Athyra

by Steven Brust

Book Overview

Vlad Taltos, sorcerer, sometime witch, and former assassin, and his faithful jhereg take on the biggest hitters of the House of the Jhereg. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0441033423
• ISBN13: 9780441033423
• Release Date: April 1993
• Publisher: Ace Books
• Length: 243 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Better the most think

I also did not like this book as much as others... at first. I am re-reading the series, and I find that Athyra is much better than I gave it credit for. I agree with previous reviewers on three major points. One, Vlad grows up in book. This growth continues in Orca, and Issola, but it's in Athyra that Vlad becomes more real, and a more complex character, and thus a better protagonist. The swashbuckling assassin/mafia boss, who was almost a charicature becomes a wanderer, a vagabond. While he was forced on this path by an event described at the end of the previous installment in the series, Phoenix, a reader can sense that Vlad was ready for this journey for some time. His meeting with Savn brings his wondering more in focus, and forces him (and the writer) to re-examine Vlad's former attitude; however, masterfully Brust does not give Vlad a complete turnaround - Vlad uses Savn for his own purposes, and Vlad's uncompromising drive is also present. Vlad and Savn's conversations ring true. Savn feels like a young adolescent Brust is trying to portray, and Brust's characterisations are on target as always. In many ways his characters are more real than other fantasy/sci-fi I have read. I would not start reading this series with Athyra, as I would not recommend starting any series in the middle. Otherwise, it's an excellent book, and urge others to give it a try. In fact, if you read it already, try it again. It will grow on you. Added on 12/01/06 - I have reread the book and I find it even better than before. Definitely my favorite book in the Dragaera Universe.

Athyra: A Different Look At Vlad Taltos

Sure, the sixth installment (the seventh chronologically) of the Vlad Taltos novels is different. We get a look at Vlad from an outsider's point of view. Some readers haven't liked this different approach but I think it's a fascinating way at giving us an alternate perspective of Vlad, warts and all. Athyra ends up being a strong novel, just as good as any of author Steven Brust's previous Taltos novels. I do wonder if, like Vlad, Steven Brust is having a difficult time deciding on which direction to take Vlad next. That's fine, though. I'm just as happy to read about Vald Taltos the Wanderer as I am to read about Vlad Taltos the Assassin. The progression and growth of this character still fascinates me. Where will Vlad end up next? Who will he end up becoming? This is a fun ride!Note: Chronologically, the Vlad Taltos novels go in this order: Taltos, Dragon, Yendi, Jhereg, Teckla, Phoenix, Athyra, Orca. I'd start with Taltos even though Jhereg was written first.

Vlad finally grows as a character

When the (seventeen?) books of the Vlad Taltos series are done, Athyra will likely rank as the keystone, the turning point in Vlad's development. Events in previous books have made his way of life untenable, and Vlad finds in Athyra that he *must* change, or die. The tone is much darker than in previous novels, the danger more real, the moral weight of every character's actions more pronounced. This may be what puts some people off it -- it's certainly more bitter than the light-hearted stuff that preceded it. But that's *good*; Vlad matures, fleshes out, gains dimension. Vlad is a person first, a witch/assassin second, and Athyra showcases Brust's hard-earned characterization skills.

Another excellent novel from Brust!

If you haven't read Phoenix and Teckla, you probably won't get much out of this book. If you have read Phoenix and Teckla, then I'm sure you'll love Athyra! Athyra is a stark contrast to Brust's earlier novels. Instead of being a story of epic proportions, Athyra is instead the story of Vlad's visit to a small farming village. Instead of changing the outcome of the succession of the Imperial Orb, Vlad manages to make a change for for the town. The change of pace is great, and I recommend Athyra to any avid Taltos fan!

Brust gives us an outside view of Vlad Taltos

This is the most complex exercise in writing of all the Vlad Taltos books. Instead of Vlad's own wisecracking, hard-boiled, street-smart voice, this book is written from the point of view of one of the alien Dragaerans. But this Dragaeran is a simple kid, and a humble Teckla peasant - a very sympathetic character. The Dragaeran, Savn, turns out to be a very necessary help to Vlad, and saves his life in a twisted ending, forcing Vlad to see him as a peer and a friend, making Vlad re-evaluate some of the nastier aspects of his own personality. Like all the other Vlad books, this one is loaded with action and mystery, with, ultimately, a more mature Vlad emerging as a result of the blood debt. Very satisfying