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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
It starts off as being the best work I've read by Erikson. The way he describes the culture of the Teblor and reintroduces Karsa Orlong, whom we've already met in [b:Deadhouse Gates|55401|Deadhouse Gates (The Malazan Book of the Fallen, #2)|Steven Erikson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316126263s/55401.jpg|3898716] almost without hints as to why and how this has anything to do with previous entries in the series. (And because he changed his namne later on, I did not realize who Karsa Orlong was until much later in the book.) Since I started reading this just after [b:Memories of Ice|175983|Memories of Ice (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #3)|Steven Erikson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316729348s/175983.jpg|836462], that made it feel fresh and inriguing. I don't think I would've appreciated to stay in the company of the Bridgeburners right away.
Speaking of the Bridgeburners, they do play their roles in this adventure as well. And one of my favorite assassins, Kalam Mekhar, is back with a vengeance. But their presence is disturbed by hordes of new characters, new races and warrens and dragons and big fish. It's really messy, although averything is as over-the-top as usual, so while I on one hand want to be very critical, I also must admit that every page leaves me smiling with delight at everything that's happening.
I've mentioned in one of my other Malazan reviews that Erikson's novels remind me of my sejours as a roleplayer. It is so in this book as well. Almost every character seems to have been "played". Be it a god or a Bridgeburner or an undead warrior or even a demon - they possess all too human flaws. That make them believable, believe it or not.
So while I'm bothered by Erikson's habit of throwing a barrage of new characters at me, I'm also thankful that these same characters are so damned enjoyable to read about. They save this book. It's the characters that make it worth reading.
Because the story... I cannot even begin to try to describe it. There is - of course - the main storyline of the forming of the House of Chains, but it's so shattered (which in itself is ironic, given the underlying theme of said house and it's members) that it's too hard to follow it to also be able to enjoy it. There's also the ongoing saga of the Bridgeburners, but that one moves along so slowly that it's almost painful. The Shakespearian climax of the clash in Raraku turns into an anticlimax and the build-up to that climax is nothing short of a mess.
No. I had too much of a hard time getting to know these new characters while at the same time trying to create a coherent storyline to enjoy this book as much as I have the previous three. But at the same time, this is fantasy as it should be (at least in theory) and I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy reading it.
The rather neutral "I enjoyed it" is a suitable rating for this one.
Speaking of the Bridgeburners, they do play their roles in this adventure as well. And one of my favorite assassins, Kalam Mekhar, is back with a vengeance. But their presence is disturbed by hordes of new characters, new races and warrens and dragons and big fish. It's really messy, although averything is as over-the-top as usual, so while I on one hand want to be very critical, I also must admit that every page leaves me smiling with delight at everything that's happening.
I've mentioned in one of my other Malazan reviews that Erikson's novels remind me of my sejours as a roleplayer. It is so in this book as well. Almost every character seems to have been "played". Be it a god or a Bridgeburner or an undead warrior or even a demon - they possess all too human flaws. That make them believable, believe it or not.
So while I'm bothered by Erikson's habit of throwing a barrage of new characters at me, I'm also thankful that these same characters are so damned enjoyable to read about. They save this book. It's the characters that make it worth reading.
Because the story... I cannot even begin to try to describe it. There is - of course - the main storyline of the forming of the House of Chains, but it's so shattered (which in itself is ironic, given the underlying theme of said house and it's members) that it's too hard to follow it to also be able to enjoy it. There's also the ongoing saga of the Bridgeburners, but that one moves along so slowly that it's almost painful. The Shakespearian climax of the clash in Raraku turns into an anticlimax and the build-up to that climax is nothing short of a mess.
No. I had too much of a hard time getting to know these new characters while at the same time trying to create a coherent storyline to enjoy this book as much as I have the previous three. But at the same time, this is fantasy as it should be (at least in theory) and I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy reading it.
The rather neutral "I enjoyed it" is a suitable rating for this one.
"Hatred is a most pernicious weed, finding root in any kind of soil. It feeds on itself"
-Torvald Nom
It's almost funny that what i feel is the general theme for this book in this series is perfectly captured by a minor character in the book. Like all stories in the malazan series, there is the general sense that doing justice to it in my reviews might not always be possible. So here goes nothing.
Can i just say before i delve into characters that totally wowed me that Book 4 reminded me eerily of Gardens of the Moon. In that it's not a finished picture, threads are being woven in patterns that aren't really clear for the most part.
Cotillion:
To be a god is to know the burdens of believers. Did you protect? You did not. Did you offer comfort, solace? Were you possessed of compassion? Even pity?
