'Jhereg' in the series 'Vlad Taltos' by Steven Brust follows the adventures of Lord Vladimir Taltos, a human assassin and crime lord within the House of Jhereg. The story details how Vlad is offered a job he can't refuse, leading him to navigate a world of high fantasy, complex political intrigue, and criminal underworld. is described as a quick, amusing, and light-hearted read, akin to a fantasy version of a Michael Crichton novel but with added humor and fantasy elements.

The plot of 'Jhereg' is noted for its solid writing, interesting characters, particularly the protagonist Vlad Taltos, and a mix of action and mystery elements. introduces readers to a unique world of Dragaera, filled with varying magical systems, political tensions, and a diverse cast of characters. Throughout the story, Vlad's adventures as an assassin and detective unfold, showcasing his wit, humor, and interactions with his companions and enemies.

Characters:

The characters are richly drawn, with Vlad as a witty anti-hero and a range of diverse supporting characters that add depth to the story.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style blends witty dialogue with a light-hearted tone reminiscent of classic detective stories, providing an engaging narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Vlad Taltos, an assassin, who must navigate his way through a web of political intrigue and personal dilemmas while completing a challenging contract.

Setting:

The setting features a fictional empire with complex social hierarchies and magical systems, creating an immersive fantasy world.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally fast, with engaging dialogue and quick plot developments, though moments of exposition occasionally slow the narrative.

ISLIPPED THE POISON dart into its slot under the right collar of my cloak, next to the lockpick. It couldn’t go in too straight, or it would be hard to get to quickly. It couldn’t go in at too much of...

Notes:

Jhereg is the first book in the Vlad Taltos series by Steven Brust.

Vlad Taltos is a human assassin and crime boss within the House of Jhereg.

The House of Jhereg is like a criminal organization in a fantasy world.

Vlad has a jhereg familiar named Loiosh, which is a flying lizard with venomous fangs.

The story is told from Vlad's first-person perspective and is filled with humor and wisecracks.

The world includes magical elements like teleportation and revivification.

Vlad's family gained their noble title through a purchased title, which he is sarcastically resentful of.

The series includes a total of 14 books, with Jhereg being the first published but fourth in chronological order.

The character of Vlad often finds himself in complex moral dilemmas related to his profession as an assassin.

The second book, Yendi, is a prequel to Jhereg and explores Vlad's early career and his relationship with his wife, Cawti.

Teckla, the third book, portrays Vlad dealing with personal issues, including his wife's involvement in political revolution.

The author, Steven Brust, uses a writing style that blends fantasy with crime fiction, akin to classic gumshoe mysteries.

The series explores themes of class disparity between humans and the long-lived Dragaerans who control the empire.

Brust's world-building includes a unique history and detailed structure of noble houses, each with different traits and powers.

Has Romance?

There are romantic elements, primarily revolving around Vlad's relationship with Cawti, but they are not the central focus of the plot.

From The Publisher:

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.

Ratings (22)

Incredible (4)
Loved It (9)
Liked It (4)
It Was OK (4)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (45):

Read It (21)
Want To Read (18)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (5)

2 comment(s)

wsonel013

It Was OK

6 months

less romance and male gaze, more interesting characters

chlane689

Loved It

8 months

Utterly delightful. It's got the feeling of an Urban Fantasy novel while still with the setting of high fantasy.

It just drops you into the world, but not because it doesn't want to explain it, but because the book is too busy establishing the fun plot and characters to take time for the irrelevant political factions.

What can you read after
Jhereg?

See the list (100 books)

About the Author:

STEVEN BRUST is the author of a number of bestselling fantasy novels, including two New York Times bestsellers, Dzur and Tiassa. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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Jhereg

Steven Brust

Book 1 in the series:Vlad Taltos