.JPG)
Tor, copyright 2009, 300 pages
ISBN 978-0-7653-2889-2
Edited by Teresa Nielsen Hayden
January 2015 (age 36)
This is book #12 by publication order of the Vlad Taltos series of novels. It continues the plot along the main "present-day" storyline.
From the back cover:
House Jhereg, Dragaera's organized crime syndicate, is hunting Vlad Taltos. There's a big price on his head in Dragera City. Then he hears disturbing news. Aleira - longtime friend, sometime ally - has been arrested by the Empire on a charge of practicing elder sorcery, a capital crime.
It doesn't make sense. Everybody know Aliera's been dabbling in elder sorcery for ages. Why is the Empire down on her now? Why aren't her powerful friends - Morrolan, Sethra, the Empress Zerika - coming to her rescue? And most to the point, why has she utterly refused to do anything about her own defense?
It would be idiotic of Vlad to jump into this situation. He's a former Jhereg who betrayed the House. He's an Easterner - small, weak, short lived. He's being searched for by the most remorseless killers in the world. Naturally, that exactly why he's going to get completely involved.
It doesn't make sense. Everybody know Aliera's been dabbling in elder sorcery for ages. Why is the Empire down on her now? Why aren't her powerful friends - Morrolan, Sethra, the Empress Zerika - coming to her rescue? And most to the point, why has she utterly refused to do anything about her own defense?
It would be idiotic of Vlad to jump into this situation. He's a former Jhereg who betrayed the House. He's an Easterner - small, weak, short lived. He's being searched for by the most remorseless killers in the world. Naturally, that exactly why he's going to get completely involved.
Reactions, and probably some spoilers, after the break:
Yay! We get to continue the story! This one felt like a throwback to the beginning of the series, where Vlad, all competent, was over his head, but got to run with the big dogs
Rating: 4
Premise:
Vlad goes back to Adrilanka and tries to figure out how to keep two of his buddies (the Empress and her Warlord) from killing each other. They're both stubborn enough to go through with it just because.
Characters:
We're back with the main cast - Vlad, Morrolan, Sethra, Cawti, etc. They're still fun, and all still growing.
Setting:
Adrilankha city. Not a lot new to develop, so we go on with the story!
Plot:
Back to the old-timey, 'go around and stir things up' approach to problem solving.
Readability:
Very readable. As ever, dialogue is a strength.
Other Opinions:
He loved it.
Graeme's Fantasy Book Review
Liked it, but... don't start the series here.
Metaphorsis Reviews
Rhiannon Lassiter
Not a fan.
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