Series: Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson ("Gardens of the Moon")

[Aga]

I didn't have much time to read this week, so I'm somewhere in the middle of chapter 2.
(view spoiler)[The prologue was quite violent. I had a really nasty nightmare after reading it, about people torn into pieces. But, at the same time, it did a great job introducing new characters and revealing what has happened to Parans family.
I didn't recognize the name of Paran's younger sister at first.

I'm glad to see that there will be an interesting plot with Crocus and co. Trying to assassinate The Empress is huge.

The historian's plot seems interesting too. (hide spoiler)]

[Barry]

The Prologue
(view spoiler)[
Notice the dynamic between Felisin and Tavore with respect to the Empress's culling the nobility. What does that say about Tavore? What does that say about the Empress? How will this affect Felisin, who vows that she no long considers Tavore her sister. And why the cull of the nobility? How does that help Laseen?

Pay attention to the characters accompanying Felisin (hide spoiler)]

Ch 1
(view spoiler)[
Mappo and Icarium will play sizeable important roles (pun intendend) throughout the series.

D'ivers vs Soletaken.
D'ivers = multiple bodies
Soletaken = a single body but can transform into something else

And pay attention to what announces a d'iver appearing. There is a distinct hint.

Coltaine coming to assume command. It's been the Malazan Empire's tradition of adopting the warriors from its conquered states to lead its military conquest somewhere else. Notice the diversity in the Malazan soldiers.

Fiddler and co coming across a dhenrabi soletaken on the sea on the way to Ehrlitan in the Seven Cities. Fiddler wonders why.

Apsalar reveals that Kalam was once a bodyguard to a Falah'd, a leader in the Seven Cities. Who was Kalam? Who was QB? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 2(view spoiler)[
Coltaine explaining why he delays the meeting to wait for his warlocks. Notice the process to "re-create" the Wickan warlocks.

Duiker seems exasperated that his warning of potential rebellion has been ignored by the leadership. But, why is Coltaine in the Seven Cities?

Pay attention to Duiker's tale of the previous High Fist before Pormqual.

Fiddler saves two little girls, who are granddaughters of the Tanno Spiritwalker.

Kalam agrees to deliver the Book of the Apocalypse to the Sha'ik. But, apparently Mebra and Tene Baralta are allies?

Iskaral Pust makes his appearance! Notice Pust's servant and how he says he got the servant ("a life given for a life taken"). (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

I'm wrapping up a book and then start this one :)

[E.D.]

Reached chapter 14 of Deadhouse Gates. I'm surprised at my progress. Finding it much easier going than book one.

[Aga]

Uhhh, I had such a busy week (renovation and other stuff). I finished chapter two and read what Barry has written. Thank you, Barry! I love to know what is important and where I should locate my attention. I don't want to miss a thing :)

[Barry]

You guys want me to post some notes per chapter? When I first read it, someone posted his notes, which really helped me in my understanding of the books. Though, I feel my current re-read really helps even more.

[Saar The Book owl]

That would be great, Barry, if you would do that. it would be interesting to compare them and add things.

[E.D.]

Barry wrote: You guys want me to post some notes per chapter? When I first read it, someone posted his notes, which really helped me in my understanding of the books. Though, I feel my current re-read really helps even more.

I'd find it really helpful if you have the time. Although I've raced ahead a bit, I've found your notes help to keep me on track.

[Barry]

Okay then. I'll post my notes a few chapters each day.

Ch 03 (view spoiler)[
Felisin, a polarizing figure for many readers. Some people really hate her, some don't mind. I'm in the camp that I don't like what she's done, but I understand.

She's basically figured out the biggest bully in the otataral camp and has offered her body in exchange for his protection. It's a harsh environment, and she does what she thinks is necessary for her (and Heboric and Baudin) to survive. But, later, Heboric conveys his disappointment that Felisin has decided to become a whore. She gets mad with Heboric, claiming that what she does benefits him as well.

Heboric and Baudin discussed the origins of otataral. Heboric conlcuded that otataral isn't a natural ore. That some kind of huge explosion that melted the whole island created otataral. What exactly happened to create otataral? And why does it counter the effect of sorcery?

Pella quoting Kellanved and asks Felisin to find out who could help him complete his quote. Who is Pella?

Coltaine training the 7th for unconventional warfare, but they're losing. Eventually, they win one mock-battle, and Coltaine grants them a rest day.

