The Book of Taltos

Book Description

This is the compendium featuring Taltos and Phoenix-two more novels in Steven Brust's classic series featuring intrepid assassin Vlad Taltos and his dragon companion.

"This whole series is entertaining and worth reading." (Locus)

"Steven Brust isn't afraid to stretch the boundaries of contemporary commercial fantasy." (Newsday )

"Lightning-paced...enjoyable." (OtherRealms)

"Involving, captivating...highly recommended." (The Midwest Book Review)

"Engaging...written with a light touch...good stuff." (Publishers Weekly)

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

This is an omnibus containing Taltos and Phoenix

A novel in three parts, or streams. Vlad is involved in some heavy duty witchcraft, is looking back at his earlier life in some greater detail than in earlier books, and is also showing us how he met Morrolan.

As far as the latter goes, a complicated sorcerous plot leads Vlad and Morrolan on a decidedly dangerous mission to Deathsgate Falls and the Paths of the Dead.

A couple of the important magical artificats appear : Spellbreaker, for Vlad, and Aliera's Great Weapon.

4.5 out of 5

Vlad gets himself into quite a lot of poo owing to his desire to keep his estranged wife Cawti from being executed as a revolutionary.

Before that, though, he makes a deal with his patron goddess of witchcraft, and the two end up being related via the kingdom of Greenaere, some 'work' and possible war.

Vlad ends up on the lam from the Jhereg because he testifies about their goings on to the Empress.

4 out of 5

Fun adventuring.......2006-07-29

This book contains two of the Vlad books in one. This wouldn't be a good starting point for anyone new to the series. Look for The Book of Jhereg.

This picks up with Vlad doing his usual mischief. It gives him more of an edge when his wife starts debating the ethics of the empire. I thought that part started to get old toward the end but it picked up.

Excellent Fantasy Series.......2005-02-10

Mr. Brust is a very fine storyteller. His plot construction techniques and style are sharp, witty, intelligent and engaging. His characters are believable not only because they are flawed, but also because their lives are not composed of epic quests, but of real lives. Whether or not Mr. Brust is aware of it or not, he has also done something very unique in the fantasy field. He has utilized American influence as much as European taking elements of organized crime drama and detective stories in a world of very strange creatures and even stranger people. I've read seven of the Vlad Taltos books and have not read a single one that I did not enjoy.

great characters and fast paced writing style.......2005-01-28

Brust has a fast paced writing style, and there is a catch to each of the novels in the series. The characters are a little one dimensional, but are nevertheless pretty entertaining.

The plots are clever, and all focus on the main character and narrator, Vlad Taltos, an assassin and mob boss, who also works as a witch and a security specialist. The narrative in the first book, Taltos, jumps back and forth between a couple different time periods, which keeps the story fresh, not always easy in a first person narrative.

If you liked the first installment, this one is definitely worth picking up as well.

Two good entries in the series.......2003-11-12

This volume contains the first and fifth books (chronological order in the series, not publishing date) in the continuing series of Vladimir Taltos adventures by Steven Brust. Taltos is all of the following: a sometime assassin, mobster, witch, philosopher, swordsman, noble, and detective who lives a stranger-in-a-strange-land scenario as what we would consider a normal human in a nation of 6.5 or 7-foot tall humanoids (Draegerans) who often have numerous magical abilities. The books, other than "Taltos" are named for the houses of the 16 noble classes and one peasant class in the society Taltos lives in. Here are the books in chronological order, not publishing order, with the books in the "Taltos" compendium in CAPS:

TALTOS 4.5* -- Brust's funniest of the series, loaded with deadpan humor. This is a simple tale that establishes the beginnings of Taltos' relationships with many of the recurring characters of the other books. In regular paperback form it's 180 pages and you can read it in a few hours. Well-paced, good resolution of the three plotlines

Yendi 4* -- complex and satisfying for a short book, humorous

Jhereg 5* -- the first-published and best of the bunch, gives useful background and is the real starting point of the series

Teckla 2* -- maudlin and introspective without much context or reason for the tone

PHOENIX 4* -- picks up the pace after Teckla and re-establishes some of Taltos' business arrangements (he's an assassin and a small-time mob capo), has a complex and twisting plotline and has more of the humor of the first three books. Nonetheless, it still has some of the pall from the Teckla woven throughout the story.

