These interlocking fantasy series were recommended to me by amazon, based on my wishlist. Has anyone read any of them? I did a little bit of research on Wikipedia and they seem very interesting, but the structure and sequence seems quite confusing. There's supposed to be 15 books, 10 in the first series and 5 in the other series, when they've all been written. Both series are written by different authors, Steven Erikson and Ian Cameron Esslemont, but both series are integral to the other's story. The scope of this series seems huge, with 3 different plot lines, which don't come together until the 6th book. It seems like something I would enjoy having read Terry Goodkind, Robert Jordan and George RR Martin. Anyone familiar with the Malazan Empire?
Thread Recap (last 10 posts from newest to oldest)
Apr 28, 12 at 4:25pm
Irish Gamer
So I finally finished the series.
I don't know if it's because it had been a looong time since I'd read the other novels, but I found it hard to enjoy The Crippled God in parts. At least, I struggled with understanding I think. Partly because I couldn't remember where certain characters were.
There was some absolutely beautiful writing in it, and also some genuine laugh out loud moments. I loved certain aspects of it, but at the same time I agree with Mish that it felt a little rushed in places. I felt the real final chapters were hurried, and considering how fast paced the book was as a whole I can understand pressure Erikson might've been under to get it done...
Spoiler:General Spoilers
Things like Cotillion killing the Crippled God, after all that... I didn't get it? Or did he kill him? What happened there?
More than that, that's something that can be explained away... I wasn't overly happy with Erikson's dealing of some of the characters. He invested a lot of time, and so did we, in certain characters and it didn't sit well with me how he ended the series for some of them. Gesler. What was the point in his death? To kill Treach? Karsa Orlong. In my mind he was a major player, and we got a couple of pages of him. Icarium. ICARIUM! What happened? I understand the plot point, but there was such a build up, and then Mappo didn't even get to speak to him. It didn't feel tragic, it just felt... Wrong.
Our only glimpse of Tehol was a letter. Kruppe appeared in a vision. Both great little cameos but again, these guys were major players. The Tiste Edur? How much time was spent on them?
Cutter and Apsalar/Sorry... What?! A single paragraph at the very end of the book?
I'm sure arguments can be made, Gesler's death for example can be argued to show that not everything is a blaze of glory, some deaths are just pointless and unwitnessed (apart from Kilava). But I don't understand The Bonehunter arc if Cotillion just kills the Crippled God at the end of it all?!
And did anyone else feel for such a formidable Elder race the Forkril Assail went down ridiculously easy? Granted they were up against major players but still. The biggest obstacle seemed to be the desert and thirst rather than the Assail.
So that's my misgivings. On the plus side, I think he wrote Tavore beautifully. And the renuion with Ganoes was brilliant, but all too brief. The very end felt like when they return to the Shire, or they're celebrating on Endor... I guess it's a testament to Erikson (and Esselmont) that I feel there is unfinished business, a vast array of possibilities not even within the world they've created, but just the characters. I could read and read Tehol and Bugg, or Fiddler or Silchas Ruin or Draconus.
Draconus! Where'd he go after Kilamandaros?! I mean really.
Jul 06, 11 at 3:56pm
Mishtram
They most definitely do!
I've heard news that Esslement is going to be writing three books as an epilogue to the series following Erikson's ending of it. I'm not sure if I'm going to pick up those books or just leave the Malazan Book of the Fallen where it lies.
Jun 25, 11 at 7:39pm
Seatiger
Up to TTH and yeah these books rock read Nok and Rtcg there AWESOME!!!!!!!!
Jun 22, 11 at 11:17am
Curt Connors
They're about the length of a middling sized George RR Martin book Existence I haven't read the last one yet Mishtram, *frantically googles to see if my library has it*
Jun 22, 11 at 4:50am
Existence
Ah, the entire series is sitting in my Kindle right now, haven't got around to reading it yet. Want to keep my mind free from other epic fantasy sagas for the release of A Dance with Dragons next month. How long are the books?
Jun 22, 11 at 4:37am
Mishtram
So.
Anyone out there still around to share some thoughts about the end of the Malazan Book of the Fallen? It wasn't what I expected, and one or two bits appeared... rushed (at least by his standards) but I was overall happy with the ending once thinking about it for a bit. Quite profound.
Nov 16, 10 at 9:06pm
Mishtram
I got caught up a while back and will be moving on to Esslemont's books, read like all the books in the space of a few weeks and it felt like I was stuffing so much information in there.
I really wonder what Ganoes is up to, all we've gotten is information that he's in deep crap but we don't know where. Too much to talk about to fit into a single post though!
Nov 16, 10 at 6:29am
Irish Gamer
Just to let you all know, The Crippled God is due out the end of February next year, and Esselmont's third novel Stormwielder is coming out the 25th of November
Apparently the last novel for Esselmont's "thread" of the story is dealing with Assail. And thank god says I, I've been curious about what the hell is going on in Assail since it's first mention!
Apr 27, 10 at 6:46pm
Irish Gamer
That's a pity Rob, I really do love the series now but hey different strokes for different folks and all that
Apr 27, 10 at 5:32pm
RobtheGooner
IG, you're lucky to be getting a reply!
I no longer check this thread because I've given up on the series after finishing Deadhouse Gates. It took me so long to read, but not because of its size (big books aren't a problem with me). I wanted to like it, but I just didn't really. I struggled through the first book, without really understanding that much of what was happening for a good while. Then I made myself carry on with the series because of all the good things I hear about it, including from you guys.
I don't really know why I didn't like it, but one thing I found was that it was incredibly difficult to get under the skin of any of the characters.
Once I start a book I feel I am compelled to finish it, so I doubt I'll be picking up Memories of Ice any time soon. I don't want to put myself through that again.
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