#Genabackis

[eminjbrylv]

#Malazan #deadhouse gates #duiker #coltaine #chain of dogs #Malazan 2 #steven erikson #wickan #Bult #Aren #seven cities #Genabackis #Korbolo Dom #felisin paran #Felisin #Heboric #Raraku

[apollo-cackling]

🔥 on malazan, if you don't mind!

[I'm ~1/3 done reading HoC for context]

oh hmm what's an actual unpopular malazan opinion? pretty sure "I would defend Felisin with my goddamn life" is at least a contested opinion on the subreddit, but most folks agree on that here uhhh. here's a few scattershot opinions, hope at least one of them are unpopular:

I do rather like the opening to House of Chains? I saw several people say they didn't like it/that Karsa wasn't interesting enough to carry it, and I don't know if that's the general opinion or an outlier that I stumbled upon but yk. disagree it was fun watching him fuck around and find out + the Silanda reveal (and the other worldbuilding stuff) was really goddamn cool. I wouldn't say it's in my list of favourite malazan parts but it's nowhere near the bottom

Siege of Capustan was a really compelling sequence, but between it and Toc's PoV, somewhere along the line the Pannions(' brutality) broke my suspension of disbelief a little? I've never really liked gorey evil empires though lol tbf

the malazan marine POVs are generally pretty solidly mid-tier for me? they're still good, just outclassed by the other POVs (so say Felisin in DG and Itkovian/the Envy entourage in MoI)

I get that this is more a "we didn't really have the opportunity to see it" thing than anything else bc clearly it does happen (Felisin on the transport ship to the otataral mines) but I wish it wasn't mostly non-Malazans perpetrating (onscreen) sexual violence not sure on the implications on that one. ...although I have seen something to the implication that these books are in part in-universe propaganda? nvm going to reserve judgment on this one

#thanks for the ask! #my rambles #this got pretty rambly + messy idk how much sense it makes lol #+ memory's a bit fuzzy rn sorry for anything that causes #always a lil nervous talking about malazan stuff lol bc ik for a fact I'm missing so many pieces #actually one thing I find really interesting about Karsa right is how much of a self-imposed problem he is? #like iirc there were >0 parts where at that point he just wanted to get back to genabackis to... #reveal the lies the Teblor have been living under?? forgot but anyway the malazans keep chasing him which is how he ended up with leoman #which like #ties into another thing I really love about the setting right there's so many supremely powerful people it's like natural disasters #I don't believe in punitive justice but like. karsa's killed and hurt this many people and the best course of action is to let him go #not bc he's repented or changed or anything just bc we don't think he has a reason to do it again is yk. bleak #did I write the 'I love the way the malazan setting goes yes gods are human. and that's *horrifying*' post #cool stuff! #note that I took the race science stone tablet to be an in universe fuckup bc *gestures at the state of the Teblor* #if it's not actually a fuckup my liking of this section's going to go down a few notches though #also tbf to the malazan marines they're pretty top notch execution of what they're going for #the thing they're going for just isn't my thing though lol #malazan #ask #ask game

[litcityblues]

'Gardens of the Moon' --A Review

After finishing Rhythm of War last year, I decided that I wanted to take a Sanderbreak (Sandercation?) for a while and was looking around for a nice, meaty fantasy series to chomp into and decided that I would take the plunge and see what Malazan: Book of the Fallen was all about.

I know that might seem a little crazy to people: going from Sanderson to Erickson seems like going storm chasing for relaxation purposes, but I wanted to pace myself. I figured, one book a year, it'll be the series that takes me through my 40s and I'll wrap it up just in time to turn 50 and be done with it. Seemed like a good plan, so I grabbed Book One, Gardens of the Moon off Kindle and jumped right into it.

Instantly, I could see why people find this series so intimidating. It was hard to get into. The early parts of this book felt like I was reading someone's DND campaign, which, strangely enough, turned out to be kind of true. (Technically, it was a GURPS campaign.) But, I persevered and kept going and things started falling into place. Characters started being consistent-- I started to like them! Paran showed up! We met Tattersail! We were getting an idea of what was going on in this book with the Bridgeburners and their Sergeant, Whiskeyjack and then, just as I was finding a groove, the story switched to a totally different place and an all-new set of characters.

