Memories of Ice - finished reading - discuss here.

[Sandra]

Those of you who are finished can discuss here.

[Amelia]

Without being too spoilerific, some first ending impressions:

Whiskeyjack!! and the Bridgeburners!! :(

Toc's story arc just got very interesting. I love the relationship developing between him and Gruntle.

Paran and Quick Ben's actions with the Pannion Seer were completely unexpected, but seriously the highlight in this last section.

I loved the book. Loved it!

[Jason]

This one is one of my favorites of the series.

[[deleted user]]

I tried to stay up with yall on the series, but getting a late start and then summer rolling in (don't read as much during the summer), I am obviously behind. I just finished with Memories and I wanted to say, Yes, Yes, What a great book. I really enjoyed this one. The battle at Coral was simply epic. We lost some great characters, but I think some new ones shined here. Can't wait to continue on with this series.

[Shelley]

Stephen wrote: "I tried to stay up with yall on the series, but getting a late start and then summer rolling in (don't read as much during the summer), I am obviously behind. I just finished with Memories and I wa..."

Glad you enjoyed MiI and whatever you do Stephen, just keep reading!! We'll still be here! :)

[Sandra]

Shelley wrote: "Stephen wrote: "I tried to stay up with yall on the series, but getting a late start and then summer rolling in (don't read as much during the summer), I am obviously behind. I just finished with M..."

I'm very grateful to you guys for doing such a good job. God only knows what happened to Chris.

[Shelley]

No worries Sandra!! With such awesome reading material it's no hardship to cover for Chris! :)

[Maggie, The Malazan Queen of Chaos]

I agree Shelley-I think even without this read going that you and I could talk about Malazan all day...lol

[Shelley]

And ALL NIGHT!!! Shoot we could talk about it for the next year!!! :D LOLLLLLLL.....

[Marina]

Hello!
I recently finished reading House of Chains and looking forward to buy next week Midnight Tides.

Memories of Ice was so far the most confusing book for me... So many information about the past that in some point I was lost. My spare time is short but I really want to re-read it.

The end of the book was stunning! So many unexpected twists in the story and so many favourite characters dead! I hope some of them can return again in the next book as Toc the Younger did. Did anyone else felt sorry about Itkovian? And what about the Grey Swords?

[Lee]

Itkovian was a great character, the battle for Caludon (sp?) was amazing. Very sad in parts, very well written. When he meets with the T'lan Imass at the end I thought it was an interesting end, but I was disappointed how it ended the story for Silverfox. There was such a build up to that story, I was excited that Tattersall was coming back, but overall it just fizzled out.

[Marina]

Do you mean Capustan? I agree, it was amazing, it made me love the character of Itkovian and I was disappointed that he died in the end. Heroic, but..
On the other hand, I hated Silverfox! Generally, she had a selfish attidute and she was not completely Tattersail after all. I don't know if that was the feeling that Steven Erikson wanted the readers to have about her though. I guess we'll see her again in the books to come...

[Lee]

I don't know that we do see silverfox again. Which would be weird. An odd ending. But that is Erikson for you. Not everything ends with a hiss and a roar, that is what keeps you on your toes, wondering what will happen next.
Did you shed a tear for whiskeyjack?

[Marina]

No, I was really shocked and sad in the beginning. The whole story with him and that Tiste Andii was so romantic.
But after overcoming the initial shock, I found that end more preferable in the series than a happy ending. It gives me a feeling of catharsis, like in the ancient greek tragedies.
And in the end, Paran blessed the Bridgeburners, I'm sure (hope?) that we'll see him again!

[Shelley]

Yeah I listed Itkovian as a character I really liked, the Shield Anvil for the Grey Swords, his strength of character left me awed!! :) Of course I cried for Whiskyjack and quite a lot of other characters, not to mention all of the Bridgeburners that were lost in Coral!

[Maggie, The Malazan Queen of Chaos]

I agree with Lee about how Tattersail's story just kind of fizzles...I felt bad for her and could emphasize with her frustration, even if she made some bad choices.

