Memories of Ice (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #3) in The Bridgeburners

Nov 13, 2016 Srihari Vijayakumar rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

*Spoilers Ahead-Please don't read this if you are a fan of Malazan series and yet to read this book* Writing Reviews is not an easy job, at least for me. But, Steven Eriksen's colossal epic, Memories of Ice certainly deserves a good review. After a slow and somewhat confusing start in Gardens of the moon SE presented us with the magnanimous Deadhouse Gates and followed it well with equally great if not better, Memories of Ice. In the beginning itself we are shown the convergence of three Elder G *Spoilers Ahead-Please don't read this if you are a fan of Malazan series and yet to read this book* Writing Reviews is not an easy job, at least for me. But, Steven Eriksen's colossal epic, Memories of Ice certainly deserves a good review. After a slow and somewhat confusing start in Gardens of the moon SE presented us with the magnanimous Deadhouse Gates and followed it well with equally great if not better, Memories of Ice. In the beginning itself we are shown the convergence of three Elder Gods to confront one Mortal king,High king Kallor. It's hard to comprehend Steven Eriksen's fascination with convergence as it seems to be the underlying theme in all the books so far. In memories of Ice SE introduced as a lot of intriguing characters (we know no Respect pair of Gruntle and Stonny. I'm always serious Itkovian. Oh! Itkovian) and a pair who wants nothing but death (Mhybe and Buke) and Nobody knows what they are doing(Bauchelain and Korbal broach). That's not the end of it, the plethora of characters like Lady Envy, Mok, Master keruli, kilava onas are all well thought out wonderful characters. This book brings a special perspective about Tool too. If his conversations with Adjunct Lorn is thought provoking in Gardens of the moon, here his conversations with Toc the Younger, was bordering Philosophical. After he loses a fight with Mok he pleads Kilava to spare Mok's life! After 300000 years of undead living it may seem Tool also desires a closure, an end. But unlike other Tlan imass who just want to end their suffering, his desire was borne out of the clear understanding that their time has ended.In this regard The First sword of Tlan imass stands without equal. Tool is not the only imass who captivates us ,Kilava onas and her arrogance. Olar ethil, the first soletaken(so,she's the undead dragon we have seen in Deadhouse Gates).And the scene between Gethol and Three imass Bonecasters who challenges the Lord of death is pure badassery.As usual we are left with lots of questions about lots of things (i.e who saved Kruppe from Caladan Brood's wrath?? Is it Krul, who was hard pressed to save himself from a single K'chain che'malle). SE provided us with enough foreboding about Whiskeyjack's bad leg to make it a non-surprise(Am I the only one who wept for two lady marines more than Whiskeyjack?)at the end and readers were expecting the moment of Kallor's betrayal for a long time but the unveiling of true self of Artanthos was a Real surprise. Finally Lord of Moonspawn, First son of Darkness, Mother Dark's own Champion Anomander Rake. SE must love this guy a lot because whenever his name is mentioned it is with pure admiration or complete disdain (which will make readers like him more). Through him we are getting a glimpse of real reason Rake and Brood's enmity with Malazan Empire. Rake seems to be polar opposite of Jon snow from ASOIAF. The guy who knows nothing and the guy who knows everything,seriously Rake seems to be the guy who knows everything that is going on in the Malazan world(The true nature of all warrens, The deception of Whiskeyjack and Dujek, Paran's Journey through Dragnipur) and I'm sure he knows about the last second heroics of Paran and Quick Ben too. The end of MOI seems to be complete in itself. Overall MOI provides a completely satisfying and rewarding experience. ...more

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