Tiassa

February 14, 2011
The 18th novel (after 2010's Iorich) in Brust's sprawling Dragaera fantasy series is a wonderful return to form, setting assassin hero Vlad Taltos in a contest of wits and wills against imperial guard captain Khaavren, the formidable protagonist of 1992's The Phoenix Guards. On the run from his former employers, the Jhereg, Vlad swings back into town for a surreptitious visit to his family and finds himself wanted all over again by Khaavren, who is chasing a magical silver statue of a tiassa. A cat-and-mouse game ensues, full of plots, counterplots, unlikely disguises, swordfights, and mistaken identities. Fans will love the full cast of favorite characters and the resolution of longstanding plots and mysteries, and like most of Brust's books, this witty, wry tale stands well alone and is very accessible to new readers.

April 15, 2011

Formerly a highly skilled assassin and racketeer for House Jhereg, the long-lived Vlad Taltos (Iorich), changed by circumstances, now flees the House he once served and immerses himself in the political and social machinations of the noble and powerful. When he comes across an artifact, a silver figurine known as a tiassa, the delicate object will play a significant part in his life--as the center for an elaborate sting operation, a tool for the Empire to use against its enemies, and as a lure to trap Taltos. The dialog-driven story features witty conversational exchanges that push Brust's plot to its usually surprising conclusion. VERDICT Series fans will anticipate this new chapter in Taltos's life, and new readers may want more.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2011
Brusts most recent novel of Dragaera continues the adventures of both Lord Khaavren and Vlad Taltos, which is bound to please his fans. Tiassa covers a period of about 10 years, the connecting thread being a silver figurine of a tiassa. It was made by a goddess, and at one point, while still in the Jhereg, Vlad used it to run a con. Now the Jenoine are threatening to invade the empire, and the tiassa may be able to defeat themif it can be found. The tales of the Dragaeran empire have had an avid audience for more than 25 years, and this oneadventure, humor, and pure funis highly recommended.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)