The reread continues through the cycle, with volume 4, Taltos. After the slog that was Teckla, I was glad to encounter what may be my favorite Vlad Taltos novel. Once again we bounce around in time, jumping back from the events of Teckla. Taltos tells parallel stories, the primary narrative being about his initial meeting with Morrolan, Sethra Lavode, and Aliera. It is a sprint involving manipulation, a heist, swordfights, a trip to the Paths of the Dead, and a meeting with the gods. The secondary storyline describes more of Vlad’s childhood, his becoming part of the Organization, his early criminal employment, and his first few jobs as an assassin. At a compact 181 pages, the book flies along. Despite its small page count, it packs in plenty of action, sorcery, witchcraft, world-building, and snark (mouthy, disrespectful Vlad is the best Vlad.)
The limited description and first-person POV are an asset in maintaining a sense of wonder and uncertainty regarding the nature and history of Vlad’s world. The suggestions of deep-time, and a sci-fi origin continue. Brust continues to drop references to various historical events. And as I recall, he does deliver, coming back to them in later volumes.
So, I’m still along for the ride.
Speaking of rides, why not hop aboard the Long Gambit? Fly along with her captain and crew in Twilight Galaxy: Long Gambit.
