A review by sam_mehdi
Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson

5.0

This book was insane. I found myself scowling and breathing more heavily while reading, in response to the pure carnage that Erikson so capably presented. It's a reminder of how different the world can be, of how different our world once was.

The literary elements of Deadhouse Gates are just about unsurpassed by anything I've yet read. The deep character development, a truly riveting and engrossing plot, and the totally immersive world-building all mark Erikson as a paragon in fantasy authorship and, more humbly, as one of my favorite authors.

I'd like to point out the parallel between Coltaine's march across Seven Cities and Caesar's campaigns in Gaul. A fiercely professional and disciplined force finding itself deep within hostile country, without any prospect of reinforcement. I once watched an interview with Erikson in which he noted how great an inspiration history is to him. But as ever, one can never assume correctness when blindly grasping at the author's intentions.

I was dismayed at the number of typos that somehow made it into print, but I shan't let that dim my opinion of this stellar book. 10/10. I already bought the next book in this series when I was but midway through this one :)