Steven Erikson's Malazon Book of the Fallen Series

[Jason]

Yes, Cotillion becomes way more sympathetic by the end of Deadhouse.

[Maggie]

you should definitely read the Esslemont Lori-it fills in a lot of the background stories

[Clay]

Lori, Cotillion is easily one of my most favorite characters, if not my most favorite. And your love of Anomander Rake is seconded here as well. I also have to agree with your assessment of the overall series: it is FANTASTIC! Loved it.

And I agree wholeheartedly with (our fellow Malazan devotee) Maggie. Esslemont's books are a nice background to Erikson's. If you loved MBotF as much as it sounds like you did, you owe it to yourself to read ICE's stuff. Night of Knives is full of background regarding Shadowthrone and Cotillion and Return of the Crimson Guard and Stonwielder follow a unique and cool cast during the events followed by Erikson's later books on the other side of the globe. You'll pick up a bunch from ICE's books.

Good to hear from another Erikson fan! You're not alone in adoring this series...

[Maggie]

***sharing the Cotillion love ! :)***

[Jessie Leigh]

<--- loves Cotillion


and Kalam
and Karsa
and Gruntle
and Gesler and Stormy...
Really, my list would be shorter if it was characters I hated.

[Maggie]

there just are so many characters that end up doing awesome things....

[[deleted user]]

Read the first one the other week, thought it was a very interesting read. It was sort of hard to get into at first but once it got going, I though it was excellent. I will be checking out the others in the series over time.

EDIT: I really liked the character Tattersail. Was wondering whether she appeared in the second novel as she was reborn???

[Traci]

Yup, she shows up again. I'm a bit of an an oddball, nothing new really, but I liked the first one more than the other two I read. I liked the dropped in the story without a map feel of it. The quick and out of control pace. The craziness of the elements of magic. I loved the whole "doll" thing...creepy. And the first scene of the Bridgeburners has to be one of the best introductions. Although I will still continue. My favorite characters so far are Quick Ben, Kalam, Caladan Brood, and Anomander Rake.

[Maggie]

Tattersail is back in the third book, she isn't in the second one.

[Traci]

Oops sorry about that. I read the question as "does she return" without seeing the words "second novel". Selective reading.

[Maggie]

no worries-you know I am always able to talk about Malazan-just give me an excuse! lol

[[deleted user]]

She was my fave character in the first one so was hoping for a swift return but as they say, better late than never.

[[deleted user]]

Any of you malazaniacs listen to this album yet?

Apparently inspired by Malazan and in collaboration with Erikson.

[Jason]

Pretty cool, Ala! Thanks for sharing.

[Lee]

I must admit to finding Iskrael Pust (forgive spelling) to be a humorous character. Crokus/Cutter is a character i just haven't warmed to at all.

[Shannon]

I thought Pust was hilarious as well.

[[deleted user]]

Pretty cool music Ala

[carol. , Senor Crabbypants]

i just could not get into this book, despite all the recommendations. The disjointed narrative killed me, and I gave up, dead and bleeding; I'm too old to remember so many people without more context! Maybe one day I'll go back.

[Jason]

Erikson's Malazan is definitely either a you love it or you hate it kind of series!

[Traci]

Love It!!!
Lol. Actually I'm surprised it's not more popular among fantasy fans. To me ASoIaF, which is very popular and highly regarded, is too tame and based in the real world. But I like both, please no trouble, ;)

[Shannon]

I love it, too. Seems a lot of people have trouble getting through Gardens of the Moon, although I personally enjoyed it a lot.

[Traci]

I tried to start reading from where I left off and couldn't get back into them. And reading comments from a group read of the first book I realized how much I didn't remember. So I have decided to start with Gardens of the Moon and read all ten books straight through. Fun? Crazy? Not sure yet. :)
I will say though, that although I enjoyed it the first time, I'm getting more out of Gardens on the second read. I recommend reading it atleast twice. Knowing more about the characters and world makes a difference.