[John]

I finished this book a few weeks ago. It was a masterpiece! I enjoyed the first two books of the series very much (although I was confused by some things) but this was by far my favorite. Did anyone else laugh out loud when Kruppe first came to the Brood/Malazan camp with the diplomats of Darujhistan's carriage?

[Shelley]

John wrote: "I finished this book a few weeks ago. It was a masterpiece! I enjoyed the first two books of the series very much (although I was confused by some things) but this was by far my favorite. Did anyon..."

Hey John!! It is a masterpiece, but each book in this series are masterpieces!! :)

I completely agree that Kruppe was a beacon of light thru out MiI and we see more of him in the books to come!!!

Have you started House of Chains yet?? I think you should enjoy that installment too....WITNESS!

[Maggie, The Malazan Queen of Chaos]

That was the funnist scene, John! I love Kruppe

[John]

Yeah! House of Chains is great! I love how Erikson is able to make me sympathize with Karsa Orlong despite the fact that hes super violent and can be pretty cruel(not so cruel where I'm at now in the book but he was pretty bad the in the first few hundred pages). I'm so happy I still have 6 more books to read haha.

[Lee]

John, it is amazing isn't it, Erikson creates a character that slaughters men, women and children at will, rapes every female in a village after killing their children, slaps a bit of date rape drug down; has them begging for it.
Yet, he is such a popular character. Erikson is a genius.

I liked Memories, but HoC is far better, I went from loving the series; to addicted to the series after House of Chains.

[Jordan]

Greetings, fellow tome enthusiasts. While there is much to enjoy in the feast that is Memories of Ice, I wonder if I am the only reader that was left with a sour taste in their mouth regarding the final battle at Coral. Why was it necessary for so many to die so meaninglessly? After every exchange that took place between Kallor and, well, everyone else, why would anyone trust him?!? Especially those that knew his history. And why did so many rush to die at the hands of the K'Chain Che'Malle? For an army world-renowned for their strategy and battle prowess, sending Dujek and Paran's group ahead so soon that the rest of the armies couldn't catch up in time was both strategically unsound and without clear purpose. Was it to give Quick Ben time to complete his plans for the Seer before Rake or anyone else could get their hands on him? Why not discuss (with Rake and Brood) QB's possible temporary solution to Burn's sickness? It just doesn't make sense to me. Despite this complaint, much of Memories was excellent. Itkovian's unparalleled compassion and the culmination of the Second Gathering; Moon's Spawn's predictable, yet still epic, reveal; Ganoes' humility, Kruppe's hilarity... Superb despite some odd plot choices.

[Lee]

Hi Jordan,
I was frustrated with the battle scene at Coral. I felt that the whole purpose of the battle was to kill off the bridgeburners. Some of the decisions made were out of character and damn suicidal, in a situation that did not require suicidal decision making. Rushing into the town to have the kudos of being 'first in' does not make sense considering they knew they would not be coming out.
Considering the ulterior motives of the alliance, I can see how there would be some empire building going on within the groups, but I was dumbstruck when I read through those chapters.

I was also disappointed in how the Silverfox story played out, I expect from Erikson that not every thing goes the way you think it will, but talk about underwhelmed.

Kallor, exactly, as if they didn't read that coming.

Good news, there are some great stories coming up as you continue on the journey.

[Maggie, The Malazan Queen of Chaos]

I was confused too when I first read it, but for different reasons.
I was upset with Itkovian, thinking "You couldn't have waited one more day?" By taking on the memories of the T'lan pretty much right before the battle, the planned attack force for the K'Chain Che'Malle, thus killing off Trake's whole group (plus a lot of others)
What confused me the most though, was the destruction of Moon's Tear's. Why hide it under the lake? Obviously the pressure will destroy it...
However, some of these things are cleared up later in the series (I wont say what)

[Lee]

One of the biggest surprises for me was Tayschenss actions at Korals betrayal, it started me thinking about his real role in all of this and whether he was the evil mage we all thought out him to be. Without giving spoilers, i now of course I know him as an enigma wrapped in a conundrum.

[Shelley]

Funny I got Moon's Spawn being hidden in the lake, it was a masterful tactical move...you hide right under everyone's nose!! Plus, then your enemy spends time looking for you! For me it was Kallor being allowed to remain with the Army! Which really never gets explain!