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Vlad Taltos #8-9
Dragon & Issola
Celebrated as one of fantasy's freshest and liveliest voices, Steven Brust is perhaps best know for his witty and wildly popular swashbuckling tales Jhereg, Yendi, and Teckla, in which assassin and crimlord Vlad Taltos struggles to make a living int he perilous Empire of the Dragaerans. Now, in one handy volume, are the two newest adventures of Vlad Taltos, human in aworld of near-immortal Dragaeran "elfs," witch and telepathic partner to the winged-lizard Loiosh. Dragon tells the story htat has bedeviled Vlad's fans for years: how a self-respecting assassin ended up as a soldier on the losing side of the famous Battle of Baritt's Tomb -- an apocalyptic warbetween two sorcerous armies. Since Vlad much prefers the shadows to daylight, and a knife in the back to massed magical battle, you know the answer involves the words "kicking and screaming"... Issola finds an older and slightly wiser Vlad on the run from his employers, the house of jhereg, over the small matter of a double-cross. Unfortunately, he's going to wish he had only the jhereg to worry about, since two of his most powerful friends have been kidnapped by teh Jenoine -- the enigmatic race that may have created the Dragaerans hundreds of thousands of years ago and who are masters of time and space itself. And if that's not enough, the Jenoine apparently want to hire Vlad to kill a God....
470 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
101 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Steven Brust
99 books2,302 followersSteven Karl Zoltán Brust (born November 23, 1955) is an American fantasy and science fiction author of Hungarian descent. He was a member of the writers' group The Scribblies, which included Emma Bull, Pamela Dean, Will Shetterly, Nate Bucklin, Kara Dalkey, and Patricia Wrede, and also belongs to the Pre-Joycean Fellowship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/steven...
(Photo by David Dyer-Bennet)
http://us.macmillan.com/author/steven...
(Photo by David Dyer-Bennet)
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 7, 2013
Two books, two reviews.
Dragon: Four stars. One of the interesting things about Steven Brust is that he's definitely writing fantasy, but within that he's writing all sorts of other genres; Dragon felt a little like watching a Civil War documentary, except way more interesting. (Sorry, never been much of one for American history.) It has the battle tactics and soldier anecdotes and realities of how fighting is not actually glorious at all. The book was a little disconcerting time-wise, because all of it happens before the previously published book Orca but there are at least three competing timelines throughout. Vlad references tons of stuff from earlier books that took me a bit to remember; one of the best and worst things about the Dragaeran series is that they are incredibly tightly knit. Even the smallest things matter later on; perhaps it's best to read through the series once and then go back and re-read it so as to really understand where everything was going. I don't know, I'll let you know when I finish it.
Issola: Four stars. Mad crazy props to Brust for the theophilosophy he's created, even though it makes my head hurt like whoa and totally destroys the idea of this being "light" reading. I was delighted to see Lady Teldra take more of a role, which almost compensated for the exit of the character Sven; I liked Sven. And then there is universe-building nearly on a scale with C.S. Lewis's Perelandra trilogy, in its own way, and I'm still not convinced I really understand what happened with a lot of the character interaction. I do know, however, that there were some pretty awesome textual things going on to indicate actions without being able to show them, a la Jasper Fforde but not font-based. I love it when authors do that, when they play with what the written word can be and that it is a very visual medium, which we forget sometimes because we're focused on the ideas behind it.
Oh dear. Now I'm getting philosophical. Truly, though, this series just gets better as you get deeper, and Brust does indeed continue to surprise me. I look forward to the next installment.
Dragon: Four stars. One of the interesting things about Steven Brust is that he's definitely writing fantasy, but within that he's writing all sorts of other genres; Dragon felt a little like watching a Civil War documentary, except way more interesting. (Sorry, never been much of one for American history.) It has the battle tactics and soldier anecdotes and realities of how fighting is not actually glorious at all. The book was a little disconcerting time-wise, because all of it happens before the previously published book Orca but there are at least three competing timelines throughout. Vlad references tons of stuff from earlier books that took me a bit to remember; one of the best and worst things about the Dragaeran series is that they are incredibly tightly knit. Even the smallest things matter later on; perhaps it's best to read through the series once and then go back and re-read it so as to really understand where everything was going. I don't know, I'll let you know when I finish it.
