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The Bonehunters

February 3, 2020 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Well, I think somebody needs to just take out my heart, wrap a bow around it, and mail it to Steven Erikson.

The Bonehunters is book six in Erikson’s acclaimed Malazan series. Chances are, if you’ve read the previous 5,000 pages in the story, you’ve got a pretty good idea of what you’re in for here.

Unparalleled worldbuilding. Marines. A complex story with way more layers than an onion. The usual.

But I still can’t help but be enthralled by these works. The Bonehunters clocks in at something like 1200 pages, but I still felt like it was a page turner. This book has some of the most intense set-pieces to date in the series, and by now, if you don’t have an emotional attachment to many of the characters, you’re in trouble.

And there’s something else worth mentioning: Erikson has a lot to say in these books. He presents varied viewpoints on war, betrayal, love, economics, and far more. I find myself highlighting little bits and pieces all over the place.

These books aren’t for everyone. They are dark, violent, and incredibly complex. But they’ve seized hold of me in a way no other series has. I’m excited to continue and see where this epic leads.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Malazan, Steven Erikson

Midnight Tides (Malazan #5)

December 2, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

2019 is nearing to a close, and I’ve made it half-way through Malazan’s original ten books. I’d planned to read the whole series this year, but I think I’m glad I decided to slow down and read the books whenever the spirit moves me. In my mind, these are books to be savored.

Midnight Tides is an enormous tome that reads like a much smaller novel. Steven Erikson continues to amaze and delight. For as long as this book is, I feel like I powered through it quickly, always eager to learn what was on the next page. Even though this book has much of the typical Malazan complexity, it feels more straightforward than other entries in the series.

If you’ve gotten to this point in the series, you already know what to expect: tremendous world building, a large cast of memorable characters, and a pervading darkness throughout the story. All are present here. Bugg and Tehol, in particular, are two characters that made me laugh more than any other book I’ve read recently.

Midnight Tides didn’t make me quite as emotional as some of the previous works in the world, but that isn’t a slight in the least. This is an excellent book, and I remain eager to dive deeper into the series.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Malazan, Steven Erikson

Memories of Ice

July 15, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

I don’t like to think that I cry that easily.

But Steven Erikson seems determined to prove me wrong.

In my journey to finish the Complete Malazan series this year, I just finished the novel Memories of Ice. 

It was one of the very best fantasy books that I have read this year.

Incredibly complex world building. Deeply layered and fascinating characters. A mysterious plot. Friendship, redemption, betrayal, and failure all have their day in the sun here. In my mind, these books represent some of the best fantasy has to offer, and in my opinion, that’s doubly true of the sub-genre of dark fantasy.

For a book that is nearly a thousand pages, I felt like I flew through it, always eager to return for more. It’s one of the rare enormous fantasy stories that I don’t think I would hesitate to read again.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Malazan, Steven Erikson

Shield Anvil

July 10, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

I was to bring peace to souls, and to do so without judgment. This I have done.

Itkovian, Memories of Ice

Itkovian has quickly become one of the most interesting characters in the Malazan series, books filled to the brim with fascinating people. He fulfills the role of shield anvil, a mortal tasked with caring for the souls of the dead.

Most impressively, he does so ‘without judgment.’ This is seen in the book as he embraces the souls of those who have done great evil. He carries their burdens himself.

What might a shield anvil look like today?

Filed Under: Daily Tagged With: Memories of Ice, Steven Erikson

The Heart of Wisdom

July 9, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

“They’ve had a long time to think,” Paran murmured. “Sometimes, that’s all that’s needed. The heart of wisdom is tolerance, I think.”

Ganoes Paran, Memories of Ice

I’m currently nearing the end of Memories of Ice, and if the ending is anything like the rest of the book, I believe it will be one of my favorite books of the year.

One recurring theme in the book (albeit minor) is how immortals view the world differently than mortals. Immortals have the benefit of time, of being able to stand back from the crush of daily responsibilities. Thousands of years changes one’s perspective.

It’s a message we all could use. It’s easy to become reactive, to be overwhelmed by the stress of a single day, to be carried away by the minutiae.

But if we can take a step back and take a long view, we realize more of what actually matters to us.

Filed Under: Daily Tagged With: Memories of Ice, Steven Erikson

Gardens of the Moon

April 15, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

There are times in my life where I have made serious mistakes.

Not loving Gardens of the Moon the first time I read it was one of those.

I first read Gardens of the Moon several years ago when working my way through the NPR top 100 sci-fi and fantasy list. My memories of reading it are somewhat indistinct, but I did not love it. For the life of me, I don’t remember why.

But this year I decided to read the complete Malazan series, and it had been long enough since my first reading of Gardens of the Moon that I figured I should read it again. I’m glad I did.

Inside, I find mystery, suspense, and beautiful writing. I find an epic fantasy that continues to hint at a world that is bigger and more awe-inspiring than the mere words on the page. I laugh at some of the characters and with others. I have to pay attention, because sometimes what is between the words is as important as the words themselves.

In short, this time, I fell in love with the book.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Reviews, Steven Erikson

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