Dragon 4* -- published 8th, returns to form of witty banter, smart introspection and twisty plotting of earlier books

Athyra 1* -- meandering and depressing; only book not told from Vlad Taltos' first-person point of view, actionless and largely themeless

Orca 4* -- better plotting and pacing for this Athyra follow-up, plus intricate mob-financing issues explored by Taltos in unmasking Orca-house mob syndicate

Issola 4* -- Newest entry is a philosophical stemwinder about the history of Vlad-world and the purposes of the g*ds. Therefore, Issola is not the place to start but it is a solid addition to the series if you've read some of the others.

Book Description

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 sorcerer and assassin without peer-as deadly at spell casting as he is with sword wielding. Accompanying him on his journeys are two leathery-winged jhereg who share a telepathic link with Vlad--and triple his chances against even the most powerful of enemies...

In Athyra, Vlad finds he's ready to retire himself and his jhereg companions, but the biggest hitters of the House of the Jhereg have something else in mind. In Orca, Vlad must repay a debt to a boy who saved his life-even if it means breaking a scandal big enough to bring down the House of the Orca, and possibly the entire Empire.

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

This is an omnibus containing two books, Athyra and Orca.

Vlad has been living the wandering life for a couple of years, not being a a iller and just generally trying to keep himself together.

He meets a young apprentice, and decides to teach him a few things, for his own reasons. However, his past Jhereg life catches up with him, and he and the boy Savn are put to the test to get out of it alive.
3.5 out of 5

Kiera the Thief is friends with Cawti, Vlad's estranged wife. She wants to know what he is up to, so Kiera fills her in, and a large part of the book has to deal with Kiera, and who she really is.

Vlad is trying to get help for Savn from a local woman named Mother. She agrees, if Vlad will look into her own problem.

He takes her up on the deal Vlad ends up in a private investigator type role, looking into some Orca financial skullduggery that could have very serious ramifications. This he does with Kiera's help.

4 out of 5

The Good, the Bad, and the Assassin.......2006-12-02

The interesting thing about Steven Brust and his writing is how he has a completely different style for each story or series he writes (Read the Khaavren series, or 'To Reign in Hell', or everything he has written). With 'Athyra' and 'Orca', he actually changes style within a series.

'Athyra' picks up where 'Phoenix' ends. Phoenix, however, had a much more maudlin ending, with our hero leaving his friends and family behind. It makes sense that, for most of this book, and continuing in 'Orca', a depressing air hangs over the characters, but Vlad slowly comes to terms with who and what he is, and the final exchange between Vlad and Keira that ends 'Orca' shows some of his old wit returning.

These two tales aren't quite the 'stand alone' novels the rest of the series is made of, but well worth the read, just to keep you up to date on all things Dragaeran. By the way the books are titled, one hopes the series will run for eighteen volumes, but only time will tell.

Eh... not that great.......2006-07-29

This book must have been a re-issue of the individual books. This one has Orca and Athrya.

Not a starting point for anyone.

In fact, it's hard to say what exactly the starting point is since the author gives a different opinion on where to start as well.

These two books take the main character, Vlad, out of his usual role. In fact, he's almost a backup character in these books. I found myself getting bored quickly and just plodded through these two books looking for an adventure that wasn't there.

And I did like some of the others ones. Just not this.

Two completely skippable books.......2005-10-06

in one collection - very convenient! The rest of the Taltos series is excellent, but these two books lost their way. I did not enjoy changing from Vlad's POV (he's most of the fun!) in Athyra, and Orca is just DULL DULL DULL. I'm pleased that I can avoid buying this book, without really missing any major story points as we pick up the original banter and characters in Issola.

One good, one bad as Vlad takes a new direction.......2003-06-13

I wrote full reviews for each book. In brief
Athyra-4 stars, a nice book from an innocent's viewpoint about Vlad.
Orca-2 stars, a dull book about financial swindles.

In full:
Athyra-I have not enjoyed a Vlad book as much as this once since the first three. Switching the narrative away from Vlad was a refreshing, and necessary move to invigorate the story.

