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A review by clarks_dad
Blood Follows by Steven Erikson
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.