novoaust's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Going into this one, I wasn't expecting a whole lot, but found myself surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. Honestly though, Steven Erikson could probably write out his grocery list and I would end up loving it.
While this novella is there to introduce characters, it is a murder mystery at it's heart. Korbal Broach and Bauchelain are two characters that drive these novellas, but Emancipor Reese carried this one for me. All three characters briefly appeared un Memories of Ice so I wouldn't recommend reading this one until you have read MoI.
Erikson's writing is something I can gush about forever. He has a way with words and I never fail to get immersed in the story. Blood Follows opens up with bells ringing which signify the death of someone important. Just a few sentences in and I was eager to read on.
The missing star comes down to the enfing of this one feeling rushed. Right when the murder mystery part of the story really got going, we are slapped with a conclusion. I wish it had been longer, but enjoyed just about everything present.
While this novella is there to introduce characters, it is a murder mystery at it's heart. Korbal Broach and Bauchelain are two characters that drive these novellas, but Emancipor Reese carried this one for me. All three characters briefly appeared un Memories of Ice so I wouldn't recommend reading this one until you have read MoI.
Erikson's writing is something I can gush about forever. He has a way with words and I never fail to get immersed in the story. Blood Follows opens up with bells ringing which signify the death of someone important. Just a few sentences in and I was eager to read on.
The missing star comes down to the enfing of this one feeling rushed. Right when the murder mystery part of the story really got going, we are slapped with a conclusion. I wish it had been longer, but enjoyed just about everything present.
alwroteabook's review
5.0
This was a fun addition to the Malazan universe with two of the more entertaining characters from the original series. If you like Malazan, you'll get a kick out of this. If you're new to the Books of the Fallen, you'll likely get lost eventually. What's going on with this sudden popularity of novellas though? Not that I'm complaining.
mjt2289's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sarahgamal666's review
4.0
Could not put this down. Had me a little confused sometimes but overall a truly sinister novel. Enjoyed it a lot
mhedgescsus's review
2.0
Check out my new youtube channel where I show my instant reactions to reading fantasy books seconds after I finish the book.
Despite the intriguing characters, this book felt nothing more than a brief introduction to this series of short stories
This book is, at it's heart, a murder investigation - but ultimately fell flat due to a lack of plot development. It's clearly designed to introduce the three main characters characters to you and show why they are working together, and the murder mystery was just an excuse to do so.
As soon as the plot started to get interesting, the book suddenly ended. And while I did get some enjoyment out of the grim humor that was presented, the lack of a plot made this hard to digest. I would have greatly preferred this book to be twice the length (at least) so it could have explained the story in greater detail.
I have some hope though that the future stories in this series will improve now that we got our character introductions out of the way. At least I hope so.
Despite the intriguing characters, this book felt nothing more than a brief introduction to this series of short stories
This book is, at it's heart, a murder investigation - but ultimately fell flat due to a lack of plot development. It's clearly designed to introduce the three main characters characters to you and show why they are working together, and the murder mystery was just an excuse to do so.
As soon as the plot started to get interesting, the book suddenly ended. And while I did get some enjoyment out of the grim humor that was presented, the lack of a plot made this hard to digest. I would have greatly preferred this book to be twice the length (at least) so it could have explained the story in greater detail.
I have some hope though that the future stories in this series will improve now that we got our character introductions out of the way. At least I hope so.
acardattack's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
Fine start to learning about these characters, problem with these type of stories is waiting for the characters to meet. Look forward to reading more of these three
majkia's review
4.0
Erikson in his weird moments, writes a tale of the necromancers, Bauchelain and Broach. In this tale we learn how Mancy joins them and see how a town devolves as Broach does what he does best. Very weird!
bdesmond's review
4.0
I'm back in the Malazan world! And boy does it feel good. The Bauchelain and Korbal Broach novellas have been on my radar since I finished the main series, but I was waiting for the right time to fit them in. Obviously, I've begun. It was the Fall gloom that did it, I think. The subject matter of this story (and I believe the novellas at large) is rather grim, following as they do the necromancer Bauchelain, and his eunuch associate Korbal Broach. Those who have read the main Malazan series will remember them from the third book, Memories of Ice.
Now. It seems like some folks that read these were expecting more of the same, as far as the main series goes. Expectations of that variety would be a mistake. Blood Follows, and, one assumes, the tales that follow it, are lighter in substance that the main books, if not lighter in tone.
Our story this time takes place on the island of Theft, in the city of Moll; affectionately referred to as Lamentable Moll by most of its residents. That moniker makes sense right from the get-go, as we get our first look at Lamentable Moll in all its barrow-filled, downtrodden glory. It turns out that a killer is on the loose in Moll. Eleven nights running, eleven victims, and no witnesses. No souls, either. Thus the scene is set for our little novella. Malazan fans will also recognize Emancipor Reese, recently out of a job seeing as how his last three employers each were one of the unfortunate eleven. And Hood's new herald isn't exactly the gig he's after. Sergeant Guld, a new character, is our other main POV, and his is the unfortunate job of tracking down the killer.
This was a promising start to the novellas. I found myself enjoying it even more than expected. In fact, I was between four and five stars on my rating, and of course reserve the right to modify that later. I felt right at home with the story, as Erikson displays the witty banter and excellent dialogue that I love so much, and some trademark dark humor throughout. I think he picked a good set of characters to follow for a narrower scope series like this, and I'm excited to see where it goes next.
Now. It seems like some folks that read these were expecting more of the same, as far as the main series goes. Expectations of that variety would be a mistake. Blood Follows, and, one assumes, the tales that follow it, are lighter in substance that the main books, if not lighter in tone.
Our story this time takes place on the island of Theft, in the city of Moll; affectionately referred to as Lamentable Moll by most of its residents. That moniker makes sense right from the get-go, as we get our first look at Lamentable Moll in all its barrow-filled, downtrodden glory. It turns out that a killer is on the loose in Moll. Eleven nights running, eleven victims, and no witnesses. No souls, either. Thus the scene is set for our little novella. Malazan fans will also recognize Emancipor Reese, recently out of a job seeing as how his last three employers each were one of the unfortunate eleven. And Hood's new herald isn't exactly the gig he's after. Sergeant Guld, a new character, is our other main POV, and his is the unfortunate job of tracking down the killer.
This was a promising start to the novellas. I found myself enjoying it even more than expected. In fact, I was between four and five stars on my rating, and of course reserve the right to modify that later. I felt right at home with the story, as Erikson displays the witty banter and excellent dialogue that I love so much, and some trademark dark humor throughout. I think he picked a good set of characters to follow for a narrower scope series like this, and I'm excited to see where it goes next.
sade's review
4.0
Right so i decided to be ambitious, and try to do the ultimate malazan reading order ish, might not follow through all the way but what the heck.
so this was a very intriguing novella and really quite good. Bauchelain and Korbal Broach are definitely characters i can't wait to meet in the malazan series proper.