Jhereg

Jhereg cover

Jhereg
April, 1983

My first novel, and, I think, not bad for a first novel. Written in late 1980 and early 1981, as I recall. I’d just gotten laid off from a programming job, and my wife said, “Why don’t you take six months off and write a book?” so I did. I really like the cover.

ornament

Discussion Page

41 thoughts on “Jhereg”

  1. This is a test. This is only a test. Had this been an actual post, it would have been funnier.

  2. There will always be a soft spot in my heart for Jarhead. Though you have certainly become better as a writer since you’ve authored it.

  6. Hi there Steven! I had a question.

    In the Jhereg (and some other later books as I recall, I haven’t re-read them all yet), you mentioned the Jenonine. Are these a play on Anunaki/Niphileem?

    It reminds me of the things postulated by Zecharia Sitchin.

  8. Interesting.

    Sitchen actually believes and explains (with fascinating evidence) that humans are a creation of genetic manipulation between apes and Anunaki.

    Whether one believes it is true or not, it certainly is fun to think about.

  10. It’s a fair question, lol.

    The Anunaki include En.Ki (also known as Lucipher) whose brother is En.Lil (also known as God). En.Ki (according to Sitchen) was the ‘god’ who told Noah to build the arc. Enki was the one on our side, whereas most of the Anunaki (gods, niphleem, etc) just viewed us as insignificant slaves.

    It’s been years since I was studying the topic. I lost interest and forgot most of the finer details when I realized I couldn’t do anything useful with the information except perhaps weave it into fantasy novels to give historians/philosophers something to think about.

    One interesting point is that the Anunaki were said to have set a time limit on our lives (telomere on our cell tails) on purpose, whereas Anunaki lived to be 6000 to 12,000 years old. That is another reason why I thought you might have read about it. Much in your books reminds me of Sitchen’s postulations.

    If you’re ever interested in some very wordy reading (which you may be, considering The Phoenix Guards), and some interesting ideas, Sitchen book The 12th Planet is pretty good. If nothing else, it’s a great history lesson on the Sumerians.

    Just finished re-reading Jhereg. I’m glad I’m reading them chronologically this time. It was actually a surprise to see Vlad using so much magic (even though I’ve read it before). My husband is sitting about six feet away from me in his reading chair with Dragon in his hands, occasionally laughing and reading aloud parts to me, such as:

    “Boss, do I get a raise?”
    “Sure, Loiosh, your salary just doubled.”

  11. That seems very reasonable, if you use the Flying Spaghetti Monster as the standard of comparison.

    Glad you’re enjoying the book. :-) Thanks.

  12. Steven i have been with you from the very start of your writing career, and like you i have loved the cover of Jhereg from the get go. The cover art work is what drew me to it initially i am sad to say but then i started reading the back and had to buy it immediately.
    your protagonist took on a life of his own in my imagination, the world you spun tales of kept me coming back for more. I would love to see you write another chapter in the Bordertown series while your at it. I loved gypsy very much an was wondering if there were any chance you an Emma Bull would be collaborating for more there?

  13. Thanks for the kind words. Nothing planned with Emma, but then, none of my collaborations have been planned before they happened.

  14. Is there any update on ebooks of Jhereg, etc? I want to start the series, but my arthritis makes print copies too difficult to manage.

  15. None. And I’m getting really pissed about it. Ace wants to do them, and I want to do them. The bottleneck is my ex-agent. You can find her picture in the dictionary under “procrastinate.” I am seriously considering doing a blog post in which I give out her email address and ask people to deluge her with requests.

    But that would be unprofessional, so I’m not going to do it.

    Yet.

  16. Well then, what if you do a blog post and just mention who your ex-agent is….I’m sure we could *find* her email address ourselves.

    I don’t have arthritis, but I sure would appreciate electronic copies of all your books, in addition to the print ones I already have. I can’t imagine what her holdup is, after all, selling more copies of books is good for everyone, right? Jeez…

  19. I know. Back when I played NeverWinter Nights I used that one as an avatar (of course, with the kind permission of the artist).

  20. After searching you site, I have come to ask if your early novels have been released as ebooks? A friend just recommended your Vlad Taltos series and I read some of the reviews and Amazon’s book information and was all geared up to start reading and could not find Kindlle release. Unfortunately I need an ebook to read as I can’t do paperbacks anymore. Are ebook versions out yet? Thanks

  21. There are some issues, but they appear not be related to anything Ace is or is not doing. These are old contracts and I think that SFWA is helping him work things out.

  22. I have the first 13 books in paperback and finally broke down and bought the last 7 that are available in a Kindle edition (I was trying to wait to buy the whole set) as my paperbacks are falling apart from multiple readings. Add me and my husband to the list of fans that would jump at the chance to get an ebook version of the first 7 books.