Issola: Four stars. Mad crazy props to Brust for the theophilosophy he's created, even though it makes my head hurt like whoa and totally destroys the idea of this being "light" reading. I was delighted to see Lady Teldra take more of a role, which almost compensated for the exit of the character Sven; I liked Sven. And then there is universe-building nearly on a scale with C.S. Lewis's Perelandra trilogy, in its own way, and I'm still not convinced I really understand what happened with a lot of the character interaction. I do know, however, that there were some pretty awesome textual things going on to indicate actions without being able to show them, a la Jasper Fforde but not font-based. I love it when authors do that, when they play with what the written word can be and that it is a very visual medium, which we forget sometimes because we're focused on the ideas behind it.
Oh dear. Now I'm getting philosophical. Truly, though, this series just gets better as you get deeper, and Brust does indeed continue to surprise me. I look forward to the next installment.
April 5, 2024
I feel like I am taking more away from the books in this series than I did when I first read them 20+ years ago. There are so many little bits that tie the books together, especially different events in Vlad's life that he hints at throughout the books, but also between works in the Dragaera setting, such as the mention of the painting of a dragon defending her young that Vlad appreciates in Dragon which was at the heart of the intrigue in The Phoenix Guards. Partly this is because I am reading the books much closer together, but partly it may also be that I am looking out for these references.
Both of these books were an enjoyable return to form; Vlad stories really are best told from Vlad's perspective. Dragon stands out for how it weaves together three different timelines: each chapter starts with an in medias res description of Vlad in the middle of a war, then the majority of the chapter is part of the backstory to how Vlad got himself into the war; and the narrative is punctuated by three codas that relate events that happen significantly later but wrap up the threads from the main narrative. As a result the story brackets Yendi, with the bulk of the story happening before it (in fact, not too long after Taltos) and the codas happening not too long after. So in addition to the general enjoyability of Brust's writing, there's the added fun of seeing Vlad's relationship with those around him evolve (he can still barely stand Morrolan, Sethra and Aliera for most of the book, quite at odds with all the support they gave him in Phoenix).
Issola is another one of the books in this series that felt both super familiar and yet I could not tell what was going to happen. I am certain I read it before since I recognized so many scenes, and it was probably the last of these books I read until my recent revisiting of the series (though I can't absolutely rule out Dzur until I try reading it). But I think I may have liked this story less the first time I read it since I was probably less well acquainted with all of the little details that tie the setting together. And it ends on not quite a cliff-hanger, but on the point of Vlad just about to confront issues from his past, but not quite there. And of course the book before it was Dragon which must have been frustrating in its own right: instead of dealing with any of Vlad's current problems, it was another flashback, as it were, to an earlier period in his life. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next few books to see how things develop, though I'm also more comfortable with the asynchronous advancement of the series.
Both of these books were an enjoyable return to form; Vlad stories really are best told from Vlad's perspective. Dragon stands out for how it weaves together three different timelines: each chapter starts with an in medias res description of Vlad in the middle of a war, then the majority of the chapter is part of the backstory to how Vlad got himself into the war; and the narrative is punctuated by three codas that relate events that happen significantly later but wrap up the threads from the main narrative. As a result the story brackets Yendi, with the bulk of the story happening before it (in fact, not too long after Taltos) and the codas happening not too long after. So in addition to the general enjoyability of Brust's writing, there's the added fun of seeing Vlad's relationship with those around him evolve (he can still barely stand Morrolan, Sethra and Aliera for most of the book, quite at odds with all the support they gave him in Phoenix).
