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The story takes place 500 years after the events portrayed in the author's previous novel, The Phoenix Guard. Four Empire loyalists, Khaavren, Perl, Aerich and Tazendra, battle a plot to destroy the Orb of the Empire and overthrow the Emperor.Tags
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This is the second Khaavren book - written in a style that is homage to, and makes fun of, the books by Alexandre Dumas. And they are funny, however they weren't funny when I first read them in high school - the style went right over my head.
On a second reread by a much older me, I found this book to be incredibly funny, but also sad. It is mostly set in Dragaera City, with Khaavren still in the Phoenix Guards, but now as an Ensign, a position of small power. There is scheming from a number of sides, including a young Assassin named Mario. Enter Aliera and her father, Adron e'Kieron, stubborn and practitioner of the Black Arts. We meet all the characters from the previous book, but they have all gone their ways - Tazendra and Aerich show more have regained their kingdoms, Pel is in training to be a Descrete (a bit like a therapist) and Khavren is stuck in the same old routine.
This book tells the tale of the End of Dragaera City, as well as the end of the orb and the empire. Of course, since the Vlad Taltos novels are set in a future where the Empire has regained prominence, we know that this lawlessness isn't permanent.
Its well written, but not meant to be taken entirely seriously. Enjoy the book! show less
On a second reread by a much older me, I found this book to be incredibly funny, but also sad. It is mostly set in Dragaera City, with Khaavren still in the Phoenix Guards, but now as an Ensign, a position of small power. There is scheming from a number of sides, including a young Assassin named Mario. Enter Aliera and her father, Adron e'Kieron, stubborn and practitioner of the Black Arts. We meet all the characters from the previous book, but they have all gone their ways - Tazendra and Aerich show more have regained their kingdoms, Pel is in training to be a Descrete (a bit like a therapist) and Khavren is stuck in the same old routine.
This book tells the tale of the End of Dragaera City, as well as the end of the orb and the empire. Of course, since the Vlad Taltos novels are set in a future where the Empire has regained prominence, we know that this lawlessness isn't permanent.
Its well written, but not meant to be taken entirely seriously. Enjoy the book! show less
Another visit to the heroes of The Phoenix Guards. Once again, Musketeers style, they are called on to save the Empire. Sort of, maybe, or is it just their kids they are saving? Good stuff, as usual, though it does get a little wordy at times.
I Don't Get It...: How can Brust write not one, but two books in the wordy, flowery Dumas-style that I (truthfully) despise, yet somehow get me to love both of them?
This book is not as wordy as The Phoenix Guards, but it has its moments. The action can be slow in the beginning and middle, but the end makes up for it.
This book is not as wordy as The Phoenix Guards, but it has its moments. The action can be slow in the beginning and middle, but the end makes up for it.
Lots of fun. My favorite bit is the etymology of the name of the town of Bengloarafurd. I thought Brust did a really great job, especially since we already know how the story has to end from having read the Vlad Taltos novels - and that didn't make the ending any less climactic.
(Alistair) Well, you saw the review I posted for The Phoenix Guards, right?
I repeat and amplify my comments about the sheer gorgeousness of the language use. And of the narrator's foibles.
When coupled with the characters we came to know and love in the prior work, and a plot delving into the chain of events leading up to Adron's Disaster - not a spoiler, since you would learn that from the blurb even if you didn't know the setting at all - one of the more, or perhaps I should say particularly, interesting parts of Dragaeran history, it makes for an excellent book indeed.
Highly recommended.
(Still haven't got around to The Three Musketeers, though.)
( http://weblog.siliconcerebrate.com/cerebrate/2009/01/five_hundred_years_after_st... )
I repeat and amplify my comments about the sheer gorgeousness of the language use. And of the narrator's foibles.
When coupled with the characters we came to know and love in the prior work, and a plot delving into the chain of events leading up to Adron's Disaster - not a spoiler, since you would learn that from the blurb even if you didn't know the setting at all - one of the more, or perhaps I should say particularly, interesting parts of Dragaeran history, it makes for an excellent book indeed.
Highly recommended.
(Still haven't got around to The Three Musketeers, though.)
( http://weblog.siliconcerebrate.com/cerebrate/2009/01/five_hundred_years_after_st... )
This sequel to The Phoenix Guards reiterates the charm that only Brust can deliver: For as thick as the book is, it's an incredibly easy read. Just like all Brust novels, this one is fun no matter how many times y'read it.
This book was as much fun to read as the first, seeing how our old friends were getting along was a joy and as ever it was wonderfully written in Brust's unique but enjoyable style. If you liked The Phoenix guards you'll enjoy this one down to the very last word.
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Author Information
72+ Works 35,523 Members
Steven Karl Zoltan Brust is a writer and musician. He was born on November 23, 1955. Brust has worked as a systems programmer for a computer company and played guitar, drums, and banjo in such bands as Cats Laughing, Morrigan, and Boiled in Lead. Brust writes science fiction, including the Vlad Taltos series, The Pheonix Guards, 500 Years After, show more and Brokedown Palace. He has written "choose-your-own-adventure" books for Tor and published several short stories in a series. Brust also released a solo album, A Rose for Iconoclastes, on the SteelDragon label. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Awards
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Five Hundred Years After
- Original title
- Five Hundred Years After
- Original publication date
- 1994
- People/Characters
- Khaavren of Castle Rock; Tazendra; Pel; Aerich; Aliera e'Kieron; Sethra Lavode (show all 7); Sennya
- Dedication
- For The Fabulous Lorraine
- First words
- Upon the first day of autumn, that is, the ninth day of the month of the Vallista in the five hundred and thirty-second year of the reign of His Imperial Majesty, Tortaalik I, of the House of the Phoenix, a messenger arrived ... (show all)at the Imperial Wing of the Palace and begged an audience with the Emperor.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Therefore, in the interest of the satisfaction of our reader as well, we must insist, of honesty, and although we have not forgotten enemies, plagues, invasions, wars, and famine, we nevertheless direct our readers gaze to calm Aerich, happy Tzaendra, and smiling Pel, who, in turn, are looking upon Khaavren and Daro who stare deeply into each other's eyes with the happy, tender, and even joyful expression of fulfilled love, and it is here the we choose to take our leave of the reader.
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