The Vlad Taltos reread continues with Tiassa, a triptych of stories linked by the MacGuffin of a piece of silver jewelry in the shape of the catlike creature called a tiassa.
Tag, the first story (following a prologue and introductory chapter that sets the interlinked narrative in motion) is a treat for those missing the old Vlad. He’s still running his territory for the Jhereg, engaged to Cawti, and in full of snarky self-confidence. On top of the world. A convoluted sequence of events occurs and we have what is in essence, a confidence trickster story, e.g. the film The Sting, or for you youngsters, the television series Leverage. It is engaging and good fun. And we get a suggestion that there may be involved in a crossover with the Khaavern romances.
Whitecrest, the second story, takes place years later, after Vlad had fled the city. We have numerous POV characters, including Khaavern, his wife Daro (the eponymous Countess of Whitecrest), Cawti, Norathar, and more. There is rumor of another threatened assault by the Jenoine (or is it only another con?) A suggested method to thwart it is to use the silver tiassa, which is purported possess great powers. But where is it? Signs point to Vlad Taltos, who is on the lam somewhere. There is a touch of the police procedural about this one. The links with the previous story are presented. We learn more about imperial politics. There is some decent intrigue, mysteries are solved, some blood is spilled, and the bad guys are thwarted. Vlad, who does not appear and never realizes he is in danger, is saved. A good story, all around.
Special Tasks rounds out the tale. And here Steven Brust dives into his Alexander Dumas pastiche with brio and relish. Vlad Taltos, who appears but is not a POV character, is waylaid north of Adrilankha. Captain–or Brigadier–Khaavern investigates the attack, without Vlad’s assistance. The mystery intersects with imperial concerns, and Khaavern wears both his official hats, as he summons the Special Tasks group. A mystery is solved (which, naturally, involves matters from the first two tales as well as more recent entanglements of Vlad’s) and swords clash. By the Horse!
Brust indulges his predilection for stylistic experimentation, and to good effect in the opinion of your humble web logger. I recognize that, at least in the case of the third story, another reader’s opinion may depend upon his partiality to the florid, mannered style Brust adopts, or to having read any of the Khaavern Romances in the first place. Some encounter the faux-Dumas, Paarfi, and recoil. I, however, enjoy the style immensely.
So, from where I sit (in a comfortable, leather office chair) Tiassa is Brust at the top of his game. Inspired, one might say. It is a reward for long-term readers of the series.
And why don’t you reward yourself with an anthology of short stories? Arcane Intelligence provides your daily allowance of cloaks and daggers and weirdness.
