Reviews

Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson

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

widald's review against another edition

dark emotional sad

4.0

My enjoyment skyrocketed once I stopped trying to figure everything out and focused on Erikson's themes instead. 

Themes i loved: Time and mortality; rebirth; hope, despair, and duty; illusions and control. 

rorythebookdragon's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

mbouldin's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

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

3.25

will622's review against another edition

5.0

Either I need more stars or I got to go drop all my other review ratings. Such a good book! This series is definatly pushing the needle to decide if this is my favorite series or if Stormlight is.

kayay's review against another edition

adventurous dark slow-paced

3.75