I never really read much of his work but he has a story in the new THIEVES' WORLD book "Enemies of Fortune." The story is titled "The Man from Shemhaza." Wow! What a story!! Even if you don't know anything about Thieves World, you have to check out this story! You'll probably be hooked after it. "Enemies of Fortune" is a GREAT book. A new TW RPG is coming out also. Enjoy!
I love his stuff.
I also think that his world captures the feel of D&D better than any other writer even thtough his books aren't set in that world.
Love the guy, although I actually prefer his non-Dragaeran books (Cowboy Feng's and Agyar are my favorites). It often seems to me that he puts a LOT of effort into writing a single novel, especially lately (although the "Viscount of Adrilankha" books seemed rushed and careless).
No surprise to me that Brust lists Roger Zelazny and Robert B. Parker (two of my other favorites) among his favorites.
Yep; I love his book to; no so fond of the later books with him out in the wilderness and the stand alones of 500 years before and Sethra LaVode were just ok; his main series with Vlad did a whole lot to establish my assassins and thieves guild.
I love all of his works so far. But Brokendown Palace and To Reign in Hell are among some of my favorites. Cowboy Fengs was great too, as was Agyar. But what hooked me was good ole Vlad.
How did nobody mention To Reign in Hell yet? Brilliant tale of the fall from grace told with no religion whatsoever.
I love all of his works so far. But Brokendown Palace and To Reign in Hell are among some of my favorites. Cowboy Fengs was great too, as was Agyar. But what hooked me was good ole Vlad.
How did nobody mention To Reign in Hell yet? Brilliant tale of the fall from grace told with no religion whatsoever.
You really think so?
I really like Brust love the Vlad stuff - haven't read Cowboy Fengs, but I thought to Reign in Hell was especially poor.
I mostly I thought the writing was really stiff and not nearly up to the standard of any of the other stuff. I also thought the characters and world he created were really uncompeling - and as to a fall from grace - I thought all of the characters came of as stupid rather than morally challenged.
And I didn't think it really told the story of the fall from a new perspective - just weak rehash - don't get me wrong their were some interesting images and the idea of chaos as the enemy as well as something to be crafted was kind of cool - but thats nothing new that is imagery he uses himself in his Vlad novels.
Just my opinion - I think the most important thing is to read lots and read widely - I am gald someone liked the book though - if for no other reason than that (provided you bought the book) will mean the author has a reason to keep writing and creating new worlds and characters - and I am all for that.
Just my opinion
I just bought the new one, "Ioreth," hoping it would be a brilliant follow-on to "Issola." Halfway through, Vlad has done nothing besides talk to old friends and lovers. Anybody else have this one? Does it get better?
I just bought the new one, "Ioreth," hoping it would be a brilliant follow-on to "Issola." Halfway through, Vlad has done nothing besides talk to old friends and lovers. Anybody else have this one? Does it get better?
Yes it gets better, though it's still largely talking. The book is mostly about Vlad investigating a mystery, re-establishing himself in the city, and catching up with everyone there. So there's only some action towards the end.
I'm just glad that Brust seems to have finished up with the prequels and the main story is moving again.
Ooh... I got all excited there was a new one, but Iorich was last year. And, yeah, it was REALLY dull. I disagree about it being better to return to the ongoing narrative; Jhegaala ranks near the top of the stack as one of my all-time favorites.
Ooh... I got all excited there was a new one, but Iorich was last year. And, yeah, it was REALLY dull. I disagree about it being better to return to the ongoing narrative; Jhegaala ranks near the top of the stack as one of my all-time favorites.
It was new to me in paperback (thanks for the title correction, I can never remember all the great houses). I haven't seen it before in stores at all, even in hardback, so I was pretty excited. But so far, guh. I don't think I have Jhegaala.... ooh more new Brust to read!
