swipe to text on my phone, plus i caught a cold this weekend and i'm all doped up. But yea that was pretty bad.
Almost done with Return of the Crimson Guard. Esslemont surely isn't Erikson but I've really enjoyed this one so far. Felt like doing a favorite character update although I don't think any of these characters are in this book. 1. Fid 2. Karsa 3. Cotillion 4. Kruppe 5. Rake Honorable Mentions: Quick Ben, Kalam, Iskaral Pust, Tehol and Bugg.
Quick Ben, Kalam, Fid, Cotillion, Apsalar (sp?), Tehol and Bugg are among my favorites. I'm about half way through The Bonehunters. Jumps around a lot but I enjoy it so far.
Finished Return of the Crimson Guard Esslemont isn't Erikson but I still really enjoyed it. I don't know how they handle informing readers of what all happens in this novel in the main series if they aren't reading Esslemont's series as well. Game changing stuff. If you're only reading Erikson's series I would highly recommend at least reading this before Toll the Hounds (which I haven't read yet) HUGE spoiler Spoiler Laseen dies, Rel is emperor. Time to burn this mother fucker to the ground.
Spoiler while alot of Esselmont's stuff is great background that spoiler is THE one event that I think you really miss out on by not reading his stuff in their place
I don't necessarily think this post needs to be spoilered. Good info for people figuring out how they want to read through the series.
After a longer break than anticipated, I'm finally starting Midnight Tides today. Will post thoughts along the way and/or upon completion.
Read further today. Something like 45% in now. Picked up some. The Tehol/Bugg sections remind me a lot of the BaKB short stories (humor wise).
Been busy so havent had a ton of time to read, so I'm just now two thirds through Midnight Tides. Not my favorite so far story-wise, but Erikson's use of language is so elite that I'm still enjoying it quite a lot. Hope to finish this week, then start Night of Knives.
Erikson's next book less than two weeks away. Can't wait. Then Esselmont has one next month. Can wait but will read it.
Good call Finished Midnight Tides. Will post thoughts later. Starting Night of Knives this weekend. First foray into Esslemont, which, from this thread, I gather has its pros and cons
Okay finished Night of Knives. Time to drop some thoughts. On my phone (and going off memory) so I apologize for any typos. If I didn't address something, just ask Midnight Tides thoughts Spoiler I enjoyed this one, but I'd probably rank it only above GotM in the hierarchy so far. To me, each installment had improved upon the last (though 3 and 4 are pretty much interchangeable IMO). The story didn't really grab me for the first half or so, and I was also unable to read as consistently over that time so I think those combined factors hindered my enjoyment of the book at first. The story is basically a prequel, and it was a pretty big shift from earlier narratives ((Lether is isolated). Erikson does this, so I didn't mind that much when I heard that this was the case, and I will never criticize the world building in this series (how could you?), but I just didn't get hooked right away. Now, that's not to say that the premise (and accompanying prequel) wasn't pretty cool. The Edur betray the Andii, and the Crippled God has Withal fashion a sword. The plot is complex, so I doubt I'd do it justice (especially from memory), but some of the highlights for me were: Tehol and Bugg's interplay, the repetition of undead (Rhulad, the Azath House, etc.). I am wondering if the intention of Feather Witch finding Brys' finger means he can be reborn somehow. Usually against that, but at this point in this series I'm just rolling with it. The ending was great; I flew through the last 150 pages or so. Bugg being Mael was awesome. Not sure what to do expect from The Bonehunters, and I'm ok with that. Night of Knives thoughts Spoiler I'll get the obvious out of the way: Esslemont is not Erikson. But he's been ragged on a lot here, so I guess I expected him to read like a high schooler or something. I actually thought he was pretty solid, all things considered (I realize I've only read one of his books so far). He just has the issue of being directly compared to arguably one of the living greats when it comes to the fantasy genre. But anyways, I read this book pretty quick because it was only 300 pages, which is brief compared to the normal Malazan stories. I don't have a lot of thoughts, outside of saying that it was cool to see Kellanved and Dancer's Ascendancy and get some backstory on other major events/characters, like Dassem, Surly, and Tayschrenn. Enjoyed the story and the details it gave, even if the author wasn't Erikson. Esslemont helped develop the world, so it's cool that they're working together to tell its story. Also, forgot to mention the ending/epilogue. Whaaaat is going on. I'm intrigued
Through Chapter 21 of Toll the Hounds. Pretty fucking big spoiler discussed in here Spoiler HOLY FUCK HOLY FUCK RAKE JUST KILLED HOOD. TRAVELLER IS ALMOST TO DARUJISTAN TO DO JUST THAT. HOLY FUCK
Finished Spoiler hah wow what a finish. Knew Rake was going to allow Traveller to finish him off. His sacrifice to free the gate of darkness was great. Sucks he's dead as he was one of my favorite characters. Going to be interesting to see where Traveller goes from here, but seems like Shadowthrone and Cotillion still have plans for him. Really enjoyed the last 20% holy shit what a finish. Really want to jump straight to Dust of Dreams but back to Esselmont and Stoneweilder next...
