For some general commentary on what I feel is the brilliance of Steven Brust's writing, read the introduction to my e-pinion of Jhereg.

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Yendi

Written: Second
Chronologically: Third


Before i actually write some stuff about Yendi, a comment must be made about where this book is placed chronologically in the Vlad series. Although Brust wrote this after Jhereg, the story itself takes place before Jhereg. This is significant because it frees up Brust's writing style. Many fiction series feel compelled to always write in chronological order. Brust, by allowing himself to write anywhere in Vlad's chronology can then create so much more. There is no obligation to pack the main character's childhood into one book's description. There is so much that is unexplained at certain points in Vlad's history that can then be explained later in a chronologically earlier written book. By eliminating the restriction of time and order of writing, Brust opens up a world of freedom that makes the series unique.


As for the book itself...


As is my standard, i don't like when reviews give away the plot or give spoilers, so I'll try to focus on my specific impression of the book while being as not specific as possible (though at points it will be unavoidable).


It is characteristic of Brust to try to have a sense of continuity and unity to his books on many levels. On the global level, his continuity lies in things like having seventeen chapters (or a multiple) or putting the character Devera somewhere in every book. In Yendi there is that same kind of unifying sensibility on the more microscopic level. The book opens with a discussion about onions and how Vlad views onions as an analogy of life. As the book progresses, Brust mentions onions again to help tie certain events and elements together. This is one example out of many that brings out how much of a craftsman Brust is as a writer.


The biggest strength of Yendi is how well it plays out a well-developed plot and mystery while simultaneously giving more insight and background to some of the lead characters in Vlad's world. As a reader we discover more about some of Vlad's relationships, as well as about his every day business as a Jhereg boss - and how new he is at it. At the same time, we are given both an action-packed plot and a mystery.


As these elements come together - learning more about the Dragerean universe while at the same time slowly unlocking the keys to the mystery one by one, Brust easily writes not merely a good book but sets a good precedent for future books. The universe in which he writes and the vocabulary of Vlad's world becomes more natural to the reader, and his ability to create that understanding makes me want to read more and re-read more of his stuff all of the time.


Yendi is a solid story and a solid background for the Vlad series to sit. I feel that it is written in a similar style to Jhereg, which is a successful one. It has the same counterplay of seriousness and humor that marks Brust's writing. It has good pacing and a great attention to detail, particularly about conflict - the main conflict and the side conflicts combined.


It is from this book, then, that Steven Brust takes off with the Vlad Taltos series and starts to really experiment.



Recommended: Yes