Steven R. McEvoy's Reviews > Lyorn

Brust is one of the few authors I read in high school, who is still publishing new books, and that I eagerly anticipate each new volume. In fact I shared with my son, that Brust is the only author I read in high school other than Shakespeare that I still read frequently. That speaks to his staying power as a storyteller, and the charm and wit of Vlad. I have been reading the Vlad Taltos books by Steven Brust since they first started appearing. I started keeping track of what I read in the fall of 1995, since that time I have read or reread a book by Brust 39 times. With each new work I appreciate the series, the author and especially Vlad more. Whenever a Vlad Taltos book appears it is like a visit with an old friend. I gave up on Xanth by Piers Anthony by the 6th book and Wild Cards by George R.R. Martin by the 10th book. The only series I started reading in the mid 80’s that I finished was The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison and it ended a while ago.

This story is different than many in the series. In part Vlad for the most part stuck in a theatre. He needs the protection of the spells on the theatre to prevent people finding him who want to put holes in him, and make his demise permanent. In our last adventure Vlad figured out a way to come out from under a heavy price on his head and a few years of wandering. And almost instantly he is in a new pickle, and at first he does not even know why. Shure their might be a lot of old grudges but we was not sure what triggered this level of vitriol.

The description of this volume is:

“All The World's A Happy Stage. Until the knives come out... Lyorn is the next adventure in Steven Brust’s bestselling Vlad Taltos series

Another Opening…Another Cataclysm?

Vlad Taltos is on the run. Again. This time from one of the most powerful forces in his world, the Left Hand, who are intent on ending his very lucrative career. Permanently.

He finds a hidey-hole in a theatre where the players are putting on a show that was banned centuries ago…and is trying to be shut down by the House that once literally killed to keep it from being played.

Vlad will take on a number of roles to save his own skin. And the skins of those he loves.

And along the way, he might find a part that was tailor-made for him.

One that he might not want…but was always his destiny.”

The chapters and sections in this volume are:

Prologue
1. Day 1 Act 1 Scene 1
2. Day 1 Act 1 Scene 4
3. Day 1 Act 2 Scene 2
4. Day 1 Act 3 Scene 4
5. Day 1 Act 4 Scene 3
Intermission: The Crying Clown
6. Day 2 Act 1 Scene 2
7. Day 2 Act 1 Scene 6
8. Day 2 Act 3 Scene 3
9. Day 2 Act 4 Scene 1
10. Day 2 Act 4 Scene 6
11. Day 2 Act 6 Scene 6
Intermission: The Ravenwing Players
12. Day 3 Act 1 Scene 2
13. Day 3 Act 2 Scene 2
14. Day 3 Act 3 Scene 1
15. Day 3 Act 3 Scene 4
16. Day 3 Act 3 Scene 4
17. Day 3 Act 4 Scene 5
Encore

Vlad is in a theatre, they are putting on a historical play. For numerous reasons It might be ended; including 2 Jhereg wanting to back out of backing the play, a Lyorn that does not want the play done because it shines a bad light on the house. And the kidnapping of a friends child. But Vlad is not a typical guy hiding out. And Vlad absolutely does not have the run of the mill friends. He is personal friends with Sethra Lavode, a number of powerful Dragon Lords, The Demon one of the 5 who form the ruling council of the criminal organization you formerly worked for, (As much as anyone high up in the organization can be friends) and of course the empress. Oh not to mention his Goddess Verra.

Each chapters begins part of the play. Vlad is also reading an actual history of the events covered in the play. And part of his finding a way to get out of this mess is figuring out the play, the history, and what makes a Lyorn a Lyorn. It’s not like Vlad has not pulled off miracles before …

Towards the end of the volume Vlad reflects:

“I had friends who helped me. I always had friends. I wasn’t the toughest, or the strongest, or the fastest, or the best sorcerer, or even the best witch (damn you Morrolan and Warlock). But I had friends. I had friends who overshadowed me, but that I could always count on.”

Vlad has friends, friends who will always stand in his corner. And reading anew Vlad novel is much like a visit with an old friend. This story was a lot less action than some of the Vlad stories, but it does give us some great information. Vlad starts to piece together some things both about what is happening and something much bigger that is happening. Some key pieces are revealed to the reader that are going to be important in future volumes. Which it leaves you desperate for.

This is another great read from one of my all-time favourite authors. An excellent novel in an incredible series! Well done Mr. Brust, well done.