Status Updates From Yendi (Vlad Taltos, #2)

Turns out I’ve been getting the wrong percentage for this book the entire time (thanks a lot, ChatGPT). Well, anyway, 103 out of 224 was as accurate as I could get since I'm actually reading the omnibus. This series surprised me again, but in the worst way possible. Needless to say, the relationship between Cawti and Vlad was extremely abrupt and crossed my reading boundaries. Seriously, Brust? Disappointed.

Honestly, I think that the gang war has sufficiently captured my imagination. I've never really read anything like it before. I mean, I've read stuff like the Powder Mage Trilogy, with huge full-scale wars all over the place, but they always felt a bit detached and impersonal to me. Here, I can see the actual relationships and organizations instead of just battle strategy and armies, which is more appealing to me.

This series surprised me again. Obviously, Jhereg left me with the impression of Vlad as Sherlock Holmes who occasionally wanders into the realm of assassination and crime. Strangely enough, this book takes place roughly one year before the first book, and we see not Vlad the investigator but Vlad the crime boss, which is basically his main occupation. Here, he is more ruthless, brash, and impertinent. Compelling.

I know, I know, why in the world am I continuing this series with such ugly cover art and insanely short blurbs? The cover is extremely misleading. The vibes of this series is definitely not conventional golden fantasy hero who happens to have a pet dragon. Pretty interesting how old this series is to be honest. I suppose one could pin the blame of the cover and blurbs on that. Well, anyway, I have run out of space.

Steven Brust I love you

I absolutely adore this author. These books are so fantastic. Fast and fun and funny. Constantly. Bless.