Malazan Book of Fallen - Steven Ericson
Hey guys, another review of epic fantasy series and his writer. Malazan Book of Fallen by Steven Ericson.
I'll start with the writer first, because it's his ability of telling stories, his imagination is what is worth here in the first place, at least for me. So, Malazan is series of novels, and it contains ten books. Line of reading is typical 1st than 2nd and so on, but the thing with his work is line of story is something different entirely because every second book is related, so it's a bit hard to keep a track of the events but if you're a true lover of the genre you'll do it and it's going to pay off.
Maybe it was too early for me to start reading, because I've done it on the beginning of my Epic fantasy journey. But I managed to keep up. IT's not so typical beginning, it all start in the middle of events, there's no introduction to the world itself or characters. Writer just put you position in which you need to continue with reading without figuring out everything first or you give up of reading. Second choice is a bigger mistake than you can imagine. So I just kept reading and on the middle of the book I finally started to have some idea of what is going on and who is who. Second book is the same scenario, with other characters and events, so it's same struggle but nothing more harder than the first one.
This opus is probably the most complicated with whom I met. The thing with Ericson is that he love world and people in his world, love everything about it and he's for me the most complete writer I've read. Why?
Everything is in it's place, you just feel it while reading. Characterization is impeccable, every warrior of peasant, or king or magician or god is unique. Also with it dialogues are funny, smart and well placed. There is not only good and only bad man or woman, many color shades are in each of them.
The hierarchy of the churches is too complicated, I do not think I have fully understood it myself.
The story setting itself is usual, wars, old forces and magic, but proven to be a legendary way. In every part of this books, you will meet heroes and gods, ordinary people and those fewer ordinary ones. And each of them will leave a strong impression on you.
Unfortunately, although he obviously likes his characters, there are not those who should not die or be killed. Some will be killed or die in the most incredible way for the sake of power or a higher goal. Some of them become myths, some become more than what they have plagued or what they expected.
Very powerful magic is available with a small number of characters, but the system itself is ingeniously designed.
Perhaps the best part of all is that the Gods, whatever they are, engage in events in the ordinary world. Also, many ancient beings are ubiquitous.
When you give enough time to this series, it will be cut into your mind. you will become a true fanatics, because each subsequent novel is better than the previous one and at the same time different and will affect you on the whole other level. Complications are present throughout the work, not typical for one moment in the story, which gives an added impression of how comprehensive this work is. I'm sure every fan of fantasy can enjoy this work.
So do not wait long, start reading.
