Rating: 
Summary: Quickly and tritely tiresome
Review: This book starts out as a light, reasonably witty, if pedestrian fantasy. However, Mister Bruske uses the same three of four comedy techniques over and over and over. Before long it becomes obviously predictable, then boring, then tedious, and finally downright annoying. One of the techniques he uses frequently is to have the Hero(?) start some narrative that has nothing to do with the story, stop in the middle and say, "Oh, never mind" or "But that's another story" or some such equally trite drivel. About half way through the book, I decided that was an excellent suggestion.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting despite being stylistically awkward
Review: This is a very interesting work by Brust. Both interesting in that the plot is of interest and the awkward style which doesn't quite work but is also interesting nonetheless. After Orca, we go back in time to Vlad's time in the Dragon army. Vlad originally starts out being the wisecracking crimelord that he was in the beginnning of the series, yet upon volunteering for the armed conflict he seems to be much more like the weary Vlad of Athyra/Orca reviewing his life. It seems Brust's personal growth means you can never go back home again, even if you're a fictional character. Which is all for the best, I didn't like the return to the early shallow wise-cracking Vlad after reading Athyra. I was pleased when the character started displaying a more mature view later in the book. Making matters more complex is the fact that Brust seamlessly weaves three timelines in the book from Vlad's point of view and you are moved from one to the other without warning. We are presented with 1) The Build-up 2) The final confrontation and 3) A post confrontation encounter and we jump from one to the other as Vlad dictates his experiences to a recording device. This struck me as trying to be too clever and artistic and wasn't pulled off well enough. I think Brust's reach didn't meet his goals here. For the plot, we have a comfortable army story, nothing too special but well told. Those who enjoy such tales will enjoy this one.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting despite being stylistically awkward
Review: This is a very interesting work by Brust. Both interesting in that the plot is of interest and the awkward style which doesn't quite work but is also interesting nonetheless. After Orca, we go back in time to Vlad's time in the Dragon army. Vlad originally starts out being the wisecracking crimelord that he was in the beginnning of the series, yet upon volunteering for the armed conflict he seems to be much more like the weary Vlad of Athyra/Orca reviewing his life. It seems Brust's personal growth means you can never go back home again, even if you're a fictional character. Which is all for the best, I didn't like the return to the early shallow wise-cracking Vlad after reading Athyra. I was pleased when the character started displaying a more mature view later in the book. Making matters more complex is the fact that Brust seamlessly weaves three timelines in the book from Vlad's point of view and you are moved from one to the other without warning. We are presented with 1) The Build-up 2) The final confrontation and 3) A post confrontation encounter and we jump from one to the other as Vlad dictates his experiences to a recording device. This struck me as trying to be too clever and artistic and wasn't pulled off well enough. I think Brust's reach didn't meet his goals here. For the plot, we have a comfortable army story, nothing too special but well told. Those who enjoy such tales will enjoy this one.
Rating:
Summary: A change of pace for the Taltos series
Review: This is one of my favorite books from the Vlad Taltos series. This book is slightly different from the other books in the series in that a majority of the action concerns Vlad's time in the army. But the style of writing and sense of humor is still intact, along with Vlad's sidekick/pet Loiosh One of the only problems that I have with this book, and a minor problem at that, is that several different timeframes will be on the same page with no real seperation between them. Once you get used to it you'll be fine, but a bit confusing. You can start the series with this book, but you be better off starting with Taltos and trying to read the series in chronological order as opposed to publication order.
Rating: 
Summary: A Return to the Original Vlad Taltos
Review: This novel is a jewel in the Vlad Taltos series. Even though written after every book in the series but Issola, this takes place both before and after Yendi. You see, there are a few chapters that divert from the main plot. That may sound confusing, but these two stories come together at the end. Anyway, the story is basically that the mob boss/witch/assassin Vlad Taltos is summoned by his friend Morrolan of the House of the Dragon. Vlad helps out in a war between Morrolan and another Dragon. The whole war was initiated in the first place for Barritt's Tomb, which isn't even a tomb and the late Barritt was not entombed there. The tomb is a place where many Morganti (soul destroying) weapons collected by Barritt are kept. Much of the novel is the everyday fighting and lifestyle of Vlad and company in the Dragon army. Some of the story is also infiltration and strategy. There's all the Vlad charm in here as well with the humor of both Vlad and his Jhereg familiar Loiosh.
This is a great start for a newcomer to the series. You don't need a foundation given to you from the other books to understand or enjoy this one unlike Teckla and the ones following it.
Rating:
Summary: A Return to the Original Vlad Taltos
Review: This novel is a jewel in the Vlad Taltos series. Even though written after every book in the series but Issola, this takes place both before and after Yendi. You see, there are a few chapters that divert from the main plot. That may sound confusing, but these two stories come together at the end. Anyway, the story is basically that the mob boss/witch/assassin Vlad Taltos is summoned by his friend Morrolan of the House of the Dragon. Vlad helps out in a war between Morrolan and another Dragon. The whole war was initiated in the first place for Barritt's Tomb, which isn't even a tomb and the late Barritt was not entombed there. The tomb is a place where many Morganti (soul destroying) weapons collected by Barritt are kept. Much of the novel is the everyday fighting and lifestyle of Vlad and company in the Dragon army. Some of the story is also infiltration and strategy. There's all the Vlad charm in here as well with the humor of both Vlad and his Jhereg familiar Loiosh.
This is a great start for a newcomer to the series. You don't need a foundation given to you from the other books to understand or enjoy this one unlike Teckla and the ones following it.
Rating: 
Summary: A good book for insiders
Review: This was a fun book, but it's definitely not for anybody who wasn't already reading Stephen Brust's Vlad books. Still, a good read for diehard Brust fans.
Rating:
Summary: Dragon: A Prequel Of Sorts
Review: Tired of epic fantasy? Irritated by authors who imitate Tolkien over and over? Want something new and different? Put this in your glass and drink it. Vlad Taltos is not your typical fantasy hero. He ain't no farm boy with a destiny to fulfill nor is he an apprentice to a mighty wizard blah, blah, blah. Vlad Taltos is an assassin and mob boss and most of the Vlad Taltos novels are told from his point of view. Dragon is the eighth Vlad Taltos novel (but the second one chronologically). In this one, Vlad joins the military, fights in a famous battle and nearly gets killed a few times -- all in the name of revenge. There is no destiny here, no prophecy that must be filled, this novel is about simple revenge, greed and not so honorable honor. This is epic fantasy turned upside-down and spanked on it's bottom. And it is great! Steven Brust certainly puts the likes of Terry Brooks and Robert Jordan to shame because Brust presents us with new and unique fantasy. It's epic fantasy with a sarcastic wit and very fallible characters. Hey, Dragon and all the Vlad Taltos novels are good books. Pick 'em up.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible! What else can be said!
Review: Vlad is back! And in an earlier adventure! This is completely 'diary' style(my name for first person writing), and only Brust does it justice! An incredibly good read! I highly recomend this whole series! I am lost to say enough good things about both this book, and the whole series!
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic continuation to a brilliant series
Review: What's to say? If you enjoyed the Vlad Taltos books then you'll love Dragon. If you didn't then you'll probably want to pass on this one, too. If you don't know the series, by all means, try it! I'd recommend starting with Jhereg, the first, but it isn't necessary to do so. This makes a good starting point, as do some of the others. They are all intriguing, fast-moving fantasy novels, with a good attention to detail, especially in the action sequences. The intrigues tend to be byzantine, and the storyteller's point of view is delightfully irreverent.
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