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ejmorris1's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
josiah216's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
clarks_dad's review against another edition
5.0
Blood Follows is the first of a series of short stories set in the Malazan world following Beauchelain and Korbal Broach, a pair of necromancers who figure tangentially in [b:Memories of Ice|175983|Memories of Ice (The Malazan Book of the Fallen, #3)|Steven Erikson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1316729348s/175983.jpg|836462]. I found it kind of odd that, unlike all of the other characters in that epic, this duo seemed thrust into the middle of the action with pretty much zero context and that their tale for the most part is completely self-contained. They were a genuine mystery.
In this novella we learn how poor Emancipor (Mancy) Reese comes into the service of the necromancers. The tale is both frightening and funny as the hapless protagonist finds himself at the center of a confluence of events in the town of Lamentable Moll. Unemployed and with few prospects because of the luckless air that surrounds him, Reese takes up a job as manservant to a pair of odd foreigners that superficially promises not only financial reward for his insatiable wife and his brood of children, but, more importantly, freedom from their monotonously loving embrace.
Blood Follows does all the same great things that the overarching Malazan narrative does well. The world is rich in lore and history. Societies are fleshed out with belief systems and organizational structures that show variety based on geography. What this short story does even better than the main Malazan novels is focus on a smaller setting and a closer-knit group of characters. It's also darkly funny, entertaining, and mysterious. Erikson proves that he can tell a succinct tale that is every bit as rich as the tomes he usually puts out and the cast of characters is diverse enough to make a motley ensemble, entertaining in their missteps and awkward interactions.
I actually think this might be a good introduction to Erikson's writing. It's certainly more approachable than [b:Gardens of the Moon|55399|Gardens of the Moon (The Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1)|Steven Erikson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355144064s/55399.jpg|2646042] and I don't think you really miss much in references that would put you at a disadvantage. I think some exposure to Erikson's ability to tell tales and what to expect from him would go a long way toward developing the patience and persistence necessary to make it throw the main Malazan books. So, in short: recommended for people who think they might have an interest in the Malazan Book of the Fallen, but haven't worked up the courage to tackle the daunting 10 book, nearly 10,000 page, marathon that is the main series.
In this novella we learn how poor Emancipor (Mancy) Reese comes into the service of the necromancers. The tale is both frightening and funny as the hapless protagonist finds himself at the center of a confluence of events in the town of Lamentable Moll. Unemployed and with few prospects because of the luckless air that surrounds him, Reese takes up a job as manservant to a pair of odd foreigners that superficially promises not only financial reward for his insatiable wife and his brood of children, but, more importantly, freedom from their monotonously loving embrace.
Blood Follows does all the same great things that the overarching Malazan narrative does well. The world is rich in lore and history. Societies are fleshed out with belief systems and organizational structures that show variety based on geography. What this short story does even better than the main Malazan novels is focus on a smaller setting and a closer-knit group of characters. It's also darkly funny, entertaining, and mysterious. Erikson proves that he can tell a succinct tale that is every bit as rich as the tomes he usually puts out and the cast of characters is diverse enough to make a motley ensemble, entertaining in their missteps and awkward interactions.
I actually think this might be a good introduction to Erikson's writing. It's certainly more approachable than [b:Gardens of the Moon|55399|Gardens of the Moon (The Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1)|Steven Erikson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355144064s/55399.jpg|2646042] and I don't think you really miss much in references that would put you at a disadvantage. I think some exposure to Erikson's ability to tell tales and what to expect from him would go a long way toward developing the patience and persistence necessary to make it throw the main Malazan books. So, in short: recommended for people who think they might have an interest in the Malazan Book of the Fallen, but haven't worked up the courage to tackle the daunting 10 book, nearly 10,000 page, marathon that is the main series.
lubos's review against another edition
4.0
wtf?
nechutné...ale skvelé :)
a som zvedaví na tie ďalšie dve, ale tie prečítam až keď budem mať doma Potoky krve a budem sa "modliť" aby Talpress vydal aj tie dve ďalšie :3
nechutné...ale skvelé :)
a som zvedaví na tie ďalšie dve, ale tie prečítam až keď budem mať doma Potoky krve a budem sa "modliť" aby Talpress vydal aj tie dve ďalšie :3
novoaust's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Going into this one, I wasn't expecting a whole lot, but found myself surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. Honestly though, Steven Erikson could probably write out his grocery list and I would end up loving it.
While this novella is there to introduce characters, it is a murder mystery at it's heart. Korbal Broach and Bauchelain are two characters that drive these novellas, but Emancipor Reese carried this one for me. All three characters briefly appeared un Memories of Ice so I wouldn't recommend reading this one until you have read MoI.
Erikson's writing is something I can gush about forever. He has a way with words and I never fail to get immersed in the story. Blood Follows opens up with bells ringing which signify the death of someone important. Just a few sentences in and I was eager to read on.
The missing star comes down to the enfing of this one feeling rushed. Right when the murder mystery part of the story really got going, we are slapped with a conclusion. I wish it had been longer, but enjoyed just about everything present.
While this novella is there to introduce characters, it is a murder mystery at it's heart. Korbal Broach and Bauchelain are two characters that drive these novellas, but Emancipor Reese carried this one for me. All three characters briefly appeared un Memories of Ice so I wouldn't recommend reading this one until you have read MoI.
Erikson's writing is something I can gush about forever. He has a way with words and I never fail to get immersed in the story. Blood Follows opens up with bells ringing which signify the death of someone important. Just a few sentences in and I was eager to read on.
The missing star comes down to the enfing of this one feeling rushed. Right when the murder mystery part of the story really got going, we are slapped with a conclusion. I wish it had been longer, but enjoyed just about everything present.
alwroteabook's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fun addition to the Malazan universe with two of the more entertaining characters from the original series. If you like Malazan, you'll get a kick out of this. If you're new to the Books of the Fallen, you'll likely get lost eventually. What's going on with this sudden popularity of novellas though? Not that I'm complaining.
mjt2289's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sarahgamal666's review against another edition
4.0
Could not put this down. Had me a little confused sometimes but overall a truly sinister novel. Enjoyed it a lot
mhedgescsus's review against another edition
2.0
Check out my new youtube channel where I show my instant reactions to reading fantasy books seconds after I finish the book.
Despite the intriguing characters, this book felt nothing more than a brief introduction to this series of short stories
This book is, at it's heart, a murder investigation - but ultimately fell flat due to a lack of plot development. It's clearly designed to introduce the three main characters characters to you and show why they are working together, and the murder mystery was just an excuse to do so.
As soon as the plot started to get interesting, the book suddenly ended. And while I did get some enjoyment out of the grim humor that was presented, the lack of a plot made this hard to digest. I would have greatly preferred this book to be twice the length (at least) so it could have explained the story in greater detail.
I have some hope though that the future stories in this series will improve now that we got our character introductions out of the way. At least I hope so.
Despite the intriguing characters, this book felt nothing more than a brief introduction to this series of short stories
This book is, at it's heart, a murder investigation - but ultimately fell flat due to a lack of plot development. It's clearly designed to introduce the three main characters characters to you and show why they are working together, and the murder mystery was just an excuse to do so.
As soon as the plot started to get interesting, the book suddenly ended. And while I did get some enjoyment out of the grim humor that was presented, the lack of a plot made this hard to digest. I would have greatly preferred this book to be twice the length (at least) so it could have explained the story in greater detail.
I have some hope though that the future stories in this series will improve now that we got our character introductions out of the way. At least I hope so.