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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
I read this book because later in the year I will be attending a workshop at which the author, Steven Brust, is an instructor. As a kind of game, I didn't read the book's summary/blurb. I wanted to let the story engage me on its own merits without knowing what it was about.
It took me a while to put together the clues. Not long, but if I had read "This is a novel about a vampire..." it would have taken away some of the fun of not knowing, of having to piece together the clues, of figuring things out.
The main character in this book is very well developed, and I am sorry that Agyar is a stand-alone novel, even though that is why I chose it in the first place. I'd like to read more about him. Some of the other characters are less three-dimensional, but they are depicted through the eyes of the main character. A predator.
I don't normally like books wherein the character acknowledges writing the very book that I am reading, addressing the act of writing and conjecturing about who might be reading it. But...this really worked for me, in this case. I wasn't put off by it in the least. Well, maybe a little at the very beginning, but I got over it. :)
This is a vampire novel. And yet, it is not a Vampire Novel. It is not soaked in seduction, sex, and blood, although those definitely play a part. But they are not the part. The story is about Jack/John Agyar and what he must do to overcome the difficulty he finds himself in. If that occasionally involves seduction, sex, and blood, that's because it's what he must do to live.
It is a violent story, but told from the viewpoint of the creature who must commit violence or die. He seems callous at times, vindictive and cruel at others, but tender and regretful as well. He is a man of some honor, but it's an odd kind of honor that's a bit horrifying at times.
I look forward to reading more of Brust's work.
It took me a while to put together the clues. Not long, but if I had read "This is a novel about a vampire..." it would have taken away some of the fun of not knowing, of having to piece together the clues, of figuring things out.
The main character in this book is very well developed, and I am sorry that Agyar is a stand-alone novel, even though that is why I chose it in the first place. I'd like to read more about him. Some of the other characters are less three-dimensional, but they are depicted through the eyes of the main character. A predator.
I don't normally like books wherein the character acknowledges writing the very book that I am reading, addressing the act of writing and conjecturing about who might be reading it. But...this really worked for me, in this case. I wasn't put off by it in the least. Well, maybe a little at the very beginning, but I got over it. :)
This is a vampire novel. And yet, it is not a Vampire Novel. It is not soaked in seduction, sex, and blood, although those definitely play a part. But they are not the part. The story is about Jack/John Agyar and what he must do to overcome the difficulty he finds himself in. If that occasionally involves seduction, sex, and blood, that's because it's what he must do to live.
It is a violent story, but told from the viewpoint of the creature who must commit violence or die. He seems callous at times, vindictive and cruel at others, but tender and regretful as well. He is a man of some honor, but it's an odd kind of honor that's a bit horrifying at times.
I look forward to reading more of Brust's work.
I don't like how much this black character throws the n-slur around, considering the writer is a white person.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs
I'm a huge fan of Steven Brust, however, I read this book too long ago to rate. I do know I liked it, but I like everything of Brust's.
reflective
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
This was moving in a way I haven't quite figured out how to put to words yet.
Agyar had been on my list forever until I had stumbled upon it at a used book store.
This is a very subtle tale of a young man and his relationship with three women: his loves and nemesis'. I don't know if I can recommend it or not. I did like the writing style, as if the reader has discovered a diary, but the reason for subtleness in this context escapes me.
I mean this is a first-hand account, or confession, so why be so subtle and ambiguous about it? I want to like Steven Brust since he has such a fervent following, but I don't think he's for me. Oh well, life goes on.
This is a very subtle tale of a young man and his relationship with three women: his loves and nemesis'. I don't know if I can recommend it or not. I did like the writing style, as if the reader has discovered a diary, but the reason for subtleness in this context escapes me.
I mean this is a first-hand account, or confession, so why be so subtle and ambiguous about it? I want to like Steven Brust since he has such a fervent following, but I don't think he's for me. Oh well, life goes on.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Violence
"Nightmares fall like poetry, carefully contrived.
The leaves blow 'round in circles where before the sun was hot,
Add a pinch of desperation to what's boiling in the pot."
The leaves blow 'round in circles where before the sun was hot,
Add a pinch of desperation to what's boiling in the pot."
I love this book. Third time I've read it in the last 15 years. A brilliant crime /romance/supernatural tale that somehow gets all the details right without ever using the V word.
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes