In which Vlad Taltos confronts the Left Hand of the Jhereg…and discovers the game has more players than he thought
Vlad Taltos, shor... read full description
Vlad Taltos, shor... read full description
reviews
Apr 11, 2008
Kristin
rated it: 
It's been a while since Brust has had anything published and I had forgotten this was finally out in paperback. Vlad Taltos is back in Adrilanka and is back in trouble - this time on the behalf of his ex-wife Cawti. I enjoy Brust's books, and this one was witty and fun. I particularily liked the "interludes" of Vlad describing a 7 course meal from his favorite restaurant. What I didn't care for was Vlad wandering around Adrilanka in disguise, wondering what to do about his predicam
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Nov 10, 2011
***Dave
rated it: 
(Original review Aug 2006)
Overall 4/5
Story 4/5
Re-Readability 4/5
Characters 4/5
Now this is what I’m talking about. Vlad’s back on the streets of Adrilankha, hours after the previous novel, and trying to help his estranged wife against a mysterious conspiracy by the distaff sorcerers of the Left Hand of the Jhereg. Vlad returns to his roots — mobs, magic, and lots of pointy objects (or the threat thereof) — with appropriate twists. He’s not the assassin we first More...
Overall 4/5
Story 4/5
Re-Readability 4/5
Characters 4/5
Now this is what I’m talking about. Vlad’s back on the streets of Adrilankha, hours after the previous novel, and trying to help his estranged wife against a mysterious conspiracy by the distaff sorcerers of the Left Hand of the Jhereg. Vlad returns to his roots — mobs, magic, and lots of pointy objects (or the threat thereof) — with appropriate twists. He’s not the assassin we first More...
Nov 23, 2010
Snail in Danger (Sid)
rated it:
A re-read. I think. Maybe?
At the end of Issola (the first time I read it), I figured "Okay, this book will involve Vlad sitting down for a meal at Valabar's and solving some kind of problem during the course of the meal." And I was about half right. Vlad does solve a problem, but he's only notified during the meal, he doesn't solve the problem then. Actually, it might be better to say "deals with the situation."
I saw that it started with the meal, kin More...
At the end of Issola (the first time I read it), I figured "Okay, this book will involve Vlad sitting down for a meal at Valabar's and solving some kind of problem during the course of the meal." And I was about half right. Vlad does solve a problem, but he's only notified during the meal, he doesn't solve the problem then. Actually, it might be better to say "deals with the situation."
I saw that it started with the meal, kin More...
Jun 15, 2009
Jeremy
rated it:
It's been a while since I've read any of the Taltos novels, but as someone who's enjoyed most of what Brust has written, when I saw this one available in paperback, I had to grab it (and I eagerly await Jhegaala in paperback at the end of this month.)
Overall, it's an entertaining read, although it suffers from rather odd pacing and a bit of an anticlimactic conflict resolution. Vlad spends much of the middle of the novel wandering around in disguise frustrated that he can't figure o More...
Overall, it's an entertaining read, although it suffers from rather odd pacing and a bit of an anticlimactic conflict resolution. Vlad spends much of the middle of the novel wandering around in disguise frustrated that he can't figure o More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 16, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
This is once again a fabulous addition to the Vlad Taltos series. I rather enjoyed eating with Vlad at Valabar and Sons. I wonder if they'll open one up in LA. Brust certainly has a way of putting food to pen then pen to paper. But enough of that.
Though Vlad has been on the run for years from the Right-Hand of the Jhereg, he finds that he must face them once again. His journey begins at Valabar's, Vlads favorite restaurant. Sethra Lavode is concerned about Vlad's safety so she sends a Dzurlord
More...
