Introduction thread - always need one of these

[Zeke]

Thanks Eddie. That's what I've been told. So far, I'm just trudging on with the faith that it will all come together.

[Eddie]

Zeke, it might take a little bit for you to get into this series but its completely worth it

[Lori]

Oh yeah, this is something that requires reading so can look reread a sentence or 2. And as others have said everyone is lost for the first part but then it starts to come together and what a rush!

[Robbe]

Hello everyone. My name is Robbe. I've read the 2 first books of Malazan last year. With quite a big gap between them.
The reason is that I think they are very hard books to read. Like a lot of people I am frequently confused, and have to resort to the internet to help me out. Sadly this sometimes resulted in rather big spoilers.
However eventhough the books were a struggle sometimes, I really enjoyed them a lot. After reading a bunch of other fantasy and science fiction, I feel like I am ready to read another Malazan book. But I want some help from other readers, thus I went searching for a group read.
So here I am. You are already at book 6, but that doesn't bother me. I don't think I'll read them all one after the other anyway. Sometimes I need a lighter read. I am however confident that your posts in the forums will help me tremendously.

[Rob, Quick Ben]

You shouldn't have any problems with spoilers here. Welcome to the group.

[Hanne]

Rob wrote: "You shouldn't have any problems with spoilers here. Welcome to the group."

... just don't click the spoiler tags.
those are being used for the re-readers to discuss things the first time readers shouldn't know yet

welcome!

[Silvio]

Welcome Robbe, and feel free to post your thoughts and questions. Even though we're so far into the series some of us still pay attention to the old chapter threads.

[Kayla]

Hi, my name is Kayla and I started reading the MBOTF series after finishing the "A Song Of Ice and Fire" series in June. I've been looking for a good group and it turns out that I am currently on the same book (Reapers Gale) although not as far along in it. I'm sure I will catch up, since I do a lot of reading at night and early in the morning (whenever my two year old son is sleeping). I haven't been too active on goodreads but I guess I have a good reason to be now.

[David Sven, Mortal Sword..Meow]

Welcome to the group Kayla. We only do approx four chapters a week so you'll probably catch up quickly.

[Kayla]

Thanks, I will try to avoid discussion of current chapters until I catch up so I can avoid spoilers. After the ten books by Steven Erikson will we be reading the other Malazan books by Ian Esslemont? I look forward to a more in depth story of the "Crimson Gaurd"

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Kayla wrote: After the ten books by Steven Erikson will we be reading the other Malazan books by Ian Esslemont? I look forward to a more in depth story of the "Crimson Gaurd"

Maybe. Right now there isn't a plan for that. Right now we're not scheduled to finish until May 2014, so we have time to put that in place if people are interested.

I know I'm interested in reading The Forge of Darkness. Not sure about the ICE books. I agree the one about Crimson Guard is appealing though.

[David Sven, Mortal Sword..Meow]

The Ice Novels fill gaps in and adds to the Lore of the world and are worth it for that reason. Also some of the books fill in gaps in the plot that Erikson doesn't bother with. For example Night of Knives covers the night of Kellanved and Dancer's assassination. There is also a Crimson Guard story arc through the books - a Tayschrenn story arc, RotCG also covers the time period of the Wickan pogrom from the time of Bonehunters - so we see a bit of where they are at. There is also a Traveller story arc that shows how he ends up where he does with who in HoC. Lots of stuff like that. There is also a lot of stuff that appears to contradict Erikson on the surface but actually clarifies stuff on closer inspection or maybe present a different POV that contradicts POV's in the main series.

[Mpauli]

I know I'm going to be a bit MIA this month, due to the huge amount of books, but regarding the Crimson Guard ICE book we could (should?) think about reading it after RG and before TTH.
Chronologically it fits in there and it hast 2-3 relevant developments for the main series.

Oh, and of course, welcome to the group, Kayla! :)

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Mpauli wrote: "I know I'm going to be a bit MIA this month, due to the huge amount of books, but regarding the Crimson Guard ICE book we could (should?) think about reading it after RG and before TTH.
Chronologic..."

Personally I don't want to do that. We've already extended the series out another 2 months. I don't really want to insert another book into the schedule.

