Vallista

Vlad Taltos, Book 15

By: Steven Brust

Narrated by: Bernard Setaro Clark

Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Full of swordplay, peril, and swashbuckling flair, Steven Brust's Vallista is a treat for longtime fans of this popular fantasy series, a deep dive into the mysteries of Dragaera and all within it.

Vlad Taltos is an Easterner - an underprivileged human in an empire of tall, powerful, long-lived Dragaerans. He made a career for himself in House Jhereg, the Dragaeran clan in charge of the empire's organized crime. But the day came when the Jhereg wanted Vlad dead, and he's been on the run ever since. He has plenty of friends among the Dragaeran highborn, including an undead wizard and a god or two. But as long as the Jhereg have a price on his head, Vlad's life is...messy.

Meanwhile, for years, Vlad's path has been repeatedly crossed by Devera, a small Dragaeran girl of indeterminate powers who turns up at the oddest moments in his life.

Now, Devera has appeared again - to lead Vlad into a mysterious, seemingly empty manor overlooking the Great Sea. Inside this structure are corridors that double back on themselves, rooms that look out over other worlds, and - just maybe - answers to some of Vlad's long-asked questions about his world and his place in it. If only Devera can be persuaded to stop disappearing in the middle of his conversations with her....

©2017 Steven Brust (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Story doesn't seem to move the story arc along

The writing is good, Brust had long ago mastered the basics of the art. I am just disappointed that this book is so isolated. If it does move the arc along it's opaque to me.
So, is he going to clean up the rotten spots, or just stay hiding behind his amulets?

Brust delivers again with a mystery and epic fantasy all at the same time.

Great story. The great thing about Brust is that beyond great characters and an amazing fantasy world, each time he delivers an amazing ….stand alone story each time.

very satisfying

this was another great sorry about Vlad, and one that kept me thinking. It was fun, funny, and had a very satisfying ending. What more can ya ask for?

great addition to an already fantastic series

I truly wish all audiobooks were as enjoyable as this. I found myself looking forward to my hour commute everyday just to listen.

Nearly everything you'd expect

A little slower paced than most of the series, but still all the Vlad fun you want.

Among the best -

I grew up reading scores of fantasy. I revisit those series on occasion, but none of the authors can hold my attention like Brust. The narrator does an outstanding job with the voices, especially Taltos & Loiosh. I hope the author breaks his own rule and writes Taltos books for decades more.

R.I.P. Loiosh's psionic voice

I knew i wouldn't like audiobooks, but for the most part, this performer wasn't too bad, except for how unforgivably he portrayed the psionic voice of my favorite familiar as the offspring of Tattoo from Fantasy Island and Peter Lorre!!! I'm sure it's because of the way Loiosh refers to Vlad as "Boss" that Mr. Clark thought of Tattoo and Peter Lorre, but i kept expecting him to yell, "De plane, de plane!" Also, there was something about the way he portrayed females that made me feel uncomfortable. But otherwise, the way he voiced Vlad and the rest was not too bad at all.

As always, Vlad Taltos captivates

The definition of swashbuckling adventure. Just can't put it down once you start. Very totally amazing.

Series Fan

I have been looking forward to the next instalment of this series for time. Excellent book! Everything I wanted and more.

This is a strange story

This story was very different from the previous Vlad Taltos novels which is not a bad thing. I liked it.