NoK - Epilogue & overall discussion

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Epilogue and general book Discussion Thread.

[Scott]

I went right into bonehunters and I have to say the recommended reading order is spot on. So many things l learned in this book are bearing fruit.

I really liked the book. His writing style at times was a bit rough.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

I do remember disctinctly that when I read this series first time, that you can see his writing improve as we go on. OST is one of may favourite books of ICE. However.... when ICE writes Kruppe, it is cringe worthy in my opinion. But, we get ahead of ourselves.

[Scott]

OMG I was cracking up at my desk in the office. Talk about something I hadn't considered, Kruppe and ICE. The two ghosts from Bonehunters I can't picture him writing either.

[Gonzalo]

I enjoyed this book. Just curious on the timelines, this one is right before GoTM right? What timeline does RotCG line up with?

[Scott]

It takes place after the GOTM prologue but a dozen years before the main book if I recall correctly.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

RotCG is supposed to be around the same time as Reapers Gale.

[Scott]

RotCG and RG are not the same time. I looked at the Dramatis Personae of both books and as an example Toc the Elder is in RotCG as are a lot of the characters from DHG and HOC only when they were younger. RG is after BH chronologically.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

You are right. The timing suggests RG happens before RotCG. I can't remember much about Crimson Guard plot lines, but I do remember that they are very different to RG. So I would think if anyone had finished BH they'd be fine reading RG and RoftCG at the same time.

[Scott]

Given the Dramatis Personae RotCG happen right after NOK. RG right after BH.

[Carl]

RotCG is definitely post Bonehunters. Are you getting Toc the Elder mixed up with Toc the younger?

[Scott]

I haven't read it yet but specifically from Dramatis Personae as I'm looking at it:

Laseen Empress
Korbolo Dom High Fist and Sword of the Empire
Mallick Rel Councillor and Assembly Representative
Toc the Elder Seti Warlord and Malazan 'Old Guard'

Given what I know about Dom and Rel from DHG and HOC this isn't after Bonehunters and given Laseen is empress this is after NOK.

[James]

I have heard NOK is pre- GOTM - Maybe similar time to Midnight Tides, but I am pretty certain ROTCG is set after the Bonehunters. I am super someone said that is needs to be read before Toll the Hounds if you want the full experience as I think a certain character (only guessing as I haven't read ROTCG) is present in both x

[Scott]

Looking at chapter 1 BH is year 1164 of Burn's sleep and RotCG is 1165 so apparently you're right. Unless there's flashbacks or Laseen forgives Dom and Rel I don't see how they are part of the empire and Toc the Elder is alive. I guess I'll see shortly.

[James]

From what I have read in Erikson's books, I don' want to tell you what I know or (of course) don't know about those characters. I never noticed the years of the chapters like you said. I will review that on a re read definitely :) Which book are you on now Scott?

[Scott]

Bone hunters with RG next then RotCG by way of the recommended reading order.

[James]

Sounds good to me. I re - read a bit of Reapers Gale yesterday for nostalgia, my 2nd favourite but enjoy them all mate :)

[Scott]

I'm looking forward to it, thanks.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Go to malazan.wiki.com/wiki/suggested_readi...

At the bottom of the page is a reading order diagram.

[Scott]

Yes I've copied the reading order previously. I have a book shelf called Malazan that is ordered by the recommended reading order. The reading order isn't the chronological order of the books though. Midnight Tides takes place well before anything else as an example.

It is funny with these books. Part of me wants to just keep reading them back to back. Another wants to space them out and savior them. NOK's and the B&KB books as the exceptions I've needed at least a small break in between to recharge. I think when I finish they'll be those conflicting emotions of accomplishment and loss. There's just nothing else like them.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

I think I was only halfway through my first read when I realised that I needed to read them again. I was about a year after I finished and about 5 of us decided to group read them. Hence this group was born :)

Now that I am back in the world It is easy to think that a third read through is certainly something I would consider.

[Scott]

I will read the entire series again. The only other series I've read multiple times has been LOTR which I did many times as a kid and then twice more as an adult.

[Carl]

Back on topic :)
my ramble about NOK if anyone is interested

[Eugenio]

That Epilogue.... Again short and sweet, and then the StormRider with saying what he did at the end. "Why are you killing us?"

That needs some explaining!!

[Luis]

the stormrider bit at the end was puzzling indeed. Not just the question but the fact that he was surprised about the blood maybe? I guess they think they are inhuman and yet they bleed the same. interesting.

[Eugenio]

Maybe it's a comment on our own wars and how we see "the enemy" as not like us. Always that type of commentary in these books I find.

There is a character over in BotF that makes me question the Stormrider's physiology and history. Here they are myths and assumed to be part Jhagut. I cannot remember when we are introduced to that character, but that may reveal the nature of who and what they are. I hope this series of books reveals more of their culture and history.

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

I would be interested in seeing your thoughts on the character on The Fallen in regards to this topic. Spoiler tag it of you do post.

[Eugenio]

I will have to do so when I sign in on my computer, unless you know how to add the spoiler tags while on the mobile app

[Eugenio]

(view spoiler)[Testing spoilers on mobile (hide spoiler)] let's see if that works

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

Yes that worked • but I have to go to desktop to read, which is fine •

[Lee, High Priest of Shadow]

I am thinking that the storm raiders and ice all come from where there is a Warren leaking into this world, which means it should be Omotose Phelleck, so I wonder if the statement about ' why are you killing us refers to the Jaghut race? Be interesting to d where the next chapter leads us •

[Eugenio]

Ok, just had a thought! What if the Stormriders are just trying to get on land? Everyone keeps trying to stop them, thinking their attacking, and vicious circle, it causes them to actually attack (creating this history of the Riders attacking people). They never make it to land and over time, years and years, maybe have forgotten that this is their mission?

But what if they are just normal people, affected by the Warren of Ice like you mentioned, and all they want to do is get home?

Lee, I will have to take out my BotF series and find the character that I believe is tied into this mystery.