Customer Reviews

House of Chains (The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 4)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a tale of two armies.

In the aftermath of Coltaine's death, the Adjunct Tavore must lead her rag-tag collection of soldiers into Raraku, the holy desert, in hopes of defeating Sha'ik's dreaded Army of the Apocalypse. Her army is uneasy. They are a patched together group of raw recruits, hoary old veterans and the broken survivors of Coltaine's army and they know nothing of the Adjunct, seeing her as untried and aloof.

In the meantime, Sha'ik is beset within her own army. The wily Korbolo Dom and his triumphant Dogslayers are the backbone of her fighting forces, yet they have their own agenda. The High Mages Bidithal and Febryl can't be trusted but they are necessary for Sha'ik's plans. Betrayal seems imminent from all sides. And Sha'ik herself is in turmoil as the Goddess of the Whirlwind and Felisin battle for the soul of the person they both inhabit.

The two armies meet one fateful night and two sisters will clash. Only one will remain standing.

While the two armies prepare for their monumental clash, we travel the journey of discovery with a remarkable warrior named Karsa Orlong. We watch as Lostara Yil, one of the formidable Red Blades, and a Claw named Pearl set out on a task set for them by Adjunct Tavore only to be horrified and saddened by what they discover.

This is the fourth book of the Tale of the Malazan but it picks up the thread of the story that ends in the second book, The Deadhouse Gates.

I had a hard time getting into this book at first because the first 200 pages details the exploits of a seemingly unknown warrior named Karsa Orlong. The events told actually pre-date the events of the first book of the series. As Karsa's story begins to unfold we start to catch up with the current time in the series. And as this first section ends, we realize that we have already met Karsa Orlong in the previous books, only by another name.

As is his M.O. with this series, Erikson starts slow but kicks into stride as the book moves along and we get to "current" events and the imminent clash of the two armies. Felisin, who had become hard and vengeful in book 2 as a result of her feelings of betrayal by her sister and the horrors she experienced as a slave, seems to be trying to find something of the old Felisin as she struggles with the Goddess. Erikson does a wonderful job conveying the suffocating atmosphere of distrust and imminent betrayal in Sha'ik's army while at the same time allows the slow coming together and gelling of Tavore's army. And there are great moments of soldier humor studded throughout the book.

Winding throughout is a bit more deep background of the beginnings of the Malazan Empire with Kellanved. Rope is portrayed as surprisingly human despite the fact that he's a God. And we get to watch (and mourn again) as people learn about the demise of the Bridgeburners.

Even though this is a good book to read, it was somewhat disappointing following the magnificent drama that was the third book, Memories of Ice. But the ending is spectacular (another of Erikson's M.O.s with this series) and once again is heartbreaking and leaves one with the astonished realization that he has managed to turn your assumptions or expectations of a character completely around and in a very realistic way.

Not the very best of the series, but still very good and better than many other books being written in the genre.

Steven Erikson is hardly known here in the states, where he's yet to publish, but his four fantasy novels are unequivocal modern classics. "House of Chains," the newest entry in the long-winded "A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen" series, continues the fascinating saga.

Fans of Jordan and Martin will be wowed by Erikson's epic, sweeping narrative and complex plots. Stephen R. Donaldson is quoted on the back of House of Chains, and for good reason. Comparisons could also be made to Glen Cook's "fantasy-noir" style, and other postmodern fantasy/scifi authors who effectively blur the lines between notions of good and evil.

Erikson's world is endlessly complex, replete with thousands of societies, deep history, vast geographies, and unique magic. There is plenty of humor, a fair amount of gore, and constant action. And an important, unavoidable facet of Erikson's writing style is that he challenges the reader. He doesn't deliver stock characters and cliched, predictable plots on a silver platter.

Start with "Gardens of the Moon," and order from amazon.co.uk if you must. Fingers crossed, Erickson will publish domestically, and all of those weak, poorly written, hackneyed derivative juvenile fantasy books currently choking the shelves of your local bookstore will be swept aside.

