Introduction thread - always need one of these

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

As new members join The Fallen, thought we might need a place where they can land and say hi.

So I'll lead off, keeping it brief.

I read the Malazan series from June last year through to Feb this year. I became hooked on it and completely absorbed with the story. Especially once I caught up with the reading group and could comment as I read. I made a lot of friends and we have kept up our discussions as we read other books post Malazan.
For the last 2 months we have been discussing reading the series agai , at a slower pace with plenty of discussion.
Hence setting up this group. I am looking forward to the new read with old and new friends, multiple read and new readers alike.

Note: our dates are on Melbourne time. So when we say Jan 1st, we mean Dec 31st for most of y'all.

Cheers

Lee

[Steve]

My turn!

Similar to Lee, I came to this series much later than when originally published, but I haven't finished just yet. I have all the 'big book' formats except for MOI (help me eBay!), but have not found any friends to discuss (joined the Bridgebunners too late?). Hello Friends!

I resolved after the third book I HAD to make time for other books not in the series, allowing myself to read other interests as well. These are just so DENSE while at the same time mesmerizing, I needed down time inbetween. And I have loved them all so far except for one (no spoilers - suffice it to say the last 150 pages of the one I couldn't give 5 stars to redeemed itself in the end and I had to start the next one right away).

And I might add that I was away from this genre for several years. So I am really only focused on this series in fantasy, while enjoying my other interests. I think that actually helps me in the long run as well.

Cheers (with a slight Texan accent)
Steve

[David Sven, Mortal Sword..Meow]

I started the series early this year and until the last few books read all the books including the Esslemont tie in series and the Bauchelain and Korbal Broach books as well. I never had any intention of rereading the series - its huge. In many ways the series has been an enigma to me. I have had so many things to complain about it, so many reasons not to continue reading it (did I mention its huge) and yet the proof is in the pudding. I finished it. And now I'm rereading it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is the series has its faults - but it also offers a unique experience - that is to explore one of the largest, densest, but most complete worlds I have read anywhere. It offers complete cultures, family trees and histories and along with that some very intense imagery. There are scenes in the series that you could freeze frame and paint in detail. Erikson is also very good at his action sequences.

I won't list my complaints here - I have all year to rail and shake my fist as I continue my love/hate relationship with Erikson - at least we are still together.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

I look foward to the discussion where Shelley jumps on your complaints :) think she is the number 1. fan,

[Candace]

Hi! I'm Candace. I'm new to the Malazan series. I read a few chapters in GotM and knew I would do better in a group reading or at least a buddy read setting for accountability and discussion purposes. Fantasy is my fa vorite genre and I love to chat about books with my friends on Goodreads!

[Traci]

Hi! I'm Traci. And I am a Malazan addict.
I had never heard of this series before joining goodreads despite being a reader of fantasy since I learned how to read. And it was love almost at first sight. This was the series I had been looking for. It was like someone put all of my favorite books in a blender. And I'm very excited at the thought of reading them again with all of you.

[Traci]

@ David, I'll be looking forward to your thoughts and complaints. Lol.
For myself I had trouble with the second half of the series. Gardens-Midnight Tides are nearly flawless to me. But I struggled with the next three. And got back into the swing of things with Dust of Dreams and The Crippled God.

[[deleted user]]

I'm Melanie,

Malazan has been on my list for quite some time, but I just never got around to it.
I like reading big fantasy through the year, with lots of little nothing books on the side.
so this group is pretty much perfect

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

I am glad you came over Melanie, I remembered you put this on your TBR recently.

[[deleted user]]

Well I have been wanting to read it.
its just hard to commit to such a long series, when there is so many other books I also need to read.

but this pace and having other people along for the ride is probably what I need.
Just got to make sure I dont start calling in sick and just plowing on through

[Paresh]

Hi paresh here
big malazan fan. read GoTM last year. erikson has done a marvelous job with writing. i have read only 3 books in series as i live in Mauritius and these books are not available here, have to order them online. my favorite volume is Memories of Ice. favorite characters whiskeyjack, itkovian, rake and Kruppe....

very nice to meet all Malazan fans...
cheers

[Mikeiwo]

Hi all,

Started the series just after Deadhouse Gates came out and am currently halfway through the third reread. Got my sister into them as well and we did the second reread together, great way to do it. These books get better with every reread, I am still finding connections and foreshadows and embedded nuggets of info that only become apparent many books later.

By far the best series of books I have ever read. I look forward to the discussions.

Mike

[Fadi]

Hi everybody.

