Steven Brust Resident Scholar Profiles TOP SCHOLAR: Ty F. SCHOLARS: Christopher Ware
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Review Summaries
"Vlad Taltos, former Jhereg assassin, once again is called upon to help his friends Morrolan and Aliera, who have been kidnapped by the Jenoine, a mysterious race of beings long ago banished from the world. With the assistance of Lady Teldra, Morrolan's superhumanly polite hostess, he attempts to rescue his friends and foil the Jenoine's attempt to invade Dragaera."
Ben Kidd, Resident Steven Brust Scholar
"
Tor, Jul 2001, 23.95, 255 pp.
ISBN: 0312859279
Castle Black's Lady Teldra surprisingly finds Vlad Taltos, who buried himself in the wilderness more worried about survival than comfort. Teldra explains that she received help from Kiera the Thief who pointed in the general direction followed by the supreme sorceress Sethra Lavode who traced the specific spot via a link to Vlad's dragon Loiosh. Vlad concludes that the Jhereg would not be able to follow Teldra's path so he should remain safe.
Teldra wants Vlad to rescue Morrolan and Aliera who have vanished without leaving a psychic trace. For a decent cup of klava, Vlad would risk anything so he agrees to accompany Teldra to learn more from Sethra, whose servant knows how to make a mean klava. Vlad concludes that the creators of Dragaera, the ultra powerful Jenoine have captured his two friends. This explains the lack of a psychic trace. He knows any attempt to free his friends means visibility to his foes and a new set of dangerous enemies whose illusions make Vlad's abilities look like child play.
Long term fans of the Lord Taltos series will have a field day with ISSOLA, one of the best entries in several years. The story line contains the usual humor, illusions, and duels yet Vlad seems fresh mainly due to his relationship with Teldra who humanizes him. Loiosh remains a funny sidekick comic lightening the tale. Though new readers will struggle with the tone and self deprecating amusing references to previous novels, Steven Brust has written a triumphant story that fantasy fans will appreciate.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Steven Brust Scholar
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Overall Review
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Plot
Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence - 20% planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
Spying & Investigations
Yes
What is main char. doing?
- rescue mission/escape from confinement
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- killer
- mage/magician
Age:
- 20's-30's
- 40's-50's
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- teleportation
- can cast many different spells
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- magical being
- an entire race
Age:
- long-lived adults
Profession/status:
- scientist
- mastermind
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- super strength
- teleportation
- can cast all sorts of spells
- is very quick
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
- an above average amount
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Setting
Terrain
- Mountains
Earth setting:
- during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- unfriendly aliens
- empty, or nearly empty world
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
- explicit references to deaths
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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