[ParallelReality]

Hey all,

Last night, I finished Deadhouse Gates just under one month from when I started. Wow, what a ride! My initial reaction was "Duiker nooooooooooooooooooooo." (Though I have an inkling suspicion we haven't seen the last of him").

Suffice to say, I think brutal is a word which describes the fall of the Chain of Dogs. I had a feeling it wasn't going to end so well for them, but what actually happened was way worse than I though, and completely soul-destroying.
When I read Gardens of the Moon I enjoyed the confusion and generally insane and badass events that were happening around the characters. There were also some pretty awesome characters.
Deadhouse Gates, on the other hand, I actually had a strong emotional reaction to. There were several moments where I felt sick, devastated, and my eyes may have welled up a little bit (shhh!).
The Chain of Dogs was an extremely powerful story and I have to say completely delivered, and was a lot more intense than I expected. I'm a fan of that kind of story for sure.

I did find parts of Deadhouse Gates lacking at times, however. I found Kalam's story boring for the most part until the arrival to Malaz City, and there was just a little bit too much wandering around a desert for my taste
Felisin's story was tragic, and though I did find her frustrating at times I found her story pretty compelling by the end, if a little short on answers (I know, this is Malazan). Wasn't a huge fan of Fiddler's storyline.
I loved Icarium and Mappo's story though, and am interested to see where it goes from here.

Overall I enjoyed the book, I found parts a bit slow at times, especially at the beginning, but was left quite satisfied by the end, if not a little bit emotionally devastated.
Definitely a big improvement in pacing and focus over GotM, as well as characterization and emotional impact.
Oh and Iskaral Pust is a funny dude.

On to Memories of Ice!

Some questions/clarifications:
1. Mappo and Icarium didn't actually find the Path of Hands, right? That was where Iskaral Pust was at the end?
2. Was there anything in the story causing Felisin to become Sha'ik, or did it literally happen when they entered Raraku?
3. What was Shadowthrone's reasoning for the gifts at the end?
4. Speaking of Shadowthrone, how exactly does this whole Ascension thing work? If Kallanved ascended instead of dying around the time Laseen took over, then Shadowthrone and Cotillion would only have existed for approximately 10 years. But then the Hounds are supposed to be ancient, and how did they get in league with Shadowthrone, is there something I'm missing here?
5. I must have been tired when I read the Epilogue, because I did not pick up the significance of what was happening here at all :/

Would appreciate any help

This post has been edited by ParallelReality: 25 January 2016 - 09:00 AM

[Esa1996]

ParallelReality, on 25 January 2016 - 08:59 AM, said:

Some questions/clarifications:
1. Mappo and Icarium didn't actually find the Path of Hands, right? That was where Iskaral Pust was at the end?
2. Was there anything in the story causing Felisin to become Sha'ik, or did it literally happen when they entered Raraku?
3. What was Shadowthrone's reasoning for the gifts at the end?
4. Speaking of Shadowthrone, how exactly does this whole Ascension thing work? If Kallanved ascended instead of dying around the time Laseen took over, then Shadowthrone and Cotillion would only have existed for approximately 10 years. But then the Hounds are supposed to be ancient, and how did they get in league with Shadowthrone, is there something I'm missing here?
5. I must have been tired when I read the Epilogue, because I did not pick up the significance of what was happening here at all :/

Would appreciate any help

1. Pretty much what you said.
2. RAFO
3. No idea. RAFO?
4. RAFO

[koehkont]

Quote

Some questions/clarifications:
1. Mappo and Icarium didn't actually find the Path of Hands, right? That was where Iskaral Pust was at the end?
2. Was there anything in the story causing Felisin to become Sha'ik, or did it literally happen when they entered Raraku?
3. What was Shadowthrone's reasoning for the gifts at the end?
4. Speaking of Shadowthrone, how exactly does this whole Ascension thing work? If Kallanved ascended instead of dying around the time Laseen took over, then Shadowthrone and Cotillion would only have existed for approximately 10 years. But then the Hounds are supposed to be ancient, and how did they get in league with Shadowthrone, is there something I'm missing here?
5. I must have been tired when I read the Epilogue, because I did not pick up the significance of what was happening here at all :/

1. Indeed
2. RAFO
3. Maybe he likes people being in his debt? And the ways of Shadowthrone are mysterious as always.
4. RAFO
5. Try combining the history of Sormo and the fall of Coltaine. You should be able to puzzle it out then

[TheWhiteWalker]

Didn't Mappo or Icarium mention that Iskaral's temple could be/was the Path of Hands?

