This is the compendium featuring Taltos and Phoenix-two more novels in Steven Brust's classic series featuring intrepid assassin Vlad Ta...
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reviews
Sep 22, 2010
Luke
rated it: 
Thoroughly enjoyable fantasy/caper romp.
This volume includes the 4 and 5 novels in the series, which follow Vlad Taltos. The series reminds me of Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat series, in that it places a heist/caper story (usually with a bit of political intrigue) in a non-modern setting, Science Fiction for the Stainless Steel Rat and Fantasy for Vlad.
Though, unlike the Stainless Steel Rat books, Vlad is much more tied to a specific place, the City of Adrilankh More...
This volume includes the 4 and 5 novels in the series, which follow Vlad Taltos. The series reminds me of Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat series, in that it places a heist/caper story (usually with a bit of political intrigue) in a non-modern setting, Science Fiction for the Stainless Steel Rat and Fantasy for Vlad.
Though, unlike the Stainless Steel Rat books, Vlad is much more tied to a specific place, the City of Adrilankh More...
Aug 17, 2009
Jeanene
rated it:
I don't know why I thought there was another story left to read in this volume. I must have finished reading the last one late at night when I was too tired to notice that it was the end of the whole book, not just the current story. In my head there were supposed to be three, not two in here, I guess.
Anyhow, I let it lay around while I read some other stuff then picked it up again to read the "last book" in it and then I was stuck out of the house with time to kill and a b More...
Anyhow, I let it lay around while I read some other stuff then picked it up again to read the "last book" in it and then I was stuck out of the house with time to kill and a b More...
Dec 29, 2008
Midnightcrawler
rated it: 
Succeeded to live up to my expectations!
I have forgotten the intriguing way in which Steven Brust manages to tell a story (I especially liked the three simultaneous plot-lines:)) and I am aware now I've missed his approach.
The sarcasm again kicks ass, of course!!!
I have forgotten the intriguing way in which Steven Brust manages to tell a story (I especially liked the three simultaneous plot-lines:)) and I am aware now I've missed his approach.
The sarcasm again kicks ass, of course!!!
Sep 07, 2010
Phearsa
rated it: 
Please. Do. Not. Read.
I doubt the others of the series will be nice.
The language is rather casual, it's like a diary. It's verbal really.
The plot is too straightforward.
Just don't read it if you come across it, really.
I doubt the others of the series will be nice.
The language is rather casual, it's like a diary. It's verbal really.
The plot is too straightforward.
Just don't read it if you come across it, really.
Dec 07, 2007
Wayne
rated it:
Actually I would recommend this book to anyone. I fear though that most would be turned off by it's genre. Not only do I like the story, I adore the way the book is put together.
Steven Burst has three different time lines playing out through the entire book. At first it is a little difficult to put ones mind around but as the story continues the time line begin to come together in merge at the end of the book. I have never seen any book put together like this before or since I firs More...
Steven Burst has three different time lines playing out through the entire book. At first it is a little difficult to put ones mind around but as the story continues the time line begin to come together in merge at the end of the book. I have never seen any book put together like this before or since I firs More...
Sep 13, 2010
Karen
rated it:
I'm definitely hooked on this series. The sense of humor is fantastic, and the plots are very twisty. The characters change much more than I usually expect. I also want to reread the series eventually in chronological order (currently reading by publication order), because so many details are cross-referenced and I want to experience the whole story in order.
May 09, 2009
Janet
rated it: 
I wish someone had told me the correct chronological order here. I’ve been skipping all over Vlad’s life. Luckily this is one of those series where it doesn’t really matter. Still annoys me though.
