Sethra Lavode

This is the 3rd book in the Viscount of Adrilankha trilogy, following The Paths of the Dead and The Lord of Castle Black. It's a trilogy the way the Lord of the Rings is a trilogy--it's one story, broken up into 3 volumes, and you really have to read them all to get the full effect. So in Sethra Lavode, we get the conclusion of the war between Zerika's followers and the Pretender, and the resolution of the problems between Khaavren and his son Piro, who'd run off and become a highwayman, and basically tells us how Morrolan and Sethra Lavode and Sethra the Younger get to the point they're at when we first meet them in the Vlad Taltos series. I won't rhapsodize about the writing style in this series here except to say that I absolutely love it. The point being that you have to love this style to enjoy the books, otherwise you'd hate it.

This one reads more like A Vlad Taltos novel in some spots than a Khaavren romance, but it does hit the spot quite nicely. Brust wraps up a whole lot of loose threads in this one, yet leaves enough questions answered, presumably in case he wants to work on these characters some more. The plot hinges on how Empress Zerika finally gets complete control of The Empire, with the help of the usual cast of characters, including Morolan, Sethra Lavode, Khaavren, Pell, Aerich, and my all time favorite Brust character, Tazendra, who by this time is a major sorcerer, adding interesting twists to the whole thing. The story is very fast paced and can be conquered in a few hours. There are no unnecessary detours, even though Paarfi is the narrator, which is an amazing feat in and of its own. More important, this book, and this series, is a great bridge between "The Phoenix Guards," and the Vlad Taltos books. Well worth the time and effort.

The Viscount of Ardilanka series stood in stark contrast to the previous Khaavren Romances, Phoenix Guards and 500 Years After; yet it's style was that of one continous novel- as it was meant to be. The last addition, Sethra Lavode was no exception to Brust's usual brilliance. Thus, this emotionally charged epic moves us to a realization that the four's friendship is a timeless relationship that is unmatched by any other story. I give this book five stars because it moved me, the conclusion of Khaavren's story is a complete and fulfilling end.

With "Sethra Lavode," Brust brings the "Viscount of Adrilankha" series to a conclusion. And, perhaps, the larger Khaavren stories begun with "The Phoenix Guards" as well. But before turning to "Sethra" some background is probably appropriate.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.