Issola is another one of the books in this series that felt both super familiar and yet I could not tell what was going to happen. I am certain I read it before since I recognized so many scenes, and it was probably the last of these books I read until my recent revisiting of the series (though I can't absolutely rule out Dzur until I try reading it). But I think I may have liked this story less the first time I read it since I was probably less well acquainted with all of the little details that tie the setting together. And it ends on not quite a cliff-hanger, but on the point of Vlad just about to confront issues from his past, but not quite there. And of course the book before it was Dragon which must have been frustrating in its own right: instead of dealing with any of Vlad's current problems, it was another flashback, as it were, to an earlier period in his life. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next few books to see how things develop, though I'm also more comfortable with the asynchronous advancement of the series.
June 11, 2019
The two novels here are very different; each is very good, but in very different ways.
Dragon focuses on Vlad in war-time; he ends up joining the army for a war between Dragons, and things go about as well as expected. There's a fair bit of on-the-ground gruntwork and a whole new cast of ne'er-do-wells for Vlad to interact with, but there's also some narrative time-jumping that can get a little confusing, as most of the story is told in flashback that just occurs at random early in each chapter. Despite that, it's a lot of fun, with little of the cruelties of war on display; instead it focuses on the strategy and futility at the lowest level, but again in a fun way.
Issola starts off slow, couching itself in philosophy and manners as Teldra comes to Vlad for assistance in a matter concerning Morrolan and Aliera. But the story takes off from there, leading to some of the biggest moments of the series so far, including an explanation of the higher level of conflict in the world, a 'new' enemy to face, a major death, and some serious ramifications for the rest of the series. This one follows chronologically after 5 & 6, so it's good to see that story continue. Vlad does a bit more belly-aching here than perhaps is really necessary, but that's a minor complaint for a story that really fascinated me. This series is definitely not losing steam as it continues.
Dragon focuses on Vlad in war-time; he ends up joining the army for a war between Dragons, and things go about as well as expected. There's a fair bit of on-the-ground gruntwork and a whole new cast of ne'er-do-wells for Vlad to interact with, but there's also some narrative time-jumping that can get a little confusing, as most of the story is told in flashback that just occurs at random early in each chapter. Despite that, it's a lot of fun, with little of the cruelties of war on display; instead it focuses on the strategy and futility at the lowest level, but again in a fun way.
Issola starts off slow, couching itself in philosophy and manners as Teldra comes to Vlad for assistance in a matter concerning Morrolan and Aliera. But the story takes off from there, leading to some of the biggest moments of the series so far, including an explanation of the higher level of conflict in the world, a 'new' enemy to face, a major death, and some serious ramifications for the rest of the series. This one follows chronologically after 5 & 6, so it's good to see that story continue. Vlad does a bit more belly-aching here than perhaps is really necessary, but that's a minor complaint for a story that really fascinated me. This series is definitely not losing steam as it continues.
September 9, 2025
A great continuation of Steven Brust's Vlad Taltos saga, this omnibus, containing the books "Dragon" and "Issola", jumps right back into the action, wit, sarcasm, and outrageously convoluted plots that all somehow just make sense and work out in the end.
In "Dragon", you follow a younger Vlad as he faces the consequences of his rash (yet bold) decisions, finding himself on the front lines of a war. The book provides a grounded and realistic perspective on how fantasy soldiers might actually feel in the midst of a battle, while also managing to keep you hooked on the magical, world-changing subplot lingering in the background.
In "Issola", Vlad is faced with new, otherworldly threats, and we get a deeper dive into how the world, the Gods, the Great Weapons, and pretty much everything else actually works and functions in the world. I would certainly not read this as an entry into the series, but it ties together a lot of the information that Brust had sprinkled in from the previous 8 entries.
Final thoughts: if you like magical, sarcastic assassins, this is worth the read (just maybe read some other books in the series first)!
In "Dragon", you follow a younger Vlad as he faces the consequences of his rash (yet bold) decisions, finding himself on the front lines of a war. The book provides a grounded and realistic perspective on how fantasy soldiers might actually feel in the midst of a battle, while also managing to keep you hooked on the magical, world-changing subplot lingering in the background.
In "Issola", Vlad is faced with new, otherworldly threats, and we get a deeper dive into how the world, the Gods, the Great Weapons, and pretty much everything else actually works and functions in the world. I would certainly not read this as an entry into the series, but it ties together a lot of the information that Brust had sprinkled in from the previous 8 entries.
