Swashbuckling adventure! Sinister plots against the Empire! Will good friends, honor and friendliness prevail?

In all reviewer honesty, I've had this book for a number of years now (fine; since I bought the paperback release in 1992. Yes, Grasshopper, I'm that old) and have re-read it more than a few times since. I'm re-reading it now with Fantasy Aficionados, so it's time to trumpet its virtues.

Apparently in the style of [b:The Three Musketeers|7190|The Three Musketeers (The D'Artagnan Romances, #1)|Alexandre Dumas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320436982l/7190._SY75_.jpg|1263212] (which I have not read), Brust goes one better by setting it in an interesting fantasy world and giving us a female fighter in the foursome. Like Dumas, Brust uses the background premise of a manuscript by another author, only in this case, the book is a "notebook" created by a historian surrounding events that preceded the fall of the Empire. It is part of a stand-alone duo set in the same world as the Vlad Taltos series, centering on events that contributed to the Interregnum, a significant world-event that continues to have consequences in Vlad's time.

The plot centers around four young adults heading to the capital city to join the Dragon guard, seeking fame, adventure or a trade (alas, no fire-breathing dragons here). The narrative chiefly focuses on Khaavren, an impoverished country noble seeking a trade. Lacking the sorcerery skills of Tazendra, the deviousness of Pell, or the quiet thoughtfulness of Aerich, he relies on his interest and open demeanor as he finds his way in the city. Together the four are formidable. Though not blood-thirsty, preserving honor is important and they are involved in more than their share of duels defending themselves or each other. Although they don't realize it, they are about to play a role in the politics of the nation as one of them seeks to win a lady's affection. There are swords, and sorcery; plots to overthrow the throne, and plots to support it. Hands will be kissed, brigands defeated, friends made, and rescues attempted.

Dialogue is formal and ornate, with much verbal fencing:

"'It is not a word,' said Pel, tossing his cloak over his shoulder so that the elegant hilt of his blade was visible, 'that pleases my ears.'
'Well,' said the lady who had spoken first, 'I confess that your ears are of only a little concern to me.'
'But,' said Pel, bowing politely, 'your tongue is of great concern to me.'
'For my part,' said Khaavren, 'I am concerned with her feet.'
'How,' said Aerich, who stood between Pel and Khaavren. 'Her feet?'
'Indeed. For if she will use them to move from these cramped quarters, well, I will do her the honor of showing her what my arm can do.'"

With a fair amount of sly asides and subtle banter, this isn't really a laugh-out-loud book; rather it acknowledges the occasional humorous note in clever word-play. For instance:
"'It's amazing!' he [Khaavren] cried to his companions.
Pel smiled complacently, but Tazendra touched his arm and said in a low voice, "Come! Not so loud. Everyone will think that you come from the duchies.'
A puzzled look crossed Khaavren's countenance. 'But I do come from the duchies.'
This time, the look of puzzlement crossed Tazendra's features, while Aerich smiled."

I remember on first read, the initial sections with Paarfi, the self-absorbed and pompous 'chronicler,' as being confusing and distracting. I found them more amusing on the second and third reads. Brust uses a potentially risky technique here of referencing popular works/events within the world of the book, so although the reader remains clueless as to the actual reference, the meaning usually comes clear.

"The creation for the first time of forts and fortresses (the distinction, certain comments by the Lord of Snails notwithstanding, having nothing whatsoever to do with the presence of breastworks, nor the size of buttresses)."

Also, if this is your first entry into Brust's Dragaeran Empire, the social structure takes awhile to piece together. While basically a feudal society, people are members of one of seventeen Houses, or genetic lineages that tend to specific characteristics and traits. Part of the challenge the first time through is piecing the social structure together.

The plotting is complex, and sheer perfection when it comes together at the end. This is a well-crafted book that should appeal to those who love a complex epic fantasy (Malazan, anyone?). It only improves with re-reading, as the extent to which the characters are subject to behind-the-scenes forces becomes clear. When coupled with the Vlad series, it provides a fascinating historical insight into a complex world.

Four and a half comradely stars.

Ps. I'm fairly certain there is a sneaky little homage to The Princess Bride tucked away in chapter twenty-six.
"'You use that word again, Garland.'
'Well, and is it not a perfectly good word, your ladyship?'
'Oh, I have no quarrel with the word.'
'And then?'
'But its application in this case.'
'I must hold to it, your ladyship.'
'And yet I declare that the thing is impossible.'"


Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/the-phoenix-guards-by-steven-brust-adv... ( )

A re-read, while healing from a broken wrist so only managing a chapter or two at a time. This meant I didn't tear through it at nearly the same pace as when I first read it some 10-20(??) years ago but I still loved just as much the lengthy portions of dialogue along the lines of
"I have been wondering."
"What have you been wondering?"
"You would like to know what I have been wondering?"
"I almost think I have been asking for it for an hour!"
"Well, then I will tell you."
"And I shall listen attentively."
It's just delightfully mannered and utterly ridiculous, especially when it happens in the heat of an ambush in which there cannot possibly be time for all that and you have to wonder how much else our Very Reliable and Unimpeachably Historical Narrator is completely making up. I adore it. ( )

A very interesting book. It is my first one written by Steve Brust and my dad gave it to me. Looking at the other comments people either hated or loved the writing style and as someone who loves linguistics I have to say I am definitely with the latter, even if it made the entire thing slow to read in some places.

I also have to say that, even if I love these kind of D&D styled classic Fantasy stories (we meet at the bar, get a quest, go and stab people), I also love stories that are deep, and just have to note that I find the depth lacking here. Due to the writing style the friendship seems less interesting to me and the tension between Khaavren and Illista at least in my eyes is barely there at all.

Still an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the rest. ( )

I am doing a reread of the books by Steven Brust set in the Dragaeran universe, and started with this one. I read this book a long time ago when I was just a lowly teenager. And, I completely missed the point, including all the jokes that were wrapped in over the top speech.

On a reread, I found it to be a completely different book, one with depth that is incredibly funny. However, I found myself at times wanting to throw this book at the wall due to just how...... annoying that Paarfi of Roundwood writes. However, don't let that keep you from reading it- its all part of the fun. ( )

If you love the Dragaera books/Vlad Taltos books, and especially if you haven't read "Tiassa" yet, you should definitely pick up the Khaavren Romances (a few of the characters from this series show up in that one). Also, numerous references are made to events that take place in this series, as well as characters who come up here. We finally learn about Aliera's backstory, the story behind Adron's disaster, the Empress' backstory, Morrolan's backstory, Morrolan's castle's backstory and really not much about Sethra Levode except we see how she and Morrolan first met.

The first novel only involves a few faces we're familiar with (Adron among them), and mainly concerns events some time before Adron's disaster. It mainly serves as build-up for the next book, which is a little more relevant for fans of the Vlad Taltos books. Of course, these novels are laced with Brust humor, so they're all fun.

Be warned: each novel is LONG (as in a) thick, b) thin pages, and c) tiny, close lined text), and there are FIVE of them. Also: Brust modeled these after Alexandre Dumas' "d'Artagnan Romances" (which includes "The Three Musketeers"). The series share many things, including book long, writing style, thematic elements, and plots. Brust himself has called these a blatant rip-off of Dumas' series. So if you've read any of the ones from Dumas, you know about what to expect. But it's Brust, and it's Dragaera, so it's a lot better than that.

These are worth reading, the others more so than this one. But if you want to read the others, I highly suggest you start with "The Phoenix Guards", because things will make a LOT more sense. ( )