Orlion Blight

1) The Titus Books, better known as the Gormenghast Trilogy. by Mervyn Peake. They represent a high literary point in fantasy literature that I have not seen replicated since. 2) Aegypt by John Crowley. Technically magic realism, comes pretty close to Peake's books in my opinion. In fact, I often refer to John Crowley as The One True Author. 3) The Lord of the Rings by Name Escapes me First introduction to fantasy literature. 4) The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever- Stephen R Donaldson. Opened the door for me to expand my literary horizons. 5) Eh.

For Malazan, it's for the following reason: you're going to get thrown in the middle of events no matter where you start. So yes, Deadhouse Gates is great, Memories of Ice are better, but it's better to get nearly drowned in Gardens of the Moon and get a sense of the style and characters before you get into later books. I would add that if neither Deadhouse Gates nor Memories of Ice impress you, just stop. It will not get better for you.

Titus Groan Currently, I am reading The Neutronium Alchemist by Peter F. Hamilton.

Yeah, there are only a few "destinations" that can be reached in fiction, it's the journey that provides variety! It's also nice to have books to look forward to!