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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
I have very mixed feelings about House of Chains. There were some things about it that I really liked and others that I didn't. I liked the characters and narrative arc; I didn't like the "convenience" of the ending or the way parts of the story felt forced.
This was the first of the four books that really seemed to explain the background and history of the races, conflicts, etc. Through the first three books, I constantly felt lost. Now for the first time, the gaps are starting to be filled in.
One problem with the book is that the plot progressed a bit like a movie script. Particularly with the Karsa Orlong character, things happen conveniently, as though the author needs them to happen so he can get through the story. At times it began to feel forced. Also, the way everything happens at the end felt a little too convenient. This is clearly a byproduct of his narrative style, but I felt that the first book accomplished it much better than the ones since.
All that being said, Erikson has created a world that is unique and captivating enough to sustain a ten-book series.
This was the first of the four books that really seemed to explain the background and history of the races, conflicts, etc. Through the first three books, I constantly felt lost. Now for the first time, the gaps are starting to be filled in.
One problem with the book is that the plot progressed a bit like a movie script. Particularly with the Karsa Orlong character, things happen conveniently, as though the author needs them to happen so he can get through the story. At times it began to feel forced. Also, the way everything happens at the end felt a little too convenient. This is clearly a byproduct of his narrative style, but I felt that the first book accomplished it much better than the ones since.
All that being said, Erikson has created a world that is unique and captivating enough to sustain a ten-book series.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
A good book overall. Probably the weakest in terms of plot, but the characters make up for it in a big way. This was obviously a set up for the future yet it was still a great experience.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
No
This was looking to be my favorite book so far in the series, but the ending felt pretty weak and kind of ruined it for me :(
I was really enjoying reading about all the characters I missed from the 3rd book, and the first section of the book, while about a new character, hooked me in more than the beginnings of any of the previous books. If only the ending of House of Chains lived up the promise of the earlier 3/4’s of the book.
Overall, I still really liked the book, but the ending combined with some pacing issues (imo) brings it down to below 4 stars
I was really enjoying reading about all the characters I missed from the 3rd book, and the first section of the book, while about a new character, hooked me in more than the beginnings of any of the previous books. If only the ending of House of Chains lived up the promise of the earlier 3/4’s of the book.
Overall, I still really liked the book, but the ending combined with some pacing issues (imo) brings it down to below 4 stars
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
A much needed slowdown in pace for this series that for the last two books has had me so stressed and traumatised. This one was not as stressful, but it was the softer, expected but all the more painful for it's inevitable, tragedy that plays out that closed the book. So many characters to love the cast grows and shrinks organically, everyone has their time and some story get to continue for another book.
Erikson continues to horrify me and then make me pause in reflection as the deep philosophy of the world he continues to build from the stone and bones buried deep in the earth.
Erikson continues to horrify me and then make me pause in reflection as the deep philosophy of the world he continues to build from the stone and bones buried deep in the earth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, War
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Grief
For the most part, I feel these issues are dealt in a way that does make sense to the world built. It's doesn make them any more pleasant to read and the books never looks at it favourably. it's never needlessly graphic.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced