DG - End of Book Discussion

[Rob, Quick Ben]

Ben wrote: "Fantastic book. Now I cant wait to see what all the other guys were about in Memories of Ice!"

I liked MoI better myself, but I think that's because I enjoy those characters more than most of the ones in this one.

[Silvio]

What I liked about MoI was that the big picture of what the gods are fighting about, the history of the different civilizations, and so on starts to unfold. Only starts, mind you!

[Dara]

I really loved this book. I couldn't put it down from beginning to end. Not being confused most of the time really helped, haha. My heart really ached for Coltaine and Duiker at the end. I want more of Laseen at some point. Her interaction with Kalam was great.

Can't wait to get into Memories of Ice.

[Anthony]

What a fantastic read, the Chain of Dogs journey was one of the most powerful storylines I've read in a long time. The ending of Duiker and Coltaine stayed with me for quite a while afterwards too. At first I wasn't convinced by Kalam's storyline venturing off to destroy the empress on his own but as the book wore on the more I bought into it and his ending was not only unexpected but another great twist by the author.
I must confess though in my rush to see what was going on with Duiker/Coltaine and Kalam I got rather lost with Icarium etc and the house of the Azath. What exactly happened there? Especially with his father? I also didn't know who that woman was who turned up at the end with Iskaral Pust but I'm assuming that might play out in future books?
A hugely enjoyable read nonetheless!

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Anthony. I have to tell you. Reading the series second time through is even better. You see so much more with your knowledge of the world and story. Give it a year and read it again ;)

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Anthony. I have to tell you. Reading the series second time through is even better. You see so much more with your knowledge of the world and story. Give it a year and read it again ;)

[Scott]

So I just finished chapter 5 and just found out that the Rope is Dancer. Holy crap moment. Congressional medal of awesome. I'm so glad I didn't see that coming in spite of series titles much later. I almost what to re-read GOTM right now for all the implications I'm missing. Just Quick Ben alone with his being a former acolyte to Shadownthrone who's tricked him twice. Does he know or suspect his identity?

I had to re-read 3-5 pages after I found this out because I wasn't focusing and was pondering the myriad of implications.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Scott, by the end of the next book you'll be planning your re read. Servings time through is amazing. Being back in here makes me think about a third read. Its been over the years since we started this group & did the big read together.

[Scott]

I didn't see you had replied Lee. I'm on the book a month plan and should finish Dancer's Lament next September. It doesn't appear the second book in that trilogy or the third in the Kharkanas Trilogy will be out for a long time so at that point I would consider a book a month re-read including the ICE books using the recommended reading order which is what I'm following now. So as an example I just finished Reaper's Gale and then it will be Crimson Guard, Toll the Hounds, Stonewielder, Dust of Dreams, Orb Septre Throne, The Crippled God, Blood and Bone and Assail then on to the new series. I do the B&BK books as well.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Well it won't take you long to catch up on Crimson Guard. I am way behind schedule, but about to get on s plane, so plenty of reading time to come.

[Scott]

I probably won't start until early next month. Malazan requires a break with how draining they are.

[Eugenio]

Scott, that is very true. I feel like I may read a filler book, something around 200 pages long. In Malazan that page length is more like a couple of chapters

[DangerBin]

It took me about a year to read the series the first time. And it seems to be going faster the 2nd time around. BTW, I totally agree that it might be even better on the reread (so far).

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

I really did enjoy my re read. There were so many moments were you saw SE's foreshadowing.

[DangerBin]

Yes, totally. The prologue to the next book blew me away. It's all there, but you don't know it yet.

[Mitchell]

I’m not going to lie. This is my first read through, but the chain of dogs stuff felt more like a slough than something I enjoyed. I liked Coltrain enough, but those bits became super formulaic in comparison. The way he dies and then the way the historian is killed did catch me a bit off guard.