Fiddler disagrees with Kalam's decision to deliver the Book of the Apocalypse, and to start the rebellion. How would the rebellion help them in their revenge against Laseen? Are they not Malazans?

Icarium reveals his obsessions with time, because of his lost memories. Icarium and Mappo also discover ancient books, whose symbols Mappo had previously seen in his dealing with the Nameless Ones. Who is this Nameless Ones? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 04 (view spoiler)[
Pella asks Felisin if she's found out who remembers his missing quotes.

Felisin reveals she chooses sex, humiliation, and drugs to mask over her real pains. But, she chooses to defend Beneth (Stockholm Syndrome?).

Kalam and the reading of the Deck of Dragons. He gets "the Rope", surrounded by six cards from the House of Death (King, Herald, Mason, Spinner, Knight and Queen). Hood is the King of House of Death. But, who are the others? Kalam interprets the reading as being chased by impending death. But, can there be another interpretation?

Lostara Yil hot in pursuit of Kalam. Lostara Yil has a different interpretation of the reading. Lostara Yil kills everybody in the Keep.

Mappo and Icarium discover more ancient stuff at the foundations of the temple. They also discover warrens ("corrupted Kurald Galain?") and the gate, possibly to the Path of the Hands. Is Shadow involved in creating the convergence of the d'ivers and soletakens in the Seven Cities?

Mappo considers himself a deceiver, as he has to keep Icarium from his truths, though he also considers himself as his friend. There will be lots of internal conflict from Mappo regarding his relationship with Icarium.

Sormo Ernath and Duiker also witness the wars between the various d'ivers and soletakens to reach the Path of Hands. The d'ivers and soletaken use the Tellan warren, which is the warren of the T'lan Imass. Why specifically do they use the Tellan warren? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 05 (view spoiler)[
Fiddler and co arrive at G'danisban to find the city is in chaos. They see a naked little girl, and Fiddler is moved to save her. Compassion is a major theme of the series. Fiddler and co kill the six people chasing the little girl. And Fiddler comments that Apsalar still retains her old skills (Sorry). In the city, they witness the aftermath of the local populace slaughtering Malazans.

Huge Reveal: Kellanved = Shadowthrone, Dancer = Cotillion / the Rope

“Not by Kellanved’s command!” she retorted. “Who ordered the T’lan Imass into Aren? I shall tell you. Surly, the commander of the Claw, the woman who took upon herself a new name—”

“Laseen.” Fiddler eyed the young woman quizzically. “I have never before heard that assertion, Apsalar. There were no written orders— none found, in any case—”

“I should have killed her there and then,” Apsalar muttered.

Astonished, Fiddler glanced at Crokus. The Daru shook his head. “Apsalar,” the sapper said slowly, “you were but a child when Aren rebelled then fell to the T’lan Imass.”

“I know that,” she replied. “Yet these memories… they are so clear. I was… sent to Aren… to see the slaughter. To find out what happened. I… I argued with Surly. No one else was in the room. Just Surly and… and me.”

They reached the other end of the square. Fiddler reined in and regarded Apsalar for a long moment. Crokus said, “It was the Rope, the patron god of assassins, who possessed you. Yet your memories are—”

“Dancer’s.” As soon as he said it, Fiddler knew it was true. “The Rope has another name. Cotillion. Hood’s breath, so obvious! No one doubted that the assassinations occurred. Both Dancer and the Emperor… murdered by Laseen and her chosen Clawmasters. What did Laseen do with the bodies? No one knows.”

Now, we know why Shadowthrone and Cotillion seem to have a personal vendetta against Laseen.

Kalam’s gaze was veiled. “Odd, isn’t it? After all, the Warren only appeared following the Emperor’s assassination at Laseen’s hand. Shadowthrone and his companion the Patron of Assassins— Cotillion— were unheard of before Kellanved and Dancer’s deaths. It also seems that whatever . . . disagreement there is between House Shadow and Empress Laseen is, uhm, personal . . .”

Toblakai and Leoman of the Flails, the two bodyguard to Sha'ik. Kalam delivers the Book to her and leaves (after being gifted an Aptorian demon).

Lostara Yil assassinates the Sha'ik after Kalam has left. The Red Blades try to kill the two bodyguards, but fail. Tene Baralta orders Lostara Yil to keep shadowing Kalam.