[Kanese S's]

ParallelReality, on 25 January 2016 - 08:59 AM, said:

Hey all,

Last night, I finished Deadhouse Gates just under one month from when I started. Wow, what a ride! My initial reaction was "Duiker nooooooooooooooooooooo." (Though I have an inkling suspicion we haven't seen the last of him").

Suffice to say, I think brutal is a word which describes the fall of the Chain of Dogs. I had a feeling it wasn't going to end so well for them, but what actually happened was way worse than I though, and completely soul-destroying.
When I read Gardens of the Moon I enjoyed the confusion and generally insane and badass events that were happening around the characters. There were also some pretty awesome characters.
Deadhouse Gates, on the other hand, I actually had a strong emotional reaction to. There were several moments where I felt sick, devastated, and my eyes may have welled up a little bit (shhh!).
The Chain of Dogs was an extremely powerful story and I have to say completely delivered, and was a lot more intense than I expected. I'm a fan of that kind of story for sure.

I did find parts of Deadhouse Gates lacking at times, however. I found Kalam's story boring for the most part until the arrival to Malaz City, and there was just a little bit too much wandering around a desert for my taste
Felisin's story was tragic, and though I did find her frustrating at times I found her story pretty compelling by the end, if a little short on answers (I know, this is Malazan). Wasn't a huge fan of Fiddler's storyline.
I loved Icarium and Mappo's story though, and am interested to see where it goes from here.

Overall I enjoyed the book, I found parts a bit slow at times, especially at the beginning, but was left quite satisfied by the end, if not a little bit emotionally devastated.
Definitely a big improvement in pacing and focus over GotM, as well as characterization and emotional impact.
Oh and Iskaral Pust is a funny dude.

On to Memories of Ice!

Some questions/clarifications:
1. Mappo and Icarium didn't actually find the Path of Hands, right? That was where Iskaral Pust was at the end?
2. Was there anything in the story causing Felisin to become Sha'ik, or did it literally happen when they entered Raraku?
3. What was Shadowthrone's reasoning for the gifts at the end?
4. Speaking of Shadowthrone, how exactly does this whole Ascension thing work? If Kallanved ascended instead of dying around the time Laseen took over, then Shadowthrone and Cotillion would only have existed for approximately 10 years. But then the Hounds are supposed to be ancient, and how did they get in league with Shadowthrone, is there something I'm missing here?
5. I must have been tired when I read the Epilogue, because I did not pick up the significance of what was happening here at all :/

Would appreciate any help

1. Correct.
2. It's a bit more complicated than that. Narratively, if you noticed, both Felisin's and Apsalar's storylines could have been resolved that way and were headed somewhat in that direction.
3. Shadowthrone works in mysterious ways. Also he likes people owing him, and keeping competent subordinates around.
4. "How does ascension work?" is not really something you could completely pick up just from the first two books. Yes, Kellenved and Dancer ascended the same time Laseen took over. Yes, the Hounds of Shadow are ancient beings. Both of these are true, and not contradictory. If that seems confusing, don't worry, it will make sense as you read more.
5. Reread?

[D'rek]

The Shadow 'aspect' has been around for a long time, but character in GotM mention that the House of Shadow is rather new. So from that one could conclude that High House Shadow was created (or re-created) upon Kellanved and Dancer's ascension, but that perhaps the realm of Shadow, the Hounds, etc, are all much older than the House itself.

[Nevyn]

You seem to know what you should know.

As for story elements you liked less, some of those may just be setting up for future story, so be patient.