"Castle Black's Lady Teldra surprisingly finds Vlad Taltos, who buried himself in the wilderness more worried about survival than comfort. Teldra explains that she received help from Kiera the Thief who pointed in the general direction followed by the supreme sorceress Sethra Lavode who traced the specific spot via a link to Vlad's dragon Loiosh. Vlad concludes that the Jhereg would not be able to follow Teldra's path so he should remain safe.

Teldra wants Vlad to rescue Morrolan and Aliera who have vanished without leaving a psychic trace. For a decent cup of klava, Vlad would risk anything so he agrees to accompany Teldra to learn more from Sethra, whose servant knows how to make a mean klava. Vlad concludes that the creators of Dragaera, the ultra powerful Jenoine have captured his two friends. This explains the lack of a psychic trace. He knows any attempt to free his friends means visibility to his foes and a new set of dangerous enemies whose illusions make Vlad's abilities look like child play.

Long term fans of the Lord Taltos series will have a field day with ISSOLA, one of the best entries in several years. The story line contains the usual humor, illusions, and duels yet Vlad seems fresh mainly due to his relationship with Teldra who humanizes him. Loiosh remains a funny sidekick comic lightening the tale. Though new readers will struggle with the tone and self deprecating amusing references to previous novels, Steven Brust has written a triumphant story that fantasy fans will appreciate". -Harriet Klausner

Vlad Taltos, accompanied by Lady Teldra, is off to rescue the Dragonlords Morrolan and Aliera, who have been kidnapped by the Jenoine, a species that built the world of Dragaera as a sort of laboratory experiment and regard the beings there as test subjects. With assistance from the Necromancer and Sethra Lavode, Vlad and Teldra locate the Dragonlords beyond the confines of their world. Vlad magically frees them only to discover that he and Teldra have become trapped instead. During their captivity, they discover that the Jenoine have tapped into the Lesser Sea of Arnorphia (chaos) and are using its power to gain access to the Orb and those whose minds link to it. Morrolan releases Vlad and Teldra, and together they, Sethra, the Necromancer, and the other gods battle the Jenoine to secure Dragaera from Jenoine access. No mere plot summary can describe accurately the fun and adventure that naturally seems to follow Vlad Taltos. Vlad is irreverent, ingenious, and funny. His silent dialogue with his familiar, Loiosh, a sort of minidragon who rides on his shoulder, is charming and witty. This delightful romp also is relatively short in length, making it attractive to some teens who avoid longer books. Give this newest volume to Terry Pratchett fans. Quality is consistent so add the preceding volumes in the Vlad Taltos series, among them Jhereg (Ace, 1987), Taltos (Ace, 1988/VOYA August 1988), Orca (Ace, 1996), and Dragon (Tor, 1999/VOYA April 1999), to the collection as well. All four are available as mass-market paperbacks. VOYA CODES:4Q 4P J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses;Broad general YA appeal;Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9;Senior High, defined as grades10 to 12). 2001, Tor, 255p, $23.95. Ages 12 to 18. Reviewer:Nancy K. Wallace—VOYA, December 2001 (Vol. 24, No. 5)

Categories:

• Science Fiction & Fantasy
  
  
  • Fantasy
    • Epic