Leoman and the Toblakai decide to wait, as a storm is beginning to form. (hide spoiler)]

[CBRetriever]

Barry wrote: "Okay then. I'll post my notes a few chapters each day. "

Pella: https://malazan.fandom.com/wiki/Pella

and be careful as that site is full of spoilers including past where you've read

[Barry]

Ch 06 (view spoiler)[
Duiker writing in the prologue of the chapter about Dassem Ultor being sworn to Hood. Remember Dassem Ultor was the First Sword of the Malazan Empire who was killed in Y'Ghatan.

Pella was actually looking for Duiker, and was the contact tasked to help them to escape. Felisin totally misses Pella's reference/request to find Heboric. Pella chooses to remain in the otataral mines to defend it from the rebels.

Heboric and Baudin have been planning for the escape and they include Felisin in their escape plan. But, Felisin insists on bringing Beneth.

They are swarmed by the bloodflies, leading to more disfigurement for Felisin, which adds to her motivation against her sister. Heboric is unbitten. His hands are glowing, blessed by Fener. They escape the otataral mine, and Captain Sawark suggests they head south. The Seven Cities rebellion has officially begun.

Duiker and Kulp trying to get to the rendezvous point to pick up Heboric and co. Enter Gesler and Stormy. Stormy vehemently denies he was somebody ("nobody, nobody at all"). Kulp is a user of Mockra (the warren of illusion). While Gesler and Stormy are followers of Fener, like Heboric.

Duiker rides back to Hissar, but find local rebels have been killing the Malazans. In Hissar, there are signs of fierce fighting, as the local rebels tried to stop the Malazan soldiers from evacuating the citizens.

Duiker pursues the fleeing Malazan soldiers to another town and discovers that the local populace is being "recruited" to the Army of the Apocalypse. Kamist Reloe leading this particular group. He intends to burden the Malazans with as many refugees as possible.

Mappo and Icarium find a broom and a boat inside the temple. What does that mean? Why a boat in a temple in the middle of supposedly a desert?

Another reading of the Deck of Dragons:
Obelisk ? (apparently Obelisk is now active in the Seven Cities, contrary to Kalam's assertion in the previous chapter)
Oponn male : bad luck.
Sceptre and Throne two unaligned cards
Queen of High House Life
Spinner of High House Death : has been mentioned once, but identity is currently unknown
Soldier of High House Light
Knight of Life
Mason of Dark

See if we can figure out who's who by the end of the book.

Iskaral Pust informs Mappo and Icarium that Sha'ik is dead. Icarium eager to journey, but Mappo is hesitant, and secretly wishes Icarium not to find out the truths.

Fiddler reveals that they're seeking an Azath House (just like the Finnest House in Gotm and the Deadhouse in Malaz City) in the Seven Cities called Tremorlor. What exactly is an Azath House?

The storm is now a full-blown Whirlwind.

Kalam with the Aptorian demon being chased by whom? Notice again the hint (spicy scents).
(hide spoiler)]

Ch 07 (view spoiler)[
Duiker still pretends to be a local man searching his lost nephew. Many of the deads along the road are the local rebels. So, the Malazans under Coltaine is actually winning the battle. But, how can the Malazans lead the refugees while fighting against basically the entire continent?

Felisin, Heboric and Baudin also journeying through a desert. Felisin gets darker and b*tchier every single day. A jade finger, touched by Heboric. Then, Heboric's hand becomes swollen, and gets weaker. Heboric starts to lag considerably behind Felisin and Baudin that Baudin is forced to go back and retrieve him.

Felisin rummages Baudin's bag while he's gone to retrieve Heboric and find thieving and assassin tools, and a talon of a large cat? What does that signify?

Heboric's tattoos start swirling all over his body, which form Fener the god. Something dramatic happens, and Heboric awakes and states that Fener is in the mortal world and vulnerable and afraid. So, who's more powerful here? The god or the followers?

"We do not see in years ... but in centuries"
You will be an unpainted hide, Mappo. The future will offer its own script, writing and shaping your history anew. What was done to the town of our kin must never happen again. You will ensure that. Do you understand?

Mappo remembers his past, his destroyed village and his contact with the Nameless Ones. And who exactly destroyed his village and why must Mappo ensure that will never happen again? What does that have to do with Icarium?

Mappo and Icarium agree Sha'ik was probably not strong enough to command the Whirlwind. So, another god(s) has been manipulating things. This is again a major theme : the gods influencing mortal events and at the same time being affected by the mortals themselves.

