How are the novels connected?

[Rahl Windsong]

Just recently started a re-read of this series and I am finding the 2nd time read, GotM makes much more sense then it did the first time around. Especially all the stuff about Hairlock, Tattersail, Nightchill, and I forget their name just now, but that part of the story makes so much more sense the second time through its amazing.

The whole story in general, at least so far, has made more sense and I am only about 3/4 of the way through GotM, and also GotM seems to be a much better read and a lot more important to the total story then it was the first time through it.

 

[Werthead]

Now i hear they wont appear again until the third book its annoying. I adore the world but i hope the 3-4 characters you guys said that were in GOTM and appears in DHG i hope are one of my favs. People like Kruppe,Ganoes Paran, Whiskeyjack ,Quick Ben, Kalam.

I dont mind the way he writes the series the order or whatever as long as i like the books.

Given this was a few weeks ago, presumably you've already found this out, but on the character front:

Spoiler

Of those characters only Kalam is in Deadhouse Gates. Quick Ben has a very quick cameo thanks to a magical conversation (we see the other side of the conversation in Memories of Ice, which is pretty clever). Fortunately, Quick Ben, Paran, Whiskeyjack and Kruppe are all back in Book 3, Memories of Ice. Unfortunately, we don't then seem some of them again for quite some time.

Now that I've read Reaper's Gale and some interesting info has been released about ICE's next book and Erikson's next two, I can revamp the chronological order of the series (again spoilerised):

Prologue of Gardens of the Moon
Night of Knives (Ian Cameron Esslemont's first Malaz novel)
Blood Follows (short story)
The Lees of Laughters End (short story)
Midnight Tides
Book I of House of Chains
Gardens of the Moon
Deadhouse Gates/Memories of Ice (occur simultaneously)
The Healthy Dead (short story)
Books II-IV of House of Chains
The Bonehunters
Return of the Crimson Guard
Reaper's Gale
Toll the Hounds
Dust of Dreams
The Crippled God

Where ICE's third-to-fifth books fit in is unknown at the moment.

 

[GOLLUM]

Thanks for the chronology Wert, that really helps.

 

[Connavar]

What ?

We are suppose to read this other guy? I dont even know if i like Erikson enough to read more of the series. Memories of Ice with my fav characters will make or break the series for me.

I wish they could keep their books seprated. Too much of gimmick feel to this new chrono. I like the world but i care more about the characters. I wont read some early prequal. The Mezla's history isnt THAT interesting.

 

[Rane Longfox]

They are seperate. Just because the chronology overlaps doesn't mean the storylines do

 

[Jason_Taverner]

yes nothing to worry about you don't have to read ICE at all and I bet if you a ICE fan you won't need to read Erikson. the fans will more than likely read both i am planning to

 

[djellibeybi]

You have to read all of his books, THEN go back and re-read GOTM, DHG and the rest, THEN you'll be able to figure it all out. Trust me it's worth it. I re-read the whole series several times already (although it was hard to go thru DHG again). Beginners will definitely have problems with the different continents, the strange names, cults, gods, warrens, aspects etc. But no other fantasy (aside from grrm) has such breadth and scope and depth IMHO. Thats why I love this series.

 

[Apoc]

~agrees~ I've read alot of fantasy and there isn't anything that matches Erikson for me. Such wonderful characters and such awesome storylines.

I'd have to say Deadhouse Gates and Midnight Tides are my joint favourites...favourites for different reasons-DG for me had the greatest, most tragic storyline that i've ever read (Chain of Dogs) and MT had the most hilarious duo (Tehol and Bugg) and the most badass unit (crimson guard) that i've ever read.

So yeah, i've gotten so many people into the malazan books and for everyone, i tell them not to judge it til they at least finish Deadhouse Gates...if they're still massively confused and not enjoying it then yeah i'm ok with them abandoning it...but if they give up before then i'm not gonna accept them having an opinion on it

But yes, to the topic of the thread, how are they connected?

I'd say by the children of House Paran, I think it's their tale, told through the malazan history books, as they become legendary leaders/generals in one of the biggest events in malazan history-the war with the Crippled God. Heh

Spoiler

Ganoes and Tavore are at the head of two huge armies now.

I also think the series is covering every major event whilst they're doing this (Chain of Dogs, Coral, Lether), also covering whats happening in the pantheon through Cotillion and Shadowthrone.

Favourite characters: Coltaine, Quick Ben, Bugg, Tehol, Hellian and any Seguleh or Crimson Guard that pops up.

 

[Werthead]

Actually, having given Return of the Crimson Guard the once-over, I'd say that this book is a pretty vital instalment in the series. It looks like ICE's next book, Stonewielder, and definitely the fourth (which will presumably resolve the Assail/Imass storyline left hanging in MoI) and fifth (the coda to the entire series), will be the same. RotCG picks up the storyline elements in the Malazan Empire left flying in The Bonehunters and addresses them. As such, I don't see how you can ignore it and just read on with SE's books.

I think that it's going to be difficult to see this series as anything other than a 15-book series written by two authors and it that makes it sound even more offputting to newcomers...well, so be it.

 

[Khale]

My first post here.

Anyway, I am just beginning MoI and really thought the first 2 books were great. The question I have is whether I will want to read the "sidetrack" novels either now, prior to one of the other novels or after I finish the series. Any suggestions?

 

[Rane Longfox]

Welcome to the forums

Blood Follows, Heathy Dead and Lees of Laughter's End can be read at any point. After Memories of Ice is probably the best place for them, but it really doesn't matter all that much. Night Of Knives should probably read either just before or just after Bonehunters - there are cameos of characters that link the two. I would probably recommend reading it before.