In Northern Genabackis, a raiding party of savage tribal warriors descends from the mountains into the southern flatlands. Their intention is to w...
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Feb 19, 2009
Lori
rated it: 
Finally finished this monster of a book. Worth every page. I don't know why I'm not giving it a 5. Maybe because there's so many in this series, I want to wait to the end to see which were the best. This might be a contender, there wasn't a dull or wasted part, instead every page I drank deeply from. I wish I could just continue directly to the next, but I've got some other highly anticipated books from the libes and I don't want to be #250 on the wait list. Besides, I like taking a little break
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Aug 18, 2011
Lee
rated it: 
Story: 4/5
Without doubt my favourite in the series so far. If you have read the previous three and wondering whether to start number four. Stop reading this and go read House of Chains.
So the overall rating is a 5/5, but the story I am giving ⅘, but for no other reason than, by itself it is a great book, if you have read the series, then its a awesome book.
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1: Being Vague, rambling plot with no little believable storyline
5: Ripping yarn, clever, thought provoking
Without doubt my favourite in the series so far. If you have read the previous three and wondering whether to start number four. Stop reading this and go read House of Chains.
So the overall rating is a 5/5, but the story I am giving ⅘, but for no other reason than, by itself it is a great book, if you have read the series, then its a awesome book.
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Aug 26, 2008
Guy
rated it:
So, where does the sea come from? <this will make sense at both the beginning and the end of the book... but a different sense>
And that's how you write a review of a Steven Erikson book.
Some things are getting clearer, some not. Some character arcs are over, some still gaining altitude. This is graduate level fantasy of a caliber rarely seen... I am beginning to savor these books like fine bottles of wine, reading them slowly to stretch out the enjoyment.
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And that's how you write a review of a Steven Erikson book.
Some things are getting clearer, some not. Some character arcs are over, some still gaining altitude. This is graduate level fantasy of a caliber rarely seen... I am beginning to savor these books like fine bottles of wine, reading them slowly to stretch out the enjoyment.
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Oct 08, 2008
Brian
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jun 29, 2011
John
rated it:
House of Chains is the fourth novel in Steven Erikson’s monumental epic fantasy series The Malazan Book of the Fallen. The tenth and final novel of the series has just been published and I’m in the process of re-reading the eight that I had already read so that I can finish the last two novels with what has come before firmly in my gray matter. I realized after reading House of Chains that I never reviewed it—indeed, I never reviewed any of the subsequent novels. This was not because I didn’t re
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Sep 30, 2011
Poopoo
rated it:
House of branes
no branes here
House of Chains was my least favourite of the Malazan novels on first read. It simply felt utterly forgettable after the brilliant, memorable events of Deadhouse Gates and Memories of Ice slightly painfully seared themselves into my frontal lobe forever. House of Chains, on the other hand, felt like a bunch of people wandering about aimlessly, drifting in and out of OMG NEVER BEFORE VISITED FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS!!! warrens and meeting wacky m More...
no branes here
House of Chains was my least favourite of the Malazan novels on first read. It simply felt utterly forgettable after the brilliant, memorable events of Deadhouse Gates and Memories of Ice slightly painfully seared themselves into my frontal lobe forever. House of Chains, on the other hand, felt like a bunch of people wandering about aimlessly, drifting in and out of OMG NEVER BEFORE VISITED FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS!!! warrens and meeting wacky m More...
Mar 25, 2009
Bill
rated it:
had been told that he loved to leave little hints about the future, bits of foreshadowing and what not, all over the place but I didn't really appreciate that until this book because this was the first time those connections were actually being made.
While Erikson still doesn't do much in terms of direct descriptions of people or places he does manage to subtly give you a lot of details on various characters and nations. In fact, I could easily see myself reading books that just focuse More...
While Erikson still doesn't do much in terms of direct descriptions of people or places he does manage to subtly give you a lot of details on various characters and nations. In fact, I could easily see myself reading books that just focuse More...
Nov 15, 2011
Nicki
rated it:
After the monumental scale of the last two Malazan books, the beginning of House of Chains is quite a change of pace. After the usual mysterious prologue that dovetails neatly with later events, we jump back to before the events of Gardens of the Moon and pick up the journey of a single character. Karsa Orlong is a young Teblor warrior from an extremely isolated society, and he has no awareness of the greater world of the Malazan Empire, the lands it tries to conquer, of ancient races or meddlin
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Jan 05, 2011
Brian
rated it:
Series 6/30/08 - 9/10
The Malazan series is one of the better fantasy series I've read in a while. It's extremely densely plotted, in a very vast and detailed world. Each book takes a new jump that leaves you wondering. Sometimes the books can be a little tough to follow and the characters are not the most detailed, but I really enjoyed these books overall. I can't wait to reread and catch up with the newer books I haven't read yet.
For more info, check out:
</b>
Malazan on wikipedia
Malazan Si More...
The Malazan series is one of the better fantasy series I've read in a while. It's extremely densely plotted, in a very vast and detailed world. Each book takes a new jump that leaves you wondering. Sometimes the books can be a little tough to follow and the characters are not the most detailed, but I really enjoyed these books overall. I can't wait to reread and catch up with the newer books I haven't read yet.