- Karsa
There is a general understanding among majority of the mortal characters in the Malazan world that gods are not to be trusted. There is essentially the idea that the gods take and give nothing back. and that's why it was absolutely breath taking to see an element of dare i say kindness in Cotillion.. I absolutely loved this side of the patron god of assasins and also that rope.. hot damn!!! definitely would not want to get in a fight with him.
Karsa:
Spoiler
WITNESS!!!!!!!! everyone's favourite Toblaki. Ahhh what to say...I still think Karsa is way too arrogant but then again, without his arrogance i guess he wouldn't be what he is. I suppose the only reason his arrogance doesn't chafe as it did in the beginning is because it's tempered with wisdom (Bairoth Delum you finally got through). His redemption was truly beautiful"My loyalty was misplaced. I served only glory. Words, my friends. And words can wear false nobility. Disguising brutal truths. The words of the past, that so clothed the Teblor in a hero's garb- this is what i served. While the true glory was before me. Beside me. You, Delum Thord. And you, Bairoth Gild"
I almost think the crippled god is rolling in anger whereever he is for the wild card he picked for a knight.. Now that i think about it, Karsa is definitely a rougher version of Paran now.. No god is pushing those two about for any reason.
"When i began this journey, I was young. I believed in one thing. I believed in glory. I know now...that glory is is nothing. Nothing. This is what i now understand...The same cannot be said for mercy"
WITNESSS!!!! Lol
T'Lan Imass: For me the T'lan Imass were definitely one of the biggest shockers. I think because for the most part, at least up to this book, we had only interacted mainly with Tool and he seemed somewhat reasonable but i think in this book we actually see the T'lan Imass for what they really are and it's not pretty. I think at this stage of the book, you begin to wonder was the ritual really, really a good thing?? Maybe Kilava had a point. I think centuries of undead living has rightly left the moral compass of the T'lan Imass skewered.
Felisin/Whirlwind Goddess:
"Vengence is a wasted emotion, yet i have let it consume me. I gave it like a gift to the goddess"ahh Felisin.. This was definitely a character i felt sorry for when i first met but that quickly melted away. I suppose all the anger she felt was legitimate but i couldn't help feeling that she took it too far making her succeptible to the whims of the whirlwind goddess (now that was one crazy goddess)
At the end of this book though, i could only commiserate with Felisin. She had basically walked into the goddess's arms blinded with vengence and there was no coming back from that.
Spoiler
At the end of it all, Felisin end was heartbreaking"I just wanted to know, Tavore, why you did it. And why you did not love me, when i loved you. I- I think that's what i wanted to know"
All in all this was an amazing read especially when you realise it basically sets the stage for more epic things to come, i mean what's L'Oric up to exactly? and hello Minala?? What's up with her?? Who's traveler? Do we get shadowthrone's secrets?? what's the rope really up to like really??? well you get what i was saying about the uncompleted picture..
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5
Oh wow the hiatus on this one continued for months and months but finally I finished it.
My thoughts on it was that the ending and the conclusion of a certain character arc felt rushed like my fav character from deadhouse gates arc felt so sudden and it did make me cry how they did it, also this book felt too underwhelming after memories of ice.
Anyway besides that this book was okay a bit underwhelming in certain parts but holy shit the fucking characters carry this book so well.
The saga of deadhouse gate is finally finished and while I miss it dearly I see a lot of future sagas will do good to remake that feeling I had after finishing dead house gate.
I probs won't read the 5th book for a while as it's a prequel but I won't stop my malazan binge.
I am so happy that I started this series every book gets better and better as we go on and I hope it stays that way but for now goodbye raruku I hope we visit you again you little desert that harbours so many memories of the dead.
Oh wow the hiatus on this one continued for months and months but finally I finished it.
My thoughts on it was that the ending and the conclusion of a certain character arc felt rushed like my fav character from deadhouse gates arc felt so sudden and it did make me cry how they did it, also this book felt too underwhelming after memories of ice.
Anyway besides that this book was okay a bit underwhelming in certain parts but holy shit the fucking characters carry this book so well.
The saga of deadhouse gate is finally finished and while I miss it dearly I see a lot of future sagas will do good to remake that feeling I had after finishing dead house gate.
I probs won't read the 5th book for a while as it's a prequel but I won't stop my malazan binge.
I am so happy that I started this series every book gets better and better as we go on and I hope it stays that way but for now goodbye raruku I hope we visit you again you little desert that harbours so many memories of the dead.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is a pressure cooker that Erikson forgot to turn on. It's 300 pages of things, followed by 700 pages of non-stop nothing.
The best part of the book is the start, where we follow a giant on his quest to rape and murder every non-giant. Granted, it doesn't make for the most likeable protagonist, but at least Karsa's story (in this part of the book) does not bore me to tears. He eventually comes upon the Malazan empire and realises that his rape-murdering is nowhere near efficient enough to rape-murder on a continental scale. He is transformed from a man that rape/murder EVERYONE he sees ALWAYS, INSTANTLY; to a man that just murders almost everybody, immediately.
