Sethra Lavode [Mass Market Paperback]

The entire Khaavren trilogy, of course, was written by Paarfi, who redefines the word "prolix" with each page he writes. Brust is merely something like a translator. There were times when his translations were stretched in "Viscount" and especially "Castle Black," the two earlier books, but in "Sethra" there is a return to the wonderful style of "Phoenix Guards" and "500 Years." This book moves along, without ever giving up the narrative conceit and tone.

As for the plot, in "Viscount," the Empress Zerika recovered the Imperial Orb; in "500 Years" she fought to claim the throne; in "Sethra" she must fight to keep it against a Pretender and the deadly machinations of his fellow plotters. Our heros have managed to accumulate considerable number of enemies across the four earlier books. And those enemies have all allied together in a final effort to defeat Empress Zerika, Khaavren, Aerich, Pel and Tazendra.

I'm unsure whether to call these books a pastiche or homage to Alexander Dumas; perhaps they are something of both. Brust . . . er, Paarfi, pokes immense fun at himself. Brust has written elsewhere that writing as Paarfi is great fun, and Brust's enjoyment and delight is apparent. Where Dumas verbosity was a consequence being paid by the word, Brust. . . er, Paarfi writes for his own pleasure and the pleasure of an attentive reader. And for the sly knife in the ribs. For example, in "500 Years" Paarfi notes that the decadent Phoenix Emperor, Tortaalik, changes his clothes 8-10 times a day, but that since there were already several books written on the Emperor's dress, he wouldn't write another. So much for Robert Jordan.

As others have noted, the narrative is delightfully infuriating. Paarfi thinks nothing of interrupting the story at a critical pound to expound - at length - on whatever has crossed his mind or his path. I caution that if you think "irony" describes rusty water, much of these tales will be lost on you.

One other nice touch: many of the events of the "Viscount" trilogy have been foreshadowed in the "Taltos" series, which is itself some ten books long now. Brust manages to keep these stories consistent with those books, which are slightly later in time, without ever sacrificing excitement or consistency.

Kudos to Brust. . . er. Paarfi, on a story well told and well concluded. Kudos to Tor on having the courage to publish these tales, which in several senses are well outside the normal fantasy/science fiction genre. Strongly recommended.

Much is learned regarding the relationship between Love, Duty, Honor, and Friendship. A father learns that he can love his son without necessarily understanding or approving of everything he does. An empress learns the value of subjects who respect her enough to fail to show her respect. And a dragonlord learns much about his sword, as well as interior decorating and the science of throwing a party.

The reader, however, learns very little about Sethra Lavode, even though she is the lynchpin around which the rest of the plot revolves.

These three books would probably rate five stars if they were published together as a single volume, but individually none of them quite reaches that level. Neither Lord Of Castle Black nor Sethra Lavode can really be read on their own, and Paths Of The Dead really isn't worth reading on its own.