more recent volumes, and we meet some new characters.
We learn that Verra, the Demon Goddess had altered some of Vlad's memories when he first travelled down the Paths of the Dead and that she has some use for him. We get a few more hints about where and when Vlad went East as well as how he lost his finger but there are no definitive details yet. We also learn that Vlad does have Easterner friends and we are treated to luscious descriptions of a meal at Valabar's.
The story, like all the Taltos novels, is quick, witty, and more intricate than it appears at first glance. Vlad tangles with the Left Hand of the Jhereg, the Right Hand of the Jhereg, and acquires himself a bodyguard in the form of one of Sethra's disciples and the newest (read only) member of the Lavodes.
On the other hand, this book felt a little thin. It felt like it was not quite finished when I closed the back cover. I would have liked to have had a little more closure and to have the final scene extended into a full chapter, I think, and seen more of what happens when Vlad meets Vlad Norathar.
However, there are still nine books to go in the series, so I have every faith that all the answers will be there in the end.
He has come back to help his estranged wife, Cawti, out of a situation she has been unable to extricate herself from. Throughout the story, the reader is introduced to several old friends who have been absent from more recent volumes, and we meet some new characters.
We learn that Verra, the Demon Goddess had altered some of Vlad's memories when he first travelled down the Paths of the Dead and that she has some use for him. We get a few more hints about where and when Vlad went East as well as how he lost his finger but there are no definitive details yet. We also learn that Vlad does have Easterner friends and we are treated to luscious descriptions of a meal at Valabar's.
The story, like all the Taltos novels, is quick, witty, and more intricate than it appears at first glance. Vlad tangles with the Left Hand of the Jhereg, the Right Hand of the Jhereg, and acquires himself a bodyguard in the form of one of Sethra's disciples and the newest (read only) member of the Lavodes.
On the other hand, this book felt a little thin. It felt like it was not quite finished when I closed the back cover. I would have liked to have had a little more closure and to have the final scene extended into a full chapter, I think, and seen more of what happens when Vlad meets Vlad Norathar.
However, there are still nine books to go in the series, so I have every faith that all the answers will be there in the end.
shreela_r's review against another edition
3.0
Not as compelling as previous books, until close to the end! Then it ended abruptly, with my mouth agape! So I gave an extra ⭐ for leaving me speechless
avery_switch's review
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
geofisch's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
krakentamer's review against another edition
4.0
Felt good stepping back into this after taking a break to read a long novel. Made me really appreciate the conciseness of the Taltos books. This one was pretty fun; lots of Loisch/Vlad interactions (well, there's always lots of those, but these just seemed to be especially good).
nlord's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5