This is somewhat OT (from discussing the story, anyways) but I enjoy looking at concept art online from book covers or from people who make their own. Malazan has some cool ones. Spoilered a few of my favorites. Spoiler Moon's Spawn Anomander Rake K'Chain Che'Malle
I like that stuff too. I use one as my profile pic on the Line app. I use the app for communication on a game I play and my handle is AnomanderPurake.
Yeah there's definitely some good stuff out there. I too always like to see artist renderings of characters to see if they match what I have in my head.
the 2nd book of the Kharkanas trilogy, Fall of Light, came out this week. About 1/3 of the way through, typical Erickson greatness. I know you guys are going to get to these eventually anyway, but they are absolutely must reads and stand on level ground with the main series. Heaping tons of backstory on the Tiste, Mother Dark, Rake, Draconus, Silchas, the Azathanai, the Shake, Jaghut (Gothos and fucking Hood!), and the general set up of the world. I'm sure there are more revelations coming my way.
I finished Stonewielder which was pretty good and Goats of Glory which took me about 45 minutes but I really enjoyed. Starting Dust of Dreams now
Read this section a few days back. Made me laugh as well Also, from reading some of the spoiler questions in here some of you all are much more observant than me. I barely know what's happening until the final hundred pages. And even then it's iffy (but exciting)
About 70% through The Bonehunters Spoiler So Karsa is going to fight Rhulad Sengar? That will be very interesting
Finished The Bonehunters this morning. Couldn't put it down yesterday. I'm still attempting to digest everything that happened in the book, but I'll say that it's probably my favorite so far. Really hit its stride in the final third, something that I'm beginning to expect from Erikson the more I read him.
Esslemont's new book Dancer's Lament came out today. First book in a new Malazan series called Path to Ascendancy.
Through Chapter 15 of Dust of Dreams Spoiler Feel like the book is dragging a bit so far. Still love it though, but the hobbling and serial rape of Hetan was really tough to read.
I'm about 30% through Reaper's Gale. Nothing really spoiler heavy below, but just to be consistent... Spoiler I'm finding it a bit slow so far, in certain sections. Though I do find everything related to Tehol/Bugg, Redmask, and Icarium interesting. But, much like Midnight Tides, the Letheras subplot drags a bit for me. Here's to hoping the Icarium/Karsa/Rhulad smack down arrives soon. But I have a feeling it won't happen until the final third
Taralack Veed spitting in his palms then sweeping through his hair is approaching Nynaeve tugging on her braid levels.
Things picked up significantly after this. Really enjoying it now. About 65% through. I'm ready for the batshit final 200 pages. Bring it, Erikson. I should finish this weekend. I'm planning on reading Crack'd Pot Trail and Return of the Crimson Guard right after before I take another break.
Damn you're flying through RG. Crack'd Pot Trail is interesting, not like the other B&KB books, but like a fucked up Canterbury Tales. I really enjoyed RotCG.
I average about two weeks on these books. While I'm familiar with the Canterbury Tales, I've never read it. So that'll be interesting. And RotCG looks to be much longer than Night of Knives.
Finished Reapers Gale. Waffling between 4 and 5*s. Need to let it settle for a bit. I'll post detailed thoughts later. Heading into Crack'd Pot Trail next.
Looks like I'm on a similar pace as you. Finished Reapers Gale a week ago or so, now 1/3 of the way through Return of the Crimson Guard.
I'm halfway through Crack'd Pot Trail. Not a fan so far. Luckily it's a very, very quick read. 200 pages but the type is enormous.