For those of you out there that still subscribe to the "Tolkien is God" theory of Fantasy, this book probably would drive you insane. While the sheer mass of the book and the number of characters are reminicent of the Lord of the Rings, that is where the comparison ends. Nowhere in Erikson's work will you find an elf, a dwarf, a dark lord, or a downtrodden youth turned hero. What you will find is a deliciously dark story full of courage and cowardice, complex and extremely flawed characters, and a plot line that moves with the feeling of the Fourteenth Army. There are no "good guys" in shining armor. Even the heroes are twisted, pulled by the forces of the greater struggle facing the Malazan Empire. Even the pantheon of "gods" in the book are strikingly ambiguous in their alignment. There is no good god, but those that we meet and get to know become strikingly human. There is no better example than Cotillion, the patron god of assassins, who becomes almost devestated when he is forced to use children to defend the Shadow Throne and also when he accepts the return of Apsalar.

For those that would say that the first 200 pages that chronicle the exploits of Karsa Orslong are a weakness to the story, I would have to say that I initially felt the same way. After reading the rest of the book, I have since changed my mind. Although he is not my favorite character (that distinction would have to go to Ganoes Paran or Fiddler), he has become an important part of the story.

Although this is not the best book in the Malazan series (that would have to be either Memories of Ice or The Bonehunters), this book gives important background into the mind of the Crippled God, as well as gives the "humanity" of Cotillion and Shadowthrone.

This book continues the tale where it was left off in the second book and leads us through to the meeting of forces in the holy desert of Raraku. The pace is fast and the characters memorable. Although it can be read as an individual book I would strongly recommend reading the series in the published order:-

1) Gardens of the Moon
2) Deadhouse Gates
3) Memories of Ice
4) House of Chains

The reason (apart from it being one of the best series I have ever read, see the reviews and ratings 4.5-5 stars each!) is that to gain the maximum enjoyment you need to understand the characters which have been built up over the previous 3 books into some of the most memorable I have the pleasure to experience. Fiddler and his love of explosive munitions, which he uses too close to allow his squad to feel comfortable.
A number of new characters that played small rolls in the previous books are brought to the fore as we see the interlacing of stories that helps explain some of the previous unexplained questions from previous books but also raises new ones. The best thing is that the story lines are separate but interlaced in a way that actually closes some of your unanswered questions! Unlike some series.
I am eagerly awaiting the 5th book, that I will undoubtedly buy as soon as it appears

For those of you who have made it this far, you can't turn back now. The story grows more complex and tragic from here on out, but it is some of the best fantasy that I have ever read. The characters are interesting and much of what goes on is just fun to read about. If you are struggling keeping up with who everyone is and what they are about then you are normal, but isn't it so interesting?

I am a huge fan of Fantasy and these books are definitely in my top 5 series.

Fantasy writers tell usually tales about power , quests and the eternal struggle between good and evil .
G.R.R Martin is not .
S.Erikson is not either .

There is a dark poesy in this series that takes you and carries you along .
Every character is a world in itself .
Let us not be mistaken , there is a lot of action and it IS an epic tale with a huge scope and a highly detailed world .
But Erikson somehow succeeds to give to each and every character a unique greatness .
There are no flat , mindless characters (like f.ex Goodkind's Rahl who is so stereotypical that it borders on parody) , the people you meet here are like nothing you have ever seen .

By any means , read it and have an experience that will make you wanting much more of S.Erikson .

1037 pages of super-dense little tiny text. Whomp.

When I read this book, I was thinking about a question an online friend asked lately about the difference between literary fiction and genre fiction. I didn't know how to answer her question then, and I still don't now. But the question has been itching away in the back of my head because I think that there is-- at least for me-- some kind of an answer. But I'm kind of like one of those irritating people who say "I don't know much about art, but I know what I like."

So then I thought-- hey, what do I like? So then I started thinking about the genre fiction that I really liked and what various books would be if they were music. It's kind of a bizarre switch, but it more or less worked for me. Some kinds of fantasy-- romantic fantasy, for one, are kind of like pop music. It can be really satisfying, but is very rarely surprising. The text deedle dees around and is sweet and even if it's dealing with a really serious life issue it still comes out sort of like Madonna singing "papa don't preach". (I'm sure that I'm going to offend someone with this, but in my defense I don't claim to be speaking for anyone except myself.) There can be perfect pop songs, and I *adore* them-- but the thing that stands out if they're really true to form is the lack of surprise for me as a listener.

