Help
Hmm. I really enjoy Brust's work. He's got a good sense of humor, a scathing wit, and a good ear for dialogue.
I didn't really go for "To Reign in Hell"... it just lacked something. But the Taltos books and the Paarfi romances are both excellent.
He's not Erikson. He's not even competing with Erikson, in my mind. But the Taltos books are about the best light fantasy out there, in my opinion. You can sit down with one and polish it off in a couple of hours, a day tops. The Paarfi books are a bit heavier, and written a bit more densely, but are still light reading overall.
Erikson's stuff is darker, more serious, more epic, and just more gripping overall. If I had to pick only one author to read, it'd be Erikson. That said, Brust is pretty damn good too.
steven brust
#2 Guest_Fyren_*
Posted 27 November 2004 - 12:36 PM
I'm definetly on the defensive for Steven Brust, having read eight of his books and absolutly loving them.
I've gotten flamed for calling him one of my favorite authors before, but i don't care. Steven Brust rules... course he's no SE, but he still rules!
I've gotten flamed for calling him one of my favorite authors before, but i don't care. Steven Brust rules... course he's no SE, but he still rules!
#3 Guest_Emile K_*
Posted 14 October 2004 - 04:25 PM
The Vlad Taltos novels are very entertaining. I like that the books were not published in chronological sequence, and appreciate the allusions to past events that get answered somewhere down the line.
Also, I like the character development that is so lacking in most fantasy. And decent magic system, lots of questions to answer, etc.
Also, I like the character development that is so lacking in most fantasy. And decent magic system, lots of questions to answer, etc.
#4
Satan 
- Hunting for love
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 1,569
- Joined: 12-December 02
Posted 10 September 2004 - 03:29 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Dark Daze:
I may have overstated the case, because I resent comments like, "[Steven Brust's] writing style (especially in "to reign in hell") beats erikson by a mile"
I think he does. it isn't eriksons style that attracts me to him, it's the incredible world he has created for the story, and the plot that unfolds in that world. don't think his style is anything special at all.
Legalise drugs! And murder!
#5 Guest_Edge_*
Posted 09 September 2004 - 10:02 AM
I read the Jhereg book and was not impressed. The third story seemed to consist entirely of the main character whinging about how his wife didn't understand him. 
It certainly put me off him as a writer.
It certainly put me off him as a writer.
#6
Nazaar
- Recruit
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 25
- Joined: 25-May 04
Posted 14 November 2004 - 04:36 AM
Comparing Brust and Erikson is a pointless exercise imho, they're apples and oranges. I've read most of Brust's stuff and love it. The Taltos stuff is more murder/mystery in a fantasy setting, though there are more standard fantasy bits. Each series has a different feel.
As for comparing the two authors in terms of their sales and time in the 'Best Seller List', please I'm sure Oprahs latest diet book sold better than all of Erikson's books combined; does that mean anything?
As for comparing the two authors in terms of their sales and time in the 'Best Seller List', please
I'm sure Oprahs latest diet book sold better than all of Erikson's books combined; does that mean anything?
#7 Guest_Richard_*
Posted 26 November 2004 - 08:22 PM
The Paarfi romances are great -- fresh and unique fantasy series IMO, and I love the dialogue/language, the humour .. Tazendra and Mica crack me up every time 
#8
Mort
- Captain
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 23-January 03
Posted 08 September 2004 - 04:14 PM
I enjoy Brust, and have since I first read To Reign In Hell over ten years ago.
I would say he is a very different author to Erikson and co, and certainly not an "epic" fantasy writer. He reads either like a C19 author or a whodunnit most of the time, but some of his best work is almost written as if it is a folk tale.
His vampire novel, Agyar, is worth a read if you want to try a different approach to the genre... it can be pretty hard to find though.
I find that his is a much lighter touch than is the case with most fantasy writers. In addition he seems to enjoy trying different styles on and seeing what he can do with it. As an example, the Phoenix Guards, 500 Years after and Viscount of Adrilankha, are all written in a style similar to that of the Dumas/C19 Serialists. Plus they are funny, but only if you have the original style to compare to. (Otherwise many people find them extremely boring and tedious)
As for the Vlad Taltos novels, they too are fun, (i have all of them - putting me, surproise surprise, on the opposite end of the scale to DD) but they are not all one dimensional - the characters do develop as the series progresses.
Cowboy Fengs Space Bar and Grill was the only book of his I couldn't get into.
I would say he is a very different author to Erikson and co, and certainly not an "epic" fantasy writer. He reads either like a C19 author or a whodunnit most of the time, but some of his best work is almost written as if it is a folk tale.
His vampire novel, Agyar, is worth a read if you want to try a different approach to the genre... it can be pretty hard to find though.
