Jhereg

A Novel of Wonderment and War Vlad Taltos, #1

by Steven Brust

Mass Market Paperback, 239 pages

English language

Published Feb. 27, 1987 by ACE Charter.

ISBN:: 978-0-441-38554-6

View on OpenLibrary

(32 reviews)

THE ASSASSIN

There are many ways for a young man with quick wits and a quick sword to advance in the world. Vlad Taltos chose the route of assassin. To his other qualifications he added two things: The first was a smattering of witchcraft—badly thought of on Dragaera, but only a fool refuses such a weapon . . .

The second was his constant companion, a young jhereg, its leathery wings and poisonous teeth always at Vlad's command, its alien mind psionically linked with his own. Vlad has never regretted the sorcerous bargain he made with his jhereg's mother: "I offer your egg long life and fresh, red meat without struggle, and I offer it my friendship. I ask for aid in my endeavors. I ask for its wisdom, and I ask for its friendship."

5 editions

Rainer reviewed Jhereg by Steven Brust (Vlad Taltos, #1)

A decent fantasy novel

4 stars

I read this based on the recommendations from Cory Doctorow and Robert Evans, but didn't come away loving it.

The storyline was entertaining and intriguing enough, but it was definitely written by a straight white man in the 80s. The femme characters were written in a way that was frustrating to read in 2023, particularly Vlad's wife. She seemed to exist only to be "the perfect wife".

I don't think I'll return to Brust's work again. Perhaps I will someday, but I'm not particularly motivated to do so after finishing this one.

Gossamerchild reviewed Jhereg by Steven Brust (Vlad Taltos, #1)

Review of 'Jhereg.' on 'Storygraph'

3 stars

This was probably closer to 2.5 stars. This was interesting, but there was something very odd about this book, something I can't quite put my fingers on. I did feel like I was missing something (a feeling I often have with science fiction). I felt like Vlad was having a conversation with me, and I can't figure out if I liked that sense of intimacy or if it irritated me.

Silenceis Golden reviewed Jhereg by Steven Brust (Vlad Taltos, #1)

Review of 'Jhereg' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Folks there are reasons I own every book Brust has written.

In the spirit of Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, a solid Swords n Sorcery backdrop - but essentially the tale of good guy, as screwed up and conflicted as the rest of us trying to get by in a rough and weird town.

Lot of Andre Dumas! Raymond Chandler / Dashiell Hammett sprinkled around, maybe a hint of Rex Stout.