Jhereg

Vlad Taltos, Book 1

By: Steven Brust

Narrated by: Bernard Setaro Clark

Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Vlad Taltos is a mobster and assassin in the magical metropolis of Adrilankha. A member of the Great House of Jhereg (named for the tiny dragon-like creatures native to Dragaera), Taltos is given the largest contract of his career but the job is even more complicated than he expects.

The first book in Stephen Brust's "Vlad Taltos" series, Jhereg has also been adapted into a graphic novel by Marvel Comics. Here, Bernard Setaro Clark brings the tale to life in a rousing performance.

©1983 Steven K. Z. Brust (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Known Of For Decades, Audible Opens My Eyes...

First penned in 1983, this underrated series of books is finally making its way to Audible. I know - I was one of the underraters. I've loved science fiction and fantasy since I could read, so we're talking half a century, and yet, I never could get past the covers of certain books. Tragic but true. I saw these novels on the bookshelf, and I didn't connect with the back cover brief, nor the garish covers (Sorry, Steven). I was, and sometimes still am, prejudice in that way.

But I stray.

During my lifetime, I HAVE often stepped out and acquired many unknown author's books, and have been both happily rewarded and nightmarishly punished. Look at my numbers and reviews here at Audible. I finally did acquire Jhereg: Vlad Talos, the first audiobook in the series.

I should have read these books a long time ago.

Mix swords, sorcery, and assassination with a European feel. Now, add a dash of machiavellian intrigue, and this is Brust's series, plain and simple. Exceptional character creation and interaction, twists, turns, and good narration. It all comes together for the truly enjoyable audiobook, and I can't sing it's praises highly enough.

Am I going to give anything away as to the plots, characters, creatures and tonality? If you look at my other reviews, I rarely if ever do that for good works of writing - It's not fair to you, the reader/listener. If a book or series is exceptional, it's because of the voyage of discovery.

I won't reveal the depths of the world-spanning Dragaeran Empire, nor it's death grip on society. I'd not dare detail how the Tekla House is only one of the seventeen rising and falling houses of power within the empire. I'd never delve into the intricacies of the ominous Paths of the Dead, the Imperial Orb, nor the Jhereg Dragon lords and their insidious plot to...

I'll stop there. You get the idea.

This is, simply put, good writing. Don't do like I did. Don't miss out for so many years on a great series worthy of your Audible credits, time, and appreciation. Get the first book, and listen and judge for yourself. And you'll probably buy the rest of the books.

Steven, I can admit when I'm wrong, and this is the case in this great first book in the series. I'll be making up for the lost time by acquiring the remainder.

An (almost) vigilante fantasy with a hint of noir

Wow. I don't recall how this author came across my radar, but now that he has, I don't know how I had missed his writing for so many years!

It fits with my favorite reading "topics" perfectly:
a) a main character who has a moral compass, but where the morals aren't stogged down our throats
b) vigilante-style justice where the bad guys get what they deserve
c) a dark world where the norms of behavior might be altered, but where justice still wins
d) an author who provides a reasonable "mystery" and an interesting world without having to lecture us on its origins.

The narration is great, the story is suspenseful and well-plotted, the pacing is nice; there is no graphic violence or sex, and not much, if any, foul language. I have already bought the next book in the series.

great listen

Well constructed story that grips you from the beginning and runs to the end. well worth a listen

New to audio books

I Own the paper book. I love the story but this narrator ruined it for me. Wile he did have unique voices for each character it doesn't seem that he bothered to match their personality to that voice. I listened to "The Phoenix Guard" another Brust story before this and found that quite enjoyable. I do recommend this Book despite.

Returning to a classic

I first read this book many years ago as a teenager. Remembering that I loved the series and the author as a teenager once it became available on Audible I had to pick it up. Just as enjoyable as I remembered. Looking forward to catching up on the series as I was at most halfway through back then. The narrator only added to the overall experience and did a great job.

unique and interesting

I will b purchasing next book also audible stop making me write 15 words!!!!! iibihgihi igiuggugvu iguguvu

Meet Vlad Taltos. He has a Dragon Sidekick

Meet Vlad Taltos: Assassin, gangster, lord, Jhereg. This is a fun little fantasy mystery/adventure where our crime boss hero is offered a job he just can't refuse. He also has a (small) dragon familiar that reminds me more of a parrot, riding around on his shoulder. Steven Brust's story is easy on the ears and generally fun to listen to, although it takes Bernard Setaro Clark a little while to warm up, erring more on the side of hardboiled than witty. The supporting characters didn't quite come alive, but I enjoyed it enough to pick up the second book in the series.

Wonderful story narrator finds stride

The story is a wonderful fantasy stylized noir like romp. All the characters feel alive and multi-faceted, only stopping in Vlad's story for the scene before off to do their own thing.

As for the narrator, the first half of the book it feels as if he is trying to find the correct voice for the characters and his stride with the reading. There were multiple times I had to rewind to figure out who was talking. Then, all of a sudden, he finds his stride and voices, and everything feels natural. Ready for the next book to see if he continues.

Dragons, Assassins, Magic, Murder -- and Humor

I read Jhereg when I was 15 -- a loaner from the smartest, funniest kid I knew who shares a passion for all things fantasy, including Conan, Dune, LOTR and D&D.

Jhereg remained so vivid in my memory that I purchased the Audible book without hesitation -- over 38 years later -- to revisit the complex, weaving tale of Vlad Taltos, an assassin with a code of honor and wit sharper than a Morganti blade.

Listen to Jhereg if you want a fast paced story with interesting characters, layered and intriguing plot twists, and memorable magic wielded by unforgettable characters and narrated to perfection.

Great read

I read this series years ago, but never finished it. Glad it showed up on Audible. Wonderful narration. These "Sam Spade style" detective novels can be fun, though sometimes hard to stomach in large quantities. Brust makes the genre pretty fun, though! Downloading the next book!