Well I've decided to make a thread on Steven Erikson's series of novels, The Malazan Book of the Fallen. For those of you who do not know about this series I strongly suggest you go and find the first book, Gardens of the Moon. So far nine books have been released with a tenth one in the making, though Erikson has no set release date, so fans can only presume in a year or two.
My Opinion
When I first picked up Gardens of the Moon and began reading it, I did something unusual. I read the pretext, which was probably a good idea, because Erikson lays it out at your feet that you either love or hate his books, there is no middle ground; and being almost five books in I have to agree. The story is never fully explained, in fact you have to pick things up as you read, then you have to make sure to keep those things in mind as you read further into the series. Erikson is a master at plot, and driving the plot forward by having the plot feed on itself and a variety of enjoyable characters. If you're someone who likes things in an ordered fashion you won't find it here, Erikson twists, loops and sometimes even walks backward through the stories timelines. It's a tricky timeline to follow, but all the more enjoyable for it. As the series continues things begin to connect, but then more subplots are introduced.
Overall I give this series a 5/5 there isn't much wrong here, and the series is enjoyable, mind you I'm only half way through it, but I doubt there's going to be a disappointing end.
I was walking through the library a couple weeks ago and stumbled across a big book. Just so happens to be the eighth one. Pretty good so far, although a little hard to follow. Then again, I'm only a couple hundred pages in.
I'll get the first one if I ever get a chance. It was the only one of the series at the library, so it could either be the only one or one of very few there.
Toll the Hounds. I haven't read that far, but all his books are hard to follow to some degree, but it's a series that makes you think. But deffinitely try to read the others.
Has no one else even heard of these books? I know Steven Erikson is a Canadian author, but he has publishers in England and America, and he's had several of his novels out for years. Does no one else have an opinion?
I felt kind of ripped off because nothing was as dark.
Um maybe im just really wimpy or something but i thought those books were really dark. Anyway back on topic are they quite violent or have a lot of mature content? because that genrally puts me off books.
There's some violence, which is unavoidable in these types of books. I mean it's nothing overly grusome. Well, there is one part in House of Chains, but it's very implied. And there is suggested sexuality, but nothing explicit. None of this stuff is the bulk of the novels though.
I've not read "The Malazan Book of the Fallen" but i'll look into it :/ What do you rate it out of ten?
I'm only four books into the nine so I can only rate what I know. So in reading order:
Gardens of the Moon 8.5/10
The story is great, but there were times I became lost due to a fast pace and lack of explaination. Don't dismiss this book out of hand however, once you get your head around the gist of the situation you'll love it.
Deadhouse Gates 9.5/10
So far this book is my absolute favourite. It takes you away from the setting of Gardens of the Moon and drops you into something that was mentioned in it. The story really picks up and fills in a few details that were somewhat left out in GotM.
Memories of Ice 9.5/10
Another fantastic read. This brings you back to two months after GotM and you catch up with the plot. However, you're thrown for more loops and you'll be left trying to puzzle the implications of a threat that has been working behind the scenes all the while.
Erikson does something interesting. While the characters progress, the plot isn't character driven, it is very plot driven and you only see a select few change, however, everyone changes, and you notice this through certain observations made by characters.
Its not got a lot of confusing political stuff in it has it? Because when i read the night angel books i stopped half way through no.2 because it got a little too confusing. Sorry i will stop asking questions about it.
You won't make it through these books then...politics, war, religion, conspiracies, a dozen subplots, an alluded to main plot. This isn't a straight read. Also, you seem like a really finicky reader...
