“A wonderful installment that combines theatricality, crime, Vlad’s trademark wise-cracking, and portents of world-changing events…There’s just enough backstory to refresh the memories of longtime fans and whet the appetites of newcomers. This series shows no signs of slowing down.”—Publishers Weekly


Praise for the Vlad Taltos series:

“Surprisingly resonant…another solid entry in the series.” —RT Book Reviews on Vallista

“Brust is one of those natural caper writers, a pulp writer in the Hammett tradition, someone with what William Gibson calls ‘wheels on his tractor’…. A writer who can spin a yarn that keeps you guessing until the end.” —Cory Doctorow on Hawk

“Wonderful…Like most of Brust’s books, this witty, wry tale stands alone and is very accessible to new readers.” —Publishers Weekly on Tiassa

“Clever….Brust’s signature wit and narrative voice keep the action flowing and entertaining.” —Publishers Weekly on Vallista

“Watch Steven Brust. He’s good. He moves fast. He surprises you. Watching him untangle the diverse threads of intrigue, honor, character and mayhem from amid the gears of a world as intricately constructed as a Swiss watch is a rare pleasure.” —Roger Zelazny