Deadhouse Gates

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by Brys

I've got to finish re-reading the series soon - Memories of Ice comes next! Still, I've got a load of new fantasy books to read, including many of the classics. But of those I've read/am reading at the moment (Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and Gray Mouser, Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun, Michael Moorcock's Elric) - they still haven't come that close to matching Erikson, though they're all very good in their own way.

Yep read Lieber's Fafhrd and Gray Mouser very amusing!! Wolfe's Sun duology great prose!, not a big Moorcock fan, read some of the Eternal Champion/Hero? series when I was younger.

MOI is what clinched it for me with Erikson.

[hodor]

Memories of Ice has to be one of my top 5 best reads; I have read at least 200 fantasy novels and Erikson is a the level of genius as Erikson and the further you go with his series the further his genius presents itself. When I first came to the forums here I had only read one modern genius in fantasy (Martin), but now, I must say, at equal levels and different ways, Erikson is a God of modern fantasy. Buy all of the Malazan series that you can and enjoy them... read every word, skip no paragraph, screw the bindings and the covers, let the book become used if it is a slow read, mainly because these books are a precedent in modern fantasy and, though not for the young, definitely for the fantasy fanatic that can take a bit of "DARKSIDE"!

[GOLLUM]

Another one sees the light....

[nixie]

3/4 of the way through,even better than GOTM.Now I may have missed something but who is the sappers captain

[Rane Longfox]

Sapper's captain? Wha?

Are you referring to amusing incident with Coltaine and the promotions?

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by nixie

3/4 of the way through,even better than GOTM.Now I may have missed something but who is the sappers captain

I immediately assumed you're referring to Whiskeyjack as Capt of the Bridgeburners. Don't forget they contain sappers who in an historical context were the original engineers used when attacking an e.g. castle where they would undermine the building works as part of a siege.

Prettty sure I'm correct on this one but then again I could be wrong...

[Dead Riverdragon]

I seem to remember that the sappers' captain was some illusive figure who was never actually revealed. In fact I think it was eventually hinted that he didn't exist, and that the sappers acted on their own collective whims. I'll try to find some quotes...

[Dolorous Edd]

Originally Posted by Dead Riverdragon

I seem to remember that the sappers' captain was some illusive figure who was never actually revealed. In fact I think it was eventually hinted that he didn't exist, and that the sappers acted on their own collective whims. I'll try to find some quotes...

The captain did exist, but never went to briefings etc. so coltaine and co. assumed their cpatain had died and just didn't want a replacement. After one of the battles coltaine wanted to honour the sappers for their contribution so he went down to their camp. There was one man who witnesses had said did very well, so he promoted him to sergeant. All the sappers started laughing. Coltaine got cross and demanded to know what they were laughing about. One of them pipped up and told them he'd just demoted their captain. Coltaine was at a loss as to what to do, then the captain says he's very pleased with his new role, and would like to suggest his sergeant, bungle, for the position of captain.

Was brilliant, one of the best scenes in the book.

[nixie]

Thanks I finished the book last night, and the mysterious sapper captain was revealed.Dolorous is right it is a very memorable scene

[GOLLUM]

Well you learn something new every day, what happens when you haven't reread GOTM for over 3 years LOL!...

Nixie, anwered your query on Coltaine, my suggestion/answer is hinted at near the end of DHG if you reread that bit.

Over and out....

[nixie]

Thanks Gollum I did try and reply but your PM box must be full.

Any one Else lose their beauty sleep due to these strangely compelling books,

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by nixie

Thanks Gollum I did try and reply but your PM box must be full.

Yeh the price of fame I'm afraid...

Give it a try now.....

[biodroid]

I am on the "Chain of Dogs" section of the book and am a little confused about certain things. I don't know if its been properly explained and I missed it or if I should wait to find out but what exactly is a Soletaken and D'ivers and what is their purpose? I am a bit confused about this. If its a spoiler and will only be expalined in book 3 or so please let me know as I don't want to spoil the great read so far.
Thanks!!

[DarrellR]

D'ivers and Soletaken have the ability to semblem (sp) where they can transform themselves into an animal/creature. The differences between the two seem to be that Soletaken can only transform themselves into one entity where D'ivers transform into groups/packs (ex. swarm of rat, pack of wolves). The D'ivers in their multiple form do not die if you kill one of their number though they do lose strength. You have to kill of their group to kill that single D'ivers.

Soletaken are more consistent in the Malazan world and many races have the ability from humans to Imass and so forth. So it isn't centered around any one singular race. It is usually potent magic users that seem to have this ability. D'ivers are more scarce so maybe it's a more older form? Not certain but you don't see many of them.

[Connavar]

Having read like 120 pages of DHG it really feels like a filler. If the end isnt amazing i will wish i read the third book before DHG that seem to be the real sequal of GOTM.

The lack of warrens,gods so far is the biggest letdown.

That was what i liked most in GOTM. The interesting system of magic, the gods,the ones that work for them like the hounds,Rope etc