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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Agyar is my first introduction to Steven Brust. It's short, a stand-alone and quite an original vampire tale. The author succeeds at being humorous and witty without going overboard, and creates introspective and complex characters struggling to survive in a world when they are "different".
The first-person narrative easily enables the reader to get into the head of the main character without the author's opinions and judgment. Agyar is certainly not the most likeable character, but he easily justifies his actions and often comes across as a basically decent guy doing what he has to do to survive and sometimes even can distinguish right from wrong.
From page 157: "I could, I think, have killed them, but I have been given to understand that killing policemen is not something to be undertaken lightly; so I turned and ran."
None of the characters were especially likeable, except the compassionate, sympathetic and sociable ghost Jim. Jill and Susan were typical of young, self-preoccupied women, the type that would fall for a handsome, sexy drifter like Agyar.
If Agyar is an indication of the quality of Steven Brust's work, I will definitely be reading more!
The first-person narrative easily enables the reader to get into the head of the main character without the author's opinions and judgment. Agyar is certainly not the most likeable character, but he easily justifies his actions and often comes across as a basically decent guy doing what he has to do to survive and sometimes even can distinguish right from wrong.
From page 157: "I could, I think, have killed them, but I have been given to understand that killing policemen is not something to be undertaken lightly; so I turned and ran."
None of the characters were especially likeable, except the compassionate, sympathetic and sociable ghost Jim. Jill and Susan were typical of young, self-preoccupied women, the type that would fall for a handsome, sexy drifter like Agyar.
If Agyar is an indication of the quality of Steven Brust's work, I will definitely be reading more!
dark
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow, this took a little getting into but it sneaks up on you and grabs the back of your neck. If you're going to read this, DO NOT READ ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT IT. It wouldn't be as fun without the slow realization of what is really going on.
Agyar is a vampire novel that never once uses the words "undead" "blood" or "vampire." There. That's the whole review.
I mean, sure, the book has some okay moments, there's some nice turns of phrase, and it's kind of neat to read vampire novels that don't try and hide how shitty the main character is. But, and I am saying this as a Steven Brust fan, there's no point in reading this book.
I got to the final chapter and just thought "oh, okay, I guess that was the story." It was just... This book was dry toast. It's hard to have an opinion on dry toast. It's a thing. It's not bad, but nothing about it is memorable outside of the unique idea.
Read Agyar if you want to read something short and, y'know, there. Or, don't. Pick up something else by Brust for short. He's normally a lot better than this.
I mean, sure, the book has some okay moments, there's some nice turns of phrase, and it's kind of neat to read vampire novels that don't try and hide how shitty the main character is. But, and I am saying this as a Steven Brust fan, there's no point in reading this book.
I got to the final chapter and just thought "oh, okay, I guess that was the story." It was just... This book was dry toast. It's hard to have an opinion on dry toast. It's a thing. It's not bad, but nothing about it is memorable outside of the unique idea.
Read Agyar if you want to read something short and, y'know, there. Or, don't. Pick up something else by Brust for short. He's normally a lot better than this.
Really not sure what I thought of this book. I feel kind of like it was probably a good book, I just didn't like it very much. I've been realising since I started reading outside the Dragaera books that Brust is very hit or miss for me, and this book seems more of a miss. I didn't like the protaganist, I saw the ending coming, and I also predicted a twist that didn't happen but that I thought would have been more interesting if it had. Which is sad, because I deeply adore the Dragaera books and get earwormed with that world every time I read them. This just doesn't work as well, it's a bit too "oh I see what you did there" in feel. I also was a bit disappointed to reach the end because I wanted to know more about Jim, and it felt slightly unfinished in that regard. Mostly, I'm going to be glad to have finally finished this and be able to give it back. (hi Chris! :D)
WARNING: This book does contain scenes implying (although not graphically describing) sexual scenes where one character is unable to consent.
WARNING: This book does contain scenes implying (although not graphically describing) sexual scenes where one character is unable to consent.
A witty Vamp tale. (Wished there could have been fewer "I can't remember" moments *Please, do remember. I would have enjoyed having a bit more insight/history into Agyar, and Jim for that matter, but I blame Stoker and Rice for my glutinous Vamp needs.) This was a quick-and-ever-curious read. Maybe a little too skimpy... Again, I like to gorge on the Vamps. First Narrative through journaling technique is fun and especially tension building for me. The ending had me wanting more... Oh, that ending! Come on, Brust, lol! You're hurtin' me. ;)