Feb 04, 2009
Madolyn
rated it:
One of the weaker Vlad entries. It’s not bad, but there’s not much point to it. Very little character development takes place, and there’s almost no advancement of the larger themes and mysteries of the series. It’s just a standard, fairly uninteresting Vlad adventure, more of what we’ve seen before. The one aspect of the book that could have been really powerful is relegated to a brief mention in the epilogue, and the epilogue then ends on a teaser that’s almost unforgivable. This just feels li
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 02, 2012
Chy
rated it:
This is going to be hard. This book picks up seconds after the one in the Vladimir Taltos series that comes before it, Issola. In that one, he proclaimed that he was going to go eat at his favorite restaurant even though he was a wanted man by the sneakiest House in the Dragaeran Empire. And in this one, he does just that.
Within no time at all, he’s got a dining partner and a visitor and shortly after that he’s off on another adventure. The Organization he was a part of until he betr More...
Within no time at all, he’s got a dining partner and a visitor and shortly after that he’s off on another adventure. The Organization he was a part of until he betr More...
Aug 29, 2008
Brian
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Aug 13, 2008
Pamr
rated it: 
Every single Vlad Taltos book is a Masterpiece in it's own way. It is an amazing sequence of books. The adventures of Vald the assassin with assoreted help and hindering from Kiera the thief, Sethra Lavode, Morrolan (lord of Castle Black), Aliera e'kieron and assorted others are a brilliant place to pass time.
Brust's concept of the houses (clans) makes for a backdrop of added complexity as the books deal with the world's politics which Vlad finds himself caught up in, and being a More...
Brust's concept of the houses (clans) makes for a backdrop of added complexity as the books deal with the world's politics which Vlad finds himself caught up in, and being a More...
Jan 23, 2008
Joel
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 06, 2010
Margaret
rated it:
The relatively small scale of Dzur's plot is perhaps a little disappointing after the cataclysmic events of Issola. I disagree with the reviews which say that Dzur lacks resolution, though; it does resolve the plotline which is specific to that book, and it makes some progress in the overarching plotlines of the series (though mostly right at the end). I enjoyed it a lot, though; spending time with Vlad and Loiosh is always fun, and Brust has such a knack for turning a phrase.
More...
Jul 07, 2009
Karen
rated it:
This book makes me very hungry, and there is a shameful lack of Morrolan angst (we're continually told that he's grieving and so on but I want to SEE IT GODDAMN I BET HE HURTS PRETTY) but I still enjoyed myself very much, and Telnan is just an utter delight. I wish Brust would write YA sometime - he does such excellent teenage* characters.
* Relatively teenaged. Like, 80 or 90, but in a lifetime of several thousand years that's totes YA.
* Relatively teenaged. Like, 80 or 90, but in a lifetime of several thousand years that's totes YA.
Jan 15, 2012
Neil
rated it:
The tenth Vlad Taltos novel wasn't quite as much fun as the eighth or ninth - although it moves the general story forward, it seems to do less to advance things or fill in a gap than many of the other books have - Desecrator, the Tor.com Original that gives background on one of the characters introduced in Dzur, does more without featuring Vlad at all. That said, it's still entertaining and worth a read.
Sep 01, 2009
Psychophant
rated it:
At this stage in the main character's life, he is among the dozen most powerful beings in the world, and he is friend's with most of the others. Indeed, one of the subplots of the book is his growing mistrust of his patron goddess, and her fear of him...
Although Vlad has a mundane problem to solve, Brust presents that as a background, and not the main part of the story. Instead we see how Vlad faces change, his own influence in the world, the consequences of his actions, and the prob More...
Although Vlad has a mundane problem to solve, Brust presents that as a background, and not the main part of the story. Instead we see how Vlad faces change, his own influence in the world, the consequences of his actions, and the prob More...
May 07, 2009
Dan
rated it:
Vlad wanders around Adrilankha, getting in fights.
By this point Vlad has had several adventures since his old thugging days, and in theory he's a kinder, more enlightened soul. He's still wandering the city, mostly planless, picking fights with large shadowy organizations, getting periodically ambushed and beaten up. But at least he's not doing it for money?
By this point Vlad has had several adventures since his old thugging days, and in theory he's a kinder, more enlightened soul. He's still wandering the city, mostly planless, picking fights with large shadowy organizations, getting periodically ambushed and beaten up. But at least he's not doing it for money?