[Robert]

Esslemont's book Night of Knives is quite good. I haven't read the second of his.

[Traci]

I read Night of Knives inbetween Deadhouse Gates and Memories of Ice the last time I tried to read these books. I had hopes it would clear up some of the confusion I had concerning Kellanved and Dancer but no such luck. I did enjoy it though. Have the Esslemont books lined up for when I finish Erikson's.
I think my first go through I got lost with the whole Kellanved and Dancer, Shadowthrone and Rope, Ammanas and Cotillion thing. Once that finally clicked things started to fall into place.
I started Memories of Ice this morning, my last of the rereads. I loved Deadhouse Gates. I don't know what my problem was the first time. Loved the whole Coltaine arc ( the end was beautiful ) and Icarium and Mappo.

[Jason]

I'm glad you like the Malazan books, Traci. I love them, too. I'm only part way through book three, though. I had to put it down, but very much eager to pick it back up.

[Maggie]

I got confused the first time through too, upon the re-read I am getting a lot more of it. These books have kind of spoiled me for simpler stuff...doesnt do it for me at all anymore!

[Robert]

Yeah, when it comes to the rewards of putting the pieces together, you can't beat the Malazan books. I'll still read simpler fare that I don't have to think about (like a good Warhammer novel), but Erikson has really outdone everyone on epic fantasy.

[James84]

Hi all,

Have read books 1-8 twice and am now on the final book! It is an epic journey but rewarding and the best moments are the funny ones!

Even reading most of the series twice does not allow you to know all about the world of the Mazalans, the best way to enjoy the series is to just get lost in each moment I believe.

[Traci]

Yeah, other readers probably think we're all nuts. Our favorite series is one its almost impossible to completely understand in one round. I read 1-3 twice and finished 4-10 once. But i am so ready to read again. I was good 1-5 but sometime during Bonehunters I got lost. Not completely just enough to be frustrating. And I can't read 6-10 again without starting with Gardens again. I loved The Crippled God though. :)

[Regina]

Traci wrote: "Love It!!!
Lol. Actually I'm surprised it's not more popular among fantasy fans. To me ASoIaF, which is very popular and highly regarded, is too tame and based in the real world. But I like both, p..."

So is it accurate to say that this series is darker and grittier than ASoIaF? That is exactly what I like - - dark fantasy, I am trying to get my arms around what kind of series is this - what is comparable to? My GR friends that have read it, only have given it a rating, not a review. Any comparisons?

[Traci]

@ Regina, I don't know how to link my reviews to my posts so I'll "friend" you and you can read my reviews. I wrote one for each book.
But yes they are very dark and violent. With gray shades of morality. I would compare them to Abercrombie's books as well. But with more magic and such than either his work or Martin's. If you've read or heard of Glen Cook he is also very similar. If you do decide to read the first one I will warn you it's a difficult rough start. I fell in love quickly but I spent most of my first go through very lost.

[Amelia]

I haven't read all of GRRM's books, just the first two, but I'll tell you what I think between the two series. I'm almost done with the last Malazan book.

The Malazan books are plenty dark, but to me it has a different feel. The story is massive. The cast of characters keeps expanding every book. Erikson also will have his characters die, but to me it feels very different. Even if one dies, that doesn't mean you won't see them in the story again later. There is a lot more magic in this story. Because of this, I would call Malazan more surreal than the Song of Ice and Fire series. To me, those books felt more down to earth or realistic. (Remember, though, I haven't read all of them.) Surreal's not the right word exactly, but it kind of describes the difference.

I would call Malazan an epic military fantasy. Throughout the whole series, there is one battle scene after another. And they are brutally and violently described. It is very visceral - blood, guts, etc. There are some scenes in there that are just horrific to picture. Other times I laughed and cried during some very tense moments. The POV jumps all over the place, sometimes a paragraph here, and then to the next character. Then there are the moments that are absolutely amazing, when the characters do something so awe-inspiring it literally blows your socks off.

