One minute Seth was fighting for his life against a gang of teenage punks in Michigan, the next he had fallen through the ice--into another, magical Earth. Seth, along with a telepath, a faun, and a giant have been chosen from four different Earth planes to fulfill a quest in a world of magic. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

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The sexy, thrilling adventures continue in bestselling author Keri Arthur's new Dark Angels series, starring half-werewolf/half-Aedh Risa Jones.Risa will go to any lengths to avenge her mother's murder - even if it means making a pact with the most evil vampire she's ever met. Lethal and powerful, Madeline Hunter is leader of the vampire council and will put her resources behind finding the killer - for a price. The venerable vampire requires the assistance of Risa's psychic powers. Quid pro quo.Someone - or something - is targeting the elders of the local council, cursing the immortal vampires to rapidly age, sink into madness and die. Risa must track down the vengeful being responsible. But Risa's father, a rogue Aedh priest, also enlists her in a dangerous mission. And not even the great Madeline Hunter may be able to protect her from the shadowy forces that desire nothing less than Risa's destruction.

SUMMARY:
Skeeve bluffs his way into a high-stakes game of dragon poker-and wins! But now he's left with Markie, a pint-sized IOU left by a player who went broke. She conjures up a house full of trouble every time she tries to cast a spell. And now the dragon poker champion has challenged Skeeve to a game-with a pot of half a million.

SUMMARY:
Immortality - it sounded like a great idea! Aahz falls for the offer of a piece of the rock, literally, when he invests in a scheme to build pyramids. He is so enthusiastic about the concept that he ropes in everyone else he knows to invest - in tombs lower down than his, of course. But all is not perfect: along with the prospect of being remembered for eternity and the best view in the valley of Zyx comes a run of unbelievable bad luck! It's up to Skeeve to figure out why the deal is running sour even before the ink's dry on the papyrus.

SUMMARY: Grundy Golem got no respect. So, to prove himself, he volunteered for a quest to find the long-lost dragon, Stanley Steamer. On the way, he somehow manages to free a damsel in distress-- but not without incurring the wrath of the Sea Hag in the process. And when it comes to avenging herself on Grundy, the Sea Hag will never give up....From the Paperback edition.

MASTER AND APPRENTICE. You've seen the movie The Phantom Menace. You've read the #1 New York Times bestselling book based on George Lucas's masterpiece. Now, before the eagerly awaited release of Episode II, comes a stunning new Star Warsnovel from one of science fiction's greatest talents, a writer universally acclaimed for his keen grasp of cutting-edge science and the brilliance of his page-turning plots: multiple Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Greg Bear. The result is pure adrenaline — an unforgettable journey stretching from the farthest reaches of known space to the battlefield of a young boy's heart, where a secret struggle is being waged that will decide the fate of billions. That boy is twelve-year-old Anakin Skywalker. The Force is strong in Anakin…so strong that the Jedi Council, despite misgivings, entrusted the young Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi with the mission of training him to become a Jedi Knight. Obi-Wan — like his slain Master, Qui-Gon — believes Anakin may be the chosen one, the Jedi destined to bring balance to the Force. But first Obi-Wan must help his undisciplined, idealistic apprentice, who still bears the scars of slavery, find his own balance. Dispatched to the mysterious planet of Zonama Sekot, source of the fastest ships in the galaxy, Obi-Wan and Anakin are swept up in a swirl of deadly intrigue and betrayal. For there are others who covet the power such superfast ships could bring. Raith Sienar, a brilliant but unscrupulous weapons and ship designer, has the brains to decipher the Zonama Sekot ship design. Commander Wilhuff Tarkin has at his disposal the forces of the mighty Trade Federation with which to extract the secret. Together, they make a formidable foe, one a small and undeveloped planet can hardly hope to stand against. But as Tarkin's fleet strikes with all its brutal power, Obi-Wan and Anakin sense a disturbance in the Force unlike any they have encountered before. It seems there are more secrets on Zonama Sekot than meet the eye. The search for those secrets will threaten the bond between Obi-Wan and Anakin…and bring the troubled young apprentice face-to-face with his deepest fears — and his darkest destiny.

