Tiassa

Absolutely breezed through this book. Steven Brust giving us hits back to back. This book introduces some new characters and a really interesting macguffin - The Silver Tiassa.

I actually enjoyed the fact that this book not only was spread across various times of Vlad's history, but also he's barely there. I was interesting to explore the world through the eyes of others, and see how they go about solving things. I particularly enjoyed the second and final sections.

i also love the fact that Brust has gicen each character in tbe second section their own unique voice, making it quite distinct from the other books. even the final section is written in a very unique style.

i really loved Tiassa!!

I'll admit, this is not my favourite book in the Vlad Taltos series, but - contrary to many other readers - I do not mind the clash of the writing styles of the Vlad series and the Khaavren romances.

Long-winded historian Paarfi can get on your nerves quickly, but a) he is only recounting part of the book (so you don't have to wade through hundreds of pages like in the Khaavren romances) and b) it's quite funny to see the usually rather laconic Vlad described in Paarfi's flowery manner.

It was also nice to see many familiar characters again (Pel has always been a favourite of mine, as has Kragar).

I would not recommend reading Tiassa if you haven't read and liked at least one of the earlier Taltos books as well as the Khaavren romances. You probably need to be quite familiar with the world and the main characters, there is not much in the way of introduction or explanation given in this book.

Overall, if you enjoy the Vlad Taltos books, I would find it hard to believe you wouldn't like this. Moreover, if you also enjoyed the Khaavren books, you'll finally get to see the joining of those two “lines” in this novel.

The book essentially includes 3 “Parts” or novellas which are all connected by a thread. The first part concerns an episode from Vlad's past, primarily during the time of his engagement to Cawti.

The second part focuses on a consequence to this first episode, told in Cawti's perspective, but involving Norathar, the Empress, and the Countess of Whitecrest (Khaavren's wife). This occurs after Vlad and Cawti's separation while Vlad is apparently back East somewhere.

The final part is told from Khaavren's perspective, similarly to that you've seen in the books focused on the head of the Phoenix Guards. Yes, including some of the same banter and stylistic elements you'd expect in those books. This was excellently done, however, and you really get to see the care that the Empress has for Vlad and you see the respect for him grow in Khaavren throughout as well.

If you're looking for “all the answers” to the dangling plotlines in the series, you are definitely not going to find them. Besides, there's going to be at least one book for each of the houses in the cycle anyway. Duh.

If you're looking for deep and thought-provoking reading... why on earth are you reading the Vlad books? These are meant to be light, fun, fast-paced reads with action and humor. Maybe tinged with a little dark reality, but still. Be realistic.

If you've read the other books in the series (either series, really) then you probably ought to just go ahead and get and read it. You know you're going to do so eventually :)