Savn, an innocent Dragaeran youth is a wonderfully sympathetic character studying to be a physicker when Vlad arrives at his town. He befriends Vlad and begins to find himself ostracized from his friends for hanging around the Easterner. Once he helps Vlad with his injuries there is no turning back.

Through Savn's eyes we get to see a vulnerable Vlad, a hurting Vlad without the cockiness, one who is rethinking virtually everything about his life, life in general and the universe. We see Savn grow through meeting the challenges of befriending Vlad, his sister also and we see Vlad changed and changing from the flippant assassin.

The pace is relaxed, without being slow, and builds to a climactic ending with consequences for everyone. A very well done effort from Brust, it was almost like reading about Vlad for the first time due to the change of viewpoint.

Orca-In this plodding tale of Vlad, much talking is done about a banking financial swindle happening. Like Vlad investigates Enron, but not that much fun. In order to help Savn, who saved Vlad previously Vlad must help out an old lady with the power to possibly heal Savn. This leads to the investigation of the financial swindle.

Vlad and Kiera play Joe Hardy and Nancy Drew, except again, it really isn't that fun. The book is dialog heavy and as exciting as my accounting textbook, maybe less so.

Book Description

Vlad Taltos x 3! Three Steven Brust fantasy novels in one all-new edition-featuring intrepid assassin Vlad Taltos and his jhereg companion. A welcome addition to any fantasy fan's library, The Book of Jhereg follows the antics of the wise-cracking assassin Vlad Taltos and his dragon-like companion through their first three adventures-Jhereg, Yendi, and Teckla. From his rookie assassin days to his selfless feats of heroism, the dauntless Vlad will hold readers spellbound-and The Book of Jhereg will take its place among the classic compilations in fantasy.
--A pocket-sized dragon-what's not to love?
--A collectible 3-in-1 edition featuring one of science fiction's most memorable heroes

"This whole series is entertaining and worth reading!" -Locus

"Engaging...written with a light touch...good stuff!" -Publishers Weekly

"Watch Steven Brust. He's good. He moves fast. He surprises you." -Roger Zelazny

"Hard to put down . . . fun to read!" -OtherRealms

"Imagine James Bond in a world of magic...exciting!" -Voya

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

The first book of Brust's most excellent Vlad Taltos series. Vlad is making his way in the world as a hired killer and low level crimelord in the House of the Jhereg.

What is unique about him (apart from being a killer and crimelord) is that he is a human, not one of the long lived Dragaerans, and he practices witchcraft, not sorcery. His familiar is a highly intelligent flying lizard named Loiosh. He can talk to him because of the bargain he made with Loiosh's mother to care for him if he became his familiar.

This is the beginning of a cycle, and ever so slowly at first Vlad gets drawn into events and happenings involving the powers structures of the Dragaeran empire.

A very enjoyable read, and start to the series.......2007-03-24

This book was my first introduction to both Vlad Taltos and Steven Brust, and a fun introduction it was! I thoroughly enjoy the first person perspective, and particularly the irreverence of this particular character. There's loads of action and adventure mixed in with an engaging amount of mystery as well.

Now, although this is a 3-book collection, it is not what you would consider sequential. The books take up the Vlad Taltos story at three seperate points, and in fact aren't even presented at progressive points in the timeline. That's something some readers might find a little annoying, but that's actually the way the whole series seems to work, so unless you can figure out the exact order you're supposed to read the full collection, you'll just have to deal with this quirk.

My only real complaint with this collection is in the third book, which is the book "Teckla". I don't know if Brust wrote the book to be specifically an exploration of Vlad's psyche, but that is definitely what it became. As a result, the pace of the book is a bit slower than the others.

I don't think anyone will argue that this collection represents some massive landmark piece of literature. If you're after that, then you'll probably want to go elsewhere. If you want to have a nice, light, fun read, then this book will do you quite nicely.

