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Tsalmoth (Vlad Taltos #16)
I finished it tonight! It occurred to me when it came out that this is (I think) the first new Vlad book since I marathoned the whole series back in circa 2018/19 or so.
I don't think I actually squeaked aloud when the Morrolan POV section happened, but there was a lot of inward squeaking, you can be sure.
I also realized after finishing the book that this is possibly? probably? also Vlad's narration, since he's getting Morrolan's thoughts at that point (a fact which he downplays hard in his POV sections; it's evident that it's happening, but he's also trying hard enough not to think or talk about it that I didn't realize until he's back to normal and mentions that he's not hearing Morrolan's thoughts anymore that he was actually getting a pretty clear stream of consciousness the whole time). Anyway, though, we so rarely see anyone else's viewpoint other than Vlad's in these books that getting Morrolan was a lot of fun, including Morrolan's thoughts on Vlad. I also found it really interesting that Blackwand acted on its own to (from its perspective) save Vlad, without being told to; hard to say if that's because it was acting on behalf of what it thought Morrolan would want, or if it actually has some fondness for Vlad on its own.
So that was definitely the most memorable part for me, but the book in general was fun! ... but also kind of slight-feeling (well, except the demon reveal, which is - uh - a lot!). The wedding frame story was delightful; it was nice to find out more about that. As for the main story, the demon thing was fascinating, the political conspiracy perhaps less so, and my attention flagged a bit during the second half of the book, which felt like a loooot of Vlad and Cawti walking places and eating and talking about conspiracies, but not a lot actually happening. It was really interesting to revisit a much younger Vlad, though - still trying to be a tough guy, but clearly head over heels for Cawti, and reflexively loyal to his Dragaeran friends. I found the recurring bits with Vlad expanding his vocabulary both entertaining and interesting, because it really points out that he lacks formal education compared to most of the people he's close to. And I also enjoyed the framing with Vlad talking to (presumably) the magical equivalent of a tape recorder and the asides to Sethra, as well as the Kragar and Loiosh bits, and the look at Vlad as a working gangster still pretty low in the Jhereg hierarchy.
So yeah, I think this one is probably not an all-time favorite, it's one of the middle-of-the-road books (aside from some particularly shiny bits like the Morrolan POV, which I will probably continue to mull over for a while). But it was definitely fun to read, and very nice to have more Vlad & co. after all this time.
I don't think I actually squeaked aloud when the Morrolan POV section happened, but there was a lot of inward squeaking, you can be sure.
I also realized after finishing the book that this is possibly? probably? also Vlad's narration, since he's getting Morrolan's thoughts at that point (a fact which he downplays hard in his POV sections; it's evident that it's happening, but he's also trying hard enough not to think or talk about it that I didn't realize until he's back to normal and mentions that he's not hearing Morrolan's thoughts anymore that he was actually getting a pretty clear stream of consciousness the whole time). Anyway, though, we so rarely see anyone else's viewpoint other than Vlad's in these books that getting Morrolan was a lot of fun, including Morrolan's thoughts on Vlad. I also found it really interesting that Blackwand acted on its own to (from its perspective) save Vlad, without being told to; hard to say if that's because it was acting on behalf of what it thought Morrolan would want, or if it actually has some fondness for Vlad on its own.
So that was definitely the most memorable part for me, but the book in general was fun! ... but also kind of slight-feeling (well, except the demon reveal, which is - uh - a lot!). The wedding frame story was delightful; it was nice to find out more about that. As for the main story, the demon thing was fascinating, the political conspiracy perhaps less so, and my attention flagged a bit during the second half of the book, which felt like a loooot of Vlad and Cawti walking places and eating and talking about conspiracies, but not a lot actually happening. It was really interesting to revisit a much younger Vlad, though - still trying to be a tough guy, but clearly head over heels for Cawti, and reflexively loyal to his Dragaeran friends. I found the recurring bits with Vlad expanding his vocabulary both entertaining and interesting, because it really points out that he lacks formal education compared to most of the people he's close to. And I also enjoyed the framing with Vlad talking to (presumably) the magical equivalent of a tape recorder and the asides to Sethra, as well as the Kragar and Loiosh bits, and the look at Vlad as a working gangster still pretty low in the Jhereg hierarchy.
So yeah, I think this one is probably not an all-time favorite, it's one of the middle-of-the-road books (aside from some particularly shiny bits like the Morrolan POV, which I will probably continue to mull over for a while). But it was definitely fun to read, and very nice to have more Vlad & co. after all this time.
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Edit: No, actually I'm wrong - there are two more books after Lyorn, apparently!
