[Aptorian]

January 1st we began the re-read of the main series of the Malazan books. The plan being to read one book a month. We've now added additional Erikson and Esslemont publications to the schedule, to be read roughly according to the publication order.

Quote

2020
January: Gardens of the Moon
February: Deadhouse Gates
March: Memories of Ice
April: House of Chains
May: Midnight Tides
June Night of Knives & The Bonehunters
July: Return of the Crimson Guard
August: Reaper's Gale
September: Stonewielder
October: Toll the Hounds
November: Orb Sceptre Throne
December: Dust of Dreams

2021
January: The Crippled God
February: Blood and Bone
March: Assail
April: Forge of Darkness
May: Fall of Light

You can read our thoughts from earlier months in these threads:

1. 2020 Malazan Re-read: Gardens of the Moon

2. 2020 Malazan Re-read: Deadhouse Gates

March 1st we begin the re-read of Memories of Ice, the third book of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series.

There will be spoilers for all published books. So beware. Spoiler blocks are not mandatory but if people want to use boxes for the latest Kharkanas books or the Path to Ascendance books for example, I'd personally appreciate it.

Are you ready? What do you remember about Memories of Ice?

In my opinion Memories of Ice isn't just Erikson's best book. It's perhaps my favorite fantasy book. Period. All those convergences, tragic deaths, epic last stands, Ascendants galore! It's just a terrific read.

Hope my memory of the book stands the test of time.

This post has been edited by Aptorian: 27 February 2020 - 07:53 AM

[Aptorian]

I'm not sure we finished our discussion about prefered reading order in this thread:

https://forum.malaza...-read-schedule/

Can we reach a consensus on whether D'reks proposed reading order is fine? Otherwise you have a couple months to argue it over.

[Aptorian]

Can't wait to reread the scene where our hero Kallor Eiderann Tes'thesula, kills the foul Malazan commander, Whiskeyjack, in a totally cool, perfectly legal, one on one sword fight.

[Traveller]

I really like the way the big players from the previous books all meet up, pretty much in the same tent, early on. And the scenes are viewed by the myhbe, so it's more of an external opinion of what's going on.

Brood, Kallor, Rake, Dujek, Paran, Tattersail/Nightchill, Artanthos/Tays - and Kruppe, taking centre stage and holding it together.

Although this time, knowing Kallors history and attitude, why they let him even stay is something of a mystery. All the clues about his nature are right there at the start.

So many threads through this book, it's like the previous two mashed together.

Also looking forward to Raest moving from the big bad at the end of book one, to comic relief in the blink of an eye.

This post has been edited by Traveller: 27 February 2020 - 08:28 AM

[Macros]

Looking forward to this!

[Aptorian]

Traveller, on 27 February 2020 - 08:25 AM, said:

I really like the way the big players from the previous books all meet up, pretty much in the same tent, early on. And the scenes are viewed by the myhbe, so it's more of an external opinion of what's going on.

Brood, Kallor, Rake, Dujek, Paran, Tattersail/Nightchill, Artanthos/Tays - and Kruppe, taking centre stage and holding it together.

Although this time, knowing Kallors history and attitude, why they let him even stay is something of a mystery. All the clues about his nature are right there at the start.

So many threads through this book, it's like the previous two mashed together.

Also looking forward to Raest moving from the big bad at the end of book one, to comic relief in the blink of an eye.

I mean, nothing suggests he isn't and wasn't loyal to Caladan Brood. I think Kallor had no problems allying himself with people of power.

He broke from the host because he had a bloodfeud going with those assholes that cursed him and forced him to destroy his own empire. Hard not side with Kallor in this.

[Traveller]

I used to think that those references to Whiskeyjacks leg were few and subtle, but I've read about 8 already.

Its mentioned almost every scene he's in!

This post has been edited by Traveller: 28 February 2020 - 07:59 PM

[Abyss]

Aptorian, on 27 February 2020 - 07:41 AM, said:

... What do you remember about Memories of Ice?...

So so much (because rereads!), but in particular Gruntle's storyline, from caravan guard hopelessly out of his depth to mortal sword of Trake to Capustan, the tenement house, and the Child Banner....that scene described by the Grey Sword scout still gives me chills.... to Trake's Legion tigermorph, to how thoroughly useless it was against the Kell Hunters.


...this book is so SO GOOD.

[Keysi]

Right so I'm a month behind, I'm just starting Deadhouse Gates, but I also really want to play along with the group read.

Would it be wise to read/listen to DG and MoI at the same time? Obviously I'm not a first time reader and they do kinda take place concurrently.....?