Fantasy with a Twist--of the knife.......2007-02-20

There are a lot of common elements to any fantasy story: there are swords, magic, epic deeds, good and evil, and occaisionally, elves.
Yes, these elemnts are here in Brust's work, but he takes an unusual twist. The hero of the story is one Vlad Taltos, an Easterner (Human) living in an Empire of Dragearans (elves, or close to it). Vlad is, in traditional fantasy parlance, an Assasin. However, a more accurate description would be 'Mafia hitman'.
The Dragaeran Empire is divided into seventeen Great Houses, with each House named for an animal, and those in the house having personalities similar to the animal. House Dragon is full of warriors, House Phoenix is the Empress, house Orca is full of Sailors, etc. House Jhereg (a jhereg being, essentially, a small, carrion eating, winged reptile) controls all the illegal activity in the Empire.
Each book in the series does two things: Describes the personality and actions of members in a featured House, and tells a fascinating, stand alone story. This collection contains the first three tales: 'Jhereg', 'Yendi', and 'Teckla'.

'Jhereg' introduces the hero, Vlad, and his constant companion: a wisecracking jhereg familiar named Loiosh. He is working as a low level boss controlling the 'business interests' of House Jhereg in a small area of the capital city, Adrilankha. As a freelance assasin on the side, he will occasionally 'work' to supplement his income. The tale gives us the 'locked room mystery' in reverse: How do you kill a man so well protected he can't be touched?

"Yendi" serves as a flashback of sorts, telling of a time a few years earlier than the events in 'Jhereg', and it tells the tale of the first time Vlad was forced into a 'turf-war' with another Jhereg, with a few surprising twists, including meeting his future wife, Cawti.

"Teckla" picks up Where 'Jhereg' left off, and intoduces us to the House Teckla: peasants, farmers, and would-be Communist Revolutionaries...

Each story works well as a stand-alone fantasy adventure, but when taken together, they expand into a more complex tale of vast empires and epic heroes. Definitely worth reading.

Fun Fantasy Story.......2007-02-16

This is the first in a series of fantasy books. It introduces the hero, Vlad Taltos, a professional assassin and enforcer in town. He doesn't really fit in, because of his race and his small size, but he is respected now that he is an adult and has some power. Other powerful people in the royal houses of the government come to him to help him solve their problems, and he is as successful at solving problems as he is at being an assassin.

This book explains how Vlad grew into his adulthood. As a youngster he was an outcast. His grandfather taught him fencing and witchcraft, and from his father he received a bought title of nobility and training in sorcery. When he had enough magic to protect himself from the poisonous jhereg dragons, he called one to him and asked her for one of her eggs. From this egg hatched a jhereg Vlad named Loiosh. This dragon rides on his shoulder, flies around to scout for trouble, and makes sarcastic comments directly into Vlad's mind through telepathy.

After this history of Vlad, the book goes on to tell the story of a theif who stole a great deal of money from one of the royal houses and now claimed sanctuary in one of the other houses, where politics forbids his host from turning him in. Vlad is hired to get this man out of hiding so he can be killed for stealing the money. Vlad and Loiosh are on the job, trying to solve the problem without getting themselves killed in the process.

This is a good bit of fantasy, full of likable characters and a well developed political structure. I liked the banter between Vlad and Loiosh and the ways they managed to get themselves out of trouble.

review of first 3 in vlad sries.......2007-01-23

steven brust. pay attention to this guy he's quick....witted. I think this series is the best out there in terms of fansay. takes a little bit to get used to his odd names, but you get the hand of it with this 3 in 1 book. what more is their to say, if your a fanasy fan this book is a must buy.

THE BOOK OF JHEREG (ADVENTURES OF VLAD TALTOS)

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Introducing Vlad Taltos
The Book of Jhereg

THE BOOK OF JHEREG (ADVENTURES OF VLAD TALTOS)

Manufacturer: ACE BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0739406671

Product Description

FICTION,ADVENTURE.CONTAINS THE COMPLETE TEXT OFTHE FIRST THREE ADVENTURES OF VLAD TALTOS...JHEREG, YENDI AND TECKLA

Customer Reviews:

Introducing Vlad Taltos.......2007-01-10

This is a compilation volume which contains the first three books in the Vladimir Taltos series by publication order - Jhereg, Yendi, and Tecla. However, the time sequence of the books jumps about a lot: in chronological order these are the 4th, 3rd, and 5th books.

Jhereg, the first published book, introduces the character and his world. Like all the other stories, it is a highly entertaining comic fantasy.