For more info, check out:
</b>
Malazan on wikipedia
Malazan Si More...
Sep 21, 2011
Clint
rated it:
Another 1000 page book full of undead wizards, explosions, assassins, barbarians, evil gods and goddesses, rape, torture, and extreme gore. I know that probably sounds so fucking awesome, and it is, but I kind of feel the Malazan books are getting so big and complex that the writer's kind of losing control. He should have spent twice as long writing these books as he did (I think I read somewhere he said he took about 8 months to finish one, which, given the size and complexity of the books, I
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Aug 02, 2011
Ruth
rated it:
c2002. This was such a big book (hardcover), that I kept trying to stop reading it as it was (literally) a pain in the neck to read. However, the story just grabbed me and I could not put it down (leading to the taking of several pain killers). It has been some time since I read the first 2 books and I had forgotten how much Mr Erikson's writing enthralls me. It is a superb tale but, oh, so confusing with all the characters etc. I like to think that I can retain information but found that I was
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Sep 20, 2011
Brian
rated it:
I have very mixed feelings about House of Chains. There were some things about it that I really liked and others that I didn't. I liked the characters and narrative arc; I didn't like the "convenience" of the ending or the way parts of the story felt forced.
This was the first of the four books that really seemed to explain the background and history of the races, conflicts, etc. Through the first three books, I constantly felt lost. Now for the first time, the gaps are sta More...
This was the first of the four books that really seemed to explain the background and history of the races, conflicts, etc. Through the first three books, I constantly felt lost. Now for the first time, the gaps are sta More...
Apr 06, 2010
Viridian5
rated it:
I've been making my slow way through the colossal novels of Steven Erikson's The Malazan Books of the Fallen, and I have to say that House of Chains is the most involving of the group so far. Everything really starts to come together here. I'm not saying that nothing happens in the prior books--tons of things happen to hundreds of people--but House of Chains is where everybody's stories really start to intersect and add to each other. It truly builds off the events of the last three books and sh
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Aug 15, 2011
Craig
rated it:
This just keeps getting better and better. After being (mildly) disappointed with Memories of Ice, I was really terribly pleased with House of Chains. I have to admit that it took me a little while to get into it - I didn't really see what Karsa Orlong (the main character in the first section) had to do with anything - but in the end I have to say that he's one of the most fascinating characters to be introduced so far, and I can't wait to see where the story takes him.
As for the r More...
As for the r More...
Jun 20, 2011
Rob
rated it:
...I appreciated what Erikson tried to do with this book a bit more on this second read. As with the three previous books, I picked up a lot of stuff I missed during my first pass through this part of the story. I still feel Erikson is building a bit too much in this novel. It is a bridge to the third major story line Erikson will open in Midnight Tides and events that will take place in The Bonehunters and beyond, but it doesn't stand on its own quite as well as the previous books did. That bei
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Apr 29, 2011
Tim
rated it:
After a rocky start, I am really enjoying this series. I liked House of Chains just as much as I liked Memories of Ice. My concerns about switching characters again turned out to be unwarranted. I liked returning to the threads that started in Deadhouse Gates and liked the characters that reappeared even more this time.
I also liked the formal introduction of Karsa Orlong. After figuring out who he was, I reread passages that concerned him in Deadhouse Gates. It was neat to see how he More...
I also liked the formal introduction of Karsa Orlong. After figuring out who he was, I reread passages that concerned him in Deadhouse Gates. It was neat to see how he More...
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Jan 30, 2011
Christopher
rated it:
House of Chains is the fourth volume in Steven Erikson's monumental ten-volume series entitled, "The Malazan Book of the Fallen." This book follows the first three in continuing to flesh out the world and characters that Erikson has so brilliantly created.
The first quarter, or so, of the novel tells the back-story of a character that we briefly met in the second book in the series (Deadhouse Gates)--that of the 'Toblakai' or as we come to find out, the great Teblor warrior More...
The first quarter, or so, of the novel tells the back-story of a character that we briefly met in the second book in the series (Deadhouse Gates)--that of the 'Toblakai' or as we come to find out, the great Teblor warrior More...
Dec 31, 2011
Sebastien
rated it:
J'ai longtemps hésité avant de commencer à lire ce livre, car à partir de ce livre les critique sur internet semble aller dans deux sens l'un l'auteur n'est plus capable d'écrire comme avant, l'autre l'auteur est de meilleur en meilleur. comme je ne croyais pas possible que l'auteur puisse surpasser Memories of Ice, je me suis dit que je serais déçu du reste de la série. Cependant après avoir fini Sword of Truth, j'avais besoin d'un roman consistant, je n'était pas encore prêt à lire un roman
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Aug 04, 2011
Mirko
rated it:
Couldn't put it down. With this fourth book I found the place in my heart for Steven Erikson. Personally, it was much better that third part (Memories of Ice), but when I reconsider that I haven't been devoted to third piece like this, and haven't read it in such a short period like this one (3 weeks), then probably that's the reason why I enjoyed this part so much more.
