The Book of Athyra (Vlad Taltos Collections 3)

The 6th and 7th (published, not chronological) collected installments in the Vlad Taltos/Jhereg series find author Brust beginning to experiment more with narrative, voice and story structure. The effect is welcome, injecting fresh life into his flagship character and setting. In Athyra, former assassin Vlad Taltos, passing through the eastern heartlands of Dragaera discovers that, in contrast with his favorite maxim, a seriously subtle wizard's style is not particularly cramped by a knife in the shoulder blades. Told primarily through the eyes of a peasant and the mate of Vlad's reptilian familiar, the story provides a character developing look at Vlad for both the reader and Vlad himself while exploring themes of the simultaneously stultifying and welcoming atmosphere of the rustic and rural. And there's a vampire. Orca, the second novel contained in the book, chronologically follows the first, and features a return to the labyrinthine plots which characterize so much of Brust's work. Two overlapping narratives--one by Vlad, the other by Kiera the Thief, a previously supporting character responsible for introducing Vlad to his one-time life of crime--begin with a simple attempt to save an old woman from being evicted and wind up in terribly realistic attempt to shore up and empire brought to the brink of financial ruin by an financial flim-flam artist. And, briefly, there's another vampire.While neither book provides any essential revelation (OK, maybe there's two at the end of Orca) required to understand any of the sequels or prequels, the two books represent some of the finest literary installments in the series.

The Book of Athyra contains two volumes in Brust's tales of Vlad Taltos, former assassin for the Jhereg organization, now on the run from them. The first book, Athyra, details Vlad's return engagement with the wizard Loraan (now undead), from whom he had rescued Aliera e'Kieron (with Morollan's help, of course) and stolen Spellbreaker.Athyra represents a departure in viewpoint for this series, which was a bit of an adjustment at first, but worked well in the end. Instead of being first person from Vlad's POV, it's limited third person from the viewpoint of an adolescent Teckla peasant named Savn, whose life begins to change when he meets Vlad.This volume also contains "Orca", which is the only Vlad book I haven't read yet. I'm practically drooling with anticipation. Steven Brust is simply my favorite author, bar none. His book  The Phoenix Guards  is my all-time #1 read.

good early stories

Steven Brust's Vlad Taltos novels are one of the best things my ex ever gave me, and they improve with rereading. I would NOT start with this book; I would suggest you get Taltos, first, read that, then Jhereg and Yendi, and Teckla and Phoenix, before returning to the Book of Athyra... but it is an enjoyable read and reread.

Athyra was a bit difficult. I like Savn, but the voice was not what I was used to in these books. Orca made up for it and made me realize I liked Savn. Kiera’s voice was such a great addition to the series. I hope theee are more from her perspective.

If you are this far into the series, you know what to expect.This book delivers.

Great writing for fans of the popular series by Steven Brust

Good reading, Three books in one volume they can be read in any order. Nice world Steven Brust has created.

This edition, containing 2 Taltos books, takes Vlad outside his usual sphere as a mover and shaker in the criminal world of the Empire, to a life of self-exile, first in the East and then back in the Empire. Accompaning by his wise-cracking jhereg, Loiosh, he stumbles into the territory of an old adversary and befriends a promising youth, Savn, who becomes his student in witchcraft. Together they take on the evil Baron, but when Savn loses his mind saving Vlad, Vlad takes him back to the Empire to heal him. Predictably all hell breaks loose.Steve Brust is a very entertaining writer and these books are almost as light hearted as they seem to be. He manages to slip some pretty interesting ideas into them without beating you over the head with them. Read them for entertainment and appreciate the interesting questions the derry doing hero raises.

Alle Bücher der Taltos Reihe scheinen perfekt zu sein. Ich habe bisher 8 von 17 gelesen. Es gibt da keine Schwächen.In Athyra und Orca wird die geschichte zur Abwechlsung nicht aus Vlads Perspektive geschrieben.

Brusts Vlad Taltos und die erschaffene Welt ist einfach fesselnd, in jedem Band neu.Kann ich nur empfehlen für Fantasy-Fans.

Can't put down