The first part of "Jhereg" includes a brief account of Vlad's boyhood, and the story of how he acquires the live Jhereg egg which hatches into his familiar and constant companion Loiosh. Jhereg the species, like Loiosh, are small intelligent flying reptile something like a miniature dragon, and their pictures appear on the cover of most of the books in this series. Loiosh has a telepathic link to Vlad, and one of the hallmarks of the series is the constant mental exchange of banter and insults between Vlad and Loiosh.

As mentioned, all the Vlad Taltos stories jump around in time a lot, and and after the introduction "Jhereg" the book jumps ahead approximately seven years to the main action of the book, leapfrogging three of the subsequently written books including "Yendi," and making Jhereg the fourth volume in chronological sequence.

"Yendi" starts a while before the main action of "Jhereg" and tells the story of how Vlad meets a human (Easterner) woman called Cawti and her Dragaeran partner Norathar. Vlad and Cawti don't exactly get off to a good start - in fact she kills him ...

"Tecla" follows on from "Jhereg" - Cawti gets involved in an insurrection in the southern region of the Imperial capital Adrilankha, and then Vlad gets caught up in it as well. For those who are also interested in Brust's "Khaavren" Romances, (see below) this book includes the one scene where Vlad Taltos and Khaavren briefly meet.

Both the "Vlad Taltos" novels, and "Khaavren" romances, are set in a world of magic, where there are several intelligent species, including two types of men and women. Humans like ourselves, and Vlad, are usually referred to as "Easterners," the other type of men and women call themselves humans but are usually referred to in the books as "Dragaerans" or occasionally as Elves.

Dragaerans are taller than humans, live 2,000 to 3,000 years or so, and then after death are eligible for reincarnation provided they have not annoyed a God too much or had their soul destroyed by a "Morganti" weapon or a "Great Weapon."

Morganti weapons are used between mortals when they are really angry ith someone because they don't just kill you, but destroy your soul. "Great Weapons," are rare and especially powerful Morganti weapons, of which legend has it there are exactly seventeen, and which can even kill Gods.

All Dragaerans and some humans/Easterners belong to one of seventeen "Great Houses" named after animals of the fantasy world in which the novels are set. Nine of the ten novels to date featuring Vlad Taltos, including "Jhereg," "Yendi", and "Tecla," have the same name as one of these great houses, usually also featuring a member of that house in a prominent role: if Steven Brust is planning to write a novel for each house we are about half way through the series.

Most of the great houses also have a preferred occupation. For examples: "Dragons" and "Dzurlords" are soldiers, "Tecla" are peasants, "Chreotha" are merchants, "Orcas" are sailors, pirates or bankers, and "Jhereg" are gangsters or assassins.

Most members of House Jhereg are also involved in "the organisation" which controls organised crime. The hero, Baronet Vladimir Taltos, is an assassin and minor sorcerer, a member of House Jhereg, and at the time of these books, a crimelord running an area for "the organisation." Vlad's late father spent most of the family fortune buying a minor title in House Jhereg, which is almost the only way a human (Easterner) can advance in the empire, and Vlad has inherited the title.

Taltos narrates these stories with a wonderful dry wit which is one of the best aspects of the novels.

The books are not written in a regular chronological sequence: for example, the fourth novel, "Taltos" is a prequel set before the main action of any of the others. And most of the books contain either flashbacks to much earlier events, references to much later events, or both. In my opinion you will get most out of these books if you read them in something close to the "official" order, but there is an alternative view which says that they are best read in chronological sequence.

If you are interested in the Vlad Taltos series, my recommendation would be to start with either the first book written, "Jhereg," this collection of the first three, or the chronologically first book, "Taltos."

Here is a list of the books in publication order, with the chronological place of the main action of each book in brackets after:

1) Jhereg (4th)
2) Yendi (3rd)
3) Tecla (5th)
4) Taltos (1st)
5) Phoenix (6th)
6) Athyra (7th)
7) Orca (8th)
8) Dragon (2nd)
9) Issola (9th)
10) Dzur (10th).

