You know, it was really interesting reading Taltos as my reintroduction to the series after not having read it in a couple of years, because I'm now going back and reading the first book, and while I did really love the first book when I read it, I'm actually thinking that - especially if you bounced off the first time - Taltos might be a better introduction. I think you get a better feel for the protagonist's sympathetic side much earlier, and it also focuses less on the assassin aspect. The first book starts out with a few chapters that are basically the hero setting up a hit, and I can see how it would be offputting, especially if you weren't in the right frame of mind for it. I think he comes across more appealing and sympathetic right off the bat in Taltos.