For me, it takes longer to read the beginning of each book, but the pace picks up as you get closer and closer to the until until you're racing to the finish and can't put it down. Every little detail, seemingly insignificant, comes into play later on in the series. It is masterfully crafted with some great quotes throughout the series. Not only that, but Erikson keeps changing your perceptions of characters as you read through the books.

I guess I got off just describing what the Malazan books have been for me. Perhaps someone who knows Martin can give you a better comparison between the two.

I'd just dive in and read the Malazan books. They are some the most amazing books I've read in a very long time.

[carol. , Senor Crabbypants]

Traci wrote: "@ Regina, I don't know how to link my reviews to my posts so I'll "friend" you and you can read my reviews. "

I don't know a fast way, Traci, but what I do is open my review on a new page, then copy and paste the link into my comment.

[Regina]

Amelia and Tracy your descriptions are exaclty the information I was looking for. I haven't yet read Glen Cook, but the first in that series is on sale at audible for $4.95 so I am considering buying it.

Thank you so much!

[Traci]

I would say that Martin's characters are shades of gray that tilt more towards to the dark side and that Erikson's for the most part lean towards the light. They are both dark but one leaves you feeling good and hopeful the other not so good and not so hopeful. Imo the characters from Malazan are alot more likable than those from ASoIaF. But it's just my opinion.

Thanks Carol. And here I thought there was some trick to it. :)

[Regina]

Good insight. I read your review for #1 and it was very helpful.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

I need to start this series. It sounds fascinating.

[Regina]

I am trying to figure out how to fit it into my book schedule!

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

Same here! These epic fantasy take a huge chunk of reading time.

[Regina]

I know. I am thinking this is one my husband will want to read with me. He is going through withdrawal from GoT - -he just finished #5. And now he is pissed. :) So this may be a good distraction.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

That's a good idea, Regina!

[Amelia]

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Same here! These epic fantasy take a huge chunk of reading time."

Definitely these books are a huge committment. I think I read the first one about a year ago (my 2nd time). I had to read the first one twice before I continued with the rest of the series. I also took breaks inbetween the books. I'm a person who only reads one book at a time, (normally anyway), and these books need a litte space in between. Until you get to the end of the series at least. If you do read them, don't have too much time between the books. There's a lot to remember and it's easier to put things together if you remember the story from the previous books.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

Thanks for the advice, Amelia.

[Traci]

Regina wrote: "I know. I am thinking this is one my husband will want to read with me. He is going through withdrawal from GoT - -he just finished #5. And now he is pissed. :) So this may be a good distraction."

A good series to read with someone else.

[Maggie]

I always use the word 'Epicness' Erikson's world is so large and popluated, and interrelated that it is kind of amazing...there is no describing it to someone who hasnt read the series.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

That sounds intriguing but a bit intimidating. I guess I can only start with the first book and go from there.

[carol. , Senor Crabbypants]

I think Amelia's advice is key. I started and gave up. I can see where you'd have to keep pushing through the book until is sync together, and going on in the series would be key.

[James84]

Traci wrote: "I would say that Martin's characters are shades of gray that tilt more towards to the dark side and that Erikson's for the most part lean towards the light. They are both dark but one leaves you fe..."

I felt to that there was a different feel to the way that the two authors portray the POV storytelling, GRRM seems to go into a more emotional level with the characters,where Erikson's epic scale loses some of that but makes up for it with the epic stories scope itself. Both great and top of my lists of fav. reads

[Traci]

I actually connected more with Erikson's characters. It is written on a less personal scale than Martin's. But personally although I like ASoIaF I don't like most of the characters. I have felt anger while reading but Martin has yet to make me cry. I did cry at least once while reading almost all of the Malazan books.

As usual this is just imo. And I'm not arguing. Everyone is different. And I know many readers do connect with Martin's characters.

[Maggie]

Traci wrote: "I actually connected more with Erikson's characters. It is written on a less personal scale than Martin's. But personally although I like ASoIaF I don't like most of the characters. I have felt ang..."

I cried a couple times with Malazan! and that is rare for me....