As mentioned above, Steven Brust has set another series of books in the same world as the Vlad Taltos stories but a few centuries earlier. These are something between a parody and a homage to the novels of Alexandre Dumas. He's called them the "Khaavren Romances" after the central character of the first two novels, who corresponds very closely to D'Artagnan. Obviously none of the human characters overlap, but some of the Dragaerans do: Khaavren himself and Vlad briefly meet in the book "Tecla" and Khaavren also has a sort of offstage cameo in the Vlad Taltos book "Orca."

Two of the major characters in the Taltos novels, Sethra Lavode and Lord Morrolan of Castle Black, are also important enough in the Khaavren novels to have books named after them.

The five Khaavren romances, in sequence, are

1) "The Phoenix Guards" (equivalent to "The Three Musketeers")
2) "Five Hundred Years After" (equivalent to "Twenty years after")

Then a trilogy "The Viscount of Adrilankha" (e.g. "The Count of Monte Cristo") which comprises

3) The Paths of the Dead
4) The Lord of Castle Black
5) Sethra Lavode

Overall I found both the "Taltos" novels and the "Khaavren Romances" very entertaining: I recommend both series and this book.

The Book of Jhereg.......2005-09-27

Had to acquire hardbound copy as I had read all the series in paperback.
Good series, some what confusing due to time shifts in story line.
Humorous adventure series; good quality adult/mature teen entertainment!

Taltos: Lives of the Mayfair Witches (Anne Rice)

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Not Free SF Reader
Beautifull written
Not one of Rice's best
Exciting.
"Not Evil, Just Another Form of Natural..."

Taltos: Lives of the Mayfair Witches (Anne Rice)
Anne Rice
Manufacturer: Random House Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

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Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0679436545
Release Date: 1994-09-19

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In a swirling universe filled with death and life, corruption and innocence, this mesmerizing novel takes us on a wondrous journey back through the centuries to a civilization half-human, of wholly mysterious origin, at odds with mortality and immortality, justice and guilt. It is an enchanted, hypnotic world that could only come from the imagination of Anne Rice...

Book Description

Continuing the epic of the Mayfair witches, this brilliantly imagined tale takes listeners on a wondrous journey back through the centuries. 4 cassettes.

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

The end of this story of spirits and incest, and some back story on the whole Taltos development. It turns out that there are a few of these, and one of them becomes and important character in the book.

Mona finds out she is carrying Rowan's husband's child, and they decide to have it.

Supernatural types end up running away togethre.

Beautifull written.......2007-08-22

I've read this only once but I do remember loving it. Along with The Witching Hour and Lasher this trio is a truly one-of-a-kind read. If you are into dark fiction with a hauntingly beautiful twist, you simply must read this and the other 2 books.

Not one of Rice's best.......2007-06-07

I love Anne Rice. She writes in great detail and creates rich, beautiful characters with the Mayfair Witches as well as the Vampire Chronicles. This book is not one of her best to say the least. I'm not that sure it's even an ending the Witches series because the ending leaves you in the air. There was less excitement with this book. I suppose that is due to the fact that the treachery in the Talamasca is resolved very early in the book, leaving little to become excited about in the remaining chapters in the book. I feel that she tried to do too much in this book, resolving past issues from the Witches series and going into more detail on the Taltos species. All in all, it wasn't a bad book because Anne Rice is such a superb writer and it is entertaining to read but in comparison to The Witching Hour and Lasher, this book falls short.

Exciting. .......2007-05-10

This book puts into place questions that you might of had about the Mayfair witches. An exciting and great book!

"Not Evil, Just Another Form of Natural...".......2007-01-07

The problem with this final installment in "The Lives of the Mayfair Witches", is that the main plot (and most of its subplots) were begun in "The Witching Hour" and wrapped up neatly in its sequel "Lasher". In these two previous books, Doctor Rowan Mayfair has returned to her family, discovered her witch heritage, married Michael Curry, come into contact with an organisation called the Talamasca (best described as a supernatural detective agency) unleashed the spirit Lasher on the world and - together with her husband - stopped him from achieving his goal of populating the world with his own species: the Taltos. What more was there to tell?

Well, there were a couple of loose threads, but nothing that could have been cleared up in "Lasher", and nothing that takes a whole book to complete. There is a conspiracy within the Talamasca that is uncovered and dealt with (unfortunately after the death of a beloved character who is killed needlessly within the first few chapters of the book) and there are unexpected repercussions to Michael's one-night stand with Mona Mayfair, the thirteen year old designee of the family fortune.

