Dragon

Vlad Taltos Chronicles: 8

ISBN: 0-312-86692-5 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com

A fill-in in the history of Brust's most popular hero, this novel features the trademark snappy insults and sarcastic dialogue, intricately and solidly constructed universe, fights full of fear and adrenaline, introspection, in-jokes and quasi-philosophical interludes.

Reviewed by David on December 20, 1998

Genre: Fantasy (War, Sword and Sorcery, Assassin)

Synopsis: Ever since Brust introduced the Draegeran Empire and the intricate society of long-lived, magic-wielding humanoid Draegerans in Jhereg, this series has been a favorite. Not the least for the hero of most of his books, the despised and occasionally feared human Vlad Taltos, part of the criminal house of Jhereg. As a second-class citizen, Vlad has learned to compensate for his lack of size, sorcery and status with knifes, poison and intimidation. As he gets more involved with the once feared and resented Draegeran aristocracy, his relationship becomes more ambiguous. Some of the most powerful and ruthless Draegerans actually become his friends, while the criminal underground that was the source of his strength becomes a symbol of oppression and danger.

This novel, however, takes place chronologically before the previously published Orca, while Vlad is still rising in the Jhereg and his relationship with the movers and shakers of the Empire is, at best, uneasy. Here we learn how the Dragonlord Morrolan hired Vlad, a despised Easterner (Draegeran term for humans) and a suspected assassin, to be his head of security. We find what happened at the battle of Barrit's Tomb. And we see an unlikely sight: Vlad enlisting as a soldier.

Full Review: There is plenty of scope for insults, snappy repartee with everyone in sight, including Vlad's familiar, Loiosh. There are a number of in-jokes, and the obligatory evanescent cameo by Devera.

Everything one expects of a novel in this highly entertaining series is present: well-choreographed fights, understated courage, the intricate details of the sorcerous but solid-seeming world, the fine details of food, tactics, gambling and fighting. The plot is fast-moving, at times breathtaking.

However, there is a self-conscious tone of cleverness and self-deprecation to this book (and the previous ones), which while skillfully done, keeps Brust's excellent work from becoming great. That, and the slightly annoying narrative device of recollecting the events, is somehow less than would be expected from a self-professed admirer of Dorothy Parker ("If you're going to write, don't pretend to write down. It's going to be the best you can do, and it's the fact that it's the best you can do that kills you!") and a member of the Pre-Joycean Fellowship.

These grumbles notwithstanding, this is an excellent fantasy, and a worthy addition to the Taltos saga.

Universe: Dragaera

Overall: 7; Plot: 6.5; Characters: 7; Style: 6.5; World-building: 7.5; Originality: 6.5;

ISBN: 0-312-86692-5 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com