I cannot begin to tell you how frustrating I found that.

(All the Malazan fans reading this are now nodding their heads and saying things like 'Oooooh, buddy, just you wait- it gets better!')

After getting myself over that particular hump, then things really began to click. The characters started coming together. The mission becomes clear and by the time I got to the end of the book, I was staying up late just to finish it because I wanted to see what happens.

Gardens of the Moon opens in the 96th year of the Malazan Empire where 12-year-old Ganoes Paran watches as the Mouse Quarter of Malaz City is sacked. He wants to be a soldier when he grows up, though the veteran sergeant Whiskeyjack, watching on the ramparts with him, disapproves of that.

Flash forward seven years later and the Emperor has been overthrown and replaced by the chief of the assassins, the new Empress Laseen, whose rule is backed up by the Claw, the imperial assassins. They're several years into a series of wars launched by Malazan to conquer the continent of Genabackis.

The High Fist Dujek and the Malazan 2nd Army have been besieging the city of Pale, one of the two Free Cities left on the continent for several years. Pale is holding out thanks to an alliance with the powerful Anomander Rake, leader of the non-human Tiste Andii. Pale does a fierce battle and Rake takes his floating fortress, the Moon's Spawn, and withdraws south. The Empire did take severe losses, however, and some characters suspect that the Empire may be engineering the elimination of those who loyal to the former Emperor.

The last free city remaining is Darujhistan and that's where the characters start to converge. The surviving Bridgeburners and Whiskeyjack are to infiltrate the city and work with the assassin's guild to take down the leadership to make conquest easier for Malazan. Paran and Tattersail are heading toward the city because now gods and other magical forces appear to be converging on the city as well.

Everything comes to a head in Darujhistan. Rake allies with the real rulers of the City, a secret cabal of mages. The Empire and Adjunct Lorn release an ancient being, a Jaghut Tyrant in hopes of damaging Rake or injuring him enough to force him to withdraw. The Tyrant is defeated and Rake takes down a demon lord released inside the city.

The book ends with Dujek and Whiskeyjack leading the 2nd Army into rebellion against the Empress, the Seven Cities following in their wake. They want allies- not to fight the Empress, but to fight the Pannion Seer, a new empire advancing from the southeast and more dangerous than anything they can possibly imagine.

Overall: I love how everyone secrets in this book. I love how every single character is a shade of grey. Erickson leans far, far away from any fantasy notions of clear-cut heroes and villains here and it's so refreshing to read.

I also love how he deals with trauma. Every character is broken and traumatized in their own way. They're living on a continent that's been consumed by war and death for at least seven years now. But and I'm not sure exactly how to word this- the trauma they've suffered is not the end all be all of the character, which stands in stark contrast to what you see in The Stormlight Archives and Wheel of Time.

(And yes, I know Rhythm of War takes excellent, awesome strides to acknowledge this problem with Kaladin and force him to examine his trauma, which is unusual for fantasy and so awesome to see- but it also puts him through yet another wringer. Again. Part of Rand's character arc in Wheel of Time does lead to 'Veins of Gold', but there's also an awful lot of trauma that defines the character before you get there-- so I acknowledge that it's not quite that clear cut, but Malazan handles trauma way differently.)

The writing in this is excellent and a lot of the moments that caught me by surprise in retrospect weren't exactly hidden- they were just subtle enough that if you blinked you might miss them. (For instance, the character of Sorry/Apsalar is possessed by a God- The Rope at the start of the book and freed by the end, but it took me a bit to put two and two together with that. Same way with the big reveal at the end of the book-- the big reveals are all right there if you know where to look, but they're just sprinkled in so gently that it's easy to miss them, which makes the subsequent reveal that much more impactful.

The magic system took some getting used to, but I also loved the approach there as well. It's just magic. People do it. You figure out the complexities and the rules of the system throughout the story.

Conclusion: You son of a bitch, I'm in! But, I'm going to pace myself with these books, right? One book a year, that was the plan. Nice and easy. Slow and steady wins the race. I don't want to burn on this series after all, but...

