Do you still like the series?

[biodroid]

I was nosing around and found that a lot of people are complaining that the Malazan series is too long with multiple mistakes and is too long winded, there are too many characters to keep count of as every 5 pages there is a new character and something to the effect of Kalam can handle multiple Claw assassins and kill them with ease even though they are better skilled than him. How do you guys feel about it? Do you still like the series or has it declined like WoT?

 

[nixie]

Not for me it hasn't. As for the introduction of new charcters,I've no problems with it or keeping track. For me it is the best epic fantasy around.

 

[biodroid]

Thanks nixie, I was just wondering, I need to re-read GotM and DHG I have forgotten the plots as I read them about 2 years ago and I have been collecting the series, all I am missing is Midnight Tides and when the Crippled God (paperback version) comes out.

 

[nixie]

If you haven't read MT be prepared, there is a whole new bunch of characters to get to know. Although for me MT is second only to MOI.

 

[biodroid]

I plan on it, I liked the first 2 a lot and for some reason I see GotM is supposed to be confusing but I didn't really get that from the book, the ending was a bit odd (only a bit) but was thrown off when the characters did not appear in book 2. But I will carry on with the series even if it takes me a few years.

 

[Clansman]

Finishing House of Chains tonight, and loving it more than I did at the end of MoI! Can't wait to read MT, and then Night of Knives by Esselmont. This series is brilliant, and if not my favourite, it deserves shelf space with my favourite. It does not deserve being compared to Robert Jordan's meandering story, as the story is very, very tight.

There are a lot of characters, though.

There have to be mistakes in continuity in this series. It is easily the most complex one out there (including Marin's ASoIaF and Wurts' WoLaS, which is saying something, but neither Wurts nor Martin makes continuity mistakes) by a long shot, and the books are coming out so fast that a few mistakes have to slip through. I haven't spotted any yet, and I'm four books in.

 

[Quick Ben]

MT is a great book. Loved it.

Probably my second favourite after MOI as well.

 

[Koopa]

A more skilled Claw then Kalam? Besides the empress herself?
You're joking right? Kalam just underestimates himself.

 

[nixie]

A more skilled Claw then Kalam? Besides the empress herself?
You're joking right? Kalam just underestimates himself.

I think that ones open to debate to. I think Kalam is more skilled than Laseen

 

[Clansman]

Only the Rope is better than Kalam, and Cotillion is a god. Read the penultimate chapter of House of Chains, the scene where Raraku comes alive, and Kalam's musings on Cotillion's abilities after watching him at work.

 

[Rosemary]

I might have had trouble with the first book, but took due notice of all the advice here to keep on reading.

Know I have to find the patience to wait for the latest volume to be released!

 

[nebsmith]

Too long! No! If anything I wish the books were longer, so far I'm always left wanting more. I can't say I've noticed any continuity errors and the books just get better as the series goes on.
True there are a lot of characters, more than I've come across elsewhere. But I only find this a problem when lots of characters are a distraction from the main storyline in a book/series, and here, I don't think this is the case. The story's so huge it needs lots of characters.

I just really hope that the final book is not a let down, but I don't believe it will be.

 

[Gamblor]

Bonehunters slowed it down for me but the ending was truly awesome. Love the series so far and havent noticed the continuity errors. Will read this one through to the end and I don't think I will regret it if it is a poor ending or not. It was a pleasure to know the characters

 

[HareBrain]

I'm within a few pages of the end of Deadhouse Gates, and have been pretty unimpressed since about 2/3 the way through -- I've been skipping whole pages. To me, it reads like a tidied-up first draft rather than something that's been shaped with care, though given that he cranks out one of these monsters per year, maybe that's understandable.

I have already read the prologue to Memories of Ice, which piqued my interest, so I'll probably give the series another book to redeem itself.

 

[nixie]

MOI is for me the best book I've ever read. Laughter, sadness it takes you through the whole range of emotions. Malazan book of the fallen is probably the best series I've ever read and MOI is by far the best.

 

[Lenny]

I'm within a few pages of the end of Deadhouse Gates, and have been pretty unimpressed since about 2/3 the way through -- I've been skipping whole pages.

You're not enjoying the end of DHG?! I don't think we can be friends any more.

Don't skip pages, I beg you! Not only will you miss an incredibly emotional ride, but you'll also miss a lot of the subtle hints and off-hand comments that explain events later in the series.

If you ignore chunks of the last third of DHG, you'll only become confused with, and hate, House of Chains, which will lead to a dislike of The Bonehunters. It's a slippery slope from then.

Yours is a terrible crime.

 

[Wiggum]

Even I've fallen off the series, and MOI is coupled with The Two Towers, and A Storm of Swords as my favorite fantasy reads.

It's just too open, and it seems he doesn't have much idea what to to with it.

I have a fear that they might start braiding hair, and making tea.

I made it through Toll the Hounds, but sadly, that'll probably be my last.

 

[HareBrain]

Don't skip pages, I beg you! Not only will you miss an incredibly emotional ride, but you'll also miss a lot of the subtle hints and off-hand comments that explain events later in the series.

I'm supposed to remember everything everyone says in case it becomes relevant 4,000 pages later? That's impossible -- there's just too much of it. I don't have a brain the size of a planet.

I finished DHG last night, and the very ending restored my faith a little. But really, the book should have been 200 pages shorter at least -- he should especially, IMO, have cut out a lot of the italicised internal monologue (which I don't think there was much of in GOTM).

I'm pretty sure I'll try MOI, but maybe not for a couple of weeks.

 

[Ross]

I personally though DHG was amazing.

And I'm loving MOI at the moment.

My only grumble is not hearing from certain "loved" characters for ages

 

[Wiggum]

Read MOI, and I say that as someone who has quit the series.

That book is astounding.