The Paths of the Dead (Viscount of Adrilankha) [Mass Market Paperback]

If you have read the previous two books in the series, I don't really have to do too much reviewing here. There's more Paarfi, and it's still just as much fun to read him as it was in the last two books. I could give you the entire plot of the book in two paragraphs, but where's the fun in that? In short, Khaavren is depressed about how well he protected the Emperor in the last book, Khaavren's son seeks adventure, Pel and Tazendra are still having adventures, and Aerich awaits. It may be beneath the notice of a gentleman, however, prudence dictates that we mention Mica's continued presence, not to mention that of his beloved barstool.

Brust gives us a little insight into the origins of Morrolan, Teldra, and the Necromancer. Sethra the Younger and the Sorceress in Green show up as well. The suggestion is that we will see a lot more of these two in the next two books. In fact, this whole book seems like an extended set up for the next one. But that's all fine. I enjoyed it, and I'm sure that doing all this set up will allow for a more complext storyline in the next book.

If I may be permitted two more words, I found the re-emergence of the grudge bearing nemisis to be predictable, and I enjoyed the guide to how to write like Paarfi at the end of the book.

Essentially, this book is the tale of the end of the Dragearan Interregnum (or the beginning thereof) and the oft mentioned story of how Zerika III traveled the Paths of the Dead to bring back the Orb and restore the Empire. If you don't know what that last sentence meant, you probably do not want to read this book because PotD takes for granted a certain familiarity with Brust's previous work in this particular world. Start with _The Phoenix Guards_ or something in the Vlad Taltos line.

I did not enjoy this book as much as I usually enjoy Brust's work, and especially the volumes in this series. Although the Dragaeran books are numerous and -- I suspect -- encompass a vast, single story, each volume until now has stood alone, telling a complete tale. PotD does not, not really. It does get Zerika through her task, but the vast cast of other characters are merely jockeyed about with very little sense that they have any connection to anything. I particularly could not fathom why Morrolan appeared in this book at all, as he didn't do anything. I would have preferred it if Brust had just left him out of it and brought him in in _The Lord of Castle Black_. I also felt that the coachman could have used more explanation to make him fit into this reality. As it was, he just seemed like an interesting concept from _The Gypsy_ that didn't quite fit.

I also have to admit that the Paarfi-speak is wearing a little thin with me. When you have a book where something is actually happening it's an amusing stylistic device. But so little happened in PotD that it felt as though the sole reason for the book was to continue the stylistic exercise; I was keenly aware that the language actually was used to stretch a very brief narrative into 400-odd pages. And I found the treatise on how to write like Paarfi a bit smug, like someone indulging in an in-joke. I've read 3 books in this style now, I don't really need to have the details pointed out to me.

All in all, I think I would have preferred it if Brust (and/or the publisher) had just waited and released _The Viscount of Adrilankha_ as one book, or all at one time. I'd waited ten years for it, I could have waited a couple more. And I don't feel that BRust's style (or Paarfi's) is really suited to a boundaryless story with no clear progression or end.

Brust fans will want to read this one, but if you aren't already a fan, don't start here!

The novel opens with the Drageara and the Elves' empire in chaos. The events at the end of "Five Hundred Years After" have destroyed the empire, and in its place brought plagues, squabbling warlords, scheming sorcerors and invading Easterners. Into this stew Brust brings the story of the restoration of sorcery and the Empire, the end of the Interregnum and the prolix writing style of Paarfi of Roundwood, the fictional author of each of these historic romances.

Paarfi should be a Hungarian translation of Dumas. Except that Brust is more ironic and sometimes hysterically funny in his "translation" of Paarfi. Between the hyperformal courtesy of the characters and their circumlocutions, the narrative sometimes takes some wild tangents.

But the narrative thread is never lost, and if you appreciate sheer elegance in writing and wildly imaginative plotting, you will like this book. Old friends from both narrative lines appear, and a selection of new and equally wonderful characters.

This is the first book of a trilogy, and as is the case in any first book of a trilogy a fair amount of time is spent in introducing characters and laying out plot threads. Presumably the second and third books will tell us why Morrolan (well known to readers of the Taltos books) is involved, and the role Ibronka will play.

One of Brust's finest characteristics is his willingness to experiment. In some of the Taltos books, the experiments involved the narrative voice or view, for example. Combining the Dumas-themed romances with a trilogy is another such experiment. Brust is deft and delightful in this first book. I look forward to the next two.

Don't neglect the essay at the end on how to write like Paarfi. On each re-reading, it is more amusing. The essay, like the hysterical "interview" of Paarfi by Brust at the end of "Five Hundred Years After," is very nearly perfectly written.

If you love good writing, even if you have never heard of Duams, you will like this novel.