If people want to read it after, great.

[David Sven, Mortal Sword..Meow]

We do already have an ICE section - so there's nothing stopping anyone doing a side read and adding RotG threads

[Rob, Quick Ben]

I'll happily add sections for each book if people want to. Personally I have too much to read and would rather wait until we finish the main series first.

[Eddie]

I tried to read Night of Knives but I couldn't get into it that much I didn't like his writing style at all and I agree with Rob I'd rather finish the main series first then maybe go back to the malazan novellas

[Silvio]

I probably wouldn't be up for a group read of other Malazan books. I want to read some of them someday, but for now it would be overload.

[Kayla]

So I'm having some trouble seeing and I only have internet on my itty bitty phone so it's not helping. Can someone tell me what page the group is currently on in RG? I'm on 393 and my progress is slowing due to the fact I need to have the book under a spotlight and an inch from my face (my neurologist is on vacation the lucky bastard). And does anyone know if these books are available on cassette?

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Can someone tell me what page the group is currently on in RG?"

Pages might vary from edition to edition. This week we've read up to chapter 8. In my edition that means I've read up through page 322, which may mean you're ahead of the group.

Kayla wrote: "And does anyone know if these books are available on cassette? "

Probably not. They only started coming out last year and only the first 4 books are out. So I doubt they would have put them on cassette, just CD and digital.

[Kayla]

Anybody want to talk just to talk? The only sane person in my home is my two year old son and he has yet to master intellectual conversation. Can anyone suggest any good series reads to me? I love this series and I enjoyed A Song of Ice and Fire.

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Kayla wrote: "Anybody want to talk just to talk? The only sane person in my home is my two year old son and he has yet to master intellectual conversation. Can anyone suggest any good series reads to me? I love series and I enjoyed A Song of Ice and Fire."

Well his thread is really meant for intros, so I'd prefer we keep it to that. However you're welcome to start another thread or two in this section about whatever you'd like.

As far as suggestions similar to this series, you might want to check out: This Thread.

[Carl]

Hi guys!

Just joined the group. Glad I have somewhere to talk about these books. They definitely need discussion.

Where I am Malazan wise: I'm on my first read of the series. Just started Midnight Tides today. Quite disappointed with House of Chains. Karsa's storyline throughout the book was great but didn't enjoy the rest as much, especially the ending. Memories of Ice and Deadhouse are some of the greatest books I've ever read in my opinion. With MOI actually making me cry. GOTM had its problems but I enjoyed it.

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Welcome to the group Carl. We're just finishing Reaper's Gale this week. We'll spend the next two months on Toll the Hounds so you have time to catch up to us if you're so inclined.

Feel free to jump in to the discussion threads for MT and RG as you go though if you have any questions or observations/speculation to add.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Hi Carl,

Welcome! We are all just finishing Reapers Gale this week. So we are a couple ahead of you. We only read 4 chapters a week, so if you put in the hours you'll catch us up :)

There is plenty of discussions threads on the chapters as you go through.

If you cried during MOI make sure you bring your tissues to Reapers Gale.

See you in the threads.

[Rob, Quick Ben]

First you repeat me, then you give wrong information Lee? Sheesh.

We read 3 chapters most weeks now or more specifically about 13% of the book..

[Dara]

Hello Carl! I'm the same as you. First time reader. Gonna start Midnight Tides soon. Also wasn't overly enamored with House of Chains as I was with Memories of Ice and Deadhouse Gates. Please comment! Welcome to the group.

[Carl]

Oh God i'm worried about RG now haha. MOI ruined me.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

We read three chapters a week here, then all of us have a secret group where we read the fourth chapter.

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Lee wrote: "We read three chapters a week here, then all of us have a secret group where we read the fourth chapter."

Not all of us apparently. Though how you have time for more secret groups when you're gallivanting around the globe is beyond me.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Just trying to wind you up.
You're right, haven't the time for GR as I used to. But hoping I can get back on here a bit more after this month. I am sure y'all miss my wit.

[Chris]

Hi all,

I finally have gotten around to starting the Malazan series! I'm only about halfway through the first book, but I can already say I love it so far (although very confused at parts, which from reading around seems to be normal). I've always been a lover of these much bigger/epic fantasy series, and this series seems to have very good reviews throughout all the books, which is usually rare for a series of this length.

