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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Unlike with book #4, I am not letting the last 300 pages completely overshadow the slog of the previous 600. There seems to be a pattern emerging. The books in this series have spectacular endings. Endings so spectacular in part because they leap off the backs of hundreds of pages of build up. Lengthy, detailed preface where the players are introduced, familiarized, and enamored to the reader. All the pieces set in place for an engaging climax as the fates of each and all are then unfolded.
I can't really say that any of the lengthy build up is unnecessary. When it culminates, it all eventually seems worth it, and for all I know, some small detail will end up tying into a story arc three books down the road. The level of detail can be pretty extra, but I won't say it's extraneous. It's there for a reason, but that doesn't always make it easy to get through.
Some of the books this far have been easy and engaging start to finish. Some have had their ups and downs. Book 4 had a good start, a long slog, but the end was so good, and wrapped together so many arcs that had been multiple books in the telling, that it lifted my overall rating.
Book 5 didn't have that going for it. New lands, new characters to try and endear us to. It was an uphill climb. It was hard. Worth it in the end, but still more of a struggle than I'd have preferred. I do look forward to the continuing stories of the characters now established however, and watching these events tie into everything else.
I'm not sure why you are reading a review of a book 5 deep into the series anyhow. If you've made it so far, you're invested and know whether Malazan is for you or not. Would you really let a 3 star rating stop you now? You shouldn't.
I can't really say that any of the lengthy build up is unnecessary. When it culminates, it all eventually seems worth it, and for all I know, some small detail will end up tying into a story arc three books down the road. The level of detail can be pretty extra, but I won't say it's extraneous. It's there for a reason, but that doesn't always make it easy to get through.
Some of the books this far have been easy and engaging start to finish. Some have had their ups and downs. Book 4 had a good start, a long slog, but the end was so good, and wrapped together so many arcs that had been multiple books in the telling, that it lifted my overall rating.
Book 5 didn't have that going for it. New lands, new characters to try and endear us to. It was an uphill climb. It was hard. Worth it in the end, but still more of a struggle than I'd have preferred. I do look forward to the continuing stories of the characters now established however, and watching these events tie into everything else.
I'm not sure why you are reading a review of a book 5 deep into the series anyhow. If you've made it so far, you're invested and know whether Malazan is for you or not. Would you really let a 3 star rating stop you now? You shouldn't.
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
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
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
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:
Yes
Malazan Book of the Fallen continues to impress me. Midnight Tides was the most different book of the series so far, but quite possibly my favourite (only one that compares is Deadhouse Gates). Loved the new characters, especially Seren Pedac, and of course the Letheras plot was insane in the best way possible (the trio of Ublala, Shurq, and Harlest was one of the funniest things I've ever read).
Looking forward to starting Bonehunters in the near future.
Looking forward to starting Bonehunters in the near future.
dark
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes