STONEWIELDER - [Spoilers]

[Onos T'oolan]

HOLY CRAP!!! Can't believe Esslemont is writing a book with that title!!!


Here's what Esslemont said on Pat's Fantasy Hotlist. fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com/
Maybe you don't want to read this is you haven't read RotCG.

Stonewielder unfolds on the subcontinent variously known as ‘Korel’ or ‘Fist’. Again, like Deadhouse Gates, or Return, the novel will serve to flesh out the region of its setting over the course of which answering or furthering certain larger themes and questions. For example, I understand from the threads on the Malaz site that many readers were troubled by the appearance of the ‘Riders, or Stormriders, in Knives (and elsewhere). The readers will have the chance to decide whether Stonewielder puts all those concerns and reservations to rest.
Events follow closely on Return and center on a new Malazan offensive in that theater

Spoiler

launched by the new Emperor, Mallick Rel

.

mod edit: spoilered that last part as i know of at least one watcher who hasn't read Return of the Crimson Guard yet.

[aliantha]

So *that's* where that weasel goes off to, after RotCG...

[I'm Murrin]

Is it bad that I can't remember who the Stonewielder was?

I'm thinking Greymane, but I'm really not sure.

[Onos T'oolan]

I don't remember anyone being called that. I just assume it's got a lot to do with the Imass.

[lucimay]

Is it bad that I can't remember who the Stonewielder was?

I'm thinking Greymane, but I'm really not sure.

um...

Spoiler

didn't greymane die?

[I'm Murrin]

Hell if I know. It's all a blur.

[Avatar]

I don't think he did. Could be wrong...tell you when I hit RotCG again.

--A

[aliantha]

I can't believe there's more discussion about Esslemont's next book than about TCG. Boy, you guys are fickle.

[Onos T'oolan]

Well I never heard of this one before I txted you, right before making this thread!

[aliantha]

Excuses, excuses.

[Onos T'oolan]

And yet (I posted in TCG first. heh), uk has Stonewielder a month before ca.

[aliantha]

Murrin's right -- they're making up these dates!

[Avatar]

In the first few pages of RotCG, they mention that Greymane is also known as Stonewielder.

--A

[Avatar]

And I noticed in DoD, that Stormrider-type guy, Rudd? He mentions Greymane's Stone in the same context as Onearms Host and Dassem's Sword.

--A

[Onos T'oolan]

I just ordered this from the UK. Damn, I can't wait! heh

[Onos T'oolan]

I'm 200 pages in now. It's SO DAMNED GOOD to be back in Malazan!!

As might be expected, it follows RotCG. I'd already forgotten several names and events, so I'm very happy for the Malazan Encyclopedia. Heh.

One surprising non-RotCG character has shown up, and another, even even more surprising one , is promised.

All in all, a typical, crazy, confusing, fantastic Malazan book!

[Onos T'oolan]

OK, gotta share this. Don't worry, nothing spoilerish about it.

She cleared her throat. "So... you fought against the invasion, then...?"
Jheval grunted the affirmative, stretched.
The man is like a cat.
Blinking, he gave her a questioning look.
"Did you face the Imass?"
"Am I dead?"

[Onos T'oolan]

Done. As in RotCG, there is one particularly big event. And a few other important things. All in all, it was a good read. IMO, not up to Erikson's standards, and not even up to RotCG. But maybe not everybody likes RotCG as much as I do.

The whole thing is set on the continent of Koral/Fist. It's great to learn about that whole area, particularly the Stormwall. That is one freakin' COLD place! It didn't help that it's so cold here. Heck, we got more than a foot of snow yesterday, and I just finished the book today. I like reading Dune when it's the hottest days of summer, but this was not as pleasant. Heh.

The problem with the book is that he has too many major plots going on. Getting rid of at least one would have let us see more of the best of the other plots. In particular, the Crimson Guards! The ones we see are very cool. But they aren't seen enough. Same with the others we see. Always hinting at what they can or will do, but, when the payoff comes, I think, "Huh? That's it??"

Still, I buzzed through the book the way I have through all of Malazan so far. I can't get enough of it all!!

[lucimay]

ok i am finally reading this. i don't know why i held off so long. i guess it was because i was waiting for TCG and once i'd read it, i felt like getting out of the malazan world for a while.

i've been reading detective fiction again and have finished all 16 of lee child's jack reacher books. reacher is an ex MP and his father was a marine so the military figures very prominantly in the books. (i HIGHLY recommend these books, there's not another character like reacher, he's awesome)
and after reading those, it's been hard to find something as good to read. not kidding. so...i realized i still had stonewielder hanging out there unread and finally saw it available for kindle so i got it.

finally, something as good as reacher to read!!

at anyrate, i'm liking it very much. i'd have to agree with you Tool, thus far not as good as RotCG, but...not because of the writing. i think essemont's actually maturing nicely as a writer. it's mostly because i think i just haven't connected with any of the characters yet like i did with Temper in NoK or Kyle in RotCG.

that brings me to a question, Tool or Murrin...

in Stonewielder Kyle is referred to as Greymane's Adjunct. thats kinda weird, iddenit? what does that mean? that he acts on behalf of Greymane?
would he take Greymane's spot if somebody actually managed to kill Greymane?
it's wierd when people just refer to him as The Adjunct because that puts me immediately in mind of Lorn or Tavar.

i'm just at the point where Greymane has given the go ahead for the Blue Moranth to pull out their "big guns" and Devaleth is kinda freakin out.

and i have one question about the fella that's hangin in the hidey hole with Kiska. he's an agent of the Queen of Dreams, right? she sent him out with Kiska. there's something about him that is VERY very familiar and he says something about he's not that great a fighter but he's very good at SURVIVAL. i've scoured my brain and i can only think of one fella who this Jevel guy might be.

Spoiler

it's gotta be Leoman, right?

am i right? just tell me. it won't spoil it for me, i swear.

Spoiler

and if i'm right, what happened to dunsparrow? that's who he was
with when we last saw him, right?

[Onos T'oolan]

Yes, that's who he is.


I don't think the Adjunct automatically inherits the job. I think it means this person speaks with the authority of the person to whom they are Adjunct. Disobey the Adjunct, and you are disobeying the Boss, in a very literal sense.

RotCG spoiler:

Spoiler

Tavore did not become Empress when Laseen died, eh?