I've already snagged Deadhouse Gates off Kindle. My Grade: **** out of ****

#gardens of the moon #malazan #book of the fallen #steven erikson #book review

[iwillberunningfromdemons]

The Tenescowri ringed the city in a thick, seething band. A third of a million, maybe more. Such a mass of people as Buke had never seen before. And the band had begun to constrict. A strangely colourless, writhing noose, drawing ever closer to the city's feeble, crumbled walls and what seemed but a handful of defenders.

There would be no stopping this assault. An army measured not by bravery, but by something far deadlier, something unopposable: hunger. An army that could not afford to break, that saw only wasting death in retreat.

Capustan was about to be devoured.

The Pannion Seer is a monster in truth. A tyranny of need. And this will spread. Defeat him? You would have to kill every man, woman and child on this world who are bowed to hunger, everyone who faces starvation's grisly grin. It has begun here, on Genabackis, but that is simply the heart. This tide will spread. It will infect every city, on every continent, it will devour empires and nations from within.

I see you now, Seer. From this height. I understand what you are, and what you will become. We are lost. We are all truly lost.

Memories of Ice, by Steven Erikson (Malazan Book of the Fallen #3)

#this is terrifying #malazan #steven erikson #malazan book of the fallen #the malazan book of the fallen #memories of ice #books #fantasy #fantasy books #fantasy literature #capustan #tenescowri #pannion seer #pannion domin #dark fantasy #dark fantasy books #epic fantasy #high fantasy #book quotes #books and reading #books and quotes

[nikihawkes]

Book Review: House of Chains by Steven Eri\kson

Title: House of Chains Author: Steven Erikson Series: Malazan #4 Genre: Fantasy Rating: 4/5 stars The Overview: In Northern Genabackis, tribal mountain warriors raid southern flatlands. Years later, Tavore, Adjunct to the Empress, enters the last Malazan stronghold. New to command, she must hone 12,000 recruits to resist the Whirlwind of her sister Sha in the Holy Desert. The power struggle…

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#book #book review #book reviews #books #fantasy #fantasy books #house of chains #malazan #malazan book of the fallen #malazan ultimate reading order #niki hawkes #steven erikson #the obsessive bookseller

[batmonkfish80]

[projetosnopapel]

Malazanos: Para Amar ou Odiar.

O livro Jardins da Lua do autor Steven Erickson é o primeiro da série sobre o Império Malazano e sua ofensiva no continente de Genabackis, têm 608 páginas que vão nos mostrar acontecimentos da história com vários pontos de vista. Jardins da Lua não é a história de como Ganoes Paran realiza sua jornada, atravessando por dificuldades, treinando com um mestre e derrotando um vilão. Todos possuem…

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#Autor canadense #Bookstagrammers #fantasy books #goodreads #Instablog #maratonando séries #reading challenge #séries de Fantasia #skoob

[thewyrdwritere]

The God is Not Willing

The God is Not Willing by Steven Erikson My rating: 5 of 5 stars Rejoice good souls for Steven Erikson has unleashed a new Malazan tale!! The God is Not Willing , a sequel set ten years after the Malazan Book of the Fallen, begins the new Witness series and it is epic from start to finish. The plot follows the beleaguered 2nd company of the XIVth Legion down to three under strength squads following a nasty confrontation with a local Mercenary band. To make matters worse the Malazan Captain has only gone and hired said mercenaries as allies!! Easy bedfellows they do not make and the simmering tension between the two groups hints at all sorts of trouble erupting. These uneasy bed mates seek to bolster the local garrison a handful of Regulars in the Village of Silver Lake in Northern Genabackis against the stirrings of the local tribes. An invasion seems imminent. In the face of world changing catastrophe the mighty Teblor Tribes have been unified by a new Warleader. Elade Tharos manipulates the Teblor’s thirst for revenge against the slavery of the Sunyd and Rathyd tribes by the pre-Malazan southlanders to unite all the Teblor in his name. Tharos is an interesting character, (though he falls prey to a certain trope of Erikson's antagonists) he talks the big game, but works to a low personal one despite his intent on bringing the Teblor out from the long shadow of Karsa Orlong, recently raised to godhood, whose past actions lay heavy consequences over proceedings. All manner of people, creatures, spirits and forgotten gods are moving as an ancient magic dies. All that stands between the Empire and the thousands of the Northern Tribes are eighteen Malazan Marines and two thousands untrustworthy mercenaries. Yes the deck is stacked against our plucky Malazans. Buckle up that hauberk soldier, it's going to get rough. The emotional heart of the plot is Rant, the half-blood son of Karsa Orlong, an innocent beset by trauma and tragedy. Driven out of the Village of Silver Lake by an act of heart-breaking mercy, he barely survives but seeks the Teblor Tribes and his father's people, as the son of the most unwilling god Karsa, the welcome is not one that Rant readily understands, yet Rant has something about him that pulls along strange allies. Rant is a sympathetic character, initially, Rant's development as a character is delicately handled, elements of both his parents play into Rant's journey, as parts of Karsa are revealed it leaves you with a real sense of misgiving about the young Teblor. I’ll admit to not always liking Karsa in the Malazan Book of the Fallen, and I really wasn't all that excited for the sequel set up around him. Karsa has a lot to answer for and it is to Erikson's credit that he begins this new series with a character that might well have a power to force Karsa to answer. It's more of a deeper personal and emotional narrative to explore the big man's legacies rather than focusing on the big sulk himself. Rant's story sets up a lot of interest for the next book, but the true stars of Malazan books have always been the Marines and in The God is Not Willing we get quite the bunch. Erikson's tone and style has always been deeply philosophical, sometimes irritatingly dense in more emotional moments but here the philosophical tone really shines when married to his sarky black humour. The epitomes of Erikson's style are the Malazan Marines whose banter, piss-taking judgements on each other’s hygiene and general tomfoolery are a joy in a bleak world. A shout out to Stillwater the knifey-mage who pretends to just be sneaky rather than having access to Emurlahn, she's not fooling anyone, or perhaps she's fooling everyone, in typical shadowy fashion Erikson keeps some mysteries held back. Stillwater is a riot, steals every scene until Creature turns up, and is badass enough to 'play' with a Hound of Shadow. You may end up wondering why someone so powerful is just a lowly Marine, it's not like she's Oams who’s obviously Claw but won't admit it, again some mysteries are held back for the right moment. The antagonists though, they all seem to suffer from the same character defect, Tharos is the kind of guy who presents himself as impressive but the person who finds him most impressive is himself. He's not the only one, there's a certain trio of mercenary night-blades who don't really ingratiate themselves with the Malazans nor the reader. They're a tensed cord of arrogant rage gaging to lash out at any perceived slight and fuck the consequences which will last throughout the series. The funniest example though is the loser Jheck Nilghan, a constant whiner, who thinks he's all that just because he left the northern wastes and ventured into the Malazan Empire, the subtle reveal of his time there is hilariously petty. He's closely followed by the Heavies in the humour stakes, whose arguments are decided by quoting high culture poetry, but that's the thing about this particularly Legion of Malazan Marines, as the story unfolds and the stakes raise something seems amiss, it’s like everyone's hiding something. The plot doesn't resolve itself quite like I expected, the comeuppances, the reveals and the twists, when they come are perfectly plotted, explosive and brutal, heart-breaking and harrowing but full of the deep meaningful heroics that only the Malazans can provide. Erikson's style is always to simmer the action and build to a crescendo and with The God is Not Willing he provides the most shattering crescendo yet. Yet the denouement of The God is Not Willing hit me with an unsettling resonance with real world events. It’s easy to view the Malazan Marines as a pro-military stance, like the Autobots or the Avengers, the ode to western military interventionism seen as intrinsically morally heroic, whatever the cost, it seems a little naïve when faced with the brutal callousness of reality. Erikson, though, is a deeply philosophical author and that the God is Not Willing can raise unsettling questions on the nature of war and soldiers shows more nuance than some might credit a fantasy book. The God is Not Willing is a triumphant return to the Malazan Empire. The pre-built Malazan world allows Erikson's imagination, philosophy and knack for creating memorable characters and scenes to run rampant but his skill as an author keeps everything tightly plotted, and moving forward without overstaying its welcome as parts of the Book of the Fallen did. It is possibly my favourite Malazan book!! And don't get me started on the cameos.... View all my reviews

#book #books #bookworm #book review #reading #literature #fantasy #fantasy fiction #epic fantasy #malazan #bookstagram #review

[xxravenonmyshoulderxx]

Genabackis: The Malazan Campaign ca. 1160 Burn’s Sleep #fictionmaps #maps #gardensofthemoon #bookone #malazanbookofthefallen #stevenerikson #genabackis #themalazancampaign #ca1160 #burnssleep #panniondomin #previousfreecities #battles #malazanoccupation #huddsea #meningalleocean #rustocean (at Wolseley, Winnipeg) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqDlsx-gbeM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=87o2fn9vg42p

#fictionmaps #maps #gardensofthemoon #bookone #malazanbookofthefallen #stevenerikson #genabackis #themalazancampaign #ca1160 #burnssleep #panniondomin #previousfreecities #battles #malazanoccupation #huddsea #meningalleocean #rustocean

[surejaya]

Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1)

Download : Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1) More Book at: Zaqist Book

Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1) by Steven Erikson

The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, ancient and implacable sorcerers. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen's rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins. For Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of Bridgeburners, and for Tattersail, surviving cadre mage of the Second Legion, the aftermath of the siege of Pale should have been a time to mourn the many dead. But Darujhistan, last of the Free Cities of Genabackis, yet holds out. It is to this ancient citadel that Laseen turns her predatory gaze. However, it would appear that the Empire is not alone in this great game. Sinister, shadowbound forces are gathering as the gods themselves prepare to play their hand... Conceived and written on a panoramic scale, Gardens of the Moon is epic fantasy of the highest order--an enthralling adventure by an outstanding new voice.

Download : Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1) More Book at: Zaqist Book

#book #zaqistbook #epub #kindle #GreatReads #MustRead #WhatToRead

[toctheyounger]

Raest in “Gardens of the Moon” : “I’M A JAGHUT TYRANT BACK FROM MY SLUMBER HERE TO ENSLAVE GENABACKIS” Raest in “Orb Sceptre Throne”: “I’m playing cards, get the fuck out of my house”

#that's character progression right there #he just wants what's best for his cat #Malazan #Raest opens the door “Hell no you can't stay”

[chapterswelove]

Hope you are having a great Saturday! I’ve been working on some schoolwork but I’m done for the day and now I’ll read a bit. • • • Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen #1) by Steven Erikson The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, ancient and implacable sorcerers. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen's rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins. For Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of Bridgeburners, and for Tattersail, surviving cadre mage of the Second Legion, the aftermath of the siege of Pale should have been a time to mourn the many dead. But Darujhistan, last of the Free Cities of Genabackis, yet holds out. It is to this ancient citadel that Laseen turns her predatory gaze. However, it would appear that the Empire is not alone in this great game. Sinister, shadowbound forces are gathering as the gods themselves prepare to play their hand... Conceived and written on a panoramic scale, Gardens of the Moon is epic fantasy of the highest order--an enthralling adventure by an outstanding new voice. • • • •#gardensofthemoon #stevenerikson #themalazanbookofthefallen #epicfantasy #highfantasy #adultfantasy #fiction #bookdragon #booklover https://www.instagram.com/p/B4GGrUpAg6W/?igshid=x0327jtiosvn

#1 #gardensofthemoon #stevenerikson #themalazanbookofthefallen #epicfantasy #highfantasy #adultfantasy #fiction #bookdragon #booklover

[itunesbooks]

Gardens of the Moon - Steven Erikson

Gardens of the Moon Steven Erikson Genre: Epic Price: $9.99 Publish Date: June 1, 2004 Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates Seller: Macmillan The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, ancient and implacable sorcerers. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen's rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins. For Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of Bridgeburners, and for Tattersail, surviving cadre mage of the Second Legion, the aftermath of the siege of Pale should have been a time to mourn the many dead. But Darujhistan, last of the Free Cities of Genabackis, yet holds out. It is to this ancient citadel that Laseen turns her predatory gaze. However, it would appear that the Empire is not alone in this great game. Sinister, shadowbound forces are gathering as the gods themselves prepare to play their hand... Conceived and written on a panoramic scale, Gardens of the Moon is epic fantasy of the highest order--an enthralling adventure by an outstanding new voice. At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied. http://dlvr.it/R3P7MM

#Epic

[nikihawkes]

Book Review: Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson

Book Review: Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson

Title: Memories of Ice Author: Steven Erikson Series: Malazan #3 Genre: Fantasy Rating: 5/5 stars The Overview: The ravaged continent of Genabackis is a terrifying new empire, the Pannion Domin, that devours all. An uneasy allliance resists: Onearm’s army, Whiskeyjack’s Bridgeburners and former enemies – forces of Warlord Caladan Brood, Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii mages, and the Rhivi…

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#book #book review #book reviews #books #epic #fantasy #fantasy books #grimdark #malazan #memories of ice #niki hawkes #steven erikson #the obsessive bookseller

[abitoflit]

A Beginner’s Guide to Malazan Characters

First published within Tor's online newsletter, this guide, written by Laura M. Hughes, outlines each of the major players within Erikson's world. While this guide is intended for the second book in the series, Deadhouse Gates, some of the characters from the first novel appear and made it into this guide. I am posting excerpts from Hughes' guide in order to help my readers who are interested in this series and because I appreciated Hughes' sarcastic and snarky method of describing the "major players" within this series.

Kalam:

Splitting off from his squad as well as his Bridgeburner BFF Quick Ben, former Claw Kalam Mekhar has one goal in mind: to assassinate the Empress. Well, I say “one goal”; he may or may not get distracted by a book at some point, but we’ve all been there…right, guys?

Fiddler:

Accompanying Kalam is fellow Bridgeburner Fiddler, who’s left his own BFF (Hedge) behind on Genabackis. Like Kalam, ol’ Fid’s big beardy face is set towards righting an old wrong. He’s not the only one.

Sorry/Apsalar:

Remember Sorry? The sweet lil’ fishergirl possessed by the Patron of Assassins, then slipped into the Bridgeburners as their creepy-arsed new recruit? If so, you’ll probably recall that she’s pretty pissed off with a lot of people right now. You’ll also remember that she changed her name to Apsalar, after her buddy Crokus Younghand’s patron goddess (though I suspect he would’ve ended up worshipping her even if she’d named herself Bollockface).

Crokus Younghand:

Ironically, Crokus soon decides to change his profession from thief to—you guessed it!—assassin. You know, just like Sorry, who’s now named Apsalar, a.k.a. the Goddess of Thieves. Come on, Crokus. Aren’t relationships complicated enough already?

Icarium:

Half human, half jaghut; with his greenish skin, protruding tusks and tall, muscled, Hulk-like physique, you’d likely shit yourself if you bumped into Icarium in a dark alley. As fantasy fiction is so fond of reminding us, however, appearances can be deceiving; if something glitters, it could be gold or it could just as easily be a turd rolled in glitter, and not all that is green is a Hulk. Yes, in spite of his fierce exterior, Icarium is polite, considerate, and well-educated, a gentle giant with a deep philosophical streak and an earnest desire to explore history’s layers during his never-ending quest to recover his own memories.

Just…don’t make him angry. You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.

Mappo:

On a centuries-long mission to wrap Icarium in proverbial cotton wool (and—rather tragically—to keep him from recovering the memories he so desperately seeks) is his BFF Mappo. Theirs is a bromance to rival even Rake/Brood, and Mappo in particular is a real cutie. Sure, he’s a bit rough ‘round the edges physical—with his bristled back and his tusks and his overall solid MASSIVENESS, he’s not quite as pretty as his verdant mate Icarium. However, he is arguably even more tragic: caught up in a centuries-long internal conflict between friendship and duty, Mappo is the most philosophical, empathetic henchman you’ll ever meet.

Mappo and Icarium’s quest also sets them upon the Path of Hands, whereupon they (handily) cross paths with Crokus and Co. Less handy is the fact that hundreds of others are following the Path, too . . .

