What book are you reading...
- Thread starter agnes
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With regard to fan theories go to Malazan Empire Forums, you'll find a lot of good stuff on there. You did pick up on the Coltaine stuff in RotCG didn't you? (I ask as I really can't remember how obvious or not it was.)
My worry with the way Erikson is going is that he kill off the enjoyment even of the Karsa story. He wrote a brilliant article on Karsa and why the character was quite divisive and made a few people uncomfortable, the way he is going he will lose a key part of how Karsa operates.
Funnily enough you mentioning Bakker, I made it to the 3rd of his books before giving in. His characterisation was amazing and his battle scenes was perhaps some of the best I have ever read but his amateur philosophy **** murdered me in the end, that third book nothing happened it was horrific.
Consider Phlebas is amazing and the rest of the Banks stories in the Culture series are (IMO) must reads in the sci fi genre.
As surprising as I find myself saying this, I gave up on The Martian. I just didn't like it tbh.
I am now sitting here with the first Dark Tower book(which I think I might have read most of before tbh) and the first Last Kingdom book. I read about 5 chapters of each last night and haven't made my mind up yet which one I will continue
I am now sitting here with the first Dark Tower book(which I think I might have read most of before tbh) and the first Last Kingdom book. I read about 5 chapters of each last night and haven't made my mind up yet which one I will continue
Yeah the Coltaine stuff was pretty overt, had it pegged quite early. Just to be certain though Esslemont rams it down your throat name dropping Coltaine just so you're sure.
I still think Erikson has greatness in him, its there in patches, and hey, its Karsa - I've got to give it a go. I'm also liking the idea that it is set after the events of The Crippled God so we finally get a look at the aftermath of everything Kelenved has wrought.
I find Bakkers work really interesting, aside from Joe Abercrombie I struggle to find any other fantasy writer who is able to write such compelling characters, and his action scenes / overall story arch are up there with the best of them. It does get heavily bogged down in places with philosophy as you have said, and if anything the cast of characters is too large that you don't get to bond with them, but I found it to be worth perservering. I think it helps that I listen to the audiobook, so when it gets to another 5 minute rant about how men like to be led, and don't want to deviate from the zzzz....... I can just tune out until we come back to the good bit.
I keep looking at Malazan to pick up once I've done GOT. Can anyone sell it to me in a nutshell? I've enjoyed GOT and really like the different character perspectives. I like that it's not uber fantasy as well. I mean there are dragons and other nasties but it's primarily all about the characters.
I'll keep reading him and pray he doesn't murder Karsa
you should try reading the Karsa article if you never have.I would be happiest if the Karsa stuff also had a heavy empire focus I find it really interesting in one of the Chain chapter headers that it mentions Grub as a future first sword of the empire. Korbolo would never be in charge then and I can't imagine Kellanved being impressed with that turn of events either.
Heavily character driven, huge scope, insanely complex, very uncompromising on a reader, makes most black fantasy look like Humptu Dumpty kids stories.
Soldato
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Earlier books are better, 2-6 in particular. On the whole, it could have been sooo much better at half the duration and half the complexity. I read 2-6 twice as I enjoyed them so much. The whole series works better individually.
I have still to read the final two books and the reality is that it is only the completionist in me that will one day commit to finishing the damn thing.
I initially loved the series, but i've grown tired of it and it has become a chore. I think the Malazan series was a huge missed opportunity, that said there's some cracking reading to be found within, but so much that's totally forgettable.
I'll keep reading him and pray he doesn't murder Karsa
I would be happiest if the Karsa stuff also had a heavy empire focus I find it really interesting in one of the Chain chapter headers that it mentions Grub as a future first sword of the empire. Korbolo would never be in charge then and I can't imagine Kellanved being impressed with that turn of events either.
If I'm remembering the end of Return of the Crimson Guard correctly Korbolo is already under arrest for cowardice in the face of the enemy. That absolute ring piece Mallick Rel is in charge.
Have to agree with you on the empire side of things, that's the story that interests me most. Give me a 3 book series focusing on a new military campaign, bit of political gameplay and 3 books worth of Malazan military humour with usual character building and you've got a winner. I do remember the thing about Grub, that really stuck in my mind, but I'm unsure why he would become First Sword given the fact he is pretty much an unparalleled mage?