Fiddler, Crokus and Apsalar enter the Whilrwind and stumble into the wars between the soletakens and d'ivers. Apsalar shows her old skills remain quite deadly. Mappo and Icarium converge with Fiddler, Crokus and Apsalar.

Gryllen the rat d'ivers retreats after Icarium threatened him. How powerful is Icarium? (hide spoiler)]

[Aga]

Ok, I think I can pick up the pace now. I had a problem at first with the 3rd chapter. It was hard to read about Felisin's situation. For me, she is rather a tragic character.

Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[Pella is acting suspiciously. And the Nameless Ones! I think the number seven is not a coincidence. So who Mappo really is? (hide spoiler)]

[Barry]

Ch 08 (view spoiler)[

"It is said that on the night of Kellanved and Dancer’s Return, Malaz City was a maelstorm of sorcery and dire visitations. It is not a far reach to find one sustained in the belief that the assassinations were a messy, confused affair, and that success and failure are judgments dependent on one’s perspective … “ - Heboric.

We will visit an interpretation of that event in Night of Knives.

Duiker learns that the Malazans led by Coltaine is being outnumbered 7 to 1. And that Kamist Reloe has the ability to recruit hundreds of thousands more rebels. Do the Malazans have any hope of surviving this? What will Coltaine do? Can he keep running away?

Baudin teaches Felisin while using her. It continues to be a shitty world for Felisin.

Kulp arrives to rescue Heboric and co. The sorcerous storm can't strike the otataral island due to its properties (anti-sorcery).

When he looked again upon Heboric he almost shouted in surprise. The ex-priest’s tattoos swarmed with a life of their own: flickering waves of power raced across his body and spun a handlike projection beyond the stump of his left wrist. That ghost-hand reached into a warren, was clenched as if gripping a tether. A wholly different power pulsed around his right stump, shot through with veins of green and Otataral red, as if two snakes writhed in mortal combat. The blunting effect arose exclusively from the green bands, radiating outward with what felt like conscious will. That it was strong enough to push back the effects of the Otataral was astonishing.

So, there seems to be a war in one of Heboric's hands : the green jade versus the red otataral, and the green jade seems to be winning. What is the green jade?

“What’s the talon signify, Baudin?”

His face became an expressionless mask.

“You know, the one you’ve got hidden away, along with all your thieving tools.”

The man’s flat gaze flicked past her. She turned to find Heboric standing a few paces away. The ex-priest’s eyes were fixed on Baudin as he said, “Did I hear that right?”

Heboric knows who Baudin really is/was.

Kulp notes that he can't use his warren, because he fears the green jade will be corrupted by the green jade.

They fight hard to escape the sorcery from the mad mage, and find themselves entering an unknown warren. They find an old imperial ship called the Silanda. Onboard, there are Tiste Andii heads. Below deck, there are the headless Tiste Andii bodies. Inside the Captain's cabin, there are four bodies like Tiste Andii, but grey-skinned (who are they?). But, they're also dead.

Heboric claims the four dead grey-skinned Tiste are called Tiste Edur (will be explored more in Book #4), based on the information in a book called Gothos' Folly.

Kulp and Heboric do not know which warren they are currently in. Heboric claims it's not Fener's warren.


“Icarium, the Jhag by that name. The maker of machines, the chaser of time—”
Fiddler has heard of Icarium.

Pust seemingly at random asks about Tremorlor and Chains of Dogs. What is the Chains of Dogs? I really like Iskaral Pust and his craziness. He's like Kruppe, only crazier I guess.

"I follow Icarium,” the Trell replied. “A search without end.”

“And you’ve devoted your life to helping him in his search?”

“No,” Mappo sighed, then whispered without meeting Fiddler’s gaze, “I seek to keep it endless. ”
Oh, Mappo.

Iskaral Pust confirms that Cotillion has no plan to re-possess Apsalar anymore.

Fiddler reveals that there is an Azath House in every continent. Each Azath House is linked with the others somehow, so one can enters from one and comes out in another, sort of like a portal/transporter. So, the plan is to get to Tremorlor where Fiddler and Kalam can travel to Malaz City to the Deadhouse Gate to kill Laseen. Icarium and Mappo agree to accompany Fiddler and co to the Tremorlor. Icarium is interested in Quick Ben. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 09 (view spoiler)[
Kalam senses that he's being followed, but unsure by how many. He disguises himself (well, since he's a native, it's not hard to disguise himself) and come along with the rebels to pursue a small group of fleeing Malazans consisting of Captain Keneb, his wife, his two children and Minala, Keneb's sister-in-law. Keneb will play an important role going forward.

