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kleighblue's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.5
lloydie666's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lobsterjohn's review against another edition
Too convoluted, don’t enjoy this authors style
sarazeen95's review against another edition
5.0
Erikson has a unique way of making you pay attention. I should have learned my lesson with GOTM, that every phrase is important, but I did not. As such, I had to reread the first few chapters to properly process them.
I’m proud to say that I have truly never read anyone like Erikson before. He manages to make action scenes slow down to the point where I could practically see the light glinting off the edges of the blades. Sections of desperation and helplessness actually made me put the book down for an hour, just to digest the pain of what I was reading. I only wish I had even a quarter of the skill this man has in creating worlds, storylines, and characters that make you laugh out loud, scream, jump for joy and then weep in growing horror as you accompany them through their many journeys.
I’ll admit, I was hesitant about leaving behind the incredible cast of GOTM characters, which is why it took me this long to get back to the Malazan series, but I’m glad I did. I found old favorites, and a whole host of new people to fall in love with.
Because I’m trying to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible, I’ll simply discuss some general themes in Deadhouse Gates.
Firstly, the theme of “ochre”. While it did annoy me a little, I quickly came to associate the color with the contingent we traverse in this book, especially the omnipresent holy desert that plays such a vital part here.
Secondly, there are multiple characters who caught my attention, either through sympathy or just outright hatred. One in particular I pitied, disapproved of, grudgingly admired and then openly fell in love with. If you read, it won’t be hard to figure out who this is. Hint, this person’s sister is a complete and utter — well. You get the point. The other notable duo of characters (among many, many here who stole my heart) is a pair of tragic wanderers whose story genuinely broke my heart. To love so purely, so deeply, knowing this friendship is doomed, and yet continuing nevertheless is a kind of strength found very, very rarely. Like so many have mentioned, Erikson has a special skill in making heartfelt duos, and so far at least, these are my favorite.
Excuse me. I need a tissue.
The last several chapters had me openly bawling like a baby, and I’m not even ashamed to say it. The last time I cried for any character like this was when Dumbledore died, and I didn’t even like him all that much in the beginning!
What a writer! What a skilled storyteller! Erikson did not write a book in Deadhouse Gates — he created a stunning work of art. Yes, it’s difficult to read and takes attention and patience, but the experience so addictively rewarding. I’m diving headfirst into Memories of Ice, and I don’t even care that it’s five in the morning right now. I NEED MY BRIDGEBURNERS BACK OKAY?
5 stars well-deserved indeed.
I’d like to end this review with just one of the hundreds of quotable quotes from this glorious hunk of a book:
Why do the survivors remain anonymous — as if cursed — while the dead are revered? Why do we cling to what we lose while we ignore what we still hold?
I’m proud to say that I have truly never read anyone like Erikson before. He manages to make action scenes slow down to the point where I could practically see the light glinting off the edges of the blades. Sections of desperation and helplessness actually made me put the book down for an hour, just to digest the pain of what I was reading. I only wish I had even a quarter of the skill this man has in creating worlds, storylines, and characters that make you laugh out loud, scream, jump for joy and then weep in growing horror as you accompany them through their many journeys.
I’ll admit, I was hesitant about leaving behind the incredible cast of GOTM characters, which is why it took me this long to get back to the Malazan series, but I’m glad I did. I found old favorites, and a whole host of new people to fall in love with.
Because I’m trying to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible, I’ll simply discuss some general themes in Deadhouse Gates.
Firstly, the theme of “ochre”. While it did annoy me a little, I quickly came to associate the color with the contingent we traverse in this book, especially the omnipresent holy desert that plays such a vital part here.
Secondly, there are multiple characters who caught my attention, either through sympathy or just outright hatred. One in particular I pitied, disapproved of, grudgingly admired and then openly fell in love with. If you read, it won’t be hard to figure out who this is. Hint, this person’s sister is a complete and utter — well. You get the point. The other notable duo of characters (among many, many here who stole my heart) is a pair of tragic wanderers whose story genuinely broke my heart. To love so purely, so deeply, knowing this friendship is doomed, and yet continuing nevertheless is a kind of strength found very, very rarely. Like so many have mentioned, Erikson has a special skill in making heartfelt duos, and so far at least, these are my favorite.
Excuse me. I need a tissue.
The last several chapters had me openly bawling like a baby, and I’m not even ashamed to say it. The last time I cried for any character like this was when Dumbledore died, and I didn’t even like him all that much in the beginning!
What a writer! What a skilled storyteller! Erikson did not write a book in Deadhouse Gates — he created a stunning work of art. Yes, it’s difficult to read and takes attention and patience, but the experience so addictively rewarding. I’m diving headfirst into Memories of Ice, and I don’t even care that it’s five in the morning right now. I NEED MY BRIDGEBURNERS BACK OKAY?
5 stars well-deserved indeed.
I’d like to end this review with just one of the hundreds of quotable quotes from this glorious hunk of a book:
Why do the survivors remain anonymous — as if cursed — while the dead are revered? Why do we cling to what we lose while we ignore what we still hold?
erickibler4's review against another edition
5.0
The tale splits into four different stories, which merge into two at then. Some readers are thrown when, after Book 1, the scene is shifted to a new continent and some new characters. But book two has a narrower character p.o.v. focus, which helps. Kalam gets a chance to shine, as does Duiker, the soldier/historian and Mappo, the emo Trell. Some mysteries are resolved and some new ones pop up, which is the way an epic series like this should work.
The military plot, involving a long retreat and movement of refugees, which I thought would not appeal to me, ended up being the part that most affected me. Kudos to Erikson for that.
I loved the book.
The military plot, involving a long retreat and movement of refugees, which I thought would not appeal to me, ended up being the part that most affected me. Kudos to Erikson for that.
I loved the book.
birte's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
m0n0cle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
freudenbergj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
sam_mehdi's review against another edition
5.0
This book was insane. I found myself scowling and breathing more heavily while reading, in response to the pure carnage that Erikson so capably presented. It's a reminder of how different the world can be, of how different our world once was.
The literary elements of Deadhouse Gates are just about unsurpassed by anything I've yet read. The deep character development, a truly riveting and engrossing plot, and the totally immersive world-building all mark Erikson as a paragon in fantasy authorship and, more humbly, as one of my favorite authors.
I'd like to point out the parallel between Coltaine's march across Seven Cities and Caesar's campaigns in Gaul. A fiercely professional and disciplined force finding itself deep within hostile country, without any prospect of reinforcement. I once watched an interview with Erikson in which he noted how great an inspiration history is to him. But as ever, one can never assume correctness when blindly grasping at the author's intentions.
I was dismayed at the number of typos that somehow made it into print, but I shan't let that dim my opinion of this stellar book. 10/10. I already bought the next book in this series when I was but midway through this one :)
The literary elements of Deadhouse Gates are just about unsurpassed by anything I've yet read. The deep character development, a truly riveting and engrossing plot, and the totally immersive world-building all mark Erikson as a paragon in fantasy authorship and, more humbly, as one of my favorite authors.
I'd like to point out the parallel between Coltaine's march across Seven Cities and Caesar's campaigns in Gaul. A fiercely professional and disciplined force finding itself deep within hostile country, without any prospect of reinforcement. I once watched an interview with Erikson in which he noted how great an inspiration history is to him. But as ever, one can never assume correctness when blindly grasping at the author's intentions.
I was dismayed at the number of typos that somehow made it into print, but I shan't let that dim my opinion of this stellar book. 10/10. I already bought the next book in this series when I was but midway through this one :)
agratzel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75