I saw there are reading groups for the books, but I am quite obviously behind (maybe will catch up one day). Are the group reads still active topics after they are completed? Or is it not really worth posting in them at this point? Either way, they have helped with some clarification of things so far.

Looking forward to reading more!

-Chris

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Chris wrote: "Are the group reads still active topics after they are completed? Or is it not really worth posting in them at this point? "

Welcome Chris. People will very likely respond to any questions you may post in those discussions and may or may not respond to comments or observations, so don't be shy about posting.

We're currently doing book Toll the Hounds through 1/12/14 and will spend 2 months on the each of the final two books so depending on your reading speed you may well catch up by the end of the group read.

[Jayant]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading the discussion threads for quite long (I think I got through some parts of DG only because of David's summaries), just never posted before. It's been great fun so far.

I'm on House of Chains right now, hoping to catch up halfway through Dust of Dreams (I love that title).

And I'm a first time reader as well.

[David Sven, Mortal Sword..Meow]

Welcome to the group Jayant. Glad the discussions have helped.

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Welcome.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Hi Jayant, welcome to the group and if you love the title of Dust of Dreams, wait till you read it! Awesome.

[Kirk]

Hello!

Kirk/21/US

I only became an avid reader about a year ago, and The Malazan Book of the Fallen is the first big (understatement) series I've taken on and I've fallen in love with it. The vastness of the story is amazing. Also I'm really into fantasy and Sci-Fi. I'm currently on "Toll the Hounds" trying to catch up with the group :)

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Hey Kirk. Welcome. The group is only partway into Toll the Hounds. We'll be up through chapter 15th this coming week, so you shouldn't have much to read in order to catch up.

[Scott]

Hello!

Reading this series has been a long-term goal for awhile and I've finally begun, 80-odd pages in to Gardens of the Moon and with just one passage (view spoiler)["Still, I'm sure they were good men, the ones you lost."
"Good at dying," he said. (hide spoiler)] I simultaneously wanted to learn as much as I could about the man Whiskeyjack and felt that I was reading something rare and unique in what can sometimes be an over-saturated genre.

I'm an avid admirer of the Black Company and other "dark" high fantasy works so MBOF is a long time coming.The fact that Erikson's background is in anthropology and archaeology also drew me in.

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Welcome!

[Johny]

Hello, I am reading series second time, now I just started House of Chains, it's amazing, second reading is better than first. My favorite series were The Dark Tower from S. King, The Witcher from A. Sapkowski, then for a long time Sword of Truth from T. Goodkind, but Malazan book of the Fallen is THE best. There can't be something better, really.

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Welcome Johny. That seems to be the consensus amongst our rereaders.

[Laurel]

Hi Guys! I've just finished re-reading Gardens of the Moon and am loving all the chapter by chapter analysis! Very helpful and I think I'll need it for later on in the series which is where I started to get a bit lost the first time round. Will hopefully be starting Deadhouse Gates soon so will be checking out the threads for that as well(although I'm a year behind everyone else) ;)

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Welcome Laurel.

Depending on how inclined you are to read nothing but Malazan, we won't be finishing until mid-May, so you have time to catch up..but that's a bit of a daunting task at this point..

Either way people monitor the old threads so if you have questions/comments to add for older books don't be shy about posting them.

[David Sven, Mortal Sword..Meow]

Welcome Laurel

[Laurel]

Thanks! I'm not sure how soon I will be able to catch up but will definitely pick your brains on the old threads if I need to (although judging from the GOTM threads you guys will probably already have it covered!)

[Johny]

I am quite sad now, because I finally persuaded my friend to start GotM, I was helping him with every chapter and sending him recapitulations of every chapter, but he keeped complaining about complexity and author's attitude to the reader.
He slowly started to like Bridgeburners and their "main quest", but since beginning of Darudhjistan, he was lost again and finally quit the reading. And rated GotM as the worst book he ever read. :(

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Yeah. It's certainly not for everyone. I've yet to recommend it to anyone.

[Johny]

But it's sad. For him of course, not knowing this wonderful universe of Erikson.