Orb Sceptre Throne [August 2018]

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Starting 3/6

[Rob]

I hopped ahead. I'm into chapter 2. Maybe I'll pause for now. (God knows I have a stack of books to read). Hard to resist a return to http://malazan.wikia.com/wiki/Darujhi...

[Rob]

As an aside (I'm an urban planner as my day job). Got an application with a project named "Krupp" today. I might be in trouble :)

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Robert wrote: "As an aside (I'm an urban planner as my day job). Got an application with a project named "Krupp" today. I might be in trouble :)"

If his verbosity exceeds the loquaciousness of SE's Kruppe you have my most sincere sympathy. :)

[Rob]

I will find out. So far Esslemont's Kruppe feels the same as SE's.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Just a bump to remind people we are starting in a week. Hopefully a few people who have said they may join per various threads do decide to join us.

[Rob]

I'm in (and cheating. I'm 42% of the way into it)

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Robert wrote: "I'm in (and cheating. I'm 42% of the way into it)"

No worries. Feel free to put some comments in spoilers.

[Seán]

Don't think I'll be starting this week - my reading rate's slowed right down so I'm gonna stick to some shorter stuff for the next couple of weeks.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Started this morning. Jenna you're not going to like this prologue as I consider it the weakest of any of the SE or ICE books. Chapter one was quite good though.

[Jakyro]

I'd love to join ... but I'm way behind. I only finished The Bonehunters just now. It was amazing; my favourite one in the series so far!

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Jakyro wrote: "I'd love to join ... but I'm way behind. I only finished The Bonehunters just now. It was amazing; my favourite one in the series so far!"

The Bonehunters might be the best book in the series given all that went on but DHG and MOI are right there.

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

I'm still not done The Lions of Al-Rassan. This week has been crazy at work. :(

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Jenna wrote: "I'm still not done The Lions of Al-Rassan. This week has been crazy at work. :("

I'm not done with it either but it's taken a back seat to some other things, this being one.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

I've finished Orb and the first few pages of Sceptre. It's been enjoyable so far but there isn't that epic tie-in to all the stories so far.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

I'm slightly into chapter 14 and went to read the TOR re-read for chapter 13. I think Amanda's first paragraph sums it up for me.

This is strange. I have to confess that I am thoroughly enjoying this novel, in that I like the characters, and, for the most part, I like seeing the storylines unfold. But we are 64% into the story and I still can’t quite see how things are tying together or moving to a climax.

[Rob]

I've just begun chapter 17 (77%)...starting to come together, I think, but not seeing the outcome of it, though hopeful it turns out a certain way. At the very least you can things have been heating up quite a bit without spoiling it.

Quite a few familiar faces are showing up too.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Robert wrote: "I've just begun chapter 17 (77%)...starting to come together, I think, but not seeing the outcome of it, though hopeful it turns out a certain way. At the very least you can things have been heatin..."

I'm through chapter 15 and 73%. I think the one thing I definitely see is

(view spoiler)[
Traveller is going to face the first.

I keep thinking that's going to be Skinner and that the rebel Crimson Guard are going to be tied into this along with TCG.
(hide spoiler)]

[Rob]

(view spoiler)[Haven't seen signs of the TCG yet, but suspect the Segula with the Legate will unite with Traveler based on happenings of Ch. 16, Also have yet to see where Tayschrenn and Kiska will emerge from and how Topper will make his play. Fully expect Baruk and Kruppe to help turn the tide too. (hide spoiler)]

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Chapter 16.........couple of beefs........

(view spoiler)[
I was really excited to see Bauchelain and Korbal Broach but what was really the point? They didn't have any of their necromancer tricks up their sleeves.

And what was the point of having Leoman and Kiska stumble around in shadow for two books only to leave Leoman there?