Hunters of Dune and the concluding volume, Sandworms of Dune, bring together the great story lines and beloved characters in Frank Herbert's classic Dune universe, ranging from the time of the Butlerian Jihad to the original Dune series and beyond. Based directly on Frank Herbert's final outline, which lay hidden in a safe-deposit box for a decade, these two volumes will finally answer the urgent questions Dune fans have been debating for two decades. At the end of Chapterhouse: Dune-Frank Herbert's final novel-a ship carrying the ghola of Duncan Idaho, Sheeana (a young woman who can control sandworms), and a crew of various refugees escapes into the uncharted galaxy, fleeing from the monstrous Honored Matres, dark counterparts to the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood. The nearly invincible Honored Matres have swarmed into the known universe, driven from their home by a terrifying, mysterious Enemy. As designed by the creative genius of Frank Herbert, the primary story of Hunters and Sandworms is the exotic odyssey of Duncan's no-ship as it is forced to elude the diabolical traps set by the ferocious, unknown Enemy. To strengthen their forces, the fugitives have used genetic technology from Scytale, the last Tleilaxu Master, to revive key figures from Dune's past-including Paul Muad'Dib and his beloved Chani, Lady Jessica, Stilgar, Thufir Hawat, and even Dr. Wellington Yueh. Each of these characters will use their special talents to meet the challenges thrown at them.

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Though one of the most powerful Deacons, Sorcha Faris has a tarnished reputation to overcome, which is why she jumps at the chance to investigate a string of murders in the exotic city of Orithal. But it is there that her lover, the shapeshifting rival to the throne, is targeted by a cruel and vengeful goddess, unwittingly unleashed by the Emperor's sister.

The City of Towers launches a brand new novel line set in the world of Eberron, Wizards of the Coast’s newest D&D® campaign setting. Author Keith Baker’s proposal for the exciting world of Eberron was chosen from 11,000 submissions, and he is the co-author of the Eberron Campaign Setting, the RPG product that launched the setting. The Eberron world will continue to grow through new roleplaying game products, novels, miniatures, and electronic games. AUTHOR BIO: Keith Baker is a freelance writer and game designer. In 2003 his proposal for the world of Eberron was selected as the winner in the Wizards of the Coast fantasy setting search. "From the Paperback edition."

Product Description

Xend’rik. The dark continent. A land of once-proud empires that now lie in ruin. A land shrouded in mystery where monsters and dark powers stalk the jungles, where only the bravest and most foolhardy will venture.
Now a band of war-weary soldiers must brave the depths of Xen’drik in search of an artifact that is the last hope to save one of their own.

About the Author

Keith Baker is a freelance writer and game designer. In 2003 his proposal for the world of Eberron was selected as the winner in the Wizards of the Coast fantasy setting search.

Product Description

A band of war-weary soldiers have uncovered a plot that may tear the very fabric of reality forever. To save their own lives and to prevent a long-banished race of monsters from unleashing an army of horrors upon the waking world, they must reach the very heart of Dal Quor. To stop the cataclysm in time, they must fight their way to . 

Amazon.com Review

This fat fantasy is the author's first published novel. Although the typical back cover quotes from Anne McCaffrey and Marion Zimmer Bradley overpraise it somewhat--"stunning," "terrific," "classic"--it's a good, highly readable debut. Kristen Britain tells her story at a headlong pace and with considerable charm. Young heroine Karigan hardly has time to regret being expelled from school (for dueling) before finding herself committed to the desperate errand of a murdered Green Rider. The Riders are an elite messenger corps using both horses and magic; the message is a terrible warning. Bad things from bad places are invading this fantasyland, their presence being only part of a devious, sorcery-aided human struggle for the throne. Karigan's wild ride is beset by a variety of enemies, but aided by her own developing talents plus certain strange allies. These include the tormented ghost of the dead Green Rider himself--still pierced by and trying to resist the chief villain's black arrows that ensnare the soul. Delivering the message to a suspicious court is only half Karigan's job: can it be interpreted in time? The pages turn fast, the heroine is likeable and the villains hissable, and all ends as it should. Nice one. --David Langford, Amazon.co.uk