After Karsa's humbling adventures the story focuses on the aftermath of the Coltaine's Chain of Dogs from book nr 2. The genocidal event of that book had little effect worth writing about. The fanatical army has just receded to chill on a sandy (waterless) beach away from any story worth writing it seems.
Many (way too many) seperate stories branch off from here as we follow like 15 different perspectives. And if you had problem remembering the abundance of names in the previous books, I got bad news; now, established characters start renaming themselves for no reason.
So for about 700 pages, it is a lot of plotting and scheming that lead up to absolutely nothing. All the schemes and suspiscions that take up so much of the book resolve in about 20 pages of watching the plots fail before they start. It's like an Ocean's 11 movie, where we see all the planning and preperations (but without the fun characters), but then the whole crew die on the flight over to Vegas in a 4 second scene.
There are a lot of "Unveiling" the bigger plot, but as I do not have a masters in Warrens, Tarot, Bullshit and Contrivance it is all just words.
Lastly just because I am petty. Erikson's abuse of the word "dead" and "god" really devalue them from their actual meaning in failed attempts to make things more epic. "Dead" in Malazan means out of the plot for a brief period. "God" means... person (I could not tell the "gods" apart from other characters in any discernable way).
Extremly dissapointing sequal to the masterpiece that is Deadhouse Gates.
The best part of the book is the start, where we follow a giant on his quest to rape and murder every non-giant. Granted, it doesn't make for the most likeable protagonist, but at least Karsa's story (in this part of the book) does not bore me to tears. He eventually comes upon the Malazan empire and realises that his rape-murdering is nowhere near efficient enough to rape-murder on a continental scale. He is transformed from a man that rape/murder EVERYONE he sees ALWAYS, INSTANTLY; to a man that just murders almost everybody, immediately.
After Karsa's humbling adventures the story focuses on the aftermath of the Coltaine's Chain of Dogs from book nr 2. The genocidal event of that book had little effect worth writing about. The fanatical army has just receded to chill on a sandy (waterless) beach away from any story worth writing it seems.
Many (way too many) seperate stories branch off from here as we follow like 15 different perspectives. And if you had problem remembering the abundance of names in the previous books, I got bad news; now, established characters start renaming themselves for no reason.
So for about 700 pages, it is a lot of plotting and scheming that lead up to absolutely nothing. All the schemes and suspiscions that take up so much of the book resolve in about 20 pages of watching the plots fail before they start. It's like an Ocean's 11 movie, where we see all the planning and preperations (but without the fun characters), but then the whole crew die on the flight over to Vegas in a 4 second scene.
There are a lot of "Unveiling" the bigger plot, but as I do not have a masters in Warrens, Tarot, Bullshit and Contrivance it is all just words.
Lastly just because I am petty. Erikson's abuse of the word "dead" and "god" really devalue them from their actual meaning in failed attempts to make things more epic. "Dead" in Malazan means out of the plot for a brief period. "God" means... person (I could not tell the "gods" apart from other characters in any discernable way).
Extremly dissapointing sequal to the masterpiece that is Deadhouse Gates.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
Alright here’s the thing. I hate Karsa Orlong. I do not like him, even after character growth. The first section of this book, while good, made me really upset.
That being said holy moly this book does rock. Erikson can do it like no one else. I love Fid, I love L’oric, I love Lostara and Pearl’s enemies to lovers thing. The night before the battle for Raraku is a goddamn masterpiece, as strong as the siege of Capustan and the battle of Black Coral, it a lot shorter. I’m conflicted in rating this lower than the other books in the series (it’s not worse by any means) but I really really don’t like Karsa Orlong, so I can’t justify rating it higher.
That being said holy moly this book does rock. Erikson can do it like no one else. I love Fid, I love L’oric, I love Lostara and Pearl’s enemies to lovers thing. The night before the battle for Raraku is a goddamn masterpiece, as strong as the siege of Capustan and the battle of Black Coral, it a lot shorter. I’m conflicted in rating this lower than the other books in the series (it’s not worse by any means) but I really really don’t like Karsa Orlong, so I can’t justify rating it higher.
3.5 Mixed feelings about this one, but generally positive. I actually really enjoyed the non-typical Erikson, Karsa-focused first quarter of the book. It was a page turner for sure! I was happy to see some of my favorite characters from Deadhouse Gates make a reappearance as well. This book wasn't as action-packed as Memories of Ice, but there were still many epic moments of realization and the Malazan brutality I've come to know and love. Looking forward to Midnight Tides and seeing what happens further with the House of Chains. :)
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-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