I'm currently reading the series for the first time, I'm halfway through Memories of Ice and I'm already completely absorbed and awestruck by the world. Actually, I was hooked instantly from Gardens of the moon.

Good to know there's a community here.

Oh also, I'm one of those who doesn't think HBO should ever pick up the Malazan world. I'd like to keep it my head, even though it's not even complete

I look forward to discussing favourite characters, plots, symbolisms, biological accuracy (yea I researched 'children of the dead seed', IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE HAHA!) and general Malazan shenanigans.

Fadi

[Renny]

Hi all,

I'm Renny and am reading the series for the first time. Just started with Midnight Tides. Looking back at the previous books, I can't believe how amazing the series has been so far.

I've never done a group read before, so this will be interesting. The series definitely requires a discussion group to answer all your questions. So I'm looking forward to this!

[Steve]

Fadi wrote: "Hi everybody.

Oh also, I'm one of those who doesn't think HBO should ever pick up the Malazan world. I'd like to keep it my head, even though it's not even complete"

FWIW, I can't imagine this series being adapted in any format. Does HBO have plans to adapt it?

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

I would imagine that if HBO picked this up, it would have to be cut radically back to tell the story (Gods, they probably wouldn't want that many actors on the books). I don't think it would look much like what we expect. Kruppe's mutterings would certainly be axed. :)

[Weenie]

Hi all, I first read Gardens of the Moon a few years back and recently re-read it, enjoying it more the second time round. I'm determined to read all the books (although not all in one go!).

[Maggie]

Plus, being HBO they would have to add in a ton of sex.....makes me wonder who they would have hook up!

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

You're right, no where sexy enough for HBO. They'd have to factor plenty of nudity and a few lesbian sex scenes in brothels. Actually they could do well with a Picker and Blend scene.

[Ctgt]

I finished the series a little over a year ago, and never really considered a re-read until I saw this group was forming. The fact that we will only be reading several chapters a week has convinced me to give the series another go.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the series the first time, but it took up an enormous amount of my reading time and I have loads of books on my to-read pile.

Anyway, looking forward to next month.

[Mikeiwo]

Don't forget Shurq... That's a lot of sex scenes. Every Bonehunter dreaming about Masan Gilani. Pearl and Lostara. That said, this could never be made for visual media. One could maybe do a series on one small aspect of it, a squad in one of the armies. But the whole stories?

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Yep, not possible.

[Fadi]

Steve wrote:
FWIW, I can't imagine this series being adapted in any format. Does HBO have plans to adapt it? "

Quoting Steven Erikson
"Under the present format of film-making, the Malazan sequence is problematic. Note the caution in that statement. I know precisely how this series could be made, but I will save my pitch for some future meeting with a producer (and I anticipate the moment when their jaws drop)."

This was from a 2009 interview. Anyway, my concern is that I wouldn't want any characters scratched off or dumbed down by sub-par acting. Can you imagine the amount of actors they'd have to bring on just to portray the bridgeburners in a manner worthy of Malazan? Additionally, I have a certain image of Ganoes Paran and I doubt any striving youngling can do the character justice. However, I think Sean Bean would dominate if he is brought in as Coltaine hahahaha.

[Steve]

I feel strongly opposed to any adaptation, similar to the way I felt about LotR back in the day (or the Ender series by OSC). It was because of the genius of Peter Jackson that I changed my opinion on that, but all three had a commonality: the imagery was so strong and vivid that most fans had a very detailed idea of how the world and characters should look, act, etc. There is something to be said about the lasting power of imagination

[Marina]

Hello everyone! I'm Marina, and I discovered the malazan series two years ago. Since then my progress is embarassingly slow, just finished the Bonehunters a few weeks ago. The main reason for that is huge lapses between finishing one book and starting the next one, which result in not remembering lots of details, so a re-read was something that I really need! :p

Now an adaptation might be interesting, if Erikson has an important role in forming it. The above part of the interview makes that clear so I don't have to worry :)

Though, if HBO takes it, I can already see the first scene of it: (view spoiler)[ a sex scene with Tattersail and that other mage before the siege of Pale! :p (hide spoiler)]

[Traci]

Hairlock...(view spoiler)[could you imagine trying to sell a show that has an evil crazy and mad killer doll as one of its characters?! (hide spoiler)]

Lol.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Chucky?

[David Sven, Mortal Sword..Meow]

Lee wrote: "Chucky?"

Ha Ha. I was thinking the exact same thing.

[Marina]

Bye bye tonight's sleep...

[[deleted user]]

NO I have an urge to watch chucky!

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Gods! I can't wait till Jan 1st.

