Marriage and business!

Tsalmoth (Vlad Taltos #7) by Steven Brust 

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Vlad Taltos is a boss with the House of Jhegala. It’s taken him some time, major capers and quite a few books to get to the being a boss let me tell you. He’s an Easterner and human. He’s an assassin in the Dragaeran world, involved in gang run gambling establishments, sometimes killing and a lot of other simple but nefarious doings. I just plain enjoy him. A laconic, wise cracking thief. A thief with powerful friends, an assassin for a fiancé and his familiar Loioish who sits on his shoulder. He’s sort of like a hard boiled gum shoe detective though he’s no goody two shoes, he does solve mysteries, he has his own standards, and a soft heart. But don’t tell anyone.

I’ve read all of Brust novels in and out of the Dragaeran series, and when a new one makes its way onto the shelves, I’m there. This is the 16th in the series, although chronologically a flashback happening in previous times.

Vlad gives us a discourse on the arrangements for his upcoming wedding to Cawti as part of the chapter introductions. Food features rather dramatically, because food is very important to Vlad.

Anyway Vlad gets involved with a guy who owes him money, eight hundred imperials. When the guy dies all Vlad wants back is his investment. Not too much to ask!? Unfortunately that enquiry has Vlad becoming involved in Necromancers, Left Hand sorceresses doings, a black stone called Vera’s tears that along with dark water took him somewhere else. A demon gets half planted on Vlad and Oh Yes, at some stage Vlad’s killed.

Of course Morrolan and Aliera at Castle Black and all the other inhabitants including Sethra become involved.

Vlad of course keeps up a wonderfully ironic running conversation throughout the novel that had me smiling and going Nice One Vlad! Along of course with Cawti who has his back.

As always Vlad novels are a treat. Vlad sense of humor is both wicked and sometimes his undoing. Still he manages to prevail (survive) with the help of his friends, particularly those in high places who are practised in magic and sorcery.

A Tor ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.