From Publishers Weekly

Britain's first novel is a classic quest tale set in a standardized medieval fantasy world. It begins when protagonist Karigan G'ladheon is expelled from an exclusive school. In a forest on the way home, she encounters one of the magically bound Green Riders, who carries a vital message for King Zachary. The messenger is dying with assassins' arrows in his back, so with more loyalty than caution, Karigan takes over his magic brooch. This also means taking over his mission and becoming a Green Rider herself, an act that flings Karigan into a cesspool of intrigues both magical and mundane, some of them well-handled by the author, some not. Karigan is an engaging protagonist, although the feisty female is now a penny a cartload in high fantasy, and some of the scenes of magic and/or combat rise to a high standard. Britain also makes notable use of class distinctions as motivators, a tact not often seen in fantasy. But, overall, her plot lacks originality; most of her characters (other than Karigan) are, at best, archetypes; and her pacing may be sufficiently uneven to deter readers from coping with the book's standard plot and considerable length. This is a respectable, not outstanding, debut, although Britain shows enough talent to warrant a follow-up. (Nov.) FYI: In its 25 years, DAW has published only one previous first novel in hardcover: Tad Williams's Tailchaser's Song.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Karigan may have heard the First Rider's call, but she's not about to let it take over her life . . . or at least that's what she thinks. She swore to complete a dying man's mission - to deliver a sealed letter to King Zachary. Now that task, more dangerous than she could have imagined, is complete and her work is done, Karigan wants to leave the dangerous world of tainted magic and ancient magicians behind her and return home. Exhausted in both body and spirit, she plans to return to her quiet life and her father's business. But it proves no match for the Rider's call; ghostly hoofbeats sounding in her mind, visions of the freedom of the open road, all calling her back to the king's service as a Green Rider. Karigan resists it, but when she wakes up to find herself - in her nightdress - on horseback and halfway across the country, her destiny is clear: she is a Green Rider. As she discovers, it's not a good time to be called to serve. For a thousand years the D'Yer Wall, a physical and magical barrier protecting the land from the ancient, corrupted Blackveil Forest, has held. For a thousand years the forest, an arboreal prison containing one of Sacoridia's greatest enemies, has been quiet. Not any more. The wall has been breached, unnatural, lethal creatures are finding their way into Sacoridia, a dark sentience is stirring, and the Green Rider magic itself is failing. And in the midst of it all, Karigan is about to be called to her duty . . .

From Publishers Weekly

Karigan G'ladheon was hoping for a break from adventure after the breakneck escapades of First Rider's Call (2004), but this action-packed third Green Rider volume gives her no time to rest. Sent on what she thinks is a mundane errand for the king of Sacoridia and the captain of the royal messenger corps known as the Green Riders, Karigan begins having strange dreams that may hold hidden meaning. Then she receives a cryptic message from the ghost of a would-be magician. Karigan finally accepts that she's destined for the extraordinary when the magnificent black horse Salvistar, the steed of the god of death, beckons her to ride with him among the stars. Britain keeps the excitement high from beginning to end, balancing epic magical battles with the humor and camaraderie of Karigan and her fellow riders.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Action-packed...Britain keeps the excitement high from beginning to end, balancing epic magical battles with the humor and camaraderie of Karigan and her fellow riders."
-Publishers Weekly

"Combines familiar characters with new allies and enemies as it builds to a crucial point in the history of the land...[A] finely honed, skillfully crafted tale."
-Library Journal

"A healthy dose of old-fashioned adventure."
-Locus

"Britain provides plenty of action...and a good command of character."
-Booklist

"Accessible writing, charming characters, and some pretty entertaining sword-and-sorcery action."
-Fantasy Book Critic

SUMMARY: The long-awaited sequel to Green Rider, First Rider's Call, and The High King's Tomb. Once a simple student, Karigan G'ladheon finds herself in a world of deadly danger and complex magic, compelled by forces she cannot understand when she becomes a legendary Green Rider-one of the magical messengers of the king. Forced by magic to accept a dangerous fate she would never have chosen, headstrong Karigan has become completely devoted to the king and her fellow Riders. But now, an insurrection led by dark magicians threatens to break the boundaries of ancient, evil Blackveil Forest-releasing powerful dark magics that have been shut away for a millennium.