Ooh... I got all excited there was a new one, but Iorich was last year. And, yeah, it was REALLY dull. I disagree about it being better to return to the ongoing narrative; Jhegaala ranks near the top of the stack as one of my all-time favorites.
To each his own. All I could think of while reading Jhegaala was, "Enough with the fraken prequels!"
I just bought the new one, "Ioreth," hoping it would be a brilliant follow-on to "Issola." Halfway through, Vlad has done nothing besides talk to old friends and lovers. Anybody else have this one? Does it get better?
Each of the Vlad books are based on one of the houses. "Iorich" is the house of lawyers and lawsmiths. Yer gonna have a lot of talking and legalese. That said, I found it delightful, if not as "action-packed" as some of his other stories.
But then, Brust is my hero, so...:)
I never really read much of his work but he has a story in the new THIEVES' WORLD book "Enemies of Fortune." The story is titled "The Man from Shemhaza." Wow! What a story!! Even if you don't know anything about Thieves World, you have to check out this story! You'll probably be hooked after it. "Enemies of Fortune" is a GREAT book. A new TW RPG is coming out also. Enjoy!
+1 This story is one of very few that caught me by surprise. Up there with Neil Gaiman's "A Study in Emerald".
But why hasn't anyone mentioned "The Sun, the Moon, and Stars"? Glad people have read "Agyar" and "Cowboy Feng's", though.
As for the Vladiad, you can't beat "Issola". Well, this week, at least. :)
Okay, enough gushing. I saw the thread and couldn't help myself!!
But why hasn't anyone mentioned "The Sun, the Moon, and Stars"? Glad people have read "Agyar" and "Cowboy Feng's", though.
I've read them, as well as "To Reign in Hell", but didn't really enjoy them very much.
I love the Taltos novels, followed by The Phoenix Guards series, but the rest come of as a bit meh to me. Cowboy Feng's is probably my favorite of Brust's stand-alone novels, but that's not saying much.
Reading Iorich right now. Yep, it's not as action-packed as some, but I still like it. I love Vlad the character, and all the little touches Brust puts into his novels. The book (Dzur I believe) where he started each chapter with a vignette about eating at Valabar's was great, just that little bit about Vlad's love of food, and then how his food philosophy tied into the novel, was great. Very character driven.
Okay, on to collaborations...
Has anyone read "The Gypsy" or "Freedom and Necessity"?
And I might as well mention: Steven Brust wrote a Firefly (TV series) fanfic called "My Own Kind of Freedom". It's free to download from his dreamcafe website. :)
And yes, I *am* waiting impatiently for the next Vlad novel, "Tiassa". Only a few weeks away!
I have read his stuff over the years, and I loved the Taltos stuff when it first came out.
To Reign in Hell and Brokedown Palace kinda left me regretting the purchases.
I read The Phoenix Guard shortly after seeing a play about DuMas, (someone, I have always been a fan of) so it hit lots and lots of chords with me.
The Sun, The Moon and The Stars was in my top ten of books for many years. Funny, I haven't thought about it in a long time. Gonna re-read it soon.
I stopped reading the Taltos tales after purchasing Dzur. I was thoroughly bored. It took me a month to read it. (books are usually devoured same day) Maybe, I will return to the series, but not with how I still feel about it.
Strangely, I cannot even remember reading Cowboy Feng's. Seems odd, because I am a fan of Bar Tales stories. (ie Spider Robinson's Calahan's Saloon, Niven's Limits, Mike Resnik's The Outpost et al)
Greg
And yes, I *am* waiting impatiently for the next Vlad novel, "Tiassa". Only a few weeks away!
Damn, I hadn't heard.
And Vlad vs. Khaavren no less! Hopefully the local Barnes & Noble will get it in a few days early like they sometimes do.
Bought and read Tiassa yesterday.
Not the best Taltos book, but not the worst either. It's biggest problems are that it's not a coherent story, it's a series of short stories set at different times in Vlad's and Khaavren's lives linked by a Maltese Fal...er, Silver Tiassa.
