nlord's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
suzannekm's review
4.0
I'm always tempted to skip this one when I read this series through. (I confess I do skip Tekla.) But I'm always glad that I read it when I finish it. The outside view of the conflicted Vlad is wonderful and is such a turning point.
arthurbdd's review
3.0
Alright enough continuation of the series, though abandoning the noirish tone and narrative style of the previous books is jarring. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2007/05/27/vlads-next-two/
katmarhan's review
5.0
9/10
This book had a decidedly different feel to it than the earlier books in the Vlad Taltos, possibly because Vlad is not the narrator and the story although told in third person, is from the viewpoint of Savn, a rural youth. And that's the other main difference--no city of Adrilankha, no friends and colleagues. No voice of Loiosh--in fact, the sections written from the jhereg's perspective are all from Loiosh's mate, Rocza. So there is far less sardonic humor and far more introspection and struggle to understand by a maturing Savn who is confronted by things outside his experience. But this is an engrossing and satisfying tale, and it is not only Savn who has to wrestle with decisions and consequences.
This book had a decidedly different feel to it than the earlier books in the Vlad Taltos, possibly because Vlad is not the narrator and the story although told in third person, is from the viewpoint of Savn, a rural youth. And that's the other main difference--no city of Adrilankha, no friends and colleagues. No voice of Loiosh--in fact, the sections written from the jhereg's perspective are all from Loiosh's mate, Rocza. So there is far less sardonic humor and far more introspection and struggle to understand by a maturing Savn who is confronted by things outside his experience. But this is an engrossing and satisfying tale, and it is not only Savn who has to wrestle with decisions and consequences.
devon_marie's review against another edition
4.0
I remember distinctly disliking this book the first time I read it. On this re-read, though, I didn’t. I actually really enjoyed it, though I’m not as much a fan of the books where Vlad isn’t the narrator. But I warmed up to Savn much more this time around and truly enjoyed this one.
krakentamer's review
2.0
oh boy... I've enjoyed the first 5 books in the series quite a bit, but this one... pretty boring. At the 40% mark, I bumped the narration speed to 1.5x just to get the book finished before I pulled my (remaining) hair out.
So hopefully this was just an anomaly and that the rest of the books will be less dragging.
So hopefully this was just an anomaly and that the rest of the books will be less dragging.
moar_cheese's review
2.0
The greatest thing about the Taltos books is Vlad telling his story. This book is not told in Vlad's voice but instead the third person. The result is a book lacking the humor and side stories that made the others so great.
frogggirl2's review
5.0
Another great book in the series! Initially, I was a little annoyed that Vlad was not the narrator, but, I got over that as we went along. I really liked the new POV and I really enjoyed how this kid's presence sets up future books.
iamhere's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Shortly after arriving in a small Teckla farming town, a body is found dead in a cart, with an unknown cause of death. Vlad becomes the main suspect. With the help of a young Teckla boy, his sister and his Master physicker as well as the jhereg, Vlad escapes near death and faces against an old enemy.
This was fun. I hope Savn is eventually cured and chooses to remain with Vlad henceforth. I wonder if the female jhereg is like this because of the stone Vlad is wearing or being separated from Cawti? Either way, the story was a fast read and was one of the better instalments in the series.