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Night of Knives
Erikson and Esslemont - Malazan
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Night of Knives [Oct 5, 2017]
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Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely
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Prologue
(view spoiler)
A Path within Shadow
(view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
(view spoiler)
A Path within Shadow
(view spoiler) ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Finally through chapter 1. I've just been swamped at work. I should still comfortably have the notes done but there isn't nearly as much to write about in Empire as there is in BotF so don't be too disappointed.

As always, thank you Scott for the notes 🙂

You're welcome on the notes.
I'm actually enjoying the re-read of this more than the first time through. It still has an awkward delivery so the facts are definitely the WTF.
I'm actually enjoying the re-read of this more than the first time through. It still has an awkward delivery so the facts are definitely the WTF.

This one is shorter. :-)
And doesn't have Leesha in it. ;-)


Well, the prologue is Erikson-esque in terms of writing style and foreshadowing. Ch 1 is also quite Eriskon-esque in the little hints provided by ICE wrt the various characters.
I quite enjoy reading Temper's pov, and am looking forward to finding out who exactly he is. On the other hand, I can't say I enjoy Kiska's pov as much. So far she appears to be rather bland.
Onto Ch 2.

I'm still wondering what would be so bad if Kellanved did return. It's not like Surly seems like the warm-hearted, cuddly type either.
I'm hoping Kiska turns out to be more than just the YA character who wants to prove how much of a hot shot she is. That's exactly why I don't read YA. If this was SE I'd be more confident but I don't know this ICE dude yet so I'm standing here with an arched eyebrow, tapping my foot.
I got a new notebook because I filled up my first one. So far I haven't had to put much in it. :-)
Veronica wrote: "I'm hoping Kiska turns out to be more than just the YA character who wants to prove how much of a hot shot she is. That's exactly why I don't read YA. If this was SE I'd be more confident but I don't know this ICE dude yet so I'm standing here with an arched eyebrow, tapping my foot."
While I don't hate her like say Lift from SA she's no Apsalar or Tavore. I really can't be specific at this point. We don't even know that she survives the night at this point or if she's a series stalwart.
While I don't hate her like say Lift from SA she's no Apsalar or Tavore. I really can't be specific at this point. We don't even know that she survives the night at this point or if she's a series stalwart.

Finished chapter two and I'm enjoying the story so far. I'm certainly curious about what's happening and what's going to happen. It's all part of the mythos so I'm in.
I kind of like Kellanved (and his alter ego)...though I have no idea if that's a bad thing or not, lol.


*I'm not done yet, was just peeking ahead to see how many pages are in the book.*

The prologue - some of the language is fairly clunky and the word choice seems over the top - first-time author choice. Wonder if a different editor would have told him to reword some of it. Once you get into the first chapter with Temper though its distinctly Malazan and I don't have an issue with the prose.
Now I just have to remember if Kiska annoys me or not. Certainly not on a Lift level as I'd remember that ;)
Slick wrote: "HAHAHAHAHAHA OMG..
How did I never see the Kiska/Lift connection? XD"
There are very few characters in Lift's category. Kiska is the one character in either series that I've continually rolled my eyes at their actions. You roll your eyes at somebody like Uballa, Pust or Kruppe sure but that's intentional.
How did I never see the Kiska/Lift connection? XD"
There are very few characters in Lift's category. Kiska is the one character in either series that I've continually rolled my eyes at their actions. You roll your eyes at somebody like Uballa, Pust or Kruppe sure but that's intentional.

I agree that Kiska so far is pretty useless (view spoiler)
Kiska and her aunt
(view spoiler)
Kiska and the one whom she's supposed to give the message to
(view spoiler)
Temper
(view spoiler)

I am enjoying Temper's part of the story and getting some of the history on Dassem.

Yep. She’s def an idiot. Post Ch3...(view spoiler)

Oh well, it was still cool to get the story of the night Kellanved and Dancer took the Shadow Throne. (view spoiler)
Regarding Dassem...(view spoiler)

Lol. Yea, she really bites. But her POV does tell us a bit about KV!

@Samir - LOL, not a fair trade?"
Read only if youre readig Ch5. (view spoiler)

@Samir - LOL, not a fair trade?"
Totally fair. Who would want to watch the star player when you can enjoy watching the one on the bench constantly yelling to his coach: "Pick me, pick me!"

Jess wrote: "Forgive my memory, but this is the Deadhouse that Kalam entered, correct? After he met up w Laseen and Topper?"
I know we've already read it but in case somebody who hasn't enters the thread.
(view spoiler)
I know we've already read it but in case somebody who hasn't enters the thread.
(view spoiler)

I know we've already read it but in case somebody who hasn't enters the..."
Shiz, Ive gotta find that passage and re-read it!


Veronica, I thought Traveler was someone else familiar to us. Wasnt the Traveler described as a Dal Honese? I didnt think Daseem had actually died, nor that he was of Honese descent? Doesn’t someone have to die to Ascend?
Jess wrote: "Veronica wrote: "Exactly! I'm done with the book now and my opinion of her didn't change. [spoilers removed] All that excitement potentially in her future. Stupid, stupid girl. I could've done with..."
(view spoiler)
(view spoiler)

I don't have my notes with me at the moment but I'm pretty sure Dassem (view spoiler)
ETA: Plus, Scott says so. :-)
I'm not sure how you came up with that one. The descriptions don't match at all. I've alluded to those three being the same person and I think I spelled it out during HoC.

I knew Daseem was Dessembre!
WJ (view spoiler)
Jess wrote: "."
I do not remember WJ's origins ever being revealed. It got me wondering if I had missed it so I searched and even in P2A it's not mentioned. Veronica has pictured him as Samuel Elliot which isn't far off from how most see him. That doesn't fit Traveller at all.
I do not remember WJ's origins ever being revealed. It got me wondering if I had missed it so I searched and even in P2A it's not mentioned. Veronica has pictured him as Samuel Elliot which isn't far off from how most see him. That doesn't fit Traveller at all.