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Summary: I CAN'T THINK OF ENOUGH WORDS OF PRAISE!
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!
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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....
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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
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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
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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!
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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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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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Summary: dont read about it, just read it
Review: I picked up and read this book without reading any reviews, summaries or spoilers. While reading this book, the moment when a series of odd facts jelled in my mind into suspicion and then into realization, was truly awesome. If you can hand this book to someone who can appreciate it without telling them anything about it, do so.
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Summary: Don't Read About It, Just Read It - Part II
Review: I second the opinion of Benny "B". The less you know about this book, the stronger the impact. This book is best discovered. Don't read other reviews, many give too much of the story away, and thus lessens the impact. If I remember correctly, Mr Brust had said that this was a literary experiment in writing, one in which he was personally satisfied with the result. I read this book first in high school and then again several months ago. It has aged relatively well, is well written, and should appeal to many peoples tastes.
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Summary: vampire novel reads unlike any other vampire novel
Review: I was drawn to this book primarily because of the author, who is an exceptional writer of fantasy, and it is always interesting to see how a master of one style does when writing in another. Often the cross-over result is lackluster. So I was more than pleasantly surprised by this volume, which is quite different than Brust's other works. And unlike many vampire novels, it is not clear at first that our protagonist is a vampire, nor do we linger on the gory details. Since the writing is the first person perspective of the vampire, much is not spelled out because it is "obvious". In some prose, this might result in a confusing meander through a stream of consciousness, but in "Agyar", this results in a smooth, flowing tale of the life of Jack Agyar. It is a short, compelling read. Highly recommended for both fans of vampire novels, and those who normally don't like them.
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