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Hahah, man, springing that on us in book 16! I had to put the book down, pace for a bit, and very carefully consider whether texting "HOLY SHIT!" to the other person I know who is as obsessed with Morrolan as I am would be too spoilery or not (in the end I decided it would be rude of me, especially as they didn't have the book yet).
this is possibly? probably? also Vlad's narration, since he's getting Morrolan's thoughts at that point (a fact which he downplays hard in his POV sections; it's evident that it's happening, but he's also trying hard enough not to think or talk about it
Yeah, I was pondering this, too, and I think it must be Vlad's narration of Morrolan's thoughts which he is getting via Blackwand, because I don't see any other explanation for it, and Vlad not mentioning to Morrolan that he's been seeing inside his head supports it too. Unusually transparent narration, though -- it seems like Blackwand is getting Morrolan's thoughts straight through, and Vlad from there, and Vlad is definitely staying out of adding any personal spin to it, so it does feel like third person even though it's something far odder.
(Which still leaves the seemingly 3rd person POV in Tiassa 2 as the only bit without a clear narrator/POV, and makes me wonder even more about what the heck is going on there...)
I found the recurring bits with Vlad expanding his vocabulary both entertaining and interesting, because it really points out that he lacks formal education compared to most of the people he's close to.
Yeah, that was an interesting thing to encounter, because it makes a lot of sense -- when would young Vlad have had time to read books? (or the inclination, given the way he feels about a lot of Dragaeran culture). It doesn't seem entirely consistent with other things narrated by young Vlad (I probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't just reread Dragon, but I had), but it makes sense. (This was the Word of God thing I mentioned in the other post, that Brust had alluded to before Tsalmoth was published that ended up being a lot more relevant to the book than I had expected.)
(aside from some particularly shiny bits like the Morrolan POV, which I will probably continue to mull over for a while).
This would've probably been the standout for me even if it had showed up in The Last Contract, but was hands down the thing that got me most excited here.
I enjoyed just kind of hanging out with young Vlad and Cawti and Vlad's Jhereg confederates through the middle section with the investigation, but it did feel a bit like marching in place. But a friend pointed out that the whole book is kind of about non-catharsis -- for Vlad who kind of muddles through being a demon and getting his 800 back, more or less; for Tavissa, who gets to walk away and keep trying to bring down the Tsalmoth heir but doesn't get to succeed in this book -- and, I would add, for the reader, who gets 2 pages worth of forward motion past Hawk, all of it introspection.
Which does actually feel fitting for the House, if not all that satisfying, heh.
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I think that was a good move, especially since the OMG unexpectedness of it was part of the fun for me! But yes!
Yeah, I was pondering this, too, and I think it must be Vlad's narration of Morrolan's thoughts which he is getting via Blackwand, because I don't see any other explanation for it, and Vlad not mentioning to Morrolan that he's been seeing inside his head supports it too. Unusually transparent narration, though -- it seems like Blackwand is getting Morrolan's thoughts straight through, and Vlad from there, and Vlad is definitely staying out of adding any personal spin to it, so it does feel like third person even though it's something far odder.
Yes, I noticed that too - it must be Vlad narrating Morrolan's side of things (this might also explain the third person), but he's very careful to narrate only Morrolan's viewpoint and not insert his own. That's honestly really sweet if that's what's happening (although it's kind of a surprise that he'd do it at all and not just claim to remember nothing about it, but that's getting perhaps a bit meta about the narrative conceit ...).
Never quite over Vlad's "don't go" when Morrolan vanishes from Blackwand, either.
But a friend pointed out that the whole book is kind of about non-catharsis -- for Vlad who kind of muddles through being a demon and getting his 800 back, more or less; for Tavissa, who gets to walk away and keep trying to bring down the Tsalmoth heir but doesn't get to succeed in this book -- and, I would add, for the reader, who gets 2 pages worth of forward motion past Hawk, all of it introspection.
Which does actually feel fitting for the House, if not all that satisfying, heh.
Ha. That's a good point, though - and the books do generally try to match the House theme with the plot and narration, so it makes sense. (I continue to be amazed at the narrative feat Brust is pulling off here. I don't know if I've ever encountered anything quite like it in published fiction.)
One thing I really appreciate about these books is that they're possibly the most realistic view of a working mobster/gangster that I've ever run across in genre fiction - I mean, obviously fantasy assassins, mobsters, and thieves are a dime a dozen, but Vlad is a particularly realistic one, and I did really like how much of this book was just Vlad doing the ordinary legwork of running a territory as a low-level gang boss and trying to get his money back. :D
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Agreed! :D
(I continue to be amazed at the narrative feat Brust is pulling off here. I don't know if I've ever encountered anything quite like it in published fiction.)
Yeah, I can't think of anything like it either, and it's really impressive as an overall undertaking! Even if some books/Houses definitely work better for me than others.
and I did really like how much of this book was just Vlad doing the ordinary legwork of running a territory as a low-level gang boss and trying to get his money back. :D
There's a lot of logistics and middle management! Which is not what one thinks of in fantasy mob stories, I think, but I do enjoy it with Vlad.
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It has also been a few years since I've read them and I... don't remember anything about them, lol. Maybe I could read the wiki page.
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