I’ve been reading Steven Erikson long enough to get a hang of his style. Compared to some other authors I’ve read, I like it. I really do. In the first place, I enjoy the humor he puts into some of his interactions. Many times it doesn’t advance the plot or anything but it greatly fleshes out the characters and puts everything in perspective. I mean the we have a huge clash of armies on the anvil and everyone is tense – people are going to die. And what do the soldiers decide to do? Organize a scorpion fight! With names like “Joyful Union” going to the “Birdshit scorpion.” The entire Malazan series is like this and it’s like a breath of fresh air.
“House of Chains” is a continuation from Deadhouse Gates – at least geographically. What I didn’t expect was a huge portion of the book to be dedicated a new (so I thought) character whose story was interesting but I didn’t really see where it fit in. The story of a Teblor named Karsa Orlong whom I just didn’t like, and still kind of don’t. He’s headstrong, vain, arrogant, and ridiculously lucky and strong. Nothing seems to be able to fight him and he even kills off two hounds of darkness! I keep thinking this guy needs taking down a notch or two, but then he gets into a fight with Icarium and brains him! I mean that’s the limit. If he can knock out Icarium, this guy has almost become a god in his own right. Very irritating.
I’m almost afraid of him meeting Anomander Rake…
But even though he seems a separate story on his own, he suddenly joins up with the main book in a startling revelation that is most satisfying. And in any case I was warned about this series so I didn’t go in expecting everything to be easy to understand.
This book sees the clash between Shaik (Felisin) and Tavore. After the horrible betrayal and death of Coltaine, there are a few comeuppances and blood needs to be answered in like manner. I also feel that Erikson modeled the Malazan empire on Rome. The discipline, the fighting style, and the civilizing influence it has on other barbaric cities. I mean we start out thinking the entire Malazan empire is evil. But they’re not and even Karso Orlong recognizes this. They’re conquerors yes, but they’re better than many others of their kind. One of the best in fact.
And that’s what this book is. Though the characters are very strongly fleshed out, the story is more important than any of them. It’s like reading a history book and you know that the grand scheme is bigger than any one person. I’ve never quite read a series like Malazan Book of the Fallen before and I’m really looking forward to the next one in line!
Great book but the audio book is horrible. The performer is obnoxious as hell. He reads it like he never read the damned thing. It’s awkward and VERY bad. He’s probably the worst I’ve ever heard.