Teckla

Vlad's marriage is becoming strained, and Cawti has fallen in with a revolutionary group, who, basically, want a better deal for the working classes. This leaves her husband in political opposition to his wife, and struggling with what to do. Cawti has put herself in danger from both the Jhereg and others because of her new connections, and Vlad has to decide what to do, which side he is on, and who to act against. A very different tone than the first two books, perhaps dealing with Brust's own personal state.

I've been rereading the Vlad Taltos books lately, in no particular order. I had never read "Teckla," and was a bit leery of it, after reading the reviews which all seem to call it depressing. Well, it is depressing. Very depressing, actually. However, that doesn't necessarily make it bad. In fact, I think it may be one of the better books in the series, in terms of human drama. If you follow this series chronologically, Vlad becomes more complex and human with each book, and "Teckla" is an important step on his journey.In "Teckla," Vlad discovers that his wife, Cawti, has joined a revolutionary organization, composed of Easterners and Teckla, and based in South Adrilankha. Vlad can't understand why Cawti cares about revolution and social justice; they argue throughout the book, and their marriage is under serious strain.The plot is complicated, as usual, involving numerous assassination attempts, Jhereg internal wars, and the three-way clash of the revolutionaries, the Jhereg, and the Phoenix Guards. However, it isn't nearly as fun as the chronologically "earlier" books; Brust poses serious questions about the social and political organization of the Dragaeran Empire, and the costs and true effects of revolution. Along the way, he finally manages to make Vlad question the morality of his lifestyle. Vlad, who had previously accepted organized crime and assassination now has to face Cawti's disapproval, and realize that maybe, when he looks very closely, he doesn't like himself that much.This was the third Vlad book Brust wrote, but at the moment, it is chronologically fifth in the series. However you count, this is NOT the place to start reading; without knowing Vlad's past, "Teckla" is a bit confusing. It's also a lot darker than the earlier novels, and less fun, but it builds logically on everything we know about Vlad. Brust, interestingly, makes Vlad a real, changing, growing person, not just an entertaining but utterly unrealistic assassin.

This book has plenty of the good stuff that make Vlad books good, but when he and Cawti start to have problems it gets depressing. There is a bit of suspense and excitement that almost makes you jump at some parts. This book doesn't really have the best ending, but it makes you think things are starting to come together again. But as you read more of the series, it doesn't. I'm hoping that Cawti and Vlad can get back together later in the series, maybe even in the upcoming book ISSOLA.

Brust reveals our super-hero, Vlad, to have real life faults with real life problems. It is amazing how much easier it is to recognize and wrestle through ones own difficulties when seen from the courtyard of Castle Black or dodging assassins during a revolution. Brusts own vulnerability will aid countless readers. Thanks.

Book 3 in the Taltos series. This one is still very well written, but I had to take it down a point because it depressed the hell out of me. Vlad starts to have problems with his wife, and then everything falls apart with the rest of his life. The ending isn't terribly happy, but the plot is continued two books down the line in _Pheonix_.