First read - House of Chains: Book 4 of the Malazan

[SoulBiter]

A change in pace for this book. Mostly staying (at 12% in) on the same story and not switching around in timeline and plot line, at least so far. Karsa seems destined to create chaos and war as warleader of a hunting party. He calls another race "children", that is interesting. It sad what happened to Delum. That was harsh.

[Fist and Faith]

Karsa. *whew*

Yeah, it's definitely different having a couple hundred pages about one character.

[Holsety]

A change in pace for this book. Mostly staying (at 12% in) on the same story and not switching around in timeline and plot line, at least so far. Karsa seems destined to create chaos and war as warleader of a hunting party. He calls another race "children", that is interesting. It sad what happened to Delum. That was harsh.

You know, in The Close, Sgt Null said something like, if someone kills a child, they've lost their right to life. Maybe he meant it's still OK to kill Teblor.

FYI-If you've been following ancestries/shared ties of certain races, you have probably figured out some connections between Karsa's people and some others.

[Avatar]

Ah, House of Chains...for a long time my favourite of them. TBH, these days I skim over the first bit...at least until

Spoiler

he gets captured.

That's when it becomes really interesting.

But he is definitely one of my favourite characters in the whole series.

--A

[SoulBiter]

About 25% through now. Holy crap... yeah after being captured he was a wild man! Course I thought he was a badass until he got his ribs busted by a single hit from Keeper. Wonder what his story is? No don't tell me.

Nom seems to be a good companion who has his back. All that being said, Silgar got what he deserved...finally. He didnt earn a swift death.

And now we have moved to Book 2 of this book and a new story line.

[SoulBiter]

As I start this part of the book, they are giving some back story to the fall of the House of Paran but also some very interesting backstory of The Malazan and its expansion. plus how the Deadhouse gave them interesting gifts after staying there for a while. I have to say the more I read, the more I feel like I have to eventually return to the first two books for a re-read to coalesce this story back together.

[Fist and Faith]

I have to say the more I read, the more I feel like I have to eventually return to the first two books for a re-read to coalesce this story back together.

When I read the series, I read 1-4. Before starting Midnight Tides, I read 1-4 again, feeling the same need as you to have a better handle on things. Then I read 5-10.

Then I wanted to reread the whole series. So I read 1-4 for the third time. Sadly, that's where I burned out. Reading is a very slow process for me. Even before I developed apnea.

[Avatar]

I have to say the more I read, the more I feel like I have to eventually return to the first two books for a re-read to coalesce this story back together.

Yeah, I felt the same way...especially GotM...it didn't make any sense to me until I went back to it after reading bk 4. That's why I now consider Night of Knives to be essential pre-GotM reading...

--A

[SoulBiter]

Ahhhhhh Bridgeburners are back in the storyline! And Heboric!!

[Fist and Faith]

Yes!!

[SoulBiter]

So many old friends have shown up! Kalam, Apsalar, Fiddler/Stings... its just one after the other.. and now Iksaral Pust! Such fun!

[Fist and Faith]

Such power in this book. And a couple of my favorite moments in the whole series. But not until way towards the end.

[SoulBiter]

Holy cow...Heboric got his eyesight and hearing back and then some. Karsa has now taken quite a journey and is getting ready to make a new blade. He seems to set his own course. Felisin... OMG she just keeps getting used... I hate it for her!

[Fist and Faith]

Felisin is a polarizing character. So many people don't like her, because she says this, or does that. Hood's balls, look at what she goes through!

[SoulBiter]

90% complete. Heboric has been injured but I think lives, dragged back to his sanctuary. L'oric has been stabbed and now his familiar.... a demon, has left Felosin to feed. A big convergence of powers on the whirlwind... Karsa is here with his big stone sword and steed. He can most likely kill God's. Can't wait to see how this ends if there is even an end.

[Fist and Faith]

My Kindle says you just passed a moment I love, between Fiddler and Bottle.

Ah! And another even before that, this fantastic scene:

Spoiler

‘Spiritwalker? Is that the name I will acquire? Is it an honorific? Or the acknowledgement of a curse?’

[SoulBiter]

Finished up last night. Awesome book. I actually prefer the pacing in this one. On to book 5