Aug 07, 2007
Nicole
rated it:
I believe this is chronologically the first book of the series, but it's been long enough that I can't remember. All I do know anymore is that the earliest were by far the best. Our hero, a friendly assassin with few moral qualms over his line of work, is best when he is just that. These early books are witty, and the characters are hilarious, partially because they are comfortable with who they are. Once the doubts creep in, the books go south. I am all for character development, and even
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Aug 01, 2011
Andrea
rated it:
Brust writes out of chronological order, so this filled in a lot of blanks in Vlad's history. Definitely one of my favorite characters, ever.
Oct 02, 2007
Nathan
rated it:
Its been a while, but i remember this book with fond memories. Vladimir Taltos is simply one of the greatest characters ever devised in my honest opinion. he is realistic, intelligent, and has flaws hes not afraid to show to the reader. I also like how even though he is a skilled assassin, he admits to not being a master of all weaponry, his difficulty with throwing knives, and how his eastern style of swordplay is an advantage mainly due to its scarcity in the Empire.
Its good More...
Its good More...
Oct 14, 2010
Jon
rated it:
Love practically everything from Steven Brust, this book was not a exception.
Mar 04, 2011
Deb
rated it: 
Vlad Taltos is the main character of these stories, which jump around to various points in his sordid life as a hired assasin, mob boss, and errand boy for his patron Goddess. Vlad and his familiar--a leathery winged jherig--somehow manage to bluff and wise-crack their way through every dangerous situation the author throws at them. [return]I only mildly enjoyed this adventure, which seemed to jump around a lot. Vlad is a man's man, and his blunt ways were not to my taste, but those who enjoy
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Apr 06, 2008
Paul
rated it:
As usual with Brust's writing, I found the characters to be enjoyable and witty and the storyline to be intriquing. But, also as usual, I found the structure of the story to stand in the way of its development (he does his usual grasshopper method of leaping from moment to moment, and then revisiting each again and again) and little actual depth. This stories are meant to be fluff, I know, but Brust is a good enough writer that I constantly want him to truly apply himself and come up with someth
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Apr 17, 2010
Ruhegeist
rated it:
this whole series is a very light read but thoroughly enjoyable. :) i like the wacky time line.
Oct 05, 2010
Heather
rated it:
WARNING: This book is a compilation of three of the books but either Steven Burst is chronologically challenged or he is a sadistic ass. The events in the three books do not follow each other chronologically and that made it a tough and frustrating read. Which was a shame because the premise and the concepts were fairly decent.
Jan 23, 2012
Cynthiaj
rated it:
These two stories really show Vlad at his best and worst. I really enjoyed the story behind Vlad helping Morrolan bring Aliera back from the Paths of the Dead, and the convolutions of the plot in Phoenix kept things moving. I don't really get Cawti and her movement, but otherwise two good stories.
Feb 15, 2008
Julianne
rated it:
These books are really fun, I love the sarcastic humor.
There are two ways to read this series, in chronological order or publishing order. I read it chronologically and I liked it that way, there weren't any spoilers or anything that way.
There are two ways to read this series, in chronological order or publishing order. I read it chronologically and I liked it that way, there weren't any spoilers or anything that way.
Aug 20, 2011
Caroline
rated it:
A very fun series, read back while I was in my assassin/thief kick thanks to Mickey Zucker Reichert. A series I want to get back into!
Apr 20, 2007
Dev
rated it:
Brust is a great writer and all his Vlad Taltos books are filled with intrigue, cleverness, and a fair share of dry wit.
Dec 16, 2009
Eddie
rated it:
Brust's books are a great mix of action and humor. He's created a vibrant world with an engaging and realistic main character.
Jun 07, 2010
Ajeya
rated it:
I have to thank TV Tropes for introducing me to yet another wonderful and sadly obscure book. I went into this not really knowing what to expect, and that's probably the best way to go into a Vlad Taltos book. It's probably the only series I know of that you can read in any order (I'm not counting mystery series, which are more like a group of books with a few similar characters). So chronologically, I read Vlad's first adventure, and what seems to be one of his last. It was funny, intelligent,
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Feb 21, 2012
Feb 19, 2012
