Reviews

Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson

chaldoun's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

mike_junior's review against another edition

4.0

It’s years since I read book #1, so wasn’t sure if that would matter as can hardly remember it. As it was, I enjoyed this, looking forward to really getting into the series now.

ageorgiadis's review against another edition

5.0

"The lesson of history is that no one learns."

Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen series is consistently impressive. There is a huge world with a complex history in which a swirl of characters and loyalties and back-stories are spinning your head, yet you are fed sufficient scraps to follow.

If I can make a comparison, [b:Dune|234225|Dune (Dune Chronicles, #1)|Frank Herbert|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1434908555s/234225.jpg|3634639] seems appropriate. The world-building is predicated on consistent absence of explanation but lots of showing. Immeasurably powerful or cool characters come up in conversation, but you might not see them – for the entire 700 page book! Characters or places are introduced to the reader as they might be to any character in the world: casual, off-hand, with no wink, nod, or hint that this was significant. Happenings might make no sense. The characters are often as confused as we are, or die before developing cognizance of their role in their own story. There is a distinct absence of Chekhov’s Guns.

The beauty and breadth of Malazan is leavened by a paradoxically spare writing style and sparse characterization. Lots of secondary (or even main!) characters simply look and act similarly (in my mind’s eye, at least). No great effort is made in carving distinct personnages and this works to great effect. Some exceptions, of course (old historian, black assassin, etc.).

The magic system, if it can be called such, is still mysterious. Anything seems possible though it never seems like cheating. Also, characters become possessed, reborn, remade, and renamed with a casual-ness that adds confusion and beauty because of the multiple lifetimes of experiences affecting someone’s actions at a given moment, to which the reader may be entirely privy.

For any epic fantasy fan, this is a difficult but worthy read.

darklaix's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

kba25's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

kblackmon's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

scottyoung02's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

agentx2zero's review against another edition

5.0

'Deadhouse Gates' is by far the best Fantasy novel I have ever read. I was up at 4am this morning reading the last chapters of this incredible book.

I wanted to read The Malazan: Books of the Fallen for a long time but was always too intimidated to begin. I read 'Gardens of the Moon' last year, and as many people warn, I didn’t have a clue what was going on for most of the book. Multiple plotlines, multiple POVs, Humans, Immortals, and Gods all interacting, and a confusing magic system made me exhausted and a little disappointed.

Oh, but I knew the reviewers encourage readers to give the Malazan universe until book 2 to pass judgment on the series.

I began 'Deadhouse Gates' the same way (bewildered), but either Erikson’s writing changed, or my brain learned how to interpret his writing style (definitely the latter) because about 20% in, the book clicked for me. I found myself obsessed with the story.

Be warned - 'Deadhouse Gates' is the very definition of Grimdark. It will break your heart.

I can’t wait to begin the 3rd book in the series ('Memories of Ice' ), but I need to read a less intellectually and emotionally demanding book first.

An easy 5/5.

ryzar's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

Malazan's world is dark, wide, mysterious, and deep. Very well written and thought out but very dense and not one to make it easy for a reader. Also really cannot stress the darkness here enough this will absolutely not be a book for everyone or for anyone already in a dark mood.

dani_reis's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0