Review

Praise for Farlander:

“Something special . . . Buchanan writes vividly and well, and the story grips from the astonishing opening sequence to the unexpected conclusion.”
--The Times (UK)

“Completely absorbing. Once I was into it, I just couldn’t put it down. I’m looking forward to the sequel!”
--Glen Cook, author of The Black Company series

"Gripping. . . .  Delightfully undermin[es] expectations."
--SFX

Product Description

Still grieving the death of her son, the Holy Matriarch of Mann has ordered her troops to embark on a mission to the Mercian Free Ports. Riding at the head of her army she plans to finally conquer the city of Bar-Khos, whose walls have kept them at bay for ten long years. Ash has other plans for her. The old Roshun warrior is determined that he will have vengeance for the crimes she has committed. But such a course of retribution is in direct opposition to everything he has lived for – this isn't a Roshun vendetta – it's personal. While Ash battles with his conscience, Ché, the Matriarch's personal Diplomat and assassin, is questioning his own path. Watching as the Mannian army slaughters their way across the world, he wonders whether he believes any of the doctrine he has been taught to follow. As the battle for Bar-Khos intensifies, more and more lives are affected: Bahn who leaves all he loves in the city to try to protect it from the ravening Mannian empire, Bull the murderer who senses a chance to make things right, and Curl, the young prostitute who is determined to seek her own retribution on the field of battle. When the two armies clash – all looks set to be decided. But it's not sheer force that will win this battle. But the tormented determination of one man seeking redemption . . .

From Publishers Weekly

In Brown's engrossing debut, the first installment of the Dark Gods saga, one of the mysterious Divines, godlike rulers capable of harvesting a person's life force, has vanished. Young Talen's relatively idyllic life is turned upside down when his family is accused of being soul-eaters who worship a twisted god. Pursued by fearful clansmen and a nightmarish earthen monstrosity known only as Hunger, Talen begins to investigate his latent world-changing abilities. Soon he learns of his family's extensive role in the enigmatic Order, whose mission is to break the yoke of the Divines, and the nature of the dark power that hunts them. Brown's narrative takes a few hundred pages to get up to speed, but the latter parts are breakneck-paced and action-packed. Patient readers will be rewarded with a thoroughly enjoyable fantasy adventure. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Praise for *Servant of a Dark God*

“A great setting, a smart story.”
--Brandon Sanderson, author of *Warbreaker

“In his debut novel, Servant of a Dark God, John Brown adds his voice to epic fantasy with a world I can see and smell and taste and believe in . . . and characters I can cheer for, travel with and want to see again.”
--Ken Scholes, author of Lamentation* 

“A complex, powerful story.”
--David Drake

“[An] engrossing debut. . . .  breakneck-paced and action-packed.  Patient readers will be rewarded with a thoroughly enjoyable fantasy adventure.”
*--Publishers Weekly 

*“A classic heroic saga, dealing with the bedrock issues of good and evil and identity. These are classic themes because they matter; and Brown makes them matter both to his young protagonist and the reader. It promises to continue for quite a distance, and I hope it does.”
--Kage Baker 

“Brown’s first novel, the opener in a new fantasy series, creates an elaborate new world with a rich and deep spiritual and political background. . . .  Reminiscent of L.E. Modesitt Jr.’s ‘Recluce’ novels and David Drake’s ‘Lord of the Isles’ series and David Farland’s ‘Runelords’ books, this well-wrought tale of families in conflict against both politics and religion represents a welcome addition to large-scale fantasy.” 
--Library Journal (starred review) 

“Akin to Steven Erickson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen, or R. Scott Bakker’s The Prince of Nothing. . . .  There is the sense, right from the start, that Servant of a Dark God is a tale being told by a first-rate story-teller. It may be his first novel, but … John Brown knows how to grab a reader’s attention and hold it all the way through the book. That’s a talent that works well in any genre, and bodes especially well for the next two volumes in what promises to be an engrossing fantasy trilogy.”
*--New York Review of Science Fiction 

“A complex and intricate world, filled with all the permutations of human good and evil, as well as evil that goes beyond the human.  Neither heroes nor villains are quite what they seem at first, and where the cost of virtue is high indeed, yet where, in the end, the tenacity of such virtue is what is required to triumph.”
--L. E. Modesitt, Jr author of Arms-Commander

“This intricate story buries the truth under layers of corrupted history, forgotten legends, and deliberate lies… A provocative, suspenseful beginning of a new series.”
--Booklist

"Thoroughly engrossing from the first page to the last!  John Brown shows himself to be a writer with remarkable depth and power.  I haven't seen a debut novel this good in years!"
--David Farland, author of Berserker Lord* 

