tcgoetz's review against another edition
2.0
Reads like book three of a litrpg series. Names, places, and concepts all pile on with no background or explanation. Lots of contradictions.
foxon's review against another edition
2.0
The biggest challenge for epic fantasy is balancing the needed exposition and multiple POV perspectives to create a full world viewed through the eyes of characters the readers care about. I did not see any of that here. It felt like we were just dropped into an already developed series, I had to keep going back and looking up who someone was and where they were and I was still confused a lot of the time. We kind of follow three different characters, but there are so.very. many. POV and sometimes the perspective will switch in the middle of the scene. This made it so that I didnt really connect with or care about any of the people because there was just to many of them.
Then there is the problem with names. People/places/events all had names that didnt seem to be part of the same language or culture. Lets just use these examples for the characters: we have people named like the 7 dwarves (Picker, Hedge, Toc, Mallet, Fiddler, Topper, Sorry, Antsy), some people have two random words stuck together (Tattersail, Hairlock, Quick Ben, Nightchill) and then there is the best/worst name Whiskeyjack. What the hell? The rest of the characters have 'normal' fantasy names like A'Karonys, Tayschrenn and Bellurdan. It was just all over the map. Jumbled, Lost, Confused. That is how I felt through this whole book.
To end on a somewhat positive note, I thought the prose was fine and the setting/some plot points were interesting. Unfortunately I felt that sense the rest of the book was such a mess, they weren't interesting enough for me to continue with this series.
Then there is the problem with names. People/places/events all had names that didnt seem to be part of the same language or culture. Lets just use these examples for the characters: we have people named like the 7 dwarves (Picker, Hedge, Toc, Mallet, Fiddler, Topper, Sorry, Antsy), some people have two random words stuck together (Tattersail, Hairlock, Quick Ben, Nightchill) and then there is the best/worst name Whiskeyjack. What the hell? The rest of the characters have 'normal' fantasy names like A'Karonys, Tayschrenn and Bellurdan. It was just all over the map. Jumbled, Lost, Confused. That is how I felt through this whole book.
To end on a somewhat positive note, I thought the prose was fine and the setting/some plot points were interesting. Unfortunately I felt that sense the rest of the book was such a mess, they weren't interesting enough for me to continue with this series.
milo_hek's review against another edition
5.0
This was tough to start. I mean the first 600 pages were sheer determination to get through. By the end of the book I was superbly satisfied though. It felt really rewarding to pull through. I really enjoyed the way he wrapped up what seemed to be an inexplicable mess. Plenty of loose ends to feed into the next books but also a somewhat satisfying feeling of finally having grasped some level of what was going on. I am looking forward to future books in the hopes that other reviewers are correct and not every books needs 2/3 determination. I was prepared for it to be a tough start to the series though and I think that helped. Plus the pretty awesome ending and immediately wanting to continue to the next book helped.
loganmaloney's review against another edition
5.0
Wow what an insane book. I was intimidated to start this book because I read online that it’s extremely complex but those that get through the series absolutely love this book. In reading this I was using some outside material to help me as I read the book and it was extremely helpful and made this reading experience so enjoyable. I don’t remember the last book that I wanted to be constantly reading but this one really got me! Loved the characters, the prose and the huge world building.
bookscoffeeandpassion's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.5
page 213 32.42% : "Confused but interested!"
page 430 65.45% : "After 250 pages some details started to make sense. At this point (page 430) I'm obsessed with the story and trying to understand other stuff, character motivations, and where the plot is going.
Honestly, I'm impressed that Erikson managed to captivate me after the struggle to get into the story. Do I get everything that's going on? Absolutely not. Am I super invested in finding out? YES."
page 666 100% : My mind is blown. I would've rated this 4.5 stars, but I took 1 star from the rating because of the first very confusing 250 pages. But I'm obsessed with this world and these characters. I'm very intrigued with how the plot will progress. I'm super invested in it. Can't wait to read book 2.
nsheehan1228's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
horus's review against another edition
5.0
Releido, este es un libro que de primera lectura es un 6 pero despues de haberte leído toda la saga es un auténtico 10, Malaz el libro de los caidos es mi saga de fantasia preferida sin ningún género de dudas
noshoes94's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
phillysaurus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-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? No
5.0
Easier going second time around. Just enjoying being in the story, not trying to solve everything immediately this time and it's a much better reading experience!
chillcloud's review against another edition
5.0
Damn it feels good to be reading again and even better to be back to the Malazan world.
I didn’t remember giving this book five stars when I first read it but it clearly is a five star book. On this reread I could truly appreciate how beautiful Erikson’s prose is, he really is a talented author. The way he portrays emotions might not always be conventional but it always gets you. The characters really are great I loved reuniting with Quick and Kalam, loved seeing the work being done for the absolutely amazing development of Young Toc, Lorn was surprisingly high on the list of favorites.
But the best thing in all of this is the sense of wonder you have when reading this, what is going on the the seven cities? Who’s the Panion Seer, what will Rake do next, what will the bridge burners do next. It all seems so big and epic but you also get the small moments, maybe a bit more with the Darujhistan crew but also with Tattersail and Whiskyjack.
This book is truly a great start to a truly epic series. Loved it the first time loved it even more the second.
I didn’t remember giving this book five stars when I first read it but it clearly is a five star book. On this reread I could truly appreciate how beautiful Erikson’s prose is, he really is a talented author. The way he portrays emotions might not always be conventional but it always gets you. The characters really are great I loved reuniting with Quick and Kalam, loved seeing the work being done for the absolutely amazing development of Young Toc, Lorn was surprisingly high on the list of favorites.
But the best thing in all of this is the sense of wonder you have when reading this, what is going on the the seven cities? Who’s the Panion Seer, what will Rake do next, what will the bridge burners do next. It all seems so big and epic but you also get the small moments, maybe a bit more with the Darujhistan crew but also with Tattersail and Whiskyjack.
This book is truly a great start to a truly epic series. Loved it the first time loved it even more the second.