The new two-in-one omnibus featuring two classic novels of Vlad Taltos and his winged jhereg companions-Athyra and Orca.
Vlad Taltos is a ... read full description
Vlad Taltos is a ... read full description
reviews
Jul 15, 2009
Jason
rated it: 
I had a hard time getting into Athyra (3.5 stars). It was by far my least favorite of the Vlad books and I think it is because of how it was written. The story was ok, but it just did not have that zing like the previous Brust books did. The only character we know is Vlad (And Looish and Rocza of course) and for me that is usually enough, but the not having the side cast really took some of the fun out it.
Orca (4.5 stars) on the other hand was a very enjoyable read with a great More...
Orca (4.5 stars) on the other hand was a very enjoyable read with a great More...
Jul 06, 2011
Heather
rated it:
Athyra gets 3 stars, Orca gets 5. Athyra was somewhat difficult to get into, being that it's from an entirely new character's perspective, and Vlad/Loiosh banter is one of my favorite things about this series. However different it was, it still isn't an unpleasant read, though it contained far too much philosophy for my tastes. Orca, while mostly from Kiera's perspective, is whole other boat, because it's already a character you've known and (if you're like me) adore. It also has one (or two, if
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Oct 27, 2008
Rebecca
rated it: 
So, this book is actually two -- Athyra and Orca, republished as one, as both concern the character Savn, a Teckla boy Vlad runs into in Aythra and ends up with a debt to that he tries to repay in Orca. On my re-read, I mainly reread Orca.
Steven Brust and Terry Pratchett have one thing in common -- both can tell a good story about something I never thought would be entertaining. Pratchett has The Truth about Ahnk-Morphork's first newspaper starting up, Going Postal about th More...
Steven Brust and Terry Pratchett have one thing in common -- both can tell a good story about something I never thought would be entertaining. Pratchett has The Truth about Ahnk-Morphork's first newspaper starting up, Going Postal about th More...
Nov 02, 2007
John
rated it:
This collection contains the 6th and 7th novels in the series, Athyra and Orca. Following the events in Phoenix (collected in The Book of Taltos), Vlad is on the run from assassins from his old criminal organization, the Jhereg. He has a way to avoid their magical detection, but it turns out he's still not entirely safe. As he is out wandering the earth, he discovers a small village where, just after he arrives, a man is murdered. He is, of course, the prime suspect, though innocent. It turns ou
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Oct 22, 2009
Jeanene
rated it:
There's two books in this edition-- Athyra and Orca. I'll comment on each seperately.
Athyra was my favorite of the two. I really liked the change in point of view character and the completely different pace of this novel. It was interesting to get an outside look at Vlad from the perspective of someone on the outside of his world, far outside. Of course, I've never been really into the whole gangster/assassin lifestyle thing anyhow, so I didn't miss it at all.
As for Orca, More...
Athyra was my favorite of the two. I really liked the change in point of view character and the completely different pace of this novel. It was interesting to get an outside look at Vlad from the perspective of someone on the outside of his world, far outside. Of course, I've never been really into the whole gangster/assassin lifestyle thing anyhow, so I didn't miss it at all.
As for Orca, More...
Aug 10, 2011
Mark
rated it:
Despite the dragon on the cover, these are not really dragon books. Sure they have dragons in them a bit, but they're really more about an assassin and a thief.
Oct 14, 2010
Jon
rated it:
Love practically everything from Steven Brust, this book was no exception.
Aug 19, 2008
Batmanintraining
rated it: 
So far I'm still in the first book of this particular compilation. I'm not digging the change in perspective. The story so far is being told from the POV of some farm boy and Vlad is there, but you don't get any of his thoughts or specific action detail.
That's why this one is taking SOOOO long for me to read.
Ok the second part, Orca, is definitely worth the read. Awesome story line reveals that hint at the world at large. Brust is still writing as though Vlad is More...
That's why this one is taking SOOOO long for me to read.
Ok the second part, Orca, is definitely worth the read. Awesome story line reveals that hint at the world at large. Brust is still writing as though Vlad is More...
Apr 05, 2008
Paul
rated it: 
Orca, the 2nd book in this collection, is not too bad, but Athyra, the 1st book, is by far the least book I've seen in the Vlad Taltos series. In it, Vlad spends a good amount of time with a country kid, and loooooooots of philosophy is spoken of, long metaphysical diatribes of "meaning" where it's clear that Brust's own feelings and thoughts aren't fully formed, and that translates into long winded rambles from Vlad. Very disappointing.
As I say, though, some redemption in More...
As I say, though, some redemption in More...
Apr 21, 2010
Ruhegeist
rated it:
Athyra is probably my least favorite of Brust's books so far.
Orca could have used a little more editing. It got a little long. I liked the change in perspective but it could have been done a little better, I think.
Both good quick reads. Fun.
Orca could have used a little more editing. It got a little long. I liked the change in perspective but it could have been done a little better, I think.
Both good quick reads. Fun.
Jul 31, 2008
Sarah
rated it:
In these two books the first part is in the perception of a young dragaeran seeing Vlad come to his town. He learns from him and helps him in his journey. The next bood is the combination of the perceptions of Keira the thief ,Vlads old friend, and Vlad himself as they try to save a womans land from being taken away because she had agreed to try to treat one of Vlads new friends.
Jul 26, 2007
Zoe
rated it:
What can I say about Steven Brusts work? They were recommended to me by someone whose literary opinion I highly value. He did not do me wrong. I went out and bought every one of the Vlad Taltos books and read them all very quickly. Quick and easy to read and characters that just suck you in!
Sep 19, 2008
Esther
rated it:
The Vlad Taltos series is a wonderful sci-fi set of stories. The character of Vlad, who is essentially at first a contract killer/mob-boss with heart. He is someone who you can't help but root for and someone who you would love to meet (on friendly terms) if he really existed.
Dec 12, 2007
Arctic
rated it:
ugh! finally finished this - after only six months! dang. Orca took a lot of work to get through. I definitely preferred Athyra of the two, but these are still the weakest stories in series so far.
Mar 04, 2011
Karen
rated it:
Reading these books makes me want to read them all again, which I figure is a good sign. "Orca", in particular, is fascinating, but saying more would be spoiling it. Looking forward to the next ones.
Aug 10, 2011
Elisabeth
rated it:
There's a reason this series has lasted so long and always so good and I think its because Brust is willing to play with his writing style and explore different issues and problems.
Sep 07, 2011
Love Brust, but wasn't in the right place for this book at this time. Will pick it up again later.
Feb 19, 2012
Feb 17, 2012
Feb 13, 2012
