Kevin's Watch

Just found this available as an audio book. I've only read books 1-3 of the main series and a soupcon of tome 4; is this something that might be safely listened to without becoming spoiled or requires crucial knowledge of some forthcoming occurrences in order to comprehend the details?

Probably crucial knowledge, but what the hell do I know...I haven't read it.

Damn you bastards. I was thinking of waiting for the whole trilogy to be out. Then I wondered if it was out here yet. Now I think I have to order it.

--A

Sometimes my apnea kicks my ass. (Yeah, let's see how you're doin' after 100,000 years!) I've had the book for a few weeks now, but couldn't tackle something like this. Even Warhammer books have been beyond me lately. But I started it today. Very difficult to keep my eyes focused on the page, but I'm up to page 40. REALLY liking it!! Great to see all of these characters, and learn about who their parents are! Can't wait to get reading for real!!

Ok, not reading the thread. Mine arrived yesterday. I'll get to it in a few weeks.

--A

I can't fucking stand how good this book is!!!!!!!! Damn my exhaustion!!! I can still barely read. Actually reading standing up so I can't fall asleep! And still, absolutely fantastic book! Not sure if I can say it's my favorite of all Malazan books, but it's sure among the trinity, with MoI and DG. Still 100 pages to go. But


SPOILERS

SPOILERS

SPOILERS


Burn!

Kilmandaros!

That bastard Errastas!

That bitch Olar Ethil!

Gothos, Hood, Haut!!!

Yeah, the hearthstone setting scene and Caladan Brood!!

A certain three brothers!! All calm and thoughtful when the river rose. And the naming of the sword!! Good God I though I'd pass out!!!

And may as well just name the book The Book of Draconus!!! He's incredible, and he's barely done anything!

I haven't met K'rul yet, but I expect we do? The tale Haut hated telling about him is great!

So I really wasn't impressed for the first 200 pages or so. It did pick up a bit after that. And pretty brutal too.

It was nice to meet some early incarnations of characters, and strange to compare them with how they ended.

I spent a lot of time going "Who was that again?"

Spoiler

No mention ever before of Hust swords singing...

How long ago was this? I thought Hood's war was long before...

It was weird to realise that the Andii skin wasn't originally black.

Azathanai huh...

I suspect a reread of the book of the fallen is coming up.

--A

Avatar wrote:I spent a lot of time going "Who was that again?"

Oh great. Good to know. I did that in the original ten books all the time.

Haven't bought this book yet. My TBR pile is enormous....

Avatar wrote:So I really wasn't impressed for the first 200 pages or so. It did pick up a bit after that. And pretty brutal too.

It was nice to meet some early incarnations of characters, and strange to compare them with how they ended.

I spent a lot of time going "Who was that again?"

Spoiler

No mention ever before of Hust swords singing...

How long ago was this? I thought Hood's war was long before...

It was weird to realise that the Andii skin wasn't originally black.

Azathanai huh...

I suspect a reread of the book of the fallen is coming up.

--A

Erikson was not concerned too much with internal consistency in the main series, I imagine he is going to just do whatever he feels like and to hell with 'clues from the main series'

aliantha wrote: Oh great. Good to know

Haha, I was trying to remember who they had been in the main series.

My TBR pile is enormous....

Mine was too. *sigh* Now I think there are only 8 or so left.

Still, I've had two and a half months of solid reading of almost entirely books I hadn't read before, and a few more weeks to go.

Which should give you an idea of how many books I bought in Dec/Jan. Books which are all over the floor because I have no more shelf space left at all.

Orlion wrote:Erikson was not concerned too much with internal consistency in the main series, I imagine he is going to just do whatever he feels like and to hell with 'clues from the main series'

I didn't think he was that bad in the main series. A few glaring errors, but he wasn't utterly cavalier. (When I first read your post, I thought you meant he'd actually said that.)

I like internal consistency...it's very important to me...it's why I can't read the Dune prequels.

I suppose it could be argued that it was so long ago, nobody in the main series really knew what had happened when. Except the participants of course.

(I don't like that argument, but it could be argued.)

--A

I believe I may know who Ruthann Gudd is.

Mr. Broken wrote:I believe I may know who Ruthann Gudd is.

WHO fergodsake!!!! TELL!! cause it's still buggin me

Understand that this is just a hunch, but Narad mentions waking up with a face that isn't his, now that's pretty thin, especially when we know why he woke up with a changed face, and we know that RG is an attractive man , but I swear Gudd says the same thing several times in TCG, or is it DOD , or both.

hmmmmm....

i think it's time for my first reread of forge.

I've recently heard a theory that Ruthan Gudd was actually Arathan, due to the resemblance of the names, which as far as I know could be correct, but I felt it necessary to point out that going by the same reasoning Arathan is also very similar to Artan, or Artanthos.

This was an awesome read. Lots of new info that re-arranged my ideas about the lore of the Malazan universe. The usual Erikson dark poetry and philosophy amongst chaos and badassery.

But did anyone else find it a little....relentless? I mean, obviously to be a Malazan fan you can't be squeamish, and we know from the beginning this will all end in tragedy, but damn. I found myself missing the characters who would make me chuckle, even laugh out loud, when the BotF was at its darkest. Kruppe in MoI, Pust in DG, Tehol in MT....I really enjoyed the breath of fresh air their comic relief offered. Hell, in Forge of Darkness, even the soldiers are all humourless and tortured....before the war .

I've taken to calling my twins Envy, and Spite. When they are about ten Ill ask them where their sister is.

I haven't read this. I hate prequels. Also soured a bit on Erikson after the last books of Malazan Tale of the Fallen.

I'm sure it's just as good as the rest of his books. But I decided not to read any more after the main series, precisely because it'll be more of the same: I feel like I'm better off just looking for new things.

I dunno...I wasn't going to bother with it myself, not being that fond of the Andii story-line, but I ended up enjoying it.

It's so unimaginably long before the book of the Fallen it really is a different story. Calling it a prequel isn't exactly right.

--A

Avatar wrote:I dunno...I wasn't going to bother with it myself, not being that fond of the Andii story-line, but I ended up enjoying it.

It's so unimaginably long before the book of the Fallen it really is a different story. Calling it a prequel isn't exactly right.

--A

I agree Av.

you're right in a sense Murrin, it is more of the same. more of the same in the sense that it's an Erikson book. it's his writing. I read TMBotF because I LIKE Erikson's writing. and I like the world. i'll be reading whatever he writes, especially if it takes place in that world. it's the same as with Stephen King. I like his writing. so maybe i'm not understanding why you *wouldn't* read Forge, or anything else he writes. if you like his work, that is.