Issola

It's probably really ironic that this is one of my favorite of the "Vlad Taltos" books. The reason is a spoiler so I'm not going to write it here. It's a close tie with "Orca", which makes more sense.

I'd been waiting for Brust to go into Lady Teldra's life/personality, and this is sort of what we got in the book. Her relationship with Vlad is cute and quite humorous. Brust always makes me burst out laughing early and repeatedly in these books and he's in top shape for "Issola". Most of my favorite quotations in the series come from this book. Lady Teldra is an interesting character once she's allowed more of the spotlight and I liked how she 'stood' up to Vlad and we get to see how the other characters react to her as more than an show more ornament.

The plot is fun and Vlad is up to his mischief back with the regular gang than wandering on his own. This book marks a big change in recent plot developments, so be prepared. Overall I love it.

My suggestion isn't to start with this book, but rather at "Jhereg". While you could pick up any of the books as stand-alone and publishing order is different than chronological order, I don't think a lot of this book would make any sense if you read it first, second or even third. It's a good treat when you get to it in chronological order, though. And of course read the rest of the series. I love it to bits. show less

I did a full re-read of this series last year, and I found this volume to be one of my favorites. This is a story of how Lady Teldra saved Morrolan and Aliera, and in the process, saved the world. This book also explains how the Issola think, with manners before all else, even in the midst of a cataclysm. We also learn a bit more about the Jenoine (those godly creatures that maybe created the Gods, and also like to perform science experiments on sentient creatures). Its also a very sad book- with each creation of a Great Weapon, a soul is consumed. Highly recommended, but you should read the earlier books since this one has some callbacks to older events.

While most of the Vlad books have somewhat serious plots, mixed in with Vlad's sarcasm and wit, this one is extra serious. Vlad finds out about the origin of so many things and in the process, comes into possession of a Great Weapon - but not in a way you'd expect. A bit convoluted at times but one of the better books in the series. Brust seems to be at his best when writing about world-creating or world-altering events.

I didn't expect this book to go where it went. Seriously. Wow.

It takes place as the latest, chronologically, with Vlad in the wilds in exile, but it just goes to show, you never know where you'll wind up. Do you think he's going home? hahahahaha wow.

As fantasy, we get to join in a war between gods, but as science fiction, I've just been titillated more about the deep SFal past in this book than all the rest, combined. I mean, there's tons of reveals here and none of them are enough to satisfy me. I'd be perfectly content to read 400-500 pages of straight exposition on this. Seriously. But no, we only get concise and quick reveals that only make me ask more questions and get even more impressed with the world-building even as we get to show more dive into a much, much larger conflict with nothing but guts, magic, and the beginnings of a legendary weapon. Note that the legendary is only partially complete. Even the gods and the demigods and the necromancers and the demon gods and the Others don't know everything. :) Apparently.

Do you want some answers? Oh yes, there ARE a few wonderful answers here, and some tragedy, too, which rather got to me. It hit me pretty hard. I might have to take a few moments to recover.

Here's the best part, folks. We get to go back to Castle Black. :) Excited? Yup. Me too. :)

And I'm entirely back in the swing of the series. I couldn't stop now even if I tried. :) YAY! show less

How did I avoid the Vlad Taltos books for so long?
Glad I finally started reading this series, and this installment, the ninth, is one of the best so far. Many typical laugh-out-loud moments, thanks to Vlad's voice, especially his exchanges with Loiosh. Add a few thoughtful conversations, some revelations about some of the recurring characters, and plenty of action, and you end up with this thoroughly entertaining book.
10/10

Issola, in which Morrolan and Aliera are missing and "Vlad learns more than he bargained for about Dragaera, its masters and the makers behind them", is another one of my favourites.

It's set after the events of Orca. It takes a very minor character who has been present since the very beginning, Lady Teldra - an Issola who welcomes arrivals at Morrolan's castle - and made me care about her more than I thought possible.

I love Teldra, and I have so many conflicting thoughts about what happens to her and how the narrative handles her.

This is more like the Vlad books that I love. Witty banter, flying by the seat of your pants plans, magic, mystery, and mayhem. Plus, oh yeah, gods, the Jenoine, chaos, and Great Weapons. Even though the ending is kind of sad, this is just so much *fun* to read that I can't help loving it. Plus the sheer amount of plotty goodness (as far as the entire series) crammed into here makes it a definite read for fans. Just read a couple of the earlier books first if you've never read this series before.