Final thoughts: if you like magical, sarcastic assassins, this is worth the read (just maybe read some other books in the series first)!
July 31, 2023
These relatively short tales of Vlad Taltos really grip me. Super fun, and the fact that they are disjointed a bit from book to book makes it feel like a smaller fast paced story, than one long epic tale, which I'm really enjoying since it's not what we usually experience with fantasy.
These two, book of Dragon and Issola both seemed very nice, altho Dragon is written a bit differently than usual, where it jumps back and forward in time, in a manner not entirely obviously shown, which threw me off a few times (this could easily be a me problem though).
These two, book of Dragon and Issola both seemed very nice, altho Dragon is written a bit differently than usual, where it jumps back and forward in time, in a manner not entirely obviously shown, which threw me off a few times (this could easily be a me problem though).
January 29, 2024
Fabuloso, sempre surpreendente.
O livro Dragon é hilariante e coloca Vlad no exército no meio de uma batalha entre 2 exércitos de feiticeiros. E explica como Aliera fica com a sua great weapon.
E Issola não tem explicação de quão complexo e maravilhoso é, dando uma explicação à maravilhosa personagem que é Lady Teldra e aos misteriosos Jenoine que criaram o império Dragaeran e odeiam os deuses e vice versa. Temos uma batalha inacreditável e um final que me deixou ko.
Que saga do outro mundo
O livro Dragon é hilariante e coloca Vlad no exército no meio de uma batalha entre 2 exércitos de feiticeiros. E explica como Aliera fica com a sua great weapon.
E Issola não tem explicação de quão complexo e maravilhoso é, dando uma explicação à maravilhosa personagem que é Lady Teldra e aos misteriosos Jenoine que criaram o império Dragaeran e odeiam os deuses e vice versa. Temos uma batalha inacreditável e um final que me deixou ko.
Que saga do outro mundo
November 1, 2019
The best Vlad books after Jhereg
The title says it... simply the most entertaining stories in the Vlad series outside of the first book. The characters are well fleshed our and the stories are superb. The antagonists are appropriately dangerous, and the supporting cast are just perfect. LOL dialog is also a plus.
The title says it... simply the most entertaining stories in the Vlad series outside of the first book. The characters are well fleshed our and the stories are superb. The antagonists are appropriately dangerous, and the supporting cast are just perfect. LOL dialog is also a plus.
December 14, 2017
A stirring moment
Here, we get more exploration of the setting, and figures once enigmatic are revealed if not explained. Vlad's sarcasm maintains a sense of grounding against what would otherwise be an epic struggle. Brust strikes a delicate balance with much success
Here, we get more exploration of the setting, and figures once enigmatic are revealed if not explained. Vlad's sarcasm maintains a sense of grounding against what would otherwise be an epic struggle. Brust strikes a delicate balance with much success
May 13, 2019
I liked Dragon more than Issola. 5 for Dragon 3 for Issola. Dragon I tore through. Great war/army story that captures Vlad as he would be in such a scenario. Issola is good, but requires some heavy metaphysical thinking. For a book i like to read for end of day fun, it dragged a bit.
January 20, 2024
The Great Weapons
The two books about great weapons together — we learn about how they’re made, what they are, and what they’re for. Vlad goes through a lot of changes and some new experiences, and the books are, like all of them, a great read.
The two books about great weapons together — we learn about how they’re made, what they are, and what they’re for. Vlad goes through a lot of changes and some new experiences, and the books are, like all of them, a great read.
June 1, 2018
the author invented a new mythology and then made and adventure and a great story!
July 13, 2018
Good recovery after a little slide in the fun
The series had bogged down a little with Orca. Nice to have the old twists back. I'm revisiting an old friend with this series
The series had bogged down a little with Orca. Nice to have the old twists back. I'm revisiting an old friend with this series
December 25, 2021
Love this series. Vlad is an engaging anti-hero. An assassin, sometimes member of the criminal family, special agent for powerful people in the government.
Read them all.
Read them all.
