Starting the Malazan Series....

K

Keysi

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So I'm just a few chapters into Gardens of the Moon and think it's pretty awesome already, despite several warnings from other places(including the author's own preface) that it's possible to quite dislike the first book as it can be terribly slow....seems pretty fast paced to me already, although a tad confusing-there's so much going on.

Just one question, does this series contain much in the way of graphic, gritty violence and scenes of a sexual nature? I'm hoping it does, the vice ridden swine that I am :p

Not that it will be anything of a problem if it doesn't, I've just grown accustomed to it in fantasy these days what with the likes of GoT and The Witcher etc.
 
I don't recall much sexytime, though it's a while since I read it.

Might be some violence. Not sure.

I can see why people like Gardens of the Moon, but for me it was too much skirt and not enough leg.
 
There's plenty of violence throughout the Malazan series, including Gardens of the Moon. I just finished Toll the Hounds earlier today for the first time, and while it didn't live up to my shared best two books in the series so far (Deadhouse Gates and Memories of Ice) it was still an amazingly fun ride. The last 150-200 pages were simply incredible.

There's also sex, even in the first book from what I remember. Hopefully you find this series resonating with you like others who have warmed up to it have, currently my favorite modern fantasy series, maybe even of all time.
 
Just had The Last Wish delivered today, got to be honest it looks great and has superb reviews. If it goes well I'm going to pick up the others in the series that have been translated
 
Just started The Bonehunters. It reads very different to what i remembered his style to be. Not engaged with it yet but ill toil on.
 
Me too! Although, I've been reading them in the order that was recommended to me that includes some of the Malazan books by Ian C Esslemont (see below), so the last one I read was Night of Knives and was quite some time ago. Since picking up The Bonehunters a couple of nights ago I have been really enjoying it, and it's good to be back in this world.

  1. Gardens of the Moon
  2. Deadhouse Gates
  3. Memories of Ice
  4. House of Chains
  5. Midnight Tides
  6. Night of Knives*
  7. The Bonehunters
  8. Return of the Crimson Guard*
  9. Reaper's Gale
  10. Toll the Hounds
  11. Stonewielder*
  12. Dust of Dreams
  13. The Crippled God
* Written by Ian C Esslemont
 
Finished the Bonehunters last year - I usually need to take a break between the books as they're so intense and so big that it takes me a good while to get through each one, so I like to 'take a break' with a few smaller books in between. It's definitely the most epic fantasy series out there in my opinion. Not an easy read but highly recommended to stick with it!
 
I've just finished 'Memories of Ice', which was the best epic fantasy I've read in a long time. Agree that Gardens of the Moon is not an easy read, but it's well worth the effort - Erikson is a very clever writer, and I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of House of Chains.


PS: Enjoyed The Last Wish too. Refreshingly different voice. Not what I expected, but couldn't put it down.
 
crooksy73 said:
Me too! Although, I've been reading them in the order that was recommended to me that includes some of the Malazan books by Ian C Esslemont (see below), so the last one I read was Night of Knives and was quite some time ago. Since picking up The Bonehunters a couple of nights ago I have been really enjoying it, and it's good to be back in this world.

  1. Gardens of the Moon
  2. Deadhouse Gates
  3. Memories of Ice
  4. House of Chains
  5. Midnight Tides
  6. Night of Knives*
  7. The Bonehunters
  8. Return of the Crimson Guard*
  9. Reaper's Gale
  10. Toll the Hounds
  11. Stonewielder*
  12. Dust of Dreams
  13. The Crippled God
* Written by Ian C Esslemont
Click to expand...

So is this the best order in which to read this series? I'm just about to start David Durham's Acacia Series then I will finish Daniel Abraham's Dagger and Coin series when the last part comes out in March after that I want to read this.

Is this the best order?
 
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I'm reading Memories of Ice and really addicted now. It did take me a while to get into the first two but the effort was rewarding and they will be re-read.
 
I read the first 2 and gave up, I didnt get what all the hype was about. It was confusing, annoying, characters names changed, then people were gods and others were d'ivers WTF? Then all of a sudden a character fights a super evil Queen because you know, they randomly do that. Sorry, never again.
 
I love the Malazan books, Memories of Ice is my favourite book ever, it took me through a roller coaster of emotions. I didn't think after The Chain of Dogs anything could tug my heartstrings more but Coral, Bridgeburners,WhiskeyJack....................................
 
I'm now on Chapter 7 of Gardens of the Moon and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I loved the sudden scene switch to Darujhistan at the end of part one, that was unorthodox, completely unexpected and a terrific change of pace.

Now, the last thing I want to do is offend anyone, but I'm not finding this book complex in the slightest. Don't get me wrong it's hardly Jack And Jill Went Up The Hill, it's just no more or less complex than most stuff out there. That is to say: I don't understand why this book's complexities are such a huge issue...
 
Narkalui said:
I'm now on Chapter 7 of Gardens of the Moon and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I loved the sudden scene switch to Darujhistan at the end of part one, that was unorthodox, completely unexpected and a terrific change of pace.

Now, the last thing I want to do is offend anyone, but I'm not finding this book complex in the slightest. Don't get me wrong it's hardly Jack And Jill Went Up The Hill, it's just no more or less complex than most stuff out there. That is to say: I don't understand why this book's complexities are such a huge issue...
Click to expand...
I didn't find it overly complex, not that it was an easy read but over complexed no.
 
nixie said:
I didn't find it overly complex, not that it was an easy read but over complexed no.
Click to expand...

The writing style is different from Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time.
 
nixie said:
Not read Wheel of Time, Game of Thrones I do like but it does remind me of War Roses. Malazan is head and shoulders above it for me,
Click to expand...

In terms of style , it reminds me of Glen Cook's Black Company books.
 
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