D’ivers:

Gardens of the Moon introduced us to the concept of the Soletaken when Anomander Rake veered into his draconian form. Surely nothing could be more terrifying than facing an opponent with the power to transform at will into something truly monstrous. Right?

Meet the D’ivers! If the name doesn’t immediately give it away, let me clue you in: you know how Voldemort turned his snake, Nagini, into a Horcrux (a living repository for a piece of his own soul)? Now imagine if he’d been able to a) split himself into multiple animagus forms, and b) use those forms as living Horcruxes.

He couldn’t, of course. But these guys can.

Gryllen / Messremb / Ryllandaras

Some bright spark has spread the word about Tremorlor. This same bright spark (or is it shifting shadow?) has also given out directions to the House, essentially sending an open invitation to any Soletaken and D’ivers who happen to be in the area. Of these, there are some—like Ryllandaras the man-jackal and Messremb the bear—whose veered forms are few, but incredibly strong. But as a D’ivers’ power grows, so too does its numbers. When veered into his D’ivers form, big bad Gryllen becomes hundreds of rats that cover the ground like a carpet, overwhelming his enemies by sheer force of numbers and devouring them in mere minutes. As you can imagine, the subsequent clashes on the Path of Hands between Soletaken and D’ivers (and our poor heroes caught in the middle!) are fraught and unpredictable. Who would win in a fight between three bears and five hundred bees? A hundred rats and a thousand ticks? Twelve dogs and a sea monster?

Which is more powerful: an old Shadow priest, or a million spiders?

Mogora:

One of our heroes’ more fortuitous encounters (or less fortuitous, depending on your perspective) sees Crokus and company taking a break from the punishing desert in a long-forgotten temple of Shadow. The temple—built into a cliff and inaccessible but for a rope lowered, Rapunzel-style, by its inhabitants—is home to an elderly couple. Mogora and Iskaral Pust show about as much affection for one another as Ian McKellan’s Freddie and Derek Jacobi’s Stuart in the sitcom Vicious, while their bizarre plots and ceaseless bickering are reminiscent of cartoon nemeses Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner, Dick Dastardly and that smug bastard pigeon, and—of course—Tom and Jerry. The scenes between Pust and Mogora lend the story an air of slapstick comedy which is, quite frankly, delightful – though our heroes don’t see it that way. Especially when they’re woken in the night by Iskaral Pust standing astride them, brandishing his ever-present sweeping brush in a quest to rid the monastery of its eight-legged denizens (a.k.a. his wife).

Iskaral Pust:

His wife might be a literal nest of spiders, but she’s certainly not the only one spinning webs. He’s no D’ivers, but High Priest of Shadow Iskaral Pust is much craftier than his ostensible role as comic relief leads us to believe. Much like Kruppe in Gardens of the Moon, Pust is all about misdirection, using his constant disingenuous monologues to maintain a façade of madness whilst subtly plucking at everyone’s threads in service to his master, Shadowthrone.

You’re probably thinking that this all sounds very impressive. In which case, the less said about the small, monkey-like bhoka’rala who worship and harangue Pust, the better.

Cotillion:

From webs to Ropes: for the Assassin of High House Shadow, Cotillion takes a surprisingly hands-on role in guiding his reluctant protégée, Apsalar, and her companions. Perhaps feeling slightly guilty about abducting her, then possessing her, then forcing her to commit brutal acts of murder in Gardens of the Moon, the Patron of Assassins now appears to have taken on the role of kindly uncle to the knife-artist formerly known as Sorry.

What a nice guy.

Sarcasm aside, Cotillion is a veritable saint compared to this next lot…

Sha’ik:

Possession—or more specifically, possession as a not-so-subtle metaphor for the way religious belief can override an individual’s own better judgement—is a prevalent theme in the first few books of The Malazan Book of the Fallen. We’ve just recalled how Cotillion possessed Apsalar back at the beginning of Book One; now, we have Sha’ik, the mortal incarnation of the Whirlwind goddess Dryjhna. Every time the old Sha’ik gets too, well, old, she’s replaced with a younger girl in an endless cycle of decay and rebirth.

Does the fact that Sha’ik is a willing vessel make her any less of a victim than Sorry? You’ll probably never get the chance to ask her, I’m afraid. She’s protected very fiercely indeed by her two loyal bodyguards: Leoman, and Toblakai.

