officiumdefunctorum

While I understand Erikson's desire to get on with it, that sort of inconsistency is one of my pet peeves. Some hand waving in terms of unreliable narrators and the shifting narrative of history, sure, cool, and writing what is essentially a prequel inevitably will bring in some conflicts, but still: annoying. I'm already about 8 hours into Fall of Light and the lofty tones are quite apparent. I do tend to zone out a little during the philosophical nattering. The pontificating on what is essentially time travel is fun, though. It's not nearly so obnoxious as Bakker, which would be a feat. @Briar King Are you reading Robin Hobb?

Just finished Forge of Darkness, which I enjoyed immensely, now onto Fall of Light. Spoilery thoughts below.

True, but the man who wears the Royal Blanket stole the show entire, at least for me. He was the first character I really loved in the series. Shurq Elalle definitely would have made it into the list, but I needed room for Fiddler.

Nah, I kinda thought she was a bit boring. She and Crokus both. Telorast and Kurdle were a riot, though. Also, I can't believe I forgot about Icarium! Ugh, too many characters that are amazing...

Oh man. Top five is easy, but top ten is hard. In no particular order beyond the first two: Tehol Beddict Trull Sengar Silchas Ruin Gruntle Karsa Orlong Ganoes Paran Bottle Helian Fiddler Quickben/Kalam

If Michael Kramer could just narrate everything ever that would be great.

@AngelEy3 Solid opinions, here. Esslemont books are easy to listen to, though Banks (I think) pronounces some things differently than either of the other narrators. Ralph Lister narrates the first three Erikson books, and I love some of what he does, and do not love other things. He's one of my favorite overall narrators, though, and you'll not be displeased. I especially liked his version of Icarium. Michael Page takes over on book four. It took some getting used to, because of the switch (I get very attached to narrators). I like him, though; he does well with the drama of it, though he's got a few irritating quirks of pronunciation and voice changes, especially for female characters... It always gets a bit, I don't know, phlegmy? He corrects the mispronounced words by book five, though, I think, which isn't unusual for audiobook narrators. I WILL say that I massively prefer Page's versions of Kalam and Quickben, at the least, and he does Karsa Orlong very well. There is a mysterious fourth narrator out there who did the whole collection (I think) but he is terrible and I refused to listen to more than a minute of it before going back to Michael Page.

I started picking up on that another hour or so into the audiobook. And I do indeed remember who/what the Azathenai are! So far it's early to make judgments on much, though it is quite interesting so far. I can dig navel gazing when done well, but I've got more than 20 hours left forge so it'll be a few days before I move on.

Speaking of grim, I just started Forge of Darkness last night. Interesting so far, and I'm sure my confusion on exactly what the heck race these people are will clear up eventually... I hope.

I HAD LITERALLY THE SAME THOUGHT. Friend of mine shared this article, if you're interested, which has (in my opinion) some poignant content. It's what brought Malazan to my mind in the first place.

I was just thinking about how I hadn't heard anything from this thread in a while. I'm taking a break from Malazan to tackle some other things on my reading list. I keep eyeing Toll the Hounds, though. I'm tempted to jump back in.

YES, that's him. And I agree completely. Even if I always want more of any given character's story, I love how Erikson at least gives you a glimpse into their pasts and internal contemplations. But really. Skulldeath and that entire squad are the best thing.

Guys, Skulldeath is such an underappreciated character. I wish there were more to his story. As soon as he popped up (ha, pun) in RG I nearly cheered.

Right? My sister is stalled out on Gardens of the Moon (she just got a new nursing job, so that's a valid excuse), and my other main reading buddy is doing her first Stormlight read. Nobody understaaaands.

Okay so I managed to stop my Malazanv re-read long enough to read Angus Watson's Iron Age trilogy, which was interesting and funny but not really satisfying, and I can't help myself I HAVE TO READ REAPER'S GALE NOW ESP AFTER ALL YOUR COMMENTS. I am weak.

I've managed to halt myself on RG and read something else. I'd forgotten how much went down right at the end of the Bonehunters, and how done with everyone's crap Fiddler is. He and Bottle are the best.

That is indeed a thing! Speaking of things we missed. Concerning Kettle: the first time around it just kind of passed over my head that her "other body"

True, but not really adequate recompense for my emotional suffering.

@Ammanas YES THAT

@AngelEy3, well, yeah, but we also get to see

@Ammanas For sure. But I can handle the heroic sacrifices and deaths in battle. The tragic or pointless or vaguely justified deaths just hurt. Like, I get the realistic element of it, but UGH. @TheOrlionThatComesBefore Still not as bad as Second Apocalypse, though I've yet to read Karkhanus...

True, but for me, nothing tops.

@Briar King Well now I'm thinking about Beak and his childhood and am sad. In other news, I am terrible and can't get off the Malazan train and just started my book 6 re-read. Corabb is the best thing. Leoman doesn't deserve him. "You are Leoman of the Feathers, and it shall be as you say."

Rereading House of Chains. I am never going to stop laughing about the birdshit scorpion. XD

She knows, because I've obliquely complained to her about it, before, haha. But I made sure she knew it was a good story and that the next book is even better. She'll stick it out. I make good recommendations, mostly because I get them from people on the Shard!