The city of Luskan has always been a den of pirates, thieves, and murderers. But lately, things have gotten much worse. A ship crashes offshore with nothing but corpses. Every day, people go crazy andbrutalize those around them. And the only signs that even the most hardened criminals still walk the streets at night are bones. Luskan's sister city, Waterdeep, has sent a detachment toquarantine the unclean city--to let the filth within die, rather than infect the rest of the Realms. But Myrin has slipped inside, declaring that she will save Luskan. Shadowbane follows, determined to save Myrinand therefore her pet city--even if he has to kill every rat in Luskan to do it. "Shadowbane" features the triumphant return of popular, dark vigilante from"Downshadow" and carries forth the threads of the worlds-spanning Abyssal Plague series. This expanded e-book also includes a brand-new short story, entitled "A NewPurpose," as well as links to an existing prequel and an original e-novella, featuring characters from "Shadowbane." Also included are links to background information on the Abyssal Plague seriesand sample chapters from other books in the series.

With his groundbreaking New York Times bestseller The Sword of Shannara and its acclaimed sequels, Terry Brooks brought a new audience to epic fantasy. Then he gave the genre a darkly compelling contemporary twist in his trilogy of the Word and the Void. Last year, in Armageddon’s Children, Brooks undertook the stunning chronicle that united two unique worlds. Now that story of clashing forces of darkness and light, of Shannara’s beginnings and the human race’s possible end, marches forward into an unforgettable second volume full of mystery, magic, and momentous events.Across the ruined landscape that is America–hopelessly poisoned, plague-ridden, burned, and besieged by demon armies bent on exterminating all mortal life–two pilgrims have been summoned to serve the embattled cause of good. Logan Tom has journeyed to desolate Seattle to protect a ragged band of street urchins and the being known as “the gypsy morph,” who is both mortal and magical, and destined to save mankind unless he is destroyed. Likewise, Angel Perez has her own quest, one that will take her from the wreckage of Los Angeles to a distant, secret place untouched by the horrors of the nationwide blight–a place where the race of Elves has dwelled since before man existed. But close behind these lone Knights of the Word swarm the ravening forces of the Void. As the menacing thunder of war drums heralds the arrival of the demons and their brutal minions in Seattle, the young survivors who call themselves the Ghosts are forced to brave the dangerous world of gangs, mutants, and worse to escape the invasion. And Logan Tom must infiltrate a refugee compound to rescue Hawk, the leader of the street urchins, who has yet to learn the truth about who and what he is. Meanwhile, Angel Perez has joined an equally urgent mission: to find the Ellcrys, a fabled talisman crucial to protecting the Elven realm against an influx of unspeakable evil from the dread dimension known as the Forbidding. But Angel and her Elf allies must beware–for a demon spy, with a monstrous creature at its command, walks among them.As the legions of darkness draw the noose tighter, and the time of confrontation draws near, those chosen to defend the soul of the world must draw their battle lines and prepare to fight with, and for, their lives. If they fail, humanity falls.From the Hardcover edition.

SUMMARY: Five hundred years have passed since the devastating demon-led war that almost exterminated humankind. Those who escaped the carnage were led to sanctuary by the boy saviour known as Hawk: the gypsy morph. But now, the unimaginable has come to pass: the cocoon of protective magic surrounding the valley has vanished. When Sider Ament, last surviving Knight of the Word, detects unknown predators stalking the valley, and Trackers from the human village of Glensk Wood, find two of their own gruesomely killed, there can be no doubt: the once safe haven of generations has been laid bare. Together, the young Trackers, the aging Knight, and a daring Elf princess race to spread word of the encroaching danger. But suspicion and hostility among their countrymen threaten to doom their efforts from within, while beyond the breached borders, a ruthless Troll army masses for invasion. Standing firm between the two, the last wielder of the black staff and its awesome magic must find a successor to carry on the fight against the cresting new wave of evil.

SUMMARY: Horrified by the misuse of magic they had witnessed during the First War of the Races, the Druids at Paranor devoted themselves to the study of the old sciences, from the period before the collapse of civilization a thousand years before. Only the Bremen and a few trusted associates still studied the arcane arts. And for his persistence, Bremen found himself outcast, avoided by all but the few free-thinkers among the Druids.But his removal from Paranor was not altogether a terrible thing, for Bremen learned that dark forces were on the move from the Northlands. That seemingly invincible armies of trolls were fast conquering all that lay to their south. That the scouts for the army--and its principal assassins--were Skull Bearers, disfigured and transformed Druids who had fallen prey to the seductions of the magic arts. And that at the heart of the evil tide was an archmage and former Druid named Brona!Using the special skills he had acquired through his own study of Magic, Bremen was able to penetrate the huge camp of the Troll army and learn many of its secrets. And he immediately understood that if the peoples of the Four Lands were to escape eternal subjugation they would need to unite. But, even united, they would need a weapon, something so powerful that the evil magic of Brona, the Warlock Lord, would fail before its might...