Leoman of the Flails:

Desert boy. Hardened fighter. Have a guess what kind of weapon he uses.

#leoman of the flails #sorry #apsalar #sha'ik #cotillion #rope #possession #malazan empire #malazan #erikson #steven erikson #book #series #novel #crokus #fiddler #kalam #characters #tor #d'ivers #mogora #spiders #hughes #laura m. hughes #icarium #guide #beginner's guide #desert boy

[nemessisvoninpirian]

 “...- Przyznamy ci audiencję, nieszczęśniku. – Wskazał na słomianą matę. – Usiądź, proszę, i naciesz się naszym towarzystwem. 

- Kruppe jest wdzięczny za twe zaproszenie, panie. – Pochylił głowę i podszedł bliżej. – Nie sądźcie jednak, proszę, że nie ma żadnych darów dla tego czcigodnego zgromadzenia. – Usiadł ze skrzyżowanymi nogami, po czym zwrócił się w stronę tego, kto go przywitał. – Podzieli się z wami chlebem. – Wyciągnął z rękawa mały żytni bochenek. W jego drugiej dłoni pojawił się nóż. – Człowiek, który siedzi przed wami, tak przyjaciołom, jak i obcym, znany jest jako Kruppe. Mieszkaniec wspaniałego Darudżystanu, mistycznego klejnotu Genabackis. 

- To prawda – zgodził się herszt żebraków. Jego pomarszczona twarz zalśniła rozbawieniem. – Zawsze raduje nas twój specyczny posmak, Kruppe z Darudżystanu. I zawsze z przyjemnością widzimy twe podróżne zapasy.

Herszt przyjął z uśmiechem kromkę chleba.

- Być może więc jesteśmy twoimi cnotami.

- Kruppe nie brał dotąd pod uwagę takiej możliwości.

- Być może jesteśmy twoimi wątpliwościami, którym do tej chwili nigdy nie bałeś się stawić czoła – zauważył herszt.— A może jesteśmy twoimi talentami – rzucił z ustami wypełnionymi serem. – I marnujemy się przez ciebie. 

- To niewykluczone – przyznał grubasek, mrużąc powieki. – Ale tylko jeden z was się odzywa. Żebrak przełknął ser, po czym parsknął śmiechem. Jego oczy zalśniły w blasku świecy.  - Być może pozostali nie odnaleźli jeszcze swych głosów, Kruppe. Czekają na rozkazy swego pana.

Przemknął spojrzeniem po żebrakach. Wszyscy wyraźnie przybrali na wadze, a ich zwrócone ku górze twarze miały teraz zdrowy, rumiany kolor. Westchnął z zadowoleniem. – Panowie, Kruppe powiada wam, że miło było was spotkać. Ale następnym razem wybierzmy gospodę, która nie będzie stała na szczycie wzgórza. Zgoda?

Herszt rozciągnął wargi w uśmiechu. — Ależ, Kruppe, talenty nie łatwo jest zdobyć, podobnie jak cnoty, z drugiej zaś strony, wątpliwości trudno jest przezwyciężyć, a głód zawsze skłania człowieka do wspinaczki. Grubasek spojrzał na niego, mrużąc powieki.

Opuścił żebraków, delikatnie zamykając za sobą skrzypiące drzwi, i wrócił na rozwidlenie dróg. Zatrzymał się przed okutaną w worek postacią wiszącą na gałęzi, wsparł pięści na biodrach i przyjrzał się jej uważnie. — Wiem, kim jesteś – oznajmił jowialnym tonem. – Ostatnim aspektem Kruppego, brakującym elementem zestawu jego twarzy, w które spogląda we śnie. Tak przynajmniej twierdzisz. Jesteś pokorą, ale przecież wszyscy wiedzą, że w życiu Kruppego nie ma miejsca na pokorę. Nie zapominaj o tym. Dlatego zostaniesz tutaj. ..”

                                            - Steven Erikson

                                        “ Ogrody Księżyca tom I Malazańska Księga Poległych”

#steven erikson #malazan book of the fallen #gardens of the moon