The Vlad Taltos Novels

The Vlad Taltos Novels by Steven Brust

Longer reviews for individual books can be found on my Steven Brust page.

When I recommend fantasy books, this series is at the top of my list. The books are relatively quick to read, and is written in the tone is that of a hard boiled mystery. And I love mysteries.

The best part about this series, though, is that although it tells the continuing story of Vlad’s life, for the most part, each book is a self-contained story, so the books can be read in any order and you are not left hanging at the end of any book.

If you haven’t read Steven Brust, this is an excellent place to start. If you’ve read The Phoenix Guards then you should enjoy the Vlad books, as long as you realize that the writing style is completely different.

Jhereg (1983)

The first Vlad Taltos book.

Jhereg introduces us to Vlad, Cawti, Morrolan, Aliera, as well as Sethra Lavode. It tells how Vlad gained the loyalty of the jhereg Loiosh. And how Vlad ‘takes work’, only to discover that things are far more complicated than he thought.

I love this book. It’s the first in the series, and although it is not first chronologically, I would suggest starting here.

Yendi (1984)

Vlad meets Cawti, and falls in love with her, despite the fact that she attempted to kill him.

My only problem with this book is the cover, which depicts Vlad as clean-shaven, despite the fact that he is always described as wearing a mustache, and has him wearing white, purple, and red, despite the fact that he always dresses in Jhereg colors of black and grey.

Just as Yendi are known for their deviousness and intricate plots, prepare for deviousness and intrigue in the story.

Teckla (1987)

There’s a Teckla and Easterner uprising planned, and Cawti is involved. This is my least favorite book in the series, but necessary to read if you want to understand what happens later, and I always re-read it with the rest of the series.

Additionally, the ending is not quite as clean as other books in the series. Although the story resolves, we are left hanging as to Vlad’s future, which I found frustrating, as I hate waiting.

Taltos (1988)

Back-story time: Vlad meets Morrolan, Sethra, and Aliera, and travels where no Easterner should: the Paths of the Dead.

This is very good book, and a relief after the unpleasant and depressing story in Teckla.

However, I have no idea who that guy on the cover it, but it is definitely NOT Vlad.

Phoenix (1990)

Back to the continuing time-line. Vlad takes work from the Demon Goddess, and needs to be bailed out by Morrolan, Aliera, and Sethra. Things are still troubled with Cawti.

Another book that I found depressing, although very necessary to the continuing story. And again, although the story is resolved, we are left unresolved as to Vlad’s future.

Athyra (1993)

Vlad is in exile. This book seems almost as much about developing Dragera as it is Vlad. You learn about those who live outside Adrilankha and are not members of the Jhereg.

This was, for me, another low point in the series, primarily because the story focuses solely upon Vlad and a Teckla boy. There are none of the rest of the characters we’ve come to know and love.

Orca (1996)

Vlad is still in exile, but works with Kiera to uncover a plot in the House of Orca, solely to keep an old woman from losing her home. Except it’s not really that sappy.

Very good book, and very interesting, with some surprising turns.

Dragon (1998)

Back-story time: Vlad joins the army to get revenge. We learn how Vlad ends up doing security for Morrolan, and how he works for and with Morrolan, Aliera, and Sethra. I enjoyed this book, although when I re-read the books, I read it after Issola, because I wanted to read more about the current time line than the past.

This is a very good book, as it develops the past between Vlad and Morrolan and Aliera.

Issola (2001)

Back to the continuing time line.

This is possibly one of my favorite books, although I’d be hard pressed to tell you precisely why. Vlad comes back to help Aliera and Morrolan after he wakes to find Lady Teldra at his campsite.

It could be that I am an Issola at heart, which is why I like this book so much, or it could just be that I get all my favorite characters back together.

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