House of Chains [Spoilers]
Moderators: lucimay, Onos T'oolan
- I'm Murrin
- Are you?
- Posts: 15840
- Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2003 1:09 pm
- Location: North East, UK
- Contact:
House of Chains [Spoilers]
This is the place for general discussion of House of Chains, the Fourth Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen. If you haven't finished the book, beware of spoilers.
As I've said in the past, House of Chains is probably my favourite of the books in the series so far, and Karsa Orlong is one of Erikson's best characters. The book introduces several interesting new characters, and begins the tying together of storylines from the previous two books.
The focus of the novel is, in a sense, the rise of the House of Chains. But it's also about the aftermath of the Chain of Dogs; it's about how people cope with living in the shadow of a legend. And it's about false gods, and broken families, and the chains that bind everyone.
Bloody good book. What do you think?
As I've said in the past, House of Chains is probably my favourite of the books in the series so far, and Karsa Orlong is one of Erikson's best characters. The book introduces several interesting new characters, and begins the tying together of storylines from the previous two books.
The focus of the novel is, in a sense, the rise of the House of Chains. But it's also about the aftermath of the Chain of Dogs; it's about how people cope with living in the shadow of a legend. And it's about false gods, and broken families, and the chains that bind everyone.
Bloody good book. What do you think?
Last edited by I'm Murrin on Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- [Syl]
- Unfettered One
- Posts: 13020
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2002 12:36 am
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 1 time
I'm a big Karsa fan, so yeah. One of my favorites.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
-George Steiner
- Spiral Jacobs
- Giantfriend
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:03 pm
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 3 times
This was by far my favourite, because the whole first part is one story about Karsa. A very welcome change from the constantly changing perspectives and a much better way of showing off Erikson's writing skills.
I prefer this, in general: focusing on a character and watching him/her evolve, instead of a host of characters all semi-finished or superficial.
I prefer this, in general: focusing on a character and watching him/her evolve, instead of a host of characters all semi-finished or superficial.
- Holsety
- The Gap Into Spam
- Posts: 3426
- Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 8:56 pm
- Location: Principality of Sealand
- Been thanked: 1 time
Deadhouse Gates was my favorite until Memories of Ice, which was my favorite until House of Chains.
I really liked Midnight Tides and Bonehunters (I'm actually around page 500 there, but I'll be done soon) too. In fact, Trull Sengar might be my favorite character, now that I've finished Tides. As of right now, though, I like neither quite as much as House of Chains. Not that I think that Erikson's writing is declining or anything, House of Chains was just the best thus far for me.
Bonehunters has some more Karsa stuff
I really liked Midnight Tides and Bonehunters (I'm actually around page 500 there, but I'll be done soon) too. In fact, Trull Sengar might be my favorite character, now that I've finished Tides. As of right now, though, I like neither quite as much as House of Chains. Not that I think that Erikson's writing is declining or anything, House of Chains was just the best thus far for me.
Bonehunters has some more Karsa stuff
- I'm Murrin
- Are you?
- Posts: 15840
- Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2003 1:09 pm
- Location: North East, UK
- Contact:
I think House of Chains was just the most balanced of the last three books. His writing has improved, but Midnight Tides had a very different structure and the whole tragedy/comedy balance thing, and Bonehunters just seemed a little weaker than I expected; House of Chains is, I think, the last book that was both an improvement on previous volumes and seemed to have a consistent feel throughout.
- Holsety
- The Gap Into Spam
- Posts: 3426
- Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 8:56 pm
- Location: Principality of Sealand
- Been thanked: 1 time
Midnight Tides was different, but I def reveled in that difference. The Edur were nearly without exception engaging (never saw much from binny) and the villains owned the pants off of Raest, Korbolo Dom, the Pannion Seer, Sha'ik, etc.
Korbolo in particular was just a shitty, boring character stuck in an awesome series. Coltaine owned him, and in house of chains he was just stupid and boring despite being a former friend/replacement/something of whiskeyjack. His plans are best described as egotistical and boring. I wanted him to be eaten by a stray hound or something.
EDIT-The other villains were fine, they just didn't match up to the ones in Tides. I don't count the more obvious, ominous, evil one because he's not really at the forefront yet.
And now that I think of them, the Seven (or however many there are now) are boring too. In the book they appear in, they're already outstripped by Karsa, who's also more interesting and more likable despite having a mean streak.
Korbolo in particular was just a shitty, boring character stuck in an awesome series. Coltaine owned him, and in house of chains he was just stupid and boring despite being a former friend/replacement/something of whiskeyjack. His plans are best described as egotistical and boring. I wanted him to be eaten by a stray hound or something.
Spoiler
I thought he was dead, and then in Bonehunters they (someone) say something about him being alive IIRC. How boring. I didn't pay enough attention to his fate in Chains.
And now that I think of them, the Seven (or however many there are now) are boring too. In the book they appear in, they're already outstripped by Karsa, who's also more interesting and more likable despite having a mean streak.
i like your take, Holsety. i like how you sift through the characters. even if we don't agree...i like your commentary!
you're more advanced than a cockroach,
have you ever tried explaining yourself
to one of them?
~ alan bates, the mothman prophecies
i've had this with actors before, on the set,
where they get upset about the [size of my]
trailer, and i'm always like...take my trailer,
cause... i'm from Kentucky
and that's not what we brag about.
~ george clooney, inside the actor's studio
a straight edge for legends at
the fold - searching for our
lost cities of gold. burnt tar,
gravel pits. sixteen gears switch.
Haphazard Lucy strolls by.
~ dennis r wood ~
have you ever tried explaining yourself
to one of them?
~ alan bates, the mothman prophecies
i've had this with actors before, on the set,
where they get upset about the [size of my]
trailer, and i'm always like...take my trailer,
cause... i'm from Kentucky
and that's not what we brag about.
