Rating: 
Summary: Happy Little Neurons
Review: _Agyar_, by Steven Karl Zoltan Brust
Published 1993 by Tor Books (Hardcover)
ISBN# 0-312-85178-2
(And while the paper the book is printed on is acid-free, I'm not entirely sure about the author. Speaking of which, here's the URL of his personal webite: http://www.wavefront.com/~skzb/. And here's a site dedicated to his work, particualrly the Dragaeran novels: http://www.math.ttu.edu/~kesinger/brust/. Both good, informative sites.)
Now, on to the book...
Finally, a vampire novel that doesn't insult my intelligence. And doesn't even once (not even ONCE!) mention the word 'vampire'. No boring passages about '...the bright crimson flow of his lifeblood crept slowly down my throat, caressing like a long-lost lover, yet leaving me as empty as the abyss which is my apathy toward this turgid world that strives as its only goal to bring me to my knees so that I may know despair and regain my faith once more in a God that I believe abandoned and cursed me to this eternal twilight existence neither alive nor dead, yet still forced to endure this (im)mortal coil until the oh-so-sweet day of release when I shall finally be reunited with my long-lost and lamented love, whom I cared too much about to ever bring across this veil of death into this eternal half-life...'. Feh. Crap like that makes me sick. This book, however, is positively Pepto.
I will be the first to admit that this is a very odd book. Decidedly so. But this is a very good thing. It presents a new vampire story. Not 'the vampiric condition' from another perspective, but a NEW story. Even if this was not a vampire story, it would still be an excellent tale. It is not written in the normal third-person perspective, but it written in double first-person. No, don't ask me what that means. Just read the book, and you will understand, little worm. Reading it twice will bring even more understanding. Now, as to reading it... read the prologue. Prepare to be mildly confused or unsure. This is not bad, for it will be explained later. Then read the main body of the book. Sometimes it will seem disjointed, as it is written as though the main character is actually typing what you are reading-- for the most part. A very interesting method of writing a book, if you ask me, and fairly well done. Then you will read the epilogue, which is closely tied to the prologue. I will now presume to suggest that you read the prologue AGAIN. Everything should make perfect sense now. If it doesn't, read the entire book again. Yes, it's that good of a read.
As to the subject... I will, of course, not delve too intricately so as not to spoil the plot, but I will touch on certain elements of the book. As is obvious by now, this is a story about a vampire. Well, actually, there is more than one vampire, but that will be explained as you read. There is also passing mention of a werewolf. I found it interesting that Brust only mentioned the character without ever fleshing-out the character or truly bringing it into the spotlight. But, I realize it was, like much of the book, merely an attempt at adding real-life mundanities to a story that really does nothing for the plot. But they do ever so much for the CHARACTERS. If you read many of Brust's books, you will find that the stories are character-driven without losing the plot's identity and importance. But I digress... also touched upon (a bit more) is ritualistic witchcraft. I think Brust does a good job of bringing it into the tale without overshadowing the characters or the story. All in all, he does an excellent job of taking many small threads and weaving them into the greater pattern. Also included in the book is a spirit companion. Or ghost, if you will. He serves primarily as a sounding board for the main character, but is not in any way diminished as a character by his function.
And the best part of the book, you may ask? The end. Oh, finally, an ending I am happy with. Even more than happy-- truly content. Oh, yes. This was a book I could put down and smile about. No regretting the last few pages and lamenting some anti-climatic clap-trap that is so common nowadays due to weak writers who have no concept of realism in fantasy. As befitting any book that truly mirrors life in its peaks and troughs, its ending can be found to have both uplifting qualities and despairing qualities. I leave it to the reader to find each as their heart desires. I know I did.
And no, I'm not even going to tell you any of the characters' names. Go buy the book. Read it. Enjoy it. And read it again. Then force one of your friends to read it and spread the word, Brother. Spread the Word. Fly, my little monkeys!
-Johnny Mayall
Rating:
Summary: Always better then the last time!
Review: A guy once pulled a book off of a book store shelf, handed it to me and said "You have to read this". I did. From that time forward I have been absolutely hooked on that author's work. The book was Jhereg, and it is the reason I follow Steven K. Z. Brusts writings with such anticipation! As much or more then any other author I have ever been involved with.
The existence of Agyar was a complete surprise to me. It has been one of the most pleasant reading experiences I have ever had. This is the 5th time I have read it and each time I do I get something new out of the experience. Thank you Steven Brust. It just keeps getting better!
Rating:
Summary: Can't hold on to a copy of this book!
