This is the second Khaavren book - written in a style that is homage to, and makes fun of, the books by Alexandre Dumas. And they are funny, however they weren't funny when I first read them in high school - the style went right over my head.

On a second reread by a much older me, I found this book to be incredibly funny, but also sad. It is mostly set in Dragaera City, with Khaavren still in the Phoenix Guards, but now as an Ensign, a position of small power. There is scheming from a number of sides, including a young Assassin named Mario. Enter Aliera and her father, Adron e'Kieron, stubborn and practitioner of the Black Arts. We meet all the characters from the previous book, but they have all gone their ways - Tazendra and Aerich have regained their kingdoms, Pel is in training to be a Descrete (a bit like a therapist) and Khavren is stuck in the same old routine.

This book tells the tale of the End of Dragaera City, as well as the end of the orb and the empire. Of course, since the Vlad Taltos novels are set in a future where the Empire has regained prominence, we know that this lawlessness isn't permanent.

Its well written, but not meant to be taken entirely seriously. Enjoy the book! ( )

Lots of fun. My favorite bit is the etymology of the name of the town of Bengloarafurd. I thought Brust did a really great job, especially since we already know how the story has to end from having read the Vlad Taltos novels - and that didn't make the ending any less climactic. ( )

Another visit to the heroes of The Phoenix Guards. Once again, Musketeers style, they are called on to save the Empire. Sort of, maybe, or is it just their kids they are saving? Good stuff, as usual, though it does get a little wordy at times. ( )

I Don't Get It...: How can Brust write not one, but two books in the wordy, flowery Dumas-style that I (truthfully) despise, yet somehow get me to love both of them?

This book is not as wordy as The Phoenix Guards, but it has its moments. The action can be slow in the beginning and middle, but the end makes up for it.

(Alistair) Well, you saw the review I posted for The Phoenix Guards, right?

I repeat and amplify my comments about the sheer gorgeousness of the language use. And of the narrator's foibles.

When coupled with the characters we came to know and love in the prior work, and a plot delving into the chain of events leading up to Adron's Disaster - not a spoiler, since you would learn that from the blurb even if you didn't know the setting at all - one of the more, or perhaps I should say particularly, interesting parts of Dragaeran history, it makes for an excellent book indeed.

Highly recommended.

(Still haven't got around to The Three Musketeers, though.)

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