The stories themselves are written in such different literary styles (regular first-person for the Vlad stories, Dumas style for the Khaavren stories) that it can be jarring to go from one to the other. Also, the stories are set at different times in Vlad's life, but there is often little to let you know exactly when in time a particular story is set unless you have a strong memory for incidents in previous volumes.
I don't feel that I wasted my money, but this isn't the strongest volume in the series.
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Can't say enough good things about him.
I absolutely ADORE his writing!
You can definitely see how his stories change in regard to his personal life issues. I really loved the first books in the Jhereg series, but when he got to Orca and beyond it was hard to keep me attentive. That was then, however, and its probably time for me to go back and do some re-reads.
yes, I too love his stuff; made some changed to my homebrew world after reading his stuff. He has been a big influence on me.
Cowboy Feng's was nothing special to me; Riegn in Hell was just sorta there; but I liked the Phoenix Guards ok; was very much like his Three Musketeers in form though, and I really like the three books of the viscount of Adrilanka. I dont remember Broken Down palance to much; but I read it so I must have enjoyed it. I haven't read the Gypsy or a couple other of the stand alones. His Firefly short was great.
Definitely one of my favorite authors.
One thing I've noticed is that he likes to change something (composition, flow, style, tone, etc.) in each book. I guess this helps keep him from getting bored as an author (or perhaps he just isn't into churning out formulaic pap, like some fantasy/sci-fi authors).
Bought and read Tiassa yesterday.
Looks like I have to hit the bookstores this week.
I really loved the first books in the Jhereg series, but when he got to Orca and beyond it was hard to keep me attentive. That was then, however, and its probably time for me to go back and do some re-reads.
Please tell me you finished "Orca"! If not, you missed the biggest "smack from left field" I think I've ever seen. Oh, and if you go back and re-read them from the beginning, he dropped hints about his big reveal since "Jhereg". It was also nice hearing Kiera's voice. :)
I've also found my enjoyment of any of his individual books is based on what's going on in my life. Except "Issola". I could read that one whenever and enjoy it. Lady Teldra is my hero...:)
Definitely one of my favorite authors.
One thing I've noticed is that he likes to change something (composition, flow, style, tone, etc.) in each book. I guess this helps keep him from getting bored as an author (or perhaps he just isn't into churning out formulaic pap, like some fantasy/sci-fi authors).
He enjoys playing with his writing, that's for sure. Yes to the bored, definitely yes to the formulaic pap. Yet he keeps some consistency, too. Seventeen chapters per Vlad book, for instance (17 being the magic Dragaeran number). Of course, the fact that his PoV characters are necessarily the most honest of folks just makes things interesting in terms of continuity. "Oh, sure, Vlad *says* that, but we can't trust everything Vlad says..."
And, one of the reasons I love his work is the near-certainty that multiple readings will reveal details I didn't notice before. I've read few authors about whom this could be said. (It had to be pointed out to me that there are at least seven Shakespeare references hidden in "Athyra". I still can't find them all...)
Bought and read Tiassa yesterday.
Bought and read it a week ago. Damn fine yarn, IMO, and a great nod to die-hard fans. But it won't appeal to all. He said a year ago, while writing it, that he was determined to piss off most of his fans with this one, as he seemed to piss off a small percentage with each prior book. Failed to piss me off, of course, but I'm no ordinary fan, so...
Okay, enough gushing on my part...
Finished Tiassa this morning. Loved it. Loved the change of pace in between sections, and the references to previous events, etc. This one was WAY better than Iorich, although still maybe a bit short of Jhegaala--although it's hard to decide on first reading.
I am reading Tiassa now and so far, good stuff. I have to find my notes from reading the previous books. Its been a while since i read the previous books and I am missing details.
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I love the world of the Vlad books. It's a great example of a coherent, high-magic world, and really helped me when writing for a high-magic game I was running.