I second this, but be prepared to put Dust of Dreams down a couple of times and take a break. At times it can be crushing.
You may be getting names mixed up, Grub is the weird adopted kid of Keneb in the Chain of Dogs who ends up as a sort of 14th army mascot though I don't recall him in DoD or CG from the top of my head.
You are right re Mallick, I forgot that **** bag was in charge by the end.
Re DoD it was the beginning of the pain but so much cool stuff occurs I didn't mind as much. CG had so much going you couldn't possibly be bored. It's post CG where has introspection has become too heavy as the books are as egging the scene so it really stands out.
I'm straining my memory here, but doesn't Grub go off with Sinn to do some warren exploring, and arrive just in time at the battle towards the end of Dust of Dreams. At which point I seem to recall some kind of magical rampage - maybe I interpreted it wrong and that was all her, I figured it was the pair of them. I also recall him having some insane insights throughout the series that hint to at least some kind of magic / patronage.
Dust was a fantastic book, but it doesn't go easy on the reader. So many poignant emotional scenes, at times I had to put it down just because I couldn't handle another kicking.
Edit: Speaking of Mallick, I don't understand how he can be a priest of Mael. His actions, his scheming, his whole ethos just doesn't jive with what we come to know and understand about Mael later on in the series. I can't imagine Mael allowing somebody like Mallick the use of his power.
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I have spoiler tagged it just in case as I'm talking about gods/mortal relationship.
I think a recurrent theme in the books is that the gods/their followers perversely have very little power in the relationship if one chooses to abuse the other. Examples of gods being harshly shafted are evident throughout, ignoring Mael you have Fener, Treach/Trake, Poliel (though you could argue she overplayed her hand) even the Whirlwind goddess was abused pretty thoroughly by mortals. The gods take delight in sticking it back to them at every opportunity as well though see CG himself, Whirlwind, the wolves even Liosan God shafts them good style.
The gods are at the mercy of their followers to an extent in that their powers are gained through worship (hence the fading of the old gods) so the relationship is reciprocal allowing one to really shaft the other should they choose to do so.
Anyone bloody minded enough can ascend also I think he is essentially saying it is the strength of will which governs these relationships so whilst it is mostly in some hoary old gods favour it is not necessarily always the case.
The gods are at the mercy of their followers to an extent in that their powers are gained through worship (hence the fading of the old gods) so the relationship is reciprocal allowing one to really shaft the other should they choose to do so.
Anyone bloody minded enough can ascend also I think he is essentially saying it is the strength of will which governs these relationships so whilst it is mostly in some hoary old gods favour it is not necessarily always the case.
Speaking of all things Malazan, I have yet to start the latest trilogy but i did enjoy Dancer's Lament. I do like ICE's novels in that they are substantially easier to read whereas Erikson... I have to pay attention all the way through. Don't want to miss a thing now do I?
Soldato
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May I ask your approximate age?
I only ask because I absolutely loved this book, it was practically an ode to the 80's youth culture I grew up in and around with a great sci-fi coming of age story to boot. But I wonder if I feel that way because of the book or my rose tinted remberance of the period.
I like his second book Armada but didn't love it in the same way it was a bit more sparse and maybe his style didn't carry it so effectively.
Where as I loved All You Need Is Kill which isn't an ode to the 80's but does share a gamer ethic of rinse repeat improve and beat the bad guy told as a sharp short time travel story, btw don't judge based on the Tom Cruise film.
I'm 39.
I say it was OK as it didn't grip me as such but was a decent book all the same. Although the setting is different, the plot isn't hugely original. I spent most of the time thinking how are they going to re-create this. The film deal was done before the book was released I believe.
Well, I really liked Edge of Tomorrow so would probably like All You Need is Kill.
Following my post above, I bought Consider Phlebas and The Dark Tower: Gunslinger. Started Consider Phlebas and I wasn't sold on the first few pages - was concerned it would be some kind of rambling Dune rip off. However, a good chunk into the book and it's good. I know I like a book when I notice I'm looking forward to bedtime
I thought that too but on a re-read I thought it was average at best. Cut away the nostalgia and it's a pretty poorly written story. The timing of them finding stuff was beyond stupid.