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A review by mary_soon_lee
Lyorn by Steven Brust
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
This is the seventeenth entry in the Vlad Taltos fantasy series, named for its protagonist. The series is wonderful. I'm puzzled it's not more frequently cited as one of the best fantasy series out there.
All the books are both well-crafted and entertaining (though sometimes also bleak). There's humor and a series protagonist that I've grown very attached to, a protagonist, moreover, who evolves in well-thought-out ways. The series swoops back and forth in time with remarkable prowess. The books vary in tone and have their own individual conceits. This seventeenth volume opens each chapter with an extract from an (invented) musical that is central to the story.
"Lyorn" is a very good book, not one of my favorites in the series, but that is a high bar indeed. It's as expertly executed as the theater production it describes in its pages. I was amused and moved and fascinated.
Four out of five musical 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).
All the books are both well-crafted and entertaining (though sometimes also bleak). There's humor and a series protagonist that I've grown very attached to, a protagonist, moreover, who evolves in well-thought-out ways. The series swoops back and forth in time with remarkable prowess. The books vary in tone and have their own individual conceits. This seventeenth volume opens each chapter with an extract from an (invented) musical that is central to the story.
"Lyorn" is a very good book, not one of my favorites in the series, but that is a high bar indeed. It's as expertly executed as the theater production it describes in its pages. I was amused and moved and fascinated.
Four out of five musical 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).