Athyra

Vlad Taltos, Book 6

By: Steven Brust

Narrated by: Bernard Setaro Clark

Vlad Taltos is very good at killing people. That, combined with two faithful companions and a talent for witchcraft, makes him an assassin par excellence. But lately his heart just hasn't been in his work, so he decides to retire. Unfortunately, old enemies have scores to settle with Vlad. So much for retirement!

©1993 Steven Brust (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

A different point of view. Get used to it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Athyra is told from the point of view of a Teckla boy just entering manhood. It is interesting to see Vlad from someone else's point of view for a change.

Which character – as performed by Bernard Setaro Clark – was your favorite?

The Jerheg, Rocsa is performed admirably - she doesn't translate into words and Mr. Clark does a good job conveying the reptilian brain at work.

Any additional comments?

I was first put off, then enthralled by the change of perspective. Throughout the series reader's have seen the Dragerans through a human, 'easterner' perspective. The subtle difference between them and humans comes to the fore as we see the main character not as what he is to us but what he is to them.

(Please disregard spelling mistakes as audio books do not lend themselves to writing out fantasy names and races).

Hi-dee hi-dee ho-la!

The book itself is good, although the tone is quite a departure from the previous books, since the narrator isn't Vlad. Clark, the audiobook reader, is... fine... same problems as before persist, but I can't stop laughing over Clark intoning "Hi-dee hi-dee ho-la" with all the gravity of a satanic ritual. The falsetto for the POV character begins to grate after a while, too...

The Past Catches Up (Almost)

Enjoyable continuation to the series. I enjoyed hearing the story from Savn's and Rocza's points of view, and found the change refreshing. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Stephen Brust Does It Again!

Where does Athyra rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Not one of my very favorites, but still quite excellent,

Who was your favorite character and why?

Vlad Taltos. I never expected to become sympathetic to an assassin, but the character is very finely drawn.

What does Bernard Setaro Clark bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Mr. Clark was the perfect choice for this series. I enjoyed his narration for the same reasons I enjoy all audio books, because reading in silence is simply a different (and sometimes a lesser) sensory experience.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

NO SPOILERS!

Any additional comments?

I appreciate this whole series. The prose is surprisingly clean for a book about an assassin. This character would be a challenge to meet in Veritasia. Rated PG-13,

not my favorite

Where does Athyra rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Vlad is out of his element in this book, which makes for a nice change of pace but the entire perspective shifts from first person narration and you lose some of the wit and humor that characterizes the other books. The story is pretty slow paced as well. I'm hoping the next one goes back to the good stuff.

just as good as the read.

I really enjoyed the audio novel. having read and re-read the novels, it was great to hear the audio interpretation!

Refreshing Change of Perspective

I'm re-reading the entire series, but first time listening to the audio books. I've really enjoyed Betnard's narration. I'd forgotten that this book was not from Vlad's point of view and I really enjoyed seeing him through someone else's eyes. I have to admit, this time through the series (first read in my 20's and now I'm in my 50's) I have not really "liked" Vlad as much. I remembered being somewhat disappointed the first time I read Teckla, but this time round, his inability to remain connected with CAUTION really had me shaking my head. I think Brust did a really daring thing to take us out if Vald's head after several books, but for me it really worked to make me want to know more about him again. I highly recommend not reading this book too early/out of order, as it is a kind of grounding/palette cleanser, if that makes sense. Anyhow, enjoy!

A new point of view, not such a bad thing

Initially, I thought this entry in the series would be subpar without Vlad himself as narrator, but that misconception quickly evaporated. Although having a new point of view is jarring and doesn't get much better through the experience. The story seems a bit clunky because of the new view as well, but it is fun seeing "vagabond Vlad".

Vlad returns after several years of silence in his timeline, he alludes to several adventures he's had in the interim, one involving the disfigurement of his hand. He's a changed man, but just as snide as ever.

We meet Vlad again through the eyes of a young Teckla, Savn. Savn has had little exposure to Easterners and is not quite sure what Vlad is all about, particularly when one of the townsfolk turn up dead shortly after Vlad's arrival.

This all culminates in an interesting character piece. We see where Vlad has ended up after years on the run, and how far he is willing to go to ensure his safety. Even if it means messing up a lord or two.

As always, Bernard Setaro Clark is fantastic with his reading, but he maintains a higher pitch through most of the story to fit with the young Teckla who is telling us the story; it can get a bit grating after a time, especially when said Teckla seems to be fairly clueless about how most of the world works.

Very cerebral

As this book deals with Athyra, is very cerebral in it's telling. It's the first time we see Vlad from the point of view of anyone other than Vlad. Saven is an interesting character in that he isn't interesting. What I mean to say is that he is an average peasant living an average life when suddenly he's forced to deal with the extraordinary. None of the previous books had a character like this. Every character we've met so far, including Vlad, is extraordinary in some way. Saven isn't. He is perfectly ordinary and thus the most relatable character in the series.

the best... the very very best ... I love this

the narrative skill of Bernard is second to none! I love this series and I can't get enough!!!