[Susan]

Hi I'm an Aussie too and I love the Malazan books. I've read them over the years as they've been released and every time I finished one I could hardly wait for the next one to come out. Looking forward to reading them all again and discussing. Having said that I'll be sad when people criticize the books because I love them so much.

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Hmm. I have the first book of this on my list. I'd like to read along since I know all the moderators. lol.

But between Old Man's War for Sword & Laser and A Memory of Light coming out on the 13th, I'm not sure when I'd squeeze the first book in.

Plus I just started Fool's Errand, which means I want to at least read Golden Fool and Fool's Fate. Maybe I can get through all 3 by January..but I doubt it, unless I ignore my family completely during the holidays. lol.

Forgive me if I missed the plan, but how fast do you plan to read the series?

10 books is a lot to throw in the mix with my current plans, but I could maybe swing 1 a month on top of my other stuff. I hope. These look to be pretty long books...

[Maggie]

the plan is just 4 chapters a week, which we thought would make a book every 6 weeks

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Cool. Thanks. That might be doable for me. Or maybe I'll just try to catch up after A Memory of Light.

[Maggie]

yeah-I dont think it does the series justice to read it too fast.

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Well I ordered the first book. If I don't like it I'll just blame Lee.

Course it's only fair since I got him reading the Dresden Files.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Pretty long books

Yeah, they are very long. The first is the shortest, then after that most are over 1000 pages at a time. I think the series is between 2.5 and 3 million words. The entire Dresden series probably matches the last two books in size.

But don't let me put you off. The plan is a six week read, but that may get longer for the bigger books. We want lots of discussion rather than speed.mi rushed through the series last time, trying to catch up with the group. A hard task since I was 4 books behind. I had no time for any other books for about 8 months. This time I want to read other books at the same time.

It is going to be interesting to see what you think of it :) I find people either love it or just can't read it.

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Yea. I've read wheel of time, and this seems shorter than that. Of course I think it took me like a year and a half to read those.

On the other hand I've probably read more books in the last 6 months than I did all last year. Good reads is both a blessing and a curse in that regard.

[[deleted user]]

Rob wrote: "Well I ordered the first book. If I don't like it I'll just blame Lee.

Course it's only fair since I got him reading the Dresden Files."

Jump on board I also plan on blaming Lee if I dont like it ;)

feeling the pressure Lee?

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

:0

I have much at stake.

[Candace]

On the other hand I've probably read more books in the last 6 mo..."

I've read some very different books than I ordinarily would have due to book club or friend recommendations and for that reason I believe its been a good thing. Of course, ask me how I feel a few months into this club...(said with a smile and can't wait to get at 'em attitude)!

[Candace]

sorry Rob I deleted the "i" at the beginning of your quote, thus taking away the italics, and making me a plagiarizer!!

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Candace wrote: "sorry Rob I deleted the "i" at the beginning of your quote, thus taking away the italics, and making me a plagiarizer!!"

Feel free to plagiarize me all you like. Though I doubt much of what I say would be worth trying to pass off as your own.

[seak]

I'm Bryce. Gardens of the Moon was actually the first gift my wife gave me just after we got married in 2008 and I've been a fan ever since. Gardens just blew my mind in terms of what the definition of epic in epic fantasy can actually be.

I started blogging late 2009 and more heavily into 2010, so I've stalled quite a bit in actually keeping up with books I've wanted to read (in place of the new and freshly arrived). I plan on reading The Crippled God soon, hopefully before the reread gets really underway so I can go back to the beginning.

I've also read the first to ICE books and need to catch up there as well. Welcome to my life sadly, I'm sure no other person here can possibly relate. :D

If anything's worthy of a reread it's this series.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

so I've stalled quite a bit in actually keeping up with books I've wanted to read

I am sure having twins will do that to you. Glad you joined the group.

[Ctgt]

Hey Lee,

I like the map!

[seak]

Lee wrote: "so I've stalled quite a bit in actually keeping up with books I've wanted to read

I am sure having twins will do that to you. Glad you joined the group."

Yeah, I think with one baby I could hold her and read something, but with two squirmy ones, it's just not possible.

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Seak (Bryce L.) wrote: "Yeah, I think with one baby I could hold her and read something, but with two squirmy ones, it's just not possible. ."

Sounds like you should ask for a book stand for Christmas. :-P

[Marina]

Rob wrote: "Seak (Bryce L.) wrote: "Yeah, I think with one baby I could hold her and read something, but with two squirmy ones, it's just not possible. ."

Sounds like you should ask for a book stand for Chris..."

What about flipping the pages? :p