Apr 04, 2008
Paul
rated it:
Much of my interest in this series is based on the main character, but Brust often seems to try to get in the way of that character, portraying him in situations where he isn't at his best. I don't mind characters being in unfamiliar territory, as it shakes up the characters and allows me to see them in new light, but my problem here is that many of the later "Vlad Taltos" books put Vlad in diminishing situations. Still, I guess I love the guy, as I can never quite break up with him.
More...
Mar 16, 2010
Maura
rated it:
If you've been reading the series, then this is more of the same wonderful fun. Vlad is snarky as ever, his plans are as... unplanned as ever, and his friends (including Lady Teldra in her new form) are as necessary as ever. If you haven't been reading the series, you should be, but you shouldn't start here. Go get Jhereg and enjoy the wackiness.
Jan 02, 2012
Emily
rated it:
My life would be easier, if I would read these silly books in order, instead of just reading what the library has on the shelf! This book comes right after Issola and should be read right after Issola. In this book, Vlad enjoys an amazing meal and does something nice for his ex-wife.
Jan 29, 2009
Linda
rated it: 
This book is not up to Brust's usual standards. Roy joked that this book & Jhegaala were written to fulfill contractual obligation. It wouldn't surprise me. I think they could have been combined into one book, or written as two magazine-length short stories and done the job.
This one spent too much of the book in meal flashbacks and lame food-life metaphors.
This one spent too much of the book in meal flashbacks and lame food-life metaphors.
Jul 26, 2009
Allison
rated it:
Another solid Vlad novel, and back to more of the older style where Vlad is back in the city trying to figure out who is behind what bad thing has been going on, put and end to it, and not get killed.
Aug 20, 2011
Michael
rated it:
A good story, bringing Vlad back to his problems in South Adrilankha and his estranged wife. It was enjoyable, but not the best of the series. Continue on ahead, dear reader.
Aug 05, 2011
Craig
rated it:
A nice enough Vlad Taltos novel. Cleverly written, interesting build up, kind of an understated payoff. Good, not great, entry in this series.
Dec 22, 2008
Jon
rated it:
Good points: It's Vlad.
Bad points: Vlad talking about meals. Not the best method of telling a story. Let's hope Brust never repeats this.
Bad points: Vlad talking about meals. Not the best method of telling a story. Let's hope Brust never repeats this.
Jul 18, 2010
Cory Doctorow suggested this book to me, but I'm a little confused because it's apparently book 10 in a series. But i'll give it a try.
Jan 19, 2012
Nathan
rated it:
Taltos is back on his home turf of crime in the big city. A return to form for Brust after the last few were a bit flat. (4/5)
Jun 21, 2010
Daphne
rated it:
Each book in the Vlad series still lives up to the previous. Delicious description of a meal at Valabar's with a Dzur coupled with dealing with the Left Hand of the Jhereg.
Dec 20, 2008
Somewhat unusually for this series, Dzur takes place immediately following the previous book Issola. It marks the first appearance of Vlad in his home city of Adrilankha since he was forced to flee some number of books previously. In some sense, the overarching plot (if there is one...some may debate this) is not particularly advanced by this book, although it is a fairly typical, self-contained Vlad story. One major event (which had been subtley and not-so-subtley hinted at in previous books) i
More...
Dec 17, 2009
Andres
rated it:
A very good book by Brust, returning his serial hero Vlad Taltos and his two jheregs (mini-dragons) to Adrilankha at long last. The two or three prior books haven't been as strong, mainly due to Vlad being out of his element (Adrilankha and the mafia-like Jhereg, a crew of which Vlad used to lead). This book returns him to that environment, albeit still with a price on his head. Many of the loose ends from prior volumes are tied up in this book, but enough remain open (or are introduced) to ensu
More...
May 01, 2011
Krasytod
rated it:
Една от любимите ми фентази поредици за последните десет години. Надявам се, качествено да не падне, както често се случва.
