"Good installment in this excellent series"
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
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted July 3, 2001
|