EDIT: I especially like the way that revival and teleports seem to work, which is close enough to 3.5/PF that it really helps for envisioning what a high-level 3.5/PF game should look like.
I love the world of the Vlad books. It's a great example of a coherent, high-magic world, and really helped me when writing for a high-magic game I was running.
EDIT: I especially like the way that revival and teleports seem to work, which is close enough to 3.5/PF that it really helps for envisioning what a high-level 3.5/PF game should look like.
I agree, I am actually am finishing up a players guide for a potential campaign in this game world. I Essentially am droping all the demihuman races and having Easterlings, and then each House as a 'race'. I think brust's world is a very good example of what would happen if the kind of magic dnd brings to the table existed in a world.
I read somewhere that, like Feist's "Riftwar" series, Brust's early Vlad novels were based on his D&D campaign. That's all hearsay, though; I can't vouch for it firsthand.
I read somewhere that, like Feist's "Riftwar" series, Brust's early Vlad novels were based on his D&D campaign. That's all hearsay, though; I can't vouch for it firsthand.
If I remember correctly Dragaera is supposedly based on a friend's world, not his own (at least not to begin with).
If I remember correctly Dragaera is supposedly based on a friend's world, not his own (at least not to begin with).
Ugh. I fail at pronouns. I meant "his" as in "one he played in," not "his" as in "one he DMed."
Ah, got it. :)
I read somewhere that, like Feist's "Riftwar" series, Brust's early Vlad novels were based on his D&D campaign. That's all hearsay, though; I can't vouch for it firsthand.If I remember correctly Dragaera is supposedly based on a friend's world, not his own (at least not to begin with).
Pretty much, yes. He was part of a gaming group whose DM created this world. As I recall, players would take a House and write up what they were like. Steve's was, naturally, House Jhereg. When we started writing "Jhereg", Steve asked the DM if he could use (expand, change, and enhance) the game world.
Thus Vlad's Dragaera was born. And changes often. Steve has never put out a map of the world because he doesn't want such things set in stone; he wants the option of being able to add a river or a town where he needs it. This isn't to say he doesn't have his own, simple map, just that he doesn't publish it.
Kolokotroni--That's pretty much the way I'd do it. I'd ditch the demi-races, keep humans as Easterners, and then modify elves (bonuses, abilities, etc.) to conform to the Dragaera Houses. You likely wouldn't need to do all 17 Houses, though; just the major ones. Unless a player really wants to play an Orca or Tsalmoth...:)
Good luck! If I had the time, I'd be doing the same...
Kolokotroni--That's pretty much the way I'd do it. I'd ditch the demi-races, keep humans as Easterners, and then modify elves (bonuses, abilities, etc.) to conform to the Dragaera Houses. You likely wouldn't need to do all 17 Houses, though; just the major ones. Unless a player really wants to play an Orca or Tsalmoth...:)
Good luck! If I had the time, I'd be doing the same...
Already did all 17 houses, each with small special abilities and ability bonuses to match their houses' specialty.
The thing that is taking time is magic. Trying to make pathfinder magic fit the setting is a bit...complicated.
When we started writing "Jhereg"
Wishful thinking?
When we started writing "Jhereg"Wishful thinking?
Heh. Yeah, that and mistyping. Sigh...
I shall now hide my head in shame and embarrassment. :)
My boyfriend is a big fan of Steven Brust's Vlad Taltos series. I borrowed 'The Book of Jhereg' from him and am currently finished up 'Teckla'.
I really enjoy Mr. Brust's writing style and the sense of sarcastic humor he gives his characters. It'd be kinda hard to pick one character in particular that I like, too; they all have their own unique characteristics that makes each one shine.