In this book plot returns to continent where the second book finished and deals with its characters. It lefts much unfinished More...
In this book plot returns to continent where the second book finished and deals with its characters. It lefts much unfinished More...
Sep 13, 2009
Raja
rated it:
The first part of House of Chains is the single longest cohesive block of writing that is in any of the books so far -- some two hundred and fifty pages of a single point of view told sequentially. Perhaps not coincidentally, it's also by far the best writing in the series to this point, a compelling (if disturbing) narrative from the viewpoint of a murderous, rapacious monster of a barbarian.
The rest of the book is about as good as the other entries in the series, making this quite More...
The rest of the book is about as good as the other entries in the series, making this quite More...
Feb 03, 2010
Steve
rated it:
At the beginning of the book, the protagonist of House of Chains, one Karsa Orlong, is among the single least likable characters I've ever come across. A member of a rather aggressive nomadic people, Karsa is absentmindedly focused on the glory of slaughter, with only a slight distraction permitted for rape. His goal, on his initial raid, is to slaughter the children of his enemies. This could be forgiven, perhaps, had he some other redeeming qualities, but no, he's basically a prick, to ever
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Jun 21, 2011
Julie
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Oct 05, 2011
Michele
rated it:
My.. mind.. is blown. I couldn't put the book down for the last hundred pages or so. Story and characters are actually engaging for once in this series (lol), and I hope to read more about Karsa in other books.
The author seems to have improved on his various flaws of technique since the first book, and I hope this means the books keep getting better and better as the series progresses. It's kind of painful to see the author's awesome creative genius being at constant war with his stu More...
The author seems to have improved on his various flaws of technique since the first book, and I hope this means the books keep getting better and better as the series progresses. It's kind of painful to see the author's awesome creative genius being at constant war with his stu More...
May 15, 2011
Kay
rated it:
This was another good edition to the series. It was interesting to be involved with one character for so long, but once I got into the story I really enjoyed it. At first I really disliked the character of Karsa but I he went through so much and there was a lot of growth in his character that I really enjoyed reading about him the futher into the story I got. I also enjoyed the parts with Heboric and of course Kalam who is a great character. I also liked the parts with Crokus and Apsalar. I did
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Jan 21, 2012
Jan
rated it:
It starts off as being the best work I've read by Erikson. The way he describes the culture of the Teblor and reintroduces Karsa Orlong, whom we've already met in Deadhouse Gates almost without hints as to why and how this has anything to do with previous entries in the series. (And because he changed his namne later on, I did not realize who Karsa Orlong was until much later in the book.) Since I started reading this just after Memories of Ice, that made it feel fresh and inriguing. I don't thi
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Jun 02, 2011
David
rated it:
OK - Reviewed Books 1,6 & 10 individually with my opinion. This review is for the series. This whole series in the alternate reality created by Erikson is a great long tale. It is enjoyable, but can be frustrating at times. The author introduces a great many characters, races, nationalities. It is truly epic. It is also truly difficult to keep track of who is who. There are a great many sections that could stand alone as short stories. The concepts and action are well delivered, but the di
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Jun 02, 2010
Ryan
rated it:
The Malazan Book of the Fallen continues to get better and better. House of Chains did what I thought impossible: it upped the ante and introduced a score of new, interesting characters. Karsa Orlong was by far my favorite addition, and I can't wait to see what he does in subsequent books.
The more books I read, the more I get used to Erikson's style. I love how he fluidly slips through points of view. He is masterful at developing characters and obtaining the right balance betw More...
The more books I read, the more I get used to Erikson's style. I love how he fluidly slips through points of view. He is masterful at developing characters and obtaining the right balance betw More...
Jan 28, 2012
Elizabeth
rated it:
It has taken me a long time to read this book. Not because I didn't enjoy it and not because the story didn't grip me. It's just that other things seem to have come between me and House of Chains. For instance, I got a brand-new Kindle for Christmas and have been busy falling in love with this and all the brilliant stories I’ve discovered. But last night I curled up with House of Chains and managed to finish it. I have to say even though I love my Kindle, there is still nothing that beats More...
Nov 04, 2011
Traci
rated it:
Four out four five star ratings...I'm pretty sure no other author or series has caused this sort of reaction from me. I don't even know where to start with this review. Just wow. To start just when I thought I had a handle on the world of Malazan Erikson throws a curve ball with Karsa Orlong. Who is he? What is he? Where is he? When is he? The mystery of it had me scratching my head in a way that I haven't since Lost was on. And what could have been an Ana Lucia, or worse a Nicki and Paulo, mome
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Sep 11, 2011
Gavin
rated it: 
The first part is so well written, though the glee at all the raping and pillaging sometimes took a little too much precedence over the horror of it, which was fine but felt more like heaving fan fiction, the writer at the whim of his character's pleasures rather than in cool governance. But after the first part, the old attempt to weave a dozen different stories together felt wandering and dilatory. The Pearl/Lostara Yil "romance" was the most awkward, and their plotline served very l
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