Kalam shows why he's a feared assassin. The two children ask Kalam to teach them to fight, but Kalam responds that "fighting is for people who fail at everything else". Reminiscent of Fiddler's advice to Ganoes in Prologue of GotM.

Kalam and Keneb agree that their next move is to try to rendezvous with Coltaine's army in Aren. Keneb believes that Kamist Reloe and Korbolo Dom are also marching toward Aren. Kalam reveals he had a history with Korbolo Dom, as Dom was the commander who replaced Whiskeyjack after their Raraku campaign. But, even then Laseen had considered Dom to be too bloodthirsty to be an effective commander. Now, Korbolo Dom has turned traitor.

“Aye, Hissar. But Hissar is now in Kamist Reloe’s hands. As are all the cities but Aren, and Aren has the Jhistal within. The Wickan flees overland, chained with refugees by the thousand— they beg his protection even as they lap his blood."'
"Jhistal" within Aren. It's been mentioned once or twice in this book earlier, iirc.

Kalam interested in Minala?

The Silanda is sailing on the prairie. Six T'lan Imass appear (always love how T'lan Imass appear!). The T'lan Imass ask the Servant of the Chained One to step aside, but who is the Servant of the Chained One? Who is the Chained One? Recall there have been some references to "chains" throughout this book, and going forward.

“Call down the mage linked to you. He is a wound. And he spreads. This must be stopped. More, I tell your god that such games place him in great peril. We shall not brook such damage to the warrens.”
How does this connect with Heboric's hand?

The T'lan Imass reveals that they're in the Kurald Emurlahn Warren. And that Kulp's Meanas Rashan Warren is the child of the Kurald Emurlahn Warren. So, Kurald Emurlahn is an Elder Warren. Meanas is Path of Shadow and Illusion that is accessible to humans.

Kurald Emurlahn belonged to Tiste Edur, the grey-skinned creature. They were the master of the Shadow, before Shadowthrone and Cotillion ascended and took over the Shadow Realm.

The T'lan Imass agree they need to seal the wound in the Warren (so the Kurald Emurlahn is broken, partly?). The Bonecaster says Leganas Breed is clanless and agrees to "bridge" the wound. Stormy also volunteers, but refused. Leganas Breed gives him his flint sword.

Again, compassion and sacrifice for the goods of the others are two major themes of the series. (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

I'm still at the prolugue (must stop reading multiple books at the same time), but if I understand correctly (view spoiler)[Adjunct Tavore is Felecin's sister? So, in fact they are enemies, partly due to the treason and dissapereance of Paran. (hide spoiler)]

[Aga]

Yes, spoiler>she is Paran's youngest sister.
I'm reading multiple books like you :) But this is the "main" book right now for me.

[Aga]

And I thought I will have plenty of time to read in a health resort. Haha, right...

But I'm back and reading :) The great reveal from chapter 5 has confirmed my suspicions from the previous book. Chapter 6 was full of action. So many important things in one chapter! Who is Iskaral Pust's servant? And who is Kalam? Is he connected to House Death somehow?

[CBRetriever]

Pust's servants name will be revealed

Kalam is one of my favorites

[Saar The Book owl]

Kalam is also one of my favorits, but I'm not near where you are, Agan but I'm catching up :)

[Peter_Banning]

I’m finishing book 4 but I’ma take a break after and likely when/if everyone gets to book 5 I’ll hope on the train with all of you! 🙂

[Aga]

CBRetriever wrote: "Pust's servants name will be revealed

Kalam is one of my favorites"

Nice!

[Aga]

Sooo... I'm back to this one. Started chapter 19. There was a lot of walking ;) The last part of the book is getting more interesting. I'm determined to finish Deadhouse Gates before rereading "The Last Wish" (this month RR).

[Saar The Book owl]

I need to pick this one up again too and your post reminded me of that :) I want to finish before the end of the year.

[Aga]

What chapter are you reading (or did you stop) Saar?

[Saar The Book owl]

Still at the very beginning...

[Aga]

Hah, finished! It took me sooooo long to read this. I'm going to read some novellas next.