I find that his is a much lighter touch than is the case with most fantasy writers. In addition he seems to enjoy trying different styles on and seeing what he can do with it. As an example, the Phoenix Guards, 500 Years after and Viscount of Adrilankha, are all written in a style similar to that of the Dumas/C19 Serialists. Plus they are funny, but only if you have the original style to compare to. (Otherwise many people find them extremely boring and tedious)
As for the Vlad Taltos novels, they too are fun, (i have all of them - putting me, surproise surprise, on the opposite end of the scale to DD) but they are not all one dimensional - the characters do develop as the series progresses.
Cowboy Fengs Space Bar and Grill was the only book of his I couldn't get into.
#9 Guest_Dark Daze_*
Posted 07 September 2004 - 03:43 PM
I read Jhereg, and had no desire to read more.
1) Too much ink was dedicated to allusions of other events.
2) The style was more akin to a mystery than of an action packed fantasy. That would be fine and a welcome change of pace, but there are much suspenseful and intriguing mysteries out there than Jhereg. Further, most mysteries flesh out characters better.
3) Brust thought the snappy wisecracks were a lot more clever than they really were. He should have spent more time moving the story forward or describing more action and conflicts.
4) The little invisible dragon idea was kind of annoying. It was like being trapped with a bratty little rugrat on an neverending airplane ride.
1) Too much ink was dedicated to allusions of other events.
2) The style was more akin to a mystery than of an action packed fantasy. That would be fine and a welcome change of pace, but there are much suspenseful and intriguing mysteries out there than Jhereg. Further, most mysteries flesh out characters better.
3) Brust thought the snappy wisecracks were a lot more clever than they really were. He should have spent more time moving the story forward or describing more action and conflicts.
4) The little invisible dragon idea was kind of annoying. It was like being trapped with a bratty little rugrat on an neverending airplane ride.
#10
Anomander Rake
- First Sword
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 610
- Joined: 14-July 02
Posted 09 September 2004 - 03:36 AM
I have read the Book of the Jhereg, which contained about 3 of his stories in one. I really enjoyed reading them. Only thing is that the sequence the books are written in, I prefer a book to have a set sequence, buts that's just me.
#11
Satan
- Hunting for love
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 1,569
- Joined: 12-December 02
Posted 07 September 2004 - 12:57 PM
so I've done a little search on it, and it seems like you lot thinks he's a dirt trudger. now, my question be thus: why? I just read "to reign in hell" and the first part of "book of jhereg", and I must say I absolutely love this author. fine, fine, he's not the best setting describer. but his writing style (especially in "to reign in hell") beats erikson by a mile in my oppinion. it's just pure enjoyment to read, even though it's not as epic as it may have been.
so give me your reasons for thinking of him as a second rate author, or your reasons for loving him.
so give me your reasons for thinking of him as a second rate author, or your reasons for loving him.
Legalise drugs! And murder!
#12 Guest_Dark Daze_*
Posted 08 September 2004 - 07:29 PM
I may have overstated the case, because I resent comments like, "[Steven Brust's] writing style (especially in "to reign in hell") beats erikson by a mile"
It's like please, Steven Brust is lucky if one of his books doesn't go out of print the week after it's published.
It's like please, Steven Brust is lucky if one of his books doesn't go out of print the week after it's published.
#13 Guest_TheClaw_*
Posted 08 September 2004 - 04:40 AM
Read Book of the Jhereg and the following stories with the same character and must say I found them great...
Burst is not in the league of erikson and a few others but very enjoyable and I like the world and the characters a lot...
Burst is not in the league of erikson and a few others but very enjoyable and I like the world and the characters a lot...
#14 Guest_Richard_*
Posted 13 November 2004 - 05:34 PM
IMO Brust's best title is "The Phoenix Guards" [ISBN: 031285157X], distinctive for the style of dialogue he uses (which he forgoes in the Vlad Taltos novels).
You will either love it or hate -- I personally loved it
To say he's not in the same "league" as Erikson is looking at it completely in the wrong way IMHO -- Brust and Erikson aren't really even playing the same sport; among other criteria, you have to also judge a book based on the author's intent.
Lastly, to judge solely based on copies ordered/sold doesn't make sense to me either -- the fact x number of people like something doesn't necessarily validate it or give it merit.
Just my $0.02 -- I'll shut up now
You will either love it or hate -- I personally loved it
To say he's not in the same "league" as Erikson is looking at it completely in the wrong way IMHO -- Brust and Erikson aren't really even playing the same sport; among other criteria, you have to also judge a book based on the author's intent.
Lastly, to judge solely based on copies ordered/sold doesn't make sense to me either -- the fact x number of people like something doesn't necessarily validate it or give it merit.
Just my $0.02 -- I'll shut up now
#15
Mort
- Captain
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 23-January 03
Posted 28 July 2005 - 03:30 AM
For those who care -
TOR seems to be reprinting all of the major Brust works.
