The adventurous sequel to The Phoenix Guards reunites Khaavren, Pel, Aerich, and Tazendra, who meet again after five hundred years, just as an uprising in Dragaera threatens the Imperial Orb and begins to change their world.
Five Hundred Years After (Phoenix Guards)
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From Publishers Weekly
This sequel to Brust's The Phoenix Guard comes close to crossing the line into self-indulgence but is saved by ultimately becoming a rollicking good read. Initially, however, the narrative is buried in such a flow of periphrasis that the reader begins to suspect the dialogue is a metaphor for the Dragaeran Empire's decadence. The suspicion is belied, however, when even Khaavren--the supposedly terse guard captain, who with companions Pel, Aerich and Tazendra is a main protagonist--rambles on. The action accelerates when the Emperor Tortaalik I becomes more imperial and several characters fall in love with Aliera, daughter of Lord Adron (who has his eyes on Tortaalik's throne). The dialogue picks up to keep pace with mounting tension. The author's delight in his creation is ultimately contagious and there is certainly enough adventure to satisfy most readers. If these characters often seem more cautious and world-weary than they did in the first volume (excepting the delightful Tazendra), and the novel is occasionally trying, it is nevertheless a first-rank addition to Brust's works.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Intrigue in the emperor's palace and revolution in the streets of the underside drive Phoenix guard Khaavren and his longtime companions to action in defense of an empire that may be near the end of its cycle. Full of flamboyant action and arch dialog, this latest adventure in Brust's popular "Dragaeran" novels pits sword against sorcery in classic swashbuckling style. Deliberately reminiscent of the romantic adventures of Dumas, this lush tale of conspiracy, love, magic, and swordplay should enjoy a wide readership.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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First Sentence
UPON THE FIRST DAY OF autumn, that is, the ninth day of the month of the Vallista in the five hundred and thirty-second year of the reign of His Imperial Majesty, Tortaalik I, of the House of the Phoenix, a messenger arrived at the Imperial Wing of the Palace and begged an audience with the Emperor. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
UPON THE FIRST DAY OF autumn, that is, the ninth day of the month of the Vallista in the five hundred and thirty-second year of the reign of His Imperial Majesty, Tortaalik I, of the House of the Phoenix, a messenger arrived at the Imperial Wing of the Palace and begged an audience with the Emperor. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Grant Reed
Format:Mass Market Paperback
What would the Three Musketeers have been like 500 years after they originally fought together, in say oh, on our timeline, April 2125.
In The Phoenix Guard Brust introduced his three musketeers, and they had a similar parting of ways, but now forces are gathering to cause problems, Mario walks the world, and the friends get together again to save it.
I enjoy the adventures of Vlad Taltos, but this book and it predecessor are perhaps the most entertaining of the lot. Taltos is an outsider in the Dragaeran Society, Khaavren, Aerich, Tazendra, and Pel are within it. Their adventures are no less enjoyable than those of Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and D'Artagnan. Written with the same tongue and cheek perspective as the Taltos series, these books provide an intersting view of classical characters.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The Phoenix Guards is one of the few books I would recommend to anyone without reservation, and I think I could do the same with 500 Years After. Stephen Brust, I am certain, took great pleasure in writing this novel, savouring every word in his baroque descriptions of his characters, their intrigues, and the incredible setting of the city of Dragaera. After years of hearing about Adron's Disaster from the Vlad Taltos novels, we finally get to see that terribly tragedy, as Adron makes decent, honourable efforts to do his duty to the Empire as he sees fit. Of course, Khavvren, Pel, Tazendra, and Aerich are there to see it, and to try to stop it. Frankly, I enjoy this series even more than Vlad Taltos, and I hope the third installment will appear eventually (it's been a long wait).
Format:Mass Market Paperback
As a fantasy buff, I can't believe I'd never heard of Steven Brust before stumbling across this book's predecessor, _The Phoenix Guards_ (with its striking cover) in the public library. If there were justice in the literary world, you'd think he'd have received more acclaim and notice than a certain Mr. J-----, also a TOR author, as Brust's writing is crisp and lively, his pacing excellent.
As explained in an "interview" with the book's pompous narrator, Brust writes for those who love to read, i.e. those who enjoy a good vocabulary, good grammar, good phrasing, and (indeed) a good story. This is not some "page-turner" to be engulfed at one-sitting; if you did that with a box of Godiva chocolates, you'd become ill and lose the appreciation for each one. Just so with each of the book's chapters. The plot does slow a little too much in places--often due the musings of the intruding, over-erudite narrator--but there are worthy adages, tales and metaphors therein; don't miss them.
This is a fine, fine work. The swashbuckling spirit of _The Phoenix Guards_ remains intact, but partially cloaked by ominous portents. Do not miss these two books if you enjoy a good tale (fantasy or otherwise). I'll eagerly await the third.
(Postscript: Perhaps best of all, the story ends! Take note, Messrs. J----- and G-------.)
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3.9 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The days before Adron's Disaster ! Exciting !
This is a sequel to "The Phoenix Guards". The court is upset by a series of murders. Khaavren suspects that the murders are part of a dangerous intrigue against the... Read more
Published on Sep 9 2000 by Setsuna Lavode
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun! Witty! And a darn good yarn!
Brust's style throughout is flowery... so if that turns you off then don't bother reading this fantasy written in the dramatic and flowery style of Dumas. Loads of fun. Read more
Published on Oct 3 1999
1.0 out of 5 stars
long-winded is not for everyone
Although this author has an interesting story going, you have to wade through pages of annoying chatter to find it. Read more
Published on Sep 9 1999
3.0 out of 5 stars
Dumas-style fantasy swashbuckler with charm
This book continues the adventures of Khaavren and his compatriots some five hundred years after The Phoenix Guards. Read more
Published on Aug 3 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
where's the sequal?
I really liked this book. I thought the style was pretty nifty, in fact. But in looking in the front, I noted something like this: The Viscount of Adrilankha* *forthcoming. Read more
Published on July 8 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thrilling..haunting
This book is Brust's best...it clearly shows all of the charecters feelings, is easy to follow, and gives you complete coverage of Adron's Disaster.
Published on Dec 26 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
Overwritten and brilliant
Althogh a big Vlad Taltos fan, these fantasies are my favorite Brust novels, and rank among my favorite comic fantasies (including Jack Vance's "Lyonesse" and John... Read more
Published on Nov 11 1998
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as Vlad, but still Steven Brust
I found this book to be entertaining, action packed and well written. I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoy the vald series, but it's still a great story. Read more
Published on Nov 5 1998 by Christopher S. Barrett
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not for everyone
I faithfully followed Vlad Taltos' adventures as they got progressively more depressing, and gave this book a shot because I loved the first few of those. It was a mistake. Read more
Published on Oct 17 1998
1.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty good...
This is better than the Phoenix Guards. I don't think the characters are really Brust's strongest, and the Dumas-derived narrative style can be grating, but it's still pretty... Read more
Published on Sep 26 1998 by GeoX
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