'Jhereg' & 'Yendi' were very good; I like 'Teckla' too, but (without trying to spoil the story), the circumstances that happen between Vlad & Cawti make me sad. Maybe because I've been there in the past. Honestly, I'm pulling for some sort of happy ending :)
The 'Book of Taltos' is on my 'To Read' list (that one was a birthday present for my guy) and I'm looking forward to getting into the rest of the series.
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I read somewhere that, like Feist's "Riftwar" series, Brust's early Vlad novels were based on his D&D campaign. That's all hearsay, though; I can't vouch for it firsthand.If I remember correctly Dragaera is supposedly based on a friend's world, not his own (at least not to begin with).Pretty much, yes. He was part of a gaming group whose DM created this world. As I recall, players would take a House and write up what they were like. Steve's was, naturally, House Jhereg. When we started writing "Jhereg", Steve asked the DM if he could use (expand, change, and enhance) the game world.
Thus Vlad's Dragaera was born. And changes often. Steve has never put out a map of the world because he doesn't want such things set in stone; he wants the option of being able to add a river or a town where he needs it. This isn't to say he doesn't have his own, simple map, just that he doesn't publish it.
IIRC, he had to change a few things--which is why the House is Jhereg instead of Vhereg (sp?). The original DM shows up in the dedications, BTW.
My boyfriend is a big fan of Steven Brust's Vlad Taltos series. I borrowed 'The Book of Jhereg' from him and am currently finished up 'Teckla'.
I really enjoy Mr. Brust's writing style and the sense of sarcastic humor he gives his characters. It'd be kinda hard to pick one character in particular that I like, too; they all have their own unique characteristics that makes each one shine.
'Jhereg' & 'Yendi' were very good; I like 'Teckla' too, but (without trying to spoil the story), the circumstances that happen between Vlad & Cawti make me sad. Maybe because I've been there in the past. Honestly, I'm pulling for some sort of happy ending :)
The 'Book of Taltos' is on my 'To Read' list (that one was a birthday present for my guy) and I'm looking forward to getting into the rest of the series.
I envy your chance to read them for the first time. Wish I could do that.
Yes, "Teckla" and "Phoenix" are both sad. He does a very good job portraying what happens to their relationship. Very "real life and personal" like. I find them to be excellent, and a major changing point in Vlad's life, but I also find I don't re-read them as much as some others precisely because they can be depressing.
On the other hand, these two are only part way through Vlad's timeline. What you have to look forward to is simply amazing.
Bravo to your boyfriend for introducing you! If you're a fan of "The Three Musketeers", I'd recommend adding the "Khavreen Romances" (starting with "The Phoenix Guards".
Enjoy! :)
I envy your chance to read them for the first time. Wish I could do that.
Yes, "Teckla" and "Phoenix" are both sad. He does a very good job portraying what happens to their relationship. Very "real life and personal" like. I find them to be excellent, and a major changing point in Vlad's life, but I also find I don't re-read them as much as some others precisely because they can be depressing.
On the other hand, these two are only part way through Vlad's timeline. What you have to look forward to is simply amazing.
Bravo to your boyfriend for introducing you! If you're a fan of "The Three Musketeers", I'd recommend adding the "Khavreen Romances" (starting with "The Phoenix Guards".
Enjoy! :)
I finally finished 'Teckla' the other morning after I got home from work (I work 3rd shift, so sometimes sleep takes precedence over reading...). I enjoyed it very much and found the ending to be bittersweet, but then, life is like that, which gave the book a more realistic ending, I think.
I was talking to my boyfriend about what happened between Vlad & Cawti; he said he didn't want to spoil the story for me, but he did say that things don't get better between them. As sad as I find that, I'm looking forward to seeing how Mr. Brust portrays those events.
I can't wait to read the rest of Vlad's adventures. They are exciting and unique, and hope to get into the next book after I catch up on some other reading I want to do.
Thanks for the recommendations about the other books; I will have see if my boyfriend has read any of those and recommend them to him.
I'm eagerly looking forward to the rest of the series. Thanks so much for the suggestions :)