SUMMARY:
The latest title from popular Forgotten Realms® author Richard Lee Byers. The dead are restless in the magic-rich realm of Thay, and an evil necromancer begins to gather them to his cause--a cause that will change the face of Faerûn forever. "From the Paperback edition."

From Booklist

In this immediate sequel to Phoenix (1990), Brust’s series hero Vlad Taltos, fleeing the Jhereg, decides to look up kinfolk in a papermaking town in Fenario. Before he can do more than ask about them, however, they’re murdered. Professional assassin Vlad is not going to stand for that, but, no longer part of an organization, he must do his own detecting in a strange land whose customs he doesn’t know. Brust skillfully uses the minor characters to throw light on Vlad, making this a Vlad novel especially commendable to those contracting a first acquaintance. --Frieda Murray

Review

"_Dzur_ gives us Vlad Taltos at his best." —_Cinescope_

"Fresh, snappy, and terribly likeable…_Dzur_ shows you what heroic fantasy can be." —Cory Doctorow

“Steven Brust may well be America’s best fantasy writer.” —Tad Williams

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books (July 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765301474
• ASIN: B003156BOK
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)

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• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #48,717 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "I came for the aroma.", July 11, 2008

By 

H. Bala "Me Too Can Read" (Just moved to posh Marina Del Rey - where if you drop a quarter, why, you just keep on walking) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jhegaala (Vlad Taltos Novels) (Hardcover)

A few SPOILERS, and three and a half stars.

Steven Brust sure takes forever to write a book, yet the man is worth the wait. He's one of my favorite authors, and I'm always like a pig in odious slop whenever he's writing about Vlad Taltos. JHEGAALA is the eleventh novel in the Taltos series, featuring that wise-cracking assassin and lowly Easterner living in the world of Dragaerans.

Some background stuff: Note that in the world of Dragaera, seven-foot-tall elves (called Dragaerans) are the ruling species, with the Easterners (or humans) predominantly treated as second class citizens. Vlad Taltos had eked out a living as an assassin for the House of the Jhereg and had, for a while, become a minor crime lord. Life was good, and he'd even gotten married. But then certain of his actions (and a peasants' revolt) drew the ire of the Jhereg House and he'd been forced to skedaddle, with assassins fierce on his heels. Several books (Athyra, Orca, Issola (Vlad), Dzur (Vlad)) have chronicled his adventures during his fugitive years. As things stand presently, Vlad is still on the run and seemingly without direction. So I do wish Brust would get on with current events...

...Because JHEGAALA doesn't catch us up to what Vlad's been up to recently. This eleventh book, instead, tells of a time in Vlad's past, filling in the gap between the life-changing events in Phoenix and his re-appearance years later in ATHYRA. So, chronologically, DZUR is still the most current novel. In this one, it's only been weeks since Vlad's marriage had soured and since the criminal Jhereg organization had put a contract on him. Vlad decides to leave the Dragaeran Empire and head East, to get even further away from the Jhereg and also to sate his curiousity regarding his mother's murky family roots. A lead takes him to the pungent village of Burz in the human kingdom of Fenario, possibly the home of his mother.

Vlad finds himself in unfamiliar territory, a human having to deal with his own kind. Immediately he's looked on with suspicion and his questions draw uneasy reactions from the villagers, especially when he throws out his old family name of Merss. Then, a tragedy unfolds, this possibly stemming from Vlad's nosiness. Soon Vlad and his winged lizardly familiars, Loiosh and Rocza, are full deep in shady goings-on. Vlad, really out of his element, remains clueless even as the body count piles up and mysterious entities such as the Guild and the Coven make their mark. And where does the elderly Count and his machinations fit in? Vlad has never been good at sleuthing. He'd rather stab something, any day. But, as it turns out, if he wants to get thru this predicament, he'll have to do it while bed-ridden...