I did like that the location of the Bridgeburner tomb has been setup since MOI. Would have liked more of Mallet and Whiskey. Love guessing at who Morn is.
(hide spoiler)]

[Rob]

(view spoiler)[yes, ,I'm clueless as to why they even appeared in the book over than gratuitous reasons. That said, I haven't read any of their novellas, so perhaps there is a tie in there. I wasn' that put off by leoman staying behind given that if he showed up with Malazans, then they'd focus on him than what else was going on in the book. I can't imagine we've seen the last of him. Got plenty of Whiskeyjack and Mallet in the later Erikson books. Have to say that back when they all got ambushed and died and then when Murillio died were some of the worst moments. Made me want to throw the book. Actually I may have listened to them on audio. (hide spoiler)]

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

re: spoiler

(view spoiler)[
I've read the novellas but if you recall they were also in MOI. There purpose there was a little comedy relief but also to show just how powerful Quick Ben and the Kel hunters were.
(hide spoiler)]

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

The ending of chapter 17 was epic and the first time ICE has delivered a moment or horror wrapped in compassion like SE frequently does.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Through 18

(view spoiler)[
I wonder if ICE is actually going to burn Darujhistan. Obviously with Daseem, Envy, the Segulah, Brood and others converging this will be interesting.

Y’Ghatan already burned in the main series but that was different circumstances. Somebody burning the city with the enemy within the walls. This is the enemy firebombing the city.

I do like the message of all tyrants being the same.
(hide spoiler)]

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

I finished last night. My favorite of the ICE books. I'm not sure about a few identities and I think that's intentional.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

So overall I liked this book a lot. You could see ICE grow as a writer. These end of the book thoughts will end up sounding like I'm mostly complaining but that's why I couldn't give it a 5.

(view spoiler)[
We never find out who the Legate is. I was convinced at one point it was going to be Kallor. I'm glad it wasn't simply because I found his death beyond annoying. Did Kruppe leave the wax tipped arrows? I didn't like ICE's writing of Krupe. He came off more a buffoon and less secret genius.

What was the point of Lady Envy in this story? Beyond giving us a timeline of where Draconus was I really didn't see a point. In general both Spite and Envy were terrific in the books they were first introduced in and since then it's almost like SE and ICE didn't know what to do with them.

Wouldn't the Imass kill a Tyrant human or Jaghut? I did love the Imass playing cards with Raest and Raest cheating.

What exactly did Brood hit with his hammer?

Was Morn Rake's soul guarding the gate? I get the idea it was but I'm still not certain. Orchid, I hope will play a role in TCG and thus why this book comes before. Her story was interesting but if it deadends here I'll be pissed.

Why did Antsy go on this quest only to return and Spindle leaves just as quickly. These just seemed too convenient.

Tayschrenn and the Bridgeburners..........I'm not sure there's an apology large enough. I don't think I understand what Tay's intention was but I'm assuming he ascended with his new name. Did he replace D'rek? Or is he now K'rul's protector?

Who was the old witch Kiska saw? Kiska went back to see Leoman to what end? Kiska going back to the claw? Really?

Vorcan chained herself to keep the tyrants influence off of her and thus taking her out of the game was pretty smart and above that of Baruk.

Loved all the jade references that I'm sure will bear fruit in TCG. Love Dassem becoming head of the Segulah. Loved Jan's character and hated seeing him fall on his own sword.
(hide spoiler)]

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

So I am an even worse buddy reader than usual. Somehow, I was told March would be a slower month at work, but two teachers have left recently and I've had to pick up a lot of their students. Hence the complete absence of comments from me. I'm glad you had another buddy this month, Scott.

I wasn't totally in the right mood for this kind of book, but I will admit that it was the best ICE book which is why it still gets four stars. The ending was definitely the best he's written and I think in this book he really has found his own style of writing.

I was glad to see characters from previous ICE books like Kiska and Leoman, and I didn't mind that (view spoiler)[ICE left Leoman behind because I'm assuming he'll be back. (hide spoiler)]

I didn't like ICE's version of Kruppe, but that probably isn't surprising because I don't like Erikson's Kruppe either. Can't decide which is worse, though.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

You did a good job of catching up.

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Scott wrote: "You did a good job of catching up."

I read a lot in two sittings yesterday and today so I could catch up. :)

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

I never have the time for that on a given day so I make sure I keep a constant pace.

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Scott wrote: "I never have the time for that on a given day so I make sure I keep a constant pace."

I didn't really have time for it because I usually take a nap in between my split shift, but I keep thinking I should get to this book so I forced myself to make time.

[Rob]

crazy couple of days and fell behind. finally just finished. going back through comments now

[Rob]

Just to get some of my thoughts in - I admit to reading late at night last night and trying to keep myself awake during really exciting parts. I have to reread it as I may have missed things!

