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rake_anomander 's review for:
Deadhouse Gates
by Steven Erikson
It took me a while to get through this but it was mainly because I didn't read as much as I would've preferred this month. It's a very interesting read that moves at an interesting pace but which is held back by a few issues.
The main problem of the book is that it could really do with a wordcount trim. Some of the storylines present feel overdrawn and there's just too much foreshadowing and exposition in parts to keep interesting.
It's also interesting to note that the storyline "Chain of dogs" feels more like something that should be its own book and it feels completely disconnected from the rest. Which is a shame really as the storyline, along with all its characters are the best in the whole book. Characters like Bult, Lull, List, Duiker and especially Coltaine elevate this book so far beyond most fantasy that I've read that it's uncanny. I read their exploits with my heart literally thumping in my chest and could scarcely pass through the other stories and their segments.
For "Chain of dogs" and its characters here's me giving a big hand for Steven Erikson as he wrote one of the most memorable fantasy sequences that I've ever laid eyes upon.
I really couldn't care much for Mappo or Icarium, or for Heboric and Felisin (hated her so badly for most of the book...though I've seen much worse). It's not that the stories were bad per say, it's just that by comparison with "Chain of dogs" they really couldn't reach the same high notes of story and character.
There are a lot of story points here that arise and a lot that are tied up and enough left for further books.
I had a lot more to say about this book. But it's safe to resume to saying that it's a great book that has a lot of high points that make it all the more deserving of a read. I enjoyed the first book of the series somewhat more but this isn't shabby at all. If you're even mildly interested in this series but couldn't stand "Gardens of the moon", I would recommend this one.
The main problem of the book is that it could really do with a wordcount trim. Some of the storylines present feel overdrawn and there's just too much foreshadowing and exposition in parts to keep interesting.
It's also interesting to note that the storyline "Chain of dogs" feels more like something that should be its own book and it feels completely disconnected from the rest. Which is a shame really as the storyline, along with all its characters are the best in the whole book. Characters like Bult, Lull, List, Duiker and especially Coltaine elevate this book so far beyond most fantasy that I've read that it's uncanny. I read their exploits with my heart literally thumping in my chest and could scarcely pass through the other stories and their segments.
For "Chain of dogs" and its characters here's me giving a big hand for Steven Erikson as he wrote one of the most memorable fantasy sequences that I've ever laid eyes upon.
I really couldn't care much for Mappo or Icarium, or for Heboric and Felisin (hated her so badly for most of the book...though I've seen much worse). It's not that the stories were bad per say, it's just that by comparison with "Chain of dogs" they really couldn't reach the same high notes of story and character.
There are a lot of story points here that arise and a lot that are tied up and enough left for further books.
I had a lot more to say about this book. But it's safe to resume to saying that it's a great book that has a lot of high points that make it all the more deserving of a read. I enjoyed the first book of the series somewhat more but this isn't shabby at all. If you're even mildly interested in this series but couldn't stand "Gardens of the moon", I would recommend this one.