Is JHEGAALA worth the wait? I happen to think so, but I can see why other readers might feel cheated. JHEGAALA is one of the slower entries in the Taltos series. New readers are advised to start with something more newbie-friendly, such as TALTOS (The Book of Taltos) or JHEREG (The Book of Jhereg (Vlad Taltos)). JHEGAALA, not as action-packed or colorful or boisterous as other Taltos novels, better serves Vlad's longtime fans. If you're up on Vlad's history, then this one goes a ways into filling in the timeline between PHOENIX and ATHYRA. JHEGAALA tends to be more introspective. Vlad really is an alien amongst his own people, having to constantly ferret out the townspeople's customs, beliefs, and frame of mind. Also, I don't think I've ever seen Vlad rendered more distraught or vulnerable. A significant portion of the book has him in helpless convalescence, from which state he's forced to orchestrate his survival. In the Dragaeran Cycle, the House of the Jhegaala reflects metamorphosis and endurance. This certainly applies to what happens to Vlad here.

Steven Brust's writing kept me flipping pages in spite of the languid pace and the lack of enough exciting stuff happening. As always, the entertaining banter between Vlad and Loiosh continues to be a strength. And, as always, it's fun having the story told from Vlad's wry point of view. And here's a thing: Somewhere during the reading, the book becomes a whodunit, and Loiosh and Vlad's wisecracks fit in that genre seamlessly. This is kind of a come-full-circle thing as Brust has admitted that there's a bit of Dashiell Hammett thrown in the writing style of this series. Personally, though, I didn't care all that much for the mystery part (too convoluted); rather, I just sat back and relished Vlad Taltos doing his Vlad Taltos stuff. He's never better than when he's being arrogant and smirky and sarcastic. But if you're new to this series, I can see why this book might not do anything for you.

JHEGAALA isn't at the top of my favorite Vlad Taltos stories, but I'll take what I can get. But I hope the next book in the series catches us up with what Vlad is up to right now. And, hopefully, we get to see more of Vlad's Dragaeran friends and more of Cawti and Noish-pa.

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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Best for fans of the series, September 4, 2008

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TGOT (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jhegaala (Vlad Taltos Novels) (Hardcover)

Having read Jhegaala a few weeks ago, and having had time to think about it, I feel that I would recommend it only to people already fans of the series. It seeks to be like Orca, in that it is concerned with solving a mystery rather than executing a plan (or person). It has the slower pace of that novel, as opposed to some in the series that are more action-packed. But I don't think that the resolution of Jhegaala was anywhere near as satisfying. While it's tough to avoid spoilers, I thought that the sequence of events in the resolution was highly unlikely, in terms of an opponent of Vlad's suddenly becoming helpful.

I am glad I read and purchased it; I'm a fan of the series! I very much like that Brust experiments with different narrative and plot styles. It also helps fill the gaps in Vlad's life story.

Finally, I did enjoy it on its own merits, but if this had been my first exposure to the Jhereg series I doubt I'd go looking for the rest.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Strong entry into Taltos series, but not perfect, September 5, 2008

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Meneldir (Orange County, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Jhegaala (Vlad Taltos Novels) (Hardcover)

The way Brust hops around his Vlad Taltos series chronologically, it can be difficult to figure out when an individual novel has been set. Jhegaala is no exception. While there is a pattern to Brust's literary madness, it isn't something you should have to think about as you're reading. Since I hadn't re-read the series recently, I found myself wondering exactly when this novel took place midway through the book. What used to be cool and clever has become somewhat problematic.

The rest of the book, however, is a good, solid read. It isn't as fun or exciting as the first few books in the series, nor is it quite as introspective or revealing as books like Taltos or Five Hundred Years after. But it is enjoyable. I do wish Brust would set up a larger story, though ... Jhegaala is essentially a murder mystery, and not a tremendously compelling one. I felt all the way through the novel that I wanted Vlad to get somewhere and he never really did.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Done!
There's nothing that I don't love about this book, and series. If you enjoy fantasy, sarcastic wit, twisting plots, and a cloak and dagger theme... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Ashley E.

1.0 out of 5 stars This flashback, unlike others, is deeply disappointing
I'm a huge fan of the Vlad Taltos series. Unusually, much of Vlad's story is told in flashbacks. This technique worked pretty well at the beginning of the series---in Jhereg,... Read more

Published 4 months ago by Norman Ramsey

5.0 out of 5 stars Jhegaala
For fans of the Vlad Taltos series this is an interesting trip in search of Vlad's mother's roots in the human dominated eastern lands.