(view spoiler)[I thought Kruppe was fine, though I'm still confused as to what his game was. What exactly did he have Humble Measure and Barathol make exactly and how was it pivotal (I think this was my sleepy part).

I think Tayschrenn has taken K'Rul's place. He made it seem as if D'rek was still about whereas it felt like K'Rul was fading. Its possible he's taken both? That seems unlikely, but he's definitely ascended.

Envy - I agree. Rather superfluous. more interesting in her appearances int he Erikson books. She's just looking for a place that suits her I guess.

Scorch and Leff - who were they putting in a barrel in the end?

Kiska/Leoman - I'd find it odd for their story to be done.

Antsy - His path was interesting, but his return and the result were rather unsatisfying for me. Not quite, but nearly pointless.

Morn - Possibly a Draconus appearance. I think Envy addresses him as "father".

(hide spoiler)]

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Robert wrote: "Just to get some of my thoughts in ."

(view spoiler)[
I hadn't made the connection between Draconus and Morn. I'm not sure if that's right or not.

I was likewise confused with that they were making.
(hide spoiler)]

[Angela, I'm Silverfox lost]

August 7th Angela and Miche.

[Miche]

In! :D

[Angela, I'm Silverfox lost]

August 1st Angela and Miche :-).

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

BTW the meeting I mentioned that I had been waiting for since DHG actually happened in TtH. I had the sequence of events mixed up where both this and TtH happen in Darujhistan. It was (view spoiler)[Kruppe vs Pust on their war mules. Talk about hilarious putting that epic meeting in the middle of all the other epic stuff going on. (hide spoiler)]

[Angela, I'm Silverfox lost]

Haha that was funny.

[Miche]

That meeting was hilarious!

[Angela, I'm Silverfox lost]

Looking forward to this one. Scott and Jenna both gave it four stars!

Only open if you've read Dust of Dreams (view spoiler)[ Given Stormy and Gesler were named Orb and Spectre in Fiddler's reading. How can they possibly turn up in this book with their new army I would think is bound for Kolanse. I presume there is a connection? (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Miche]

Angela wrote: "Looking forward to this one. Scott and Jenna both gave it four stars!

Only open if you've read Dust of Dreams [spoilers removed]"

I hadn't thought about the name relation to these characters!

I am trying to keep my expectations low for this one. Stonewielder was so hard to read because of what I expected vs what we got.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Angela wrote: "Looking forward to this one. Scott and Jenna both gave it four stars!

Only open if you've read Dust of Dreams [spoilers removed]"

I had the same question going into this one.

[Angela, I'm Silverfox lost]

Miche wrote: "Angela wrote: "Looking forward to this one. Scott and Jenna both gave it four stars!

Only open if you've read Dust of Dreams [spoilers removed]"

I hadn't thought about the name relation to these ..."

I'm trying to keep my expectations low too, but it's hard when I know we will be in Darujistan again.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

It's really a 3.75 which is the rating I give books which aren't quite a 4 but I simply can't give a 3. A book that's better than a 3 but I can't give it a 4* I give a 3.5.

[Angela, I'm Silverfox lost]

Miche, I'm going to start this one today. Haha you'll still overtake me :-).

[Miche]

Angela wrote: "Miche, I'm going to start this one today. Haha you'll still overtake me :-)."

I will start it in the next couple of days. :-)

[Angela, I'm Silverfox lost]

Dramatis Personae. It's going to be interesting to see how Esselmont writes a lot of these characters given SE wrote them in the main series.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Angela wrote: "Dramatis Personae. It's going to be interesting to see how Esselmont writes a lot of these characters given SE wrote them in the main series."

Yes, yes it is. :P

[Angela, I'm Silverfox lost]

I haven't had a lot of time to read the last few days as sick with a cold.

Prologue (view spoiler)[ So, there could be a Tyrant who is the Guardian of Darujhistan?

I liked Travellers scene and how the challenger only saw an old man, not someone who could defeat him with a stick. Funny how he was annoyed by the wind messing up his work. I'm worried though that he senses all is not well in the world. Does this mean he'll need to leave and confront someone soon?

The dancer - is she somehow tied to Lostara? (hide spoiler)]