Review: Agyar is absolutely the best written novel I have ever read. I think the clearest proof of this is that I have never gotten it back from anyone I lent it to. I have quite literally purchased this book 4 times, then lent it to friends, and never had it returned. Brust accomplishes so much without beating the reader over the head with too much imagery. The story seeps into you very organically. The thing I love about Brust's writing is that there is absolutely nothing unintentional about it. He crafts his words with precision and intent. I absolutely recommend this book (I won't call it a Vampire book, since the Word is never mentioned, besides, I hate the Horror Genre). Anyone with an interest in good writing and storytelling must read this. Oh, and If I could borrow your copy for a few days....
Rating:
Summary: excellent modern day vampire tale
Review: Agyar Janos has changed his name to John Agyar to fit in better in the Midwestern United States. He has lived over a century and expects to survive many more as vampires can live forever. Currently, John has moved into a house in Lakota, Ohio, where he shares the residence and has formed a cautious friendship with Jim the ghost.
John uses local artist Jill Quarrier as his blood supply against the will of the mortal though she struggles to break his hold on her. Jill's sociology student boyfriend Don Swaggert becomes jealous of her attention to John and threatens to kill his rival; the vampire without blinking kills him. John's vampiric master Laura Kellem demands he turns himself into the police to protect her nocturnal dining. John is going to do so until he meets Jill's roommate Susan. Now he has a reason to live, but must free Jill, find a way to be with Susan as equals, and finally confront his ruthless master Laura with the odds so overwhelmingly against him no gambler would risk the bet.
AGYAR is an excellent modern day vampire tale that will make believers of anyone who reads this exhilarating tale. The action-packed story line moves at a brisk pace, but the key is the solid cast. Readers will accept the existence of vampires and their caste system due to the completeness of Laura and John as full blooded beings. Jill's desperation to free herself, which includes the use of magic, also comes across as genuine. Finally Susan completes the quartet that makes for a strong book that will land on all the best of the year short horror novel lists.
Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Startling! Pulls at unexpected chords in the heart.
Review: Brust's novel is an excellent one. Agyar Janos, the protagonist, finds himself in a singular situation, even for one in his unusual position of being a rather unique sort of vampire. Although some of the characters are fantastic, Brust tells a story of dangerous infatuation and desperate, poignant consequences which is quite real. Janos is shockingly hard and amazingly vulnerable at once. The writing in the novel is smooth enough to facilitate the suspension of disbelief which is so needed for the enjoyment of a good fantasy novel. I heartily reccomend this book
Rating:
Summary: Cutting Edge Fiction
Review: Definitely not your hackneyed, trite, dark horror fantasy -- no something very novel and very new. I was amazed when I read this book, and even after, reflecting on what I had just read. Not for someone who's only interested in run-of-the-mill formulaic horror... Highly recommended for those willing to try something different.
Rating:
Summary: I CAN'T THINK OF ENOUGH WORDS OF PRAISE!
Review: Fantastic. Wonderful. Witty. Charming. Seductive. Funny. Sad. Unforgettable. I could be describing both Agyar, the vampire, or 'Agyar', the book itself. So many of my vampire books I decide to sell because if I pick one up and can't remember exactly what it was about or clearly who the characters are, I figure why keep it on my bookshelves. I will NEVER forget what 'Agyar' is about, or who Agyar is, or Jim, or Susan, or Jill. In fact, I most likely will read Agyar again and again. The writing style is catchy and fun and intelligent. It's an absolutely marvelous read!
Rating:
Summary: Anne Rice, Read and weep!
Review: Here is a talent both rare and realtively undiscovered. A fresh stream of dark yet moving fantasy that is as different from the pretentious style of Rice as Frank Herbert's writing is from that of David Drake. Brust exemplifies the power of understated fiction. There is very little gore, very little pedantic demagoguery evident in many Vampire novels of today, yet the story strikes home with the power of truth and simplicity. Brust does not declaim to the reader, instead there is an almost unpercieved thread of narrative that twines around the main story that urges the reader to "think!, reflect! and comprehend!" This is Vampire fiction of a different class; please do not put the tale of Jonas Agyar and those of Lestat in the same shelf!
Rating: 
Summary: I couldn't even finish it
Review: I don't know, this book was rambling, dull, boring, etc. I couldn't even get past chapter three before I had to just put it away. I just couldn't get into it. The only reason I gave it a 2 instead of a 1 is because it had an interesting idea behind it. I love vampire books, they are my favorite to read, but trust me, you are better off reading something else.
Rating:
Summary: Hunh?
Review: I only read vampire books when I get desperate for something to read. I ordered Agyar only because I very much enjoyed the Vlad Taltos series by Mr. Brust. I did not really beleive I would enjoy Agyar. From the time I ordered the book, and the time I got around to read it, enough time had gone by that I had forgotten that Agyar was a blood sucker. By the end of the first chapter I was wondering, when did Steven Brust get into writing romance novels about con artists? By the end of the second chapter he had my attention. I could not put Agyar down without wondering what was happening. I had to itch the scratch and pick that book up again. Thank you Steven Brust for giving me my money's worth.
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