But as these issues need no more than a few chapters to be dealt with, Rice introduces another character: Ashlar Templeton. It turns out that the birth of Lasher back into the world wasn't that big a deal after all, as Ashlar is also a Taltos: a rich, handsome, powerful manufacturer of dolls that is the individual responsible for the conversion of his species to Christianity in the 13th century and the schism between his people that followed. Contacting Rowan and Michael after hearing of the dubious behaviour of the Talamasca, he recounts the entire history of the Taltos race. Whereas "The Witching Hour" recounted the fascinating history of the Mayfair family, and "Lasher" explored the spirit's own dark history, Ashlar's story takes us further back still, to the earliest memories of the Taltos people and their dealings with humanity. It is interesting stuff, but not nearly as fascinating as the Mayfairs and Lasher, both of which are largely ignored in this text.

Ashlar's story takes up a large bulk of the book; in fact, its astonishing how little is done in this book; it is mainly made up of characters talking and thinking. The rest is just not as interesting, mainly because characters and their motivations are strangely changed from what we have been previously led to believe. Mona Mayfair - supposedly headstrong and wild, but here strangely muted - deals with her Taltos pregnancy by running away with her newfound cousin Mary Beth Mayfair (odd how she runs away whilst pregnant, but then returns to First Street once the baby is born. Why bother leaving at all?), whilst Rowan and Michael are present simply to give Ashlar someone to tell his story to. Even the organisations and institutes are unrecognisable! The Mayfair clan is barely present, whilst the Talamasca (a benevolent and wise council in the previous books) here reaps nasty vengeance on two renegade members.

And then of course there's the ending, if you can describe it as that. After building towards a particular moment for what seems like the entire novel...the book ends. And considering this is the end of the trilogy, there is no chance of getting any further information on the proceedings (unless the characters pop up in the Vampire Chronicles, I guess).

I love "The Witching Hour" and "Lasher", and so I suppose I should be glad that their story didn't extend into this sluggish read. Ultimately "Taltos" feels like a mere coda to the previous two books. A four hundred and sixty-seven page coda.

The Book of Athyra: Contains the complete text of Athyra and Orca

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Book of Athyra

The Book of Athyra: Contains the complete text of Athyra and Orca

Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Book of Taltos

ASIN: 0739433865

Product Description

Two further adventures of Vlad Taltos in one volume by the author of The Book of Taltos.

Customer Reviews:

Book of Athyra.......2005-09-27

Had to acquire the hardbound books as I had read the complete series in paperback.

Part of the Vlad Taltos-Jhereg series. Excellent adult/mature teen entertainment.

Average customer rating:

The Book of Taltos

The Book of Taltos

Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0739429698

Customer Reviews:

The Book of Taltos.......2005-09-27

Had to acquire the hardbound series, as I had read all the series in paperback.

Series (Vlad Taltos-Jhereg series)is excellent adult/mature teen entertainment.

7 Book Collection of Anne Rice: The Tale of the Body Thief, Servant of the Bones, Vittorio The Vampire, The Vampire ARMAND, Merrick, Taltos, Feast of All Saints (Unboxed Set of Books)

Average customer rating:

7 Book Collection of Anne Rice: The Tale of the Body Thief, Servant of the Bones, Vittorio The Vampire, The Vampire ARMAND, Merrick, Taltos, Feast of All Saints (Unboxed Set of Books)
Anne Rice
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VK2X86

Product Description

7 Book Collection of Anne Rice: The Tale of the Body Thief, Servant of the Bones, Vittorio The Vampire, The Vampire ARMAND, Merrick, Taltos, Feast of All Saints, Shipped in one package to save on shipping costs.

LOT 3 BOOKS LASHER , TALTOS, MEMNOCH THE DEVIL

Average customer rating:

LOT 3 BOOKS LASHER , TALTOS, MEMNOCH THE DEVIL
ANNE RICE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000WR96R4

The Book of Taltos: Contains the Complete Text of Taltos and Phoenix

Average customer rating:

The Book of Taltos: Contains the Complete Text of Taltos and Phoenix
Steven Brust
Manufacturer: Ace Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N70BKO

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