On my trip to Sydney's Galaxy Bookshop last week I found new editions of Agyar, The Sun, The Moon The Stars (or whatever it is called) and Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grille. PLus a copy of his collaborations Freedom and Necessity and Gypsy.
For those who have seenm the Reign in Hell new version, covers are similar. Devouring Agyar at present (as I gaver away my old copy to mates in the US, not realising how rare it was...)
BTW - Galaxy also has a selection of Erikson's PS Publishing novellas (HC and PB).
So wish I had more$$$
TOR seems to be reprinting all of the major Brust works.
On my trip to Sydney's Galaxy Bookshop last week I found new editions of Agyar, The Sun, The Moon The Stars (or whatever it is called) and Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grille. PLus a copy of his collaborations Freedom and Necessity and Gypsy.
For those who have seenm the Reign in Hell new version, covers are similar. Devouring Agyar at present (as I gaver away my old copy to mates in the US, not realising how rare it was...)
BTW - Galaxy also has a selection of Erikson's PS Publishing novellas (HC and PB).
So wish I had more$$$
#16
Dagger
- Interloper
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 575
- Joined: 03-May 05
- Location:west of Minnesota - USA
Posted 01 July 2005 - 11:10 AM
OK, thanks folks. I'll start with "To Reign in Hell" at my local library and see if it does anything for me.
"I can see my days of not taking you seriously are coming to a middle." - Mal Reynolds
#17
Dagger
- Interloper
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 575
- Joined: 03-May 05
- Location:west of Minnesota - USA
Posted 28 June 2005 - 08:41 AM
OK, I'm thinking of giving one of his books a try (when I'm done with everything else on my plate). Where do I start? Does anyone know the proper order for the Taltos series?
"I can see my days of not taking you seriously are coming to a middle." - Mal Reynolds
#18 Guest_Jay Tomio_*
Posted 30 June 2005 - 09:17 AM
The other members of Admin at FBS pushed Brust's Taltos on me, they are big fans. I went ahead and read the first 3 works was I was trying to give them the benifit of the doubt).
I simply found nothing redeeming about them, and in short found them rather silly. I'm not going to say it's abysmal, because no doubt I have read much worse, but the way they were hyping it left me disappointed in what I percieved as still sub-par work.
The dialogue others find so refreshing I thougth was pretty pedestrian in nature.
I will say this however, Brust's To reign in Hell (unrelated to the Taltos) was pretty damn entertaining, and remains the only Brust novel I think I could recomend even mildly.
I simply found nothing redeeming about them, and in short found them rather silly. I'm not going to say it's abysmal, because no doubt I have read much worse, but the way they were hyping it left me disappointed in what I percieved as still sub-par work.
The dialogue others find so refreshing I thougth was pretty pedestrian in nature.
I will say this however, Brust's To reign in Hell (unrelated to the Taltos) was pretty damn entertaining, and remains the only Brust novel I think I could recomend even mildly.
#19
Mort
- Captain
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 23-January 03
Posted 29 June 2005 - 04:45 AM
A Dagger
There is a slight problem with your quyetion. The Taltos series is discontinuous at best. In one novel he discusses events from earlier and future novels. Your best bet is to read them in order of publication.
Jhereg is good for basic understanding of just what ia going on and introducing the main characters.
I'd recommend the Pheonix Guard series, but you need to enjoy flowery language and his imitation of Dumas and the serialists.
There is a slight problem with your quyetion. The Taltos series is discontinuous at best. In one novel he discusses events from earlier and future novels. Your best bet is to read them in order of publication.
Jhereg is good for basic understanding of just what ia going on and introducing the main characters.
I'd recommend the Pheonix Guard series, but you need to enjoy flowery language and his imitation of Dumas and the serialists.
#20 Guest_Izz_*
Posted 13 July 2005 - 10:12 PM
"Snow, tenderly caught by eddying breezes, swirled and spun into and out of bright, lustrous shapes that gleamed against the emerald-blazaned black drape of sky and sparkled there for a moment, hanging, before settling gently to the soft, green-tufted plain with all the sickly sweetness of an over-written sentence."
- first paragraph (edit: I mean sentence!) of To Reign in Hell prologue
I haven't read much of him yet - just got Book of Jhereg and To Reign in Hell from the library a few days ago - but he seems promsing. And come on that is one classic opening line!
Brust is more of a writer's writer from what I can tell, although enjoyable by many for sure.
- first paragraph (edit: I mean sentence!) of To Reign in Hell prologue
I haven't read much of him yet - just got Book of Jhereg and To Reign in Hell from the library a few days ago - but he seems promsing. And come on that is one classic opening line!
Brust is more of a writer's writer from what I can tell, although enjoyable by many for sure.