September 23, 2023
(for my personal reference) this book is full of sass and i love it. A rare book where im in love with every sentence and have no criticisms.
May 31, 2017
Book 8 Dragon: read 26/5/2017; 3.5 stars
Book 9 Issola: read 31/5/2017; 3.5 stars
Book 9 Issola: read 31/5/2017; 3.5 stars
September 8, 2025
When this one started ("Dragon"), I was super annoyed by the "books in any order" bit, because I seriously had no idea where in the timeline it was for the first X%. It matters, because it affects who he knows, what abilities he has, and a whole host of other things.
And I don't even remember what happened in the furtherest book.
That said, it ended up being one of my fav so far.
The second story (Issola) goes deep into some of the extended lore/worldbuilding. I still have no idea who some of these races/people are. Sigh.
And I don't even remember what happened in the furtherest book.
That said, it ended up being one of my fav so far.
The second story (Issola) goes deep into some of the extended lore/worldbuilding. I still have no idea who some of these races/people are. Sigh.
March 18, 2013
Now, I wonder why it took me so long to find my way back to the world of Vlad Taltos. Well, it’s not his world but as the story is told from his perspective, I’m calling it his.
The funny thing about this series is, you read one book but since they aren’t coming out chronologically talking about Vlad’s life (we move back and forth some), you read one of the novels as a self-standing book wondering why? what was the point of this story? only to learn that two books down the road.
That was my experience so far. With these two, you do not get to learn what they mean in the grand scheme of things but you do get to ask the questions. And they just pile up one on top of each other.
I shouldn’t admit to this, but it only got clear to me with Dragon that as each book represents one line of the Dragearan society, the story of that book depicts the characteristics of that line. I’m pretty sure every reader of Vlad T. books had realized that long before now.
So, in Dragon we get a very convincing description of what war feels like in one’s mind. We also get to read about daily activities, but I found the stream of thought in fighting more interesting.
As for Issola, that line of Drageareans is known for their courtliness and surprise and we get to see Vlad actually displaying some of both. We (the readers) get surprised as well I should add.
I’m already looking forward to reading on (I just have this little problem of not being able to find the next book – I know I have it, I just don’t know where it is).
It actually reminds me a bit of Scott Lynch’s Gentleman Bastards series. Or as I read the Taltos books first, it’s vice versa. Only without the swearing.
The funny thing about this series is, you read one book but since they aren’t coming out chronologically talking about Vlad’s life (we move back and forth some), you read one of the novels as a self-standing book wondering why? what was the point of this story? only to learn that two books down the road.
That was my experience so far. With these two, you do not get to learn what they mean in the grand scheme of things but you do get to ask the questions. And they just pile up one on top of each other.
I shouldn’t admit to this, but it only got clear to me with Dragon that as each book represents one line of the Dragearan society, the story of that book depicts the characteristics of that line. I’m pretty sure every reader of Vlad T. books had realized that long before now.
So, in Dragon we get a very convincing description of what war feels like in one’s mind. We also get to read about daily activities, but I found the stream of thought in fighting more interesting.
As for Issola, that line of Drageareans is known for their courtliness and surprise and we get to see Vlad actually displaying some of both. We (the readers) get surprised as well I should add.
I’m already looking forward to reading on (I just have this little problem of not being able to find the next book – I know I have it, I just don’t know where it is).
It actually reminds me a bit of Scott Lynch’s Gentleman Bastards series. Or as I read the Taltos books first, it’s vice versa. Only without the swearing.
January 8, 2016
Dragon - 3/5
Issola - 4/5
Another couple solid entries into this wonderful series.
I have been really impressed with the subtle and long term worldbuilding these books provide. Tantalizing glimpses across serve to really make it seem real and vast.
Dragon was pretty good. Being in the military myself, I could relate to an extent but the way the timelines and the chapters were structured did not really work for me. I do like how Brust tries new things, but this time it did not click in my opinion. It also, more than others, felt like I was missing a chunk of the history. They kept referring to events that I could not clearly recall. I suppose that it partly something that you just have to get used to with Epic Series, but still.