Published 9 months ago by Frank J. Rion

2.0 out of 5 stars The worst of the best.
Though not without its merits, Jhegaala is for least enjoyable Vlad book. Sometimes Brust's experiments pay off (Athyra). Read more

Published 18 months ago by Ian Kelleher

4.0 out of 5 stars Moody, but better than 95% of the fantasy out there
I'll cut to the chase, this is not Steven Brust's best book. Its not for beginers to the Taltos series. It not as exciting as some of his other books. Read more

Published 19 months ago by Joshua F. Parsons

4.0 out of 5 stars A new Taltos book, a nice return to form
Ahhh, an old friend returns. I've been following the adventures of Vlad Talos since the mid-80's. What can I say, I enjoy a little mafia type actions and some reading the... Read more

Published 21 months ago by N. Trachta

5.0 out of 5 stars Another fun Vlad Taltos adventure!
Very enjoyable Vlad Taltos novel! Set a bit in the past compared to some of the more recent Taltos novels (offhand to me, it seems to be set sometime a bit preceding the events... Read more

Published 22 months ago by Kathy100

1.0 out of 5 stars skip it. a poor example ofhis writing.
i am a big brust fan but this book is terrible.It is boring convoluted and formulaic for Brust. the plot makes little sense and the scooby doo/ sherlock holmes endings are getting... Read more

Published on March 13, 2009

3.0 out of 5 stars Not his finest work
I love Brust's Vlad Taltos novels, and I'll buy just as many as he sees fit to write. But this one isn't up to the standards set in the earlier books. Read more

Published on February 19, 2009 by Sardan

4.0 out of 5 stars Always grand to see Vlad, but ...
Probably the weakest of the recent Vlad Taltos novels, this tale fits between "Phoenix" and "Athyra" in chronology, telling of how Vlad hid out back East from the Jhereg, and what... Read more

Published on January 11, 2009 by David C. Hill

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From Publishers Weekly

Brust's enjoyable 12th Vlad Taltos adventure (after 2008's Jhegaala) brings the former organized crime figure back to his hometown, where he must avoid the many assassins still on the lookout for him. As Vlad tries to help Aliera e'Kieron, an old friend recently fallen from high places, he uncovers an increasingly complex web of intrigue aimed at creating an illegal drug trade. To thwart the plot, Vlad must navigate among the Dragaeran Empress and her associates, his ex-wife, his former associate Krager, and other schemers. Named for the Dragaeran clan of lawyers and judges, this installment has less action and more inscrutable dialogue than previous novels, providing some new insight into the interactions of the 17 clans. Newcomers will be a bit lost, but Brust fans will find a lot to think about as well as hints of larger plots to come. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

In his new adventure, Vlad Taltos is still running from the Jhereg with a huge price on his head. Hearing that old friend Aliera e’Kieron has been arrested on a trumped-up charge and wondering why her comrades, starting with the empress, haven’t lifted a finger, he repairs to Adrilankha to investigate, narrowly skirting his enemies, encountering many well-wishing old friends, and then uncovering a complex political situation encompassing everyone from the empress to the Left Hand of the Jhereg. And he meets his son and has a bittersweet reunion with his ex. A good read for longtime fans and newbies alike. --Frieda Murray

At long last, the conclusion to Glen Cook''s Dread Empire saga has arrived! King Bragi Ragnarson is a prisoner, shamed, nameless, and held captive by Lord Shih-kaa and the Empress Mist at the heart of the Dread Empire. Far away in Kavelin, Bragia''s queen and what remains of his army seek to find and free their king, hampered by the loss or desertion of their best and brightest warriors. Kavelina''s spymaster, Michael Trebilcock, is missing in action, as is loyal soldier Aral Dantice. Meanwhile, Dane, Duke of Greyfells, seeks to seize the rule of Kavelin and place the kingdom in his pocket, beginning a new line of succession through Bragia''s queen, Dane''s cousin Inger. And in the highest peaks of the Dragona''s Teeth, in the ancient castle Fangdred, the sorcerer called Varthlokkur uses his arts to spy on the world at large, observing the puppet strings that control kings and empires alike, waiting... For the time of the wrath of kings is almost at hand, and vengeance lies along a path to coldness of heart.