So. There's something about surprise in what I think of as more "literary fiction". In musical terms, if I think: "that's a really good pop song", then it's genre. If I think "that's a really great song", then it's literary fiction. (It's also possible for something to be both, but that's messy and just confuses my metaphor. Which is frankly already confused enough.)

So. What is Steven Erikson? Well, not a really good pop song, that's for sure. Erikson is more like a really good metal-leaning song by some band like Blue Oyster Cult or Deep Purple. It's nearly silly long. There's lots of violence and adult themes. There are many many layers which show off the writer's technical mastery. But there still isn't really much in way of surprise. So. A really good metal song.

But for me, that's an accomplishment. I don't like metal. I don't really like the battle-heavy tough men doing tough things stuff which is Erikson's stock-in-trade. Still, I really like this book.

The first book in this series made me nuts. Too much. Too dense. Now on book 4, I'm not sure that much has changed except it just doesn't bother me anymore. I just read the darn thing and let the things that I don't understand float by me and away. I cope with the 70,000,000 characters. I actually kind of enjoy the tortuously complex structure of the powers-that-be. In short, on book 4 I am now nearly fully converted.

So, book 4 in the Malazan book of the fallen. No idea what really happened. Ghosts, death, Gods, truth, battles. The usual. But I didn't really care either-- darn good fun.

Onwards and upwards to book 5.

See my review of Deadhouse Gates for context if you wish.

Erikson's first book was a fun, if confusing fantasy novel. His 2nd book was a gore and rape filled horror slog through hell. I understand some of that was necessary for the point he was trying to make, but I felt it was over the top.

With the third and fourth books of the series he has finally found the balance he needs to bring all his elements together. He is still 1/2 horror novelist, 1/2 fantasy novelist, but the mix of these two elements comes more naturally and there is more humor, and pleasant characterization going on. The plot is intensely complicated, and each book adds even more characters to learn about. Read the other reviews for plot elements and such, but here are the few things you really need to know:
Erikson is a great writer of very complex stories. If you like world building you will be wildly impressed, but often confused!
He likes war, soldiers, strategy, gods and magic and the books are FULL of these elements
He dislikes romantic stuff. People do care for each other and there have been some meaningful story lines that have a relationship bent, but in general he avoids them. Even when it happens it is never "romantic"
He has a sarcastic and cutting sense of humor that I really enjoy

Try the first three books (you'll make it through the 2nd I promise... jsut keep going) and you'll know exactly what you're going to get.

The Malazan series redefines the meanings of "grand" and "epic" in fantasy- the scale of Erikson's endeavor is breathtaking.

Karsa Orlong's character arc (which gets quite a bit of screen time) was interesting to follow in this volume, and the reader isn't swamped with as many new characters as in the previous volumes. Erikson's books take a long time for the plot to build momentum--reading Memories of Ice sometimes felt like a long, wearing treck before reaching the thrilling resolution-- but by focusing on fewer plot threads, the Houe of Chains begins to "pay out" much sooner.

Yet while I'm enjoying these doorstopper novels, it is with a mild interest. The Malazan series certainly has a devout fan following, but it does not have a universal appeal for all fantasy readers. And if you've read the first three books of the series, you probably know whether or not you're a fan.

House of Chains is more tightly knit than its predecessors (despite its gargantuan size) and I've enjoyed it best of the four Malazan books I've read at this point. If you liked Memories of Ice and Deadhouse Gates, then you won't be disappointed by House of Chains. However, if reading the first 3000 pages of the Malazan series has been more of a chore than a pleasure, don't expect anything radically different from book four; rather, see if you like the writing of George R. R. Martin or R. Scott Bakker better instead.

This is the first of the Steven Erikson's "Malazan Book of the Fallen" series that I did not enjoy as much as the preceding ones... let me explain.

Unlike previous books in this series, (where there many short chapters introducing many different characters and multiple story lines), the "House of Chains" begins with a long section (263 pages) envolving one person and one theme. This particular character I did not really "bond" with; thus this first part of this book I found somewhat tedious and took me a long time to get through. After this initial slow beginning the author then reverted to his normal style of story telling and I found this much more interesting and I had that urge to get back to this book and read whenever I could.

The other area of concern (at least to me) was the ending; with so many characters in so many different places that I found it difficult to tell just what was going on, to whom and where events were happening.

All in all a good book 4, in this otherwise magnificent series; just not quite up quality of the previous three.