Issola I enjoyed more. It was a crazy ride and really dropped some big bombs on us, as far as how and why things are. It is also the furthest in the timeline, so far, so there is more of a sense of progression. I was surprised at how well we got to know Lady Teldra.
Issola - 4/5
Another couple solid entries into this wonderful series.
I have been really impressed with the subtle and long term worldbuilding these books provide. Tantalizing glimpses across serve to really make it seem real and vast.
Dragon was pretty good. Being in the military myself, I could relate to an extent but the way the timelines and the chapters were structured did not really work for me. I do like how Brust tries new things, but this time it did not click in my opinion. It also, more than others, felt like I was missing a chunk of the history. They kept referring to events that I could not clearly recall. I suppose that it partly something that you just have to get used to with Epic Series, but still.
Issola I enjoyed more. It was a crazy ride and really dropped some big bombs on us, as far as how and why things are. It is also the furthest in the timeline, so far, so there is more of a sense of progression. I was surprised at how well we got to know Lady Teldra.
April 11, 2015
Dragon - 4/11/15 - I didn't particularly care for the last two in this series. Which is bad since I enjoyed them very much up until that point. But I had bought the last two, along with Dragon and Isola in the omnibus editions, so I had it lying around. It's near the end of the series, so I feel like I've got to finish it. So, I gave Dragon a shot.
Guys. I kept looking ahead to mark the end of the chapter to kind of urge myself on. The constant change of time period confused the hell out of me. I don't really like battle scenes. You'd think that would be a detriment since most of this takes place in a war, but the actual battle scenes were, surprisingly, very short. I was just BORED with the one. SO MUCH. I'm putting it back on the shelf. Maybe I'll check out Isola at some point in the future, but it won't be any time soon. Blah.
Guys. I kept looking ahead to mark the end of the chapter to kind of urge myself on. The constant change of time period confused the hell out of me. I don't really like battle scenes. You'd think that would be a detriment since most of this takes place in a war, but the actual battle scenes were, surprisingly, very short. I was just BORED with the one. SO MUCH. I'm putting it back on the shelf. Maybe I'll check out Isola at some point in the future, but it won't be any time soon. Blah.
March 23, 2013
ISSOLA first, then the compilation. (My review of DRAGON is a separate one.)
ISSOLA, like its predecessor, is a return to the top-notch quality of the first few Vlad Taltos novels. The plot is intriguing and exciting, we get to see a few old friends, and we learn a lot more about a minor character, Lady Tessla. Vlad is his usual witty, sometimes sarcastic self.
It helps to have read the previous novels, but it's not a requirement. I did get upset near the end, when I thought something truly tragic had happened, but Brust managed to make me feel better by the story's end. Five stars.
This particular compendium is the best one since the first three-novel packaging. Highly recommended.
ISSOLA, like its predecessor, is a return to the top-notch quality of the first few Vlad Taltos novels. The plot is intriguing and exciting, we get to see a few old friends, and we learn a lot more about a minor character, Lady Tessla. Vlad is his usual witty, sometimes sarcastic self.
It helps to have read the previous novels, but it's not a requirement. I did get upset near the end, when I thought something truly tragic had happened, but Brust managed to make me feel better by the story's end. Five stars.
This particular compendium is the best one since the first three-novel packaging. Highly recommended.
June 26, 2013
After the Book of Athyra it was quite refreshing to get back into Vlad's head. Dragon takes us back into an episode of Vlad's past that he has mentioned a few times in other books, but never explained until now. It was entertaining, but may take me some time to figure out any deeper import the tale has to offer.
Issola, the second tale in the book, seems to take place in Vlad's "now" and moves along quite quickly. And I can't say much more about it without spoiling anything, so I shall sum it up this way: I feel wrenched in my heart, and eager to read what happens next.
Issola, the second tale in the book, seems to take place in Vlad's "now" and moves along quite quickly. And I can't say much more about it without spoiling anything, so I shall sum it up this way: I feel wrenched in my heart, and eager to read what happens next.
October 1, 2015
One or two interesting concepts, but not much more. Not necessarily bad, just bland.
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