Man, I love Steven Eriksson. Best fantasy series I've ever read to be honest. The depth of the world's history and the wonderful combination of gritty realism and high fantasy really struck a chord with me.
The thing I love the most with the books is how much you can discuss about them. The books are so crammed with information and fantastic characters that it's impossible to pick up everything by yourself. I read it with two other friends and we can still, three years later, go into long discussions on implications of certain things or just reminicing about the various adventures of the series. Sometimes someone will bring a fresh perspective on some occurance and it's like you see the whole thing in a different light all over again.
Definitely gets better as it progresess, I personally disliked the first two books to the extent that I wanted to quit, but my friends insisted that it would be worth it and boy were they right
I've got nothing much to add to the thread besides that I'm happy to see others reading and discussing these wonderful books!
I just started this series as it was recommended to me by a friend when I was looking for something 'Game of Thrones-ish'. I'm only about 150 pages into book 1 (Gardens of the Moon) so I have a long way to go but I already enjoy the authors rich descriptive style. I get a bit lost here and there as starting any multi-book fantasy epic is always confusing with people, places, names, etc., but nothing too unmanageable or annoying. I've heard the story becomes quite amazing as the series continues with book 1 being the hardest to stomach. I've already promised a friend to read at least the first two before 'quitting' but so far, I can't see myself stopping anytime soon.
I'm at about 800 pages into book three now (so 2/3 I guess) and I have to say that this book really kicks the series up a notch, especially with the introduction of + Show Spoiler +
the crippled god
(who I assume is going to play a rather important role in the series). It gives a bit of a sense of what the long term story might look like. I just don't understand why everybody suddenly decided to be a dick to my man Kruppe? Wtf did he do wrong?
On June 14 2014 00:51 Elyvilon wrote: This is probably my favorite epic fantasy series.
Has anyone here read Forge of Darkness? If so, how is it?
I read it last year, although my memory is foggy about it. It starts a bit slow, but gets better later. You have to pay attention to connect it with the main series. For example + Show Spoiler +
There is a character named T'riss and I realized two weeks ago when re-reading House of Chains that the Queen of Dreams is named T'riss. Which is pretty obvious actually, but I failed to realize back then.
Plenty of mystery, extra information on characters and of course speculation on several identities.
So there is one thing i kinda do not understand: if ammanas and cotillion intend to kill surly whats stopping them from just warping in there and letting their dogs shred her to pieces? Or are the likes of tayschrenn powerful enough to give them pause?
On June 17 2014 14:11 B.I.G. wrote: So there is one thing i kinda do not understand: if ammanas and cotillion intend to kill surly whats stopping them from just warping in there and letting their dogs shred her to pieces? Or are the likes of tayschrenn powerful enough to give them pause?
I'm about 300 pages into house of chains (book 4). But based on what I've read so far there is probably a damn good reason. Basically I guess I'm a little unclear on how the 'power levels' are divided, as it seems that for example Raest is unimpressed by gods in general even though he technically isn't ascended right? Icarium is another example of someone who seems godlike but apparently isn't.
Maybe the point is that I'm not supposed to know xD
5 months and 5 books finished I have to say that the it seems to just keep getting better for me. I honestly don't understand why so many people complain about gardens of the moon and midnight tides, because in my opinion those two might actually be the best. The only thing that beats the Tehol/Bugg bromance is the Toc/Tool bromance in memories of ice.
Never thought I would be able to stick with the daunting wall of complicated text this series has thusfar proven to be, but Mr. Erikson's writing single handedly has brought out the reader in me. At this pace it'll take me a year to finish the entire series but it's been so worth it so far!
I think the best thing about the Books is that while they are all connected you can take each individual book on it's own so it doesn't become too daunting. As for your previous post I don't really want to say too much. There's certain reasons for Icarium being like he is but I'm not sure if you have read about them yet. As for power levels it's a bit iffy. Basically the "old gods" are all extremely powerful yet not powerful at all. It's kind of weird. Again it gets a bit more explained as you go on but basically think of it as the old gods using a different system than the newer ones. This causes some issues between the two. So Raest is of an ancient race that was before the new gods. The key difference is in old times there was basically no subtlety just pure brutality where as now it's way more refined and subtle. Someone like Raest doesn't appreciate anything besides pure strength.
On August 19 2014 00:05 B.I.G. wrote: 5 months and 5 books finished I have to say that the it seems to just keep getting better for me. I honestly don't understand why so many people complain about gardens of the moon and midnight tides, because in my opinion those two might actually be the best. The only thing that beats the Tehol/Bugg bromance is the Toc/Tool bromance in memories of ice.
Never thought I would be able to stick with the daunting wall of complicated text this series has thusfar proven to be, but Mr. Erikson's writing single handedly has brought out the reader in me. At this pace it'll take me a year to finish the entire series but it's been so worth it so far!
GOTM has a lot of detractors because of it's nature. It was started a long time before the others and it just throws you straight into a vast and complex world. Also as to your powerlevel questions it's very fluid. A lot of characters will come off as top tier but be beaten by characters you can consider than them. Malazan has a huge "don't mess with mortals" theme. Raest and Icarium are both powerful because jaghut are naturally strong and who their fathers are (I can't remember when this is revealed). Icarium also draws on chaos when he's enraged which powers him up quite a bit. Raest just has the nasty ability of enslaving things around him, he's quite a powerhouse on his own but you run the risk of him enslaving others, especially if T'lan are involved.
Yeah I realize now that pretty much every character is complicated and has many reasons for being the way they are. And similar to Greek mythology power is described in more of a "poetic" way rather than a structured Dragonball Z-powerlevel-over-9000 kind of way.
I'm currently reading the 8th book, and in the 6th book, they say he disappeared in the imperial warren, probably died. I was like, sure, sure, they're gonna kill off-stage one of the coolest side character, the Clawmaster, but havent heard anything from him.
Did the author just write him out from the series for no apparent reason? No need to spoil the details, just yes or no.
I'm also a bit confuddled about him, but the side books by Esslemont give some sideways detail on it. There are also a bit of clues in the Pearl stuff.
On August 25 2014 21:01 Geo.Rion wrote: I have a question. Where the hell is Topper?
I'm currently reading the 8th book, and in the 6th book, they say he disappeared in the imperial warren, probably died. I was like, sure, sure, they're gonna kill off-stage one of the coolest side character, the Clawmaster, but havent heard anything from him.
Did the author just write him out from the series for no apparent reason? No need to spoil the details, just yes or no.
On August 25 2014 21:01 Geo.Rion wrote: I have a question. Where the hell is Topper?
I'm currently reading the 8th book, and in the 6th book, they say he disappeared in the imperial warren, probably died. I was like, sure, sure, they're gonna kill off-stage one of the coolest side character, the Clawmaster, but havent heard anything from him.
Did the author just write him out from the series for no apparent reason? No need to spoil the details, just yes or no.
About 1/3 of the way through crippled god and I'm a bit sad that it is all going to come to an end soon. One of the best series I've ever read.
Was looking around and apparently Assail is out. Is it worth reading? Would be kind of nice to find out wtf is going on there plus what happened to + Show Spoiler [Minor Book 3 Spoiler] +
EPT
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