~ george clooney, inside the actor's studio
a straight edge for legends at
the fold - searching for our
lost cities of gold. burnt tar,
gravel pits. sixteen gears switch.
Haphazard Lucy strolls by.
~ dennis r wood ~
- I'm Murrin
- Are you?
- Posts: 15840
- Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2003 1:09 pm
- Location: North East, UK
- Contact:
Holsety wrote:Korbolo in particular was just a shitty, boring character stuck in an awesome series. Coltaine owned him, and in house of chains he was just stupid and boring despite being a former friend/replacement/something of whiskeyjack. His plans are best described as egotistical and boring. I wanted him to be eaten by a stray hound or something.
Spoiler
I thought he was dead, and then in Bonehunters they (someone) say something about him being alive IIRC. How boring. I didn't pay enough attention to his fate in Chains.
Spoiler
He wsn't just mentioned, he played quite an important role in The Bonehunters. He's the new First Sword, being used by Laseen to make the Wickans look like an enemy, and using her in turn along with Mallick Rel. He's a fool, but a successful one. He's supposed to appear that way to you--nowhere near as good as he thinks he is.
- Holsety
- The Gap Into Spam
- Posts: 3426
- Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 8:56 pm
- Location: Principality of Sealand
- Been thanked: 1 time
Thanks.Lucimay wrote:i like your take, Holsety. i like how you sift through the characters. even if we don't agree...i like your commentary!
The only ones I didn't like much were the seven and korbolo. The former get some creds for influencing Karsa, though. I realize korbolo did some smart stuff, but his one or two POVs in Chains just made him seem...annoying?
- Fist and Faith
- Magister Vitae
- Posts: 23564
- Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2002 8:14 pm
- Has thanked: 6 times
- Been thanked: 32 times
I'm 100+ pages into HoC, all of which has been about Karsa. And if things don't change pretty seriously, he'll never be close to as cool as Tool. Yeah, he's a heck of a fighter, but there's nothing intriguing about him. The fact that I find his culture quite reprehensible sure doesn't help.Lucimay wrote:heh... one word. Karsa.Fist and Faith wrote:I only met Kilava several pages ago. Onos T'oolan is the only one I know to any degree. But is it even possible that anybody of any race or species could be cooler than the Toolman???????????????
No problems, though. I know things can change considerably. I'm just sayin'...
All lies and jest
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest -Paul Simon
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest -Paul Simon
soldier on. the best is yet to come.
you're more advanced than a cockroach,
have you ever tried explaining yourself
to one of them?
~ alan bates, the mothman prophecies
i've had this with actors before, on the set,
where they get upset about the [size of my]
trailer, and i'm always like...take my trailer,
cause... i'm from Kentucky
and that's not what we brag about.
~ george clooney, inside the actor's studio
a straight edge for legends at
the fold - searching for our
lost cities of gold. burnt tar,
gravel pits. sixteen gears switch.
Haphazard Lucy strolls by.
~ dennis r wood ~
have you ever tried explaining yourself
to one of them?
~ alan bates, the mothman prophecies
i've had this with actors before, on the set,
where they get upset about the [size of my]
trailer, and i'm always like...take my trailer,
cause... i'm from Kentucky
and that's not what we brag about.
~ george clooney, inside the actor's studio
a straight edge for legends at
the fold - searching for our
lost cities of gold. burnt tar,
gravel pits. sixteen gears switch.
Haphazard Lucy strolls by.
~ dennis r wood ~
- Fist and Faith
- Magister Vitae
- Posts: 23564
- Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2002 8:14 pm
- Has thanked: 6 times
- Been thanked: 32 times
- Fist and Faith
- Magister Vitae
- Posts: 23564
- Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2002 8:14 pm
- Has thanked: 6 times
- Been thanked: 32 times
- stonemaybe
- The Gap Into Spam
- Posts: 4836
- Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2006 9:37 am
- Location: Wallowing in the Zider Zee
I'm frustrated as hell....MoI had me hooked and I picked up HoC the moment I'd finished it, now I've read 188 pages with no relevance to the rest of the series at all! ARRRGGHHHH!!!!
okok I KNOW there WILL be but there isn't yet!
okok I KNOW there WILL be but there isn't yet!
Aglithophile and conniptionist and spectacular moonbow beholder 16Jul11
(:/>
(:/>
- aliantha
- blueberries on steroids
- Posts: 17865
- Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2002 7:50 pm
- Location: NOT opening up a restaurant in Santa Fe
Welcome to the Malazan Book of the Fallen, Stonemaybe. That's what I keep saying about this series -- with just about every book, you spend the first 100 pages going, "What the *?&$%^&* is going on???" and then you're so hooked you can't quit.
EZ Board Survivor
"Dreaming isn't good for you unless you do the things it tells you to." -- Three Dog Night (via the GI)
https://www.hearth-myth.com/
- Fist and Faith
- Magister Vitae
- Posts: 23564
- Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2002 8:14 pm
- Has thanked: 6 times
- Been thanked: 32 times
- I'm Murrin
- Are you?
- Posts: 15840
- Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2003 1:09 pm
- Location: North East, UK
- Contact:
- aliantha
- blueberries on steroids
- Posts: 17865
- Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2002 7:50 pm
- Location: NOT opening up a restaurant in Santa Fe
I agree totally, Murrin. Karsa is a cool character, and gets cooler as the series goes on.
EZ Board Survivor
"Dreaming isn't good for you unless you do the things it tells you to." -- Three Dog Night (via the GI)
https://www.hearth-myth.com/
- stonemaybe
- The Gap Into Spam
- Posts: 4836
- Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2006 9:37 am
- Location: Wallowing in the Zider Zee