[Keysi]

Traveller, on 27 February 2020 - 08:25 AM, said:

I really like the way the big players from the previous books all meet up, pretty much in the same tent, early on. And the scenes are viewed by the myhbe, so it's more of an external opinion of what's going on.

Brood, Kallor, Rake, Dujek, Paran, Tattersail/Nightchill, Artanthos/Tays - and Kruppe, taking centre stage and holding it together.

Although this time, knowing Kallors history and attitude, why they let him even stay is something of a mystery. All the clues about his nature are right there at the start.

So many threads through this book, it's like the previous two mashed together.

Also looking forward to Raest moving from the big bad at the end of book one, to comic relief in the blink of an eye.

Time is gonna tell with Kallor. Such an underrated character.

[Abyss]

Keysi, on 28 February 2020 - 11:37 PM, said:

Right so I'm a month behind, I'm just starting Deadhouse Gates, but I also really want to play along with the group read.

Would it be wise to read/listen to DG and MoI at the same time? Obviously I'm not a first time reader and they do kinda take place concurrently.....?

Don't see why not.

[Macros]

Argh, I forgot to lift MoI and pack for work.
Going to be a week behind now!

[Keysi]

I still remember how much I hated the Tlan Imass after reading the prologue. That was a very furkin powerful prologue.

[Keysi]

So I've got a few things I want to talk about to do with the prologue, mainly to do with timespans and ages, but they also have to do with the kharkanas trilogy and I'm not sure how to do spoiler tags on my phone.

Suffice to say for now that the core of my theory regarding Azathani, Ascending and even Kallor could be now in question.

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Keysi, on 03 March 2020 - 09:31 PM, said:

So I've got a few things I want to talk about to do with the prologue, mainly to do with timespans and ages, but they also have to do with the kharkanas trilogy and I'm not sure how to do spoiler tags on my phone.

Suffice to say for now that the core of my theory regarding Azathani, Ascending and even Kallor could be now in question.

To do spoiler tags manually, you'd type:

[spoiler]spoiler here[/spoiler]

This post has been edited by Whisperzzzzzzz: 04 March 2020 - 01:32 AM

[Aptorian]

I'm on p. 36.

Toc has met Tool. Already they're forming that heart warming bond. Then they meet Lady Envy and now the Seguleh. Oh I so enjoyed that tension between Tool and the Seguleh and Envy's exasperation.

Envy is my favorite Ascendant. The most God like in her obliviousness of mortal frailty or needs.

[Keysi]

Cheers, Whisperzzzzz.

Yeah I'm at the same bit, Aptorian,such a good section. I loved the build up to the duel between Tool and Mok the entire book.

I remember on my first read hoping Tool would win and slowly changing to Mok as I began to hate the Tlan Imass over the course of the book, to eventually wanting Tool (or any Imass ) to run into Icarium and try their genocide out on him.

Was such powerful writing.

[Aptorian]

Started chapter 2. Picker and Blend! Having read two books without them I'd totally forgotten the rest of the Bridgeburners.

[Aptorian]

P. 46

‘I have known little happiness, mast—’ The god hissed. ‘Nor should you expect it! Not in this life, not in the thousand others you are doomed to endure before you attain salvation – assuming you have suffered enough to have earned it!’

Interesting quote from the CG. All souls belong to Hood and there's no afterlife associated with the House of Chains as far as I recall. Is the CG merely lying to coerce a follower or is there perhaps a system of reincarnation in his home dimension?

[Keysi]

Aptorian, on 04 March 2020 - 09:41 AM, said:

P. 46

‘I have known little happiness, mast—’ The god hissed. ‘Nor should you expect it! Not in this life, not in the thousand others you are doomed to endure before you attain salvation – assuming you have suffered enough to have earned it!’

Interesting quote from the CG. All souls belong to Hood and there's no afterlife associated with the House of Chains as far as I recall. Is the CG merely lying to coerce a follower or is there perhaps a system of reincarnation in his home dimension?

I've read somewhere on this forum that in an interview SE said that Kaminsod was from our Earth. So maybe Brahman? What about Buddhism? Does that have reincarnation?

Apologies to anyone offended by my ignorance of world religions, it's something I've been meaning to study I swear it!

This brings up a question of mine.

How exactly does the whole "alien realm" thing work in Malazan?

Would Mother Dark cout as an alien God? The Azathani?

There's already numerous warrens and demon dimensions, are the "alien" or what?

Or would it be from other planets in the same dimension? Surely that cuts as "alien"?

Do we have much in the way of cosmology for me to read up on?