Agyar

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.

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.

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....

Steven Brust has long been a favourite of mine, and if you read Agyar, you will understand why. I believe that there are very few vampire stories that are truly worth reading, perhaps it is something about the very nature of vampires that makes them so difficult to handle. However, John Agyar, even as a killer, comes across as a very well- rounded character who evokes the reader's sympathy. The story revolves around Agyar's fight to free himself from the machinations of his mistress, Laura, and his growing love for a talented young dancer named Susan. The ending, while not entirely completely rosy, is none the less very satisfying. A much- recommended read.

_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 fle