Malazan Book of the Fallen--MEMORIES OF ICE: Roll Call & First Impressions (*NO SPOILERS*)

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Please let us know if you've read or are planning to read Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson.

Please, **NO SPOILERS!!**

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Well, it's nice to be back with some of the characters from Gardens of the Moon. I feel like we are getting in a bit deeper into the overall story.

[Justine]

I got the feeling that this is taking place contemporaneously with the events of Deadhouse Gates.

[Maggie]

squeeeeeeeeeeeee

yep-it is parallel to DHG time-wise, just taking place on genebackis

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

While I thought the first two books in the Malazan Book of the Fallen were excellent, and so far, I have the same opinion about this book, I do wonder a bit if Erikson has a few too many threads to the overall story. I can appreciate a many-layered story as well as the next reader, but it is a bit overwhelming. I keep wondering, at its heart, whose story is it? ("Whose" not necessarily being a single character--it could be a race, or a world, or a people, or a group.)
Just musing aloud...

[Maggie]

this is just me, but I think the overall theme is the futility of war and cultural dominance. I think he shows us this from many different vantages and viewpoints, to make an emotional punch.

[Justine]

I think maybe that is the issue I am having too, Kathi? I feel like this book is almost too dense but I'm not getting deeply enough into any one set of characters? It might be that I took too long of a break between DHG and this one...I read about 10 books in between and maybe I just lost some of Erickson's cadence by breaking things up that way. I'm appreciating the story, as you say, but I think I enjoyed DHG more overall (so far anyway, that might change).

Maybe it is just the cannibal thing though...that is just so very disturbing to read. :(

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Justine wrote: "I think maybe that is the issue I am having too, Kathi? I feel like this book is almost too dense but I'm not getting deeply enough into any one set of characters? "

I care about the characters and I do feel connected to many of them. But there are a lot of them, and more all the time. I keep reminding myself that it's a long series and I think I'll get more and more invested in the characters whose story lines carry on throughout most or all of the books.

Maggie wrote: "this is just me, but I think the overall theme is the futility of war and cultural dominance. I think he shows us this from many different vantages and viewpoints, to make an emotional punch."

Oh, I think that is a definite theme, Maggie, and Erikson also does a good job with contrasts--cruelty & compassion, betrayal and loyalty, etc. But there are so many strands, so many plot lines... still, I'm loving it. I think Erikson is an amazingly gifted writer and the stories are intriguing.

[Helen]

Appetite whetted! Started Drenai 4 then my actual group book, then this and its following book. Back in a week-ish...

[Helen]

I'm later than planned as North and South took me ages, didn't like it a whole lot. Then read something eke yesterday to cleanse my brain! I'm just starting book one with that ' what is going on ' feeling!

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Helen wrote: "I'm just starting book one with that ' what is going on ' feeling!"

No worries, it will start to come together. Feel free to keep posting as you read.

[Justine]

I've decided that every book is going to be like this...:)

[Helen]

lol, me too