  23. Fantastic books – started in 1983 with “Jhereg” right out of college, and have read them all many times. Sure would be great to get these earlier works on my Kindle. I just finished “Hawk” (which was superb) and have a hankering to go back and re-read the series again. Thanks from a grateful fan.

  24. I have Jhereg on paperback at home, but was hit with a sudden craving for Vlad (teehee) at the airport and was hoping to read it in-flight — I don’t think there’s a higher compliment I can pay an author, Steven, your books are brilliant! — but alas, Jhereg still appears unavailable electronically, at least on Kindle.

  25. Coolest book.
    But kill 2 bodyguards of Lieret in Black Castle – and no war…

  26. PUHLEEEEEZE do whatever you can to get the earlier Taltos novels issued in ebook format. I need the series in kindle format and am ready and waiting to whip out my credit card. Seriously, you, your agent, your ex-agent, your publisher et al. are missing out on a lot of income.

  28. Steven,
    Big fan for years.
    Had most all of the series, until a house fire destroyed every book I had collected over years.
    Jhereg is wonderful, and have read it many times over, and will continue to do so. Like you, I love the cover art! Loiosh looks great. The cover art of him is always been how I picture Jhereg’s in my mind as I’m reading. Always wanted one as a Familiar myself. Looks much like a D&D Pseudo-dragon.

    I found one. Just picked-up a Windstone statue of a dragon that has an outstanding resemblance to the cover art of Jhereg.

    I’ll try to email pics to you.

  29. I was wandering a used bookstore when I picked up Jhereg – finished it in a day. Vlad is just about the greatest character I’ve ever had the pleasure of following along with.

    Halfway through Yendi now!

  32. Been reading you since ’83. Thank you for a fun ride!

    Something I’ve always thought/wondered/ imagined is the degree to which the supposed defining characters of the various Houses are real versus imposed by social notions, or even if real very slight and seemingly inconspicuous unless one is very attuned. Consider how easily a Tiassa is mistaken for a Lyorn, if she is wearing red. Or even how the unmistakable and refined characters of a noble can be mistaken for a Teckla if the garb is right (wrong?) and the hair allows. Jhereg mistaken for Dragonlords based on clothing (or an unassuming Dragonlord isn’t identified as such, unless you know). And so on.

    I couple these observations in the books with the personal observation that folks from different cultures typically have difficulty distinguishing individuals of other cultures with which they are unfamiliar. It’s been my general conclusion over the years that Brust’s elves would likely all look pretty much alike.

    Maybe it’s just me.

    But I’m glad I’ve finally gotten that off my chest, even if it is just me. It’s been nearly 40 years coming!

  34. Dear Mister Brust,

    I regret that I must leave a heartfelt complaint about weight gain. For the past past 15 years I have, as is my wont, re-read all the book in your series in anticipation of a new books arrival (Tsalmoth in this case).

    While your books have not gained weight of pages (well a not counting the Khaavren Romances which are still delightful) I find myself gaining weight from both thoughts provoked and from the cooking I do inspired by these books. Dzur being the greatest provoker of this.

    Tongue fully in cheek, smile on my face, I look forward to devouring your next book,

    Michael

  35. How exactly does one know if he is seeing black and silver or gray and black?

  37. So I recommended Jhereg to a couple friends yesterday who hadn’t been exposed to the series and they’re about to dive in. I figured a reread of at least Jhereg was in order since Lyorn is now devoured. Not surprisingly the developments in Lyorn put some new perspective on the Jhereg reread, including at least these references (paraphrased) that I wonder about:

    1. Aliera’s Pathfinder is referred to as “serving a power higher than the Empire”. What does that mean for the upcoming two books? Without getting into other books, if we’re going to see friends taking sides, will Aliera land on the Empire side or does this imply she won’t? Her relationship to Verra has to have a huge impact.

    2. Vlad suggesting to Kiera that he would start a rumor they were lovers and Kiera responding, “We should have thought of that that cycles ago!” Hyperbolic time reference or careless slip by Kiera?

  38. My thoughts are that it would be hyperbole on her part more than anything else, because although if u recall correctly Vlad does know that she is Also Sethra he plays off not acknowledging that fact.

  39. My brother handed me a worn copy of Jhereg way back in the mid/late 80s when I was a teenager. I have eagerly awaited every book you have written (Cowboy Feng’s is still one of my favorites).

    Now I am trying to get my husband to read them. He is a big fan of Terry Pratchett, Lee Child, and F. Paul Wilson (I got him hooked on those). So these should also appeal. I just don’t know whether to tell him to read them chronologically or by publication date. As I re-read them by published date, it gets a bit twisty.

    Any suggestions?

  40. Bhue Moon: Well, publication is easier to figure out. I did my best to write them so they could be read in any order whatsoever, which makes me the wrong person to ask.

  41. Easy answer – have him read them in publication order, then when the series is finished, re-read them in chronological order (to the extent possible given the Dragon-straddle…darn you, Steve).

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