The Phoenix Guards

By: Steven Brust

Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell

Khaavren of the House of Tiassa is a son of landless nobility, possessor of a good sword, and “tolerably well-acquainted with its use.” Along with three loyal friends, he enthusiastically seeks out danger and excitement. But in a realm renowned for repartee and betrayals, where power is as mutable as magic, a young man like Khaavren, newly come from the countryside, had best be wary. His life depends on it. And so does the future of Draegara.

©1991 Steven Brust (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Hands down my favorite audiobook now!

This book, Phoenix Guards, is an homage to The Three Musketeers by Dumas and the romantic writers of that time. I have always loved this book, and the sequel: 500 Years After, because Three Musketeers has been my favorite book since I was a kid.

I had given up hoping that Phoenix Guards would get released on audio, when this came out! Then, I was cautious, because I wasn't sure they would find the right reader.

BEST READER EVER! My husband and I both, spent two days listening to, and laughing out loud in delight at the amazing job that Kevin Stillwell did reading all the different characters! The comedic timing of his pauses - he made a brilliant book BETTER!!!!!

I have already purchased 500 Years After, and can't wait to share it with my husband.

Be aware, that this is written in a very stylized manner = an unusual, non-modern style. I take great delight in it and recommend that you wait and listen to the authors' bios at the end. It will totally make you laugh!

If you aren't familiar with the Vlad Taltos series by Brust, that is OK. Read this if you loved The Three Musketeers. If you are a Brust fan, as I am, you have to buy this now and read it ASAP!

I want to thank Audible Publishing, for doing a brilliant job, and for Kevin Stillwell, who is just a genius!

love the prose

wonderful romp, found my inner voice taking on the tone of rhe narrative. love the style

Adventure and glory wanted

Tells a tale of four friends as they try to make a name for themselves and determine what they want to do with their lives and try to settle what has happened to them in their past's. Interesting story the only problem I have with it is that when the author could use one word he uses four. Story is good enough to overcome the number of words written to tell it.

You need to enjoy language

Fantastic story, but readers need to understand it’s intentionally written like Alexander Dumas’ 3 musketeers. Why say it in 5 words when you could spend 100 flowery ones to get to the same point? This isn’t a story you can fly through, you need to slow down and enjoy the journey.

Delightful.

I love the writing style of this book. The narrator did a superb job reading and providing the voices. I want more.

Brust one of the best fantasy writers ever

great writing. funny. action. loved. it. I'm never dissapointed with anything Brust creates. try his Vlad Toltos books too

A delightful work of windbagery!

This book is not for everyone. If, however, you are like myself and will read anything pertaining to the universe Brust gifted us within his brilliant Vlad Taltos series this will add much more history and layers to those stories taking place far in the future from this series.
If you have read and enjoyed Tiassa then you will enjoy this as well. Again, Brust entertains with his wit and ability to take things juuust far enough to keep you laughing and smiling even as it threatens become too much - Brust finds a way to get to the point in expert timing and keep you along for the journey.
I really wish that Bernard Setaro Clarke was the narrator for this series. As it is, this is an extremely challenging narrative. I believe Kevin was an excellent choice, and did a fine job, but I must be honest in that I was disappointed that Bernard wasn't available for this series. I appreciate Kevin for bringing them to my ears, though, so I won't say anything more on the matter.

my favorite series ever the Vlad novels and and the kaavren novels

I loved every bit of it most excellent I could only wish that he would write more of carbon and a Vlad taltos

Book One in the history of Dragaera

Inspired by Alexandre Dumas’s historical novels of high adventure Steven Brust takes us into the past history of the world he created, called Dragaera, through the Khaavren series. “The Khaavren series is presented as historical novels written by a fictional character named Paarfi of Roundwood. Paarfi is a Dragaeran presiding in the same time frame as Vlad Taltos. In fact “Tiassa,” the thirteenth book in the Taltos series can be thought of as the sixth book in the Khaavren series. The time frame between the two series is hundreds of years apart but characters can appear in both series since Dragaerans live thousands of years.
“The Phoenix Guards” is book one of the Khaavren Romance series which follows Khaavren of Castlerock; a young Dragaeran from the House of the Tiassa. He and his friends join the Phoenix Guards and set off on a high adventure.
These series of books should be of special interest to those who follow the Taltos series as it gives more background story to some of the more prominent characters of that series. In “The Phoenix Guards” I was especially interested in learning more about Adron e'Kieron, a prominent Dragonlord and father of Aliera e’Kieron, one of the main characters in the Taltos books.
In “The Phoenix Guards,” Steven Brust truly captures the spirit of “The Three Musketeers” written by Alexandre Dumas. Brust ’use of old fashion, intricate, and highly verbose writing is overtly based on Dumas’s style as Steven Brust references in his author’s notes. I found the style of writing a little odd at first, but then really entertaining, if not poetic, once I got used to it.
“The Phoenix Guards” is a strong enough story that can be read-listened to as a stand-alone book; but I believe is much more enjoyable if all of the Taltos series is read first.
Kevin Stillwell, the narrator gives an outstanding performance.

Quite Fun

The narrator was very enjoyable and quite lively. We enjoyed the book during a cross country trip.