The 'children' thing was brilliant. It perfectly encapsulates his view of outside cultures and speaks to the physical size difference which does not become too apparent until we see him interact with them. Everything from his perspective. It worked great.
new reader: so what is malazan about? old timer: yes. the thing about tavore is, you feel the same as her army does - will that change? well read and find out. and no tavore does not know she killed felisin, she only knows that her plan to save her from the culling of the nobles resulted in felisin getting lost. also, don't fuss it about not getting everything yet - that takes like 5 complete reads of the series... good thing it gets better every time.
Sucks that you didn’t mention Fiddler at all. He’s become my favorite character in the series on a reread, and the scene in this book where he learns of the bridgeburners deaths and then helps Temul with his problems immediately is one of my favorite scenes in the series.
Fiddler. I am starting my second read of the series (both authors)...and I'm starting my second go at Memories of Ice, which he isn't in I don't think. I am trying to remember in which book he temporarily changes his name to Strings? I was thinking it was Deadhouse Gates, but not so. Anyone??
"He raises the bar and the standards for....books" - this is it, this is why Malazan fans can't shut up about it, but also struggle to put the fandom into words, in a nutshell. Karsa and Felisin both have such huge swings as characters and really feel like whole human people. I think he deliberately doesn't give you that access to Tavore. I really don't think she knows about Felisin becoming Shai'k though, my last reread was this year and I remember feeling pretty confident that Lostara and Pearl kept that from her, she didn't need to know about it and how would telling her change anything once she'd already done the deed? It's such a cutting scene though, and when you reread keep an eye out for the number of times Felisin uses the phrase 'face to face' about her and Tavore eventually meeting, and the retribution she was going to take on her when that happens. Makes it even more heartbreaking. I think HoC falls down people's list of top Malazan books because of the scenes with Karsa in Book One and also Bithidal's circumcision of Felisin younger later on. They aren't the only times Erikson goes this far, and each time he does it, it's pretty well done, as these things go, but it does make you feel like 'should I be recommending this to my friends?'. Biggest character you missed out on: Joyful Union. The Malazan military metaphor made manifest, with gambling. Keep it up! This series needs more discussion and I can't wait for a booktuber to take on Midnight Tides with the attitude of 'this is what we signed up for' not 'ANOTHER LOCATION?!?'
Tavore's appeal comes from seeing her in the light of the entire series, and realizing significantly far along in The Crippled God what she has been up to from the very first time she is introduced in the awkward family scene clear back in Gardens of the Moon.
Loving the enthusiasm for one of my absolute favourite series ever. ❤ Finished the 10 last year, and I’m about to start a Malazeverything (all Steve & ICE Malazan books) re/read, and you’re inspiring. 🙂👌🏻
Watching your deep dive Q+A and this I kinda want to reassure you a little. It's really nice to see someone who's very intelligent GUSH about something they clearly love. It's not an exam, there's no score here. Your reading of the book brought you enjoyment, and this video brought me enjoyment, so everything is good! It's fun to gabble about something you enjoy and reading the other comments, you're accepted for doing that. Anyone who criticises someone for being happy and excited isn't worth having around in any "community." You've already gone on a journey with Felisin and Karsa. And while it's sad that you know people like Tavore and you've been spoiled a little. You're where you should be with her, so knowing that people like her, means you can be pretty confident that you're going to go on another ride. Remember that one of the main criticisms of Erikson is that he struggles with characters? Different strokes and all but huh? Have people really read the books and come out with that opinion? How? The sexual violence has a point, and it isn't revelled in. And it's in a world where a woman is the empress, the adjunct, the leader of the rebellion, and assassins and mages and soldiers and rapists themselves... For me it's really hard to spin any narrative that the books are anti women. Sexual violence, should make you feel uncomfortable. And rereads! A must. I've seen it multiple times and felt the same way myself. You're gladly committing to rereading a ten book series when you've only read up to book four once! Awesome. I love the Felisin, Tavore confrontation at the end. You've got all this story and emotion on Felisin's side. In a normal book there'd be an epic monologue and a great fight scene, maybe even a reconciliation and then perhaps a tragic death. Nope, Tavore walks up, skewers Felisin, and doesn't even know it was her. Cold, functional, robotic, efficient. Tavore. Through compassion Lostara and Pearl spare her from the knowledge, or does she know? Does she work it out perhaps? Is she cold enough to not let anyone know she worked it out? Speculate away, you're not allowed in her head yet. It's wonderful. And after reading so much fantasy, it's wonderful and different, which is what I love the most about Erikson.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I absolute agree with you on so many levels and that’s why this is becoming a favorite series and he’s becoming a favorite author!
Brittany is so relatable! I honestly struggle A LOT with the books too, especially because english is not my first language and Erikson has such a beautiful and complex writing, but i absolutely love Malazan and i really liked your review!
I randomly stumbled upon HoC in my local library, and decided to read it from the cover art (the version with the Hound statues in the Nascent), and that served as my introduction to the Malazan epic, so it will always have a special place in my heart. It did make it a bit jarring to go back for GotM, which I think is the "least good" of the series. That being said GotM is still some amazing writing, and I've always been a fan of the "throw the reader into the deep end of the pool, and let them figure out how to swim" approach. Apart from the thing with Fiddler and the Tano, that Attila mentioned, the meeting of Karsa an Icarium is also pretty important, as well as Karsa's meeting with the Jaghut when he's fetching Havoc (the second), and they tell him about Icarium's parentage (the mother, not the father). There might also be a few others, but pointing them out would be spoilers ;) I for one would enjoy the part-way reviews thing with several 20'ish minute videos, but then again I'm the kind of person, that takes enjoys watching and listening to people talk about the things that I love, and I wouldn't be here if I didn't love the Book of the Fallen. It might also be an effective showcase of how ones perception of the characters change through each book. With regards to the name-changing, I think it might also be representative of the different ways the characters perceive themselves (or in the case of Karsa, allow others to perceive them). Also, as Cottilion notes, the actions of Cutter can be "distanced" from the person of Crokus. This allows people to distance themselves from parts of their lives, which is very human in my experience. As for ranking HoC in the 4 first books, I think I enjoyed MoI more when I was reading it the last time I did a reread, but that changes a bit every time. I do think HoC is more instrumental to the overarching plot, but explaining that would take spoilers, and I would never want to rob anyone of the experience of discovering this grand epic tale for themselves. Some favorite scenes in no particular order: Karsa's first meeting with Icarium, honestly a lot of things with Karsa, especially after he "becomes" Toblakai. The "fight" scene between Tavore and Felisin from Felisin's pov is so heart wrenching it always draws a tear from me. The brief return of Hedge, and last ride of Fist Gamet. The scorpion fight, and honestly a lot of the interactions of the marines with each other. And congrats on getting the man himself for an interview, that's pretty freaking amazing :D
So I came here from your Erikson interview (that's F'in awesome I'm jealous) (I haven't finished it yet, just saw in comments how you fangirled out over him commenting and figured... "I should start from the beginning" ) My first read of the series was years ago when I was flying a lot and I'd be taking notes on each book while flying and people next to me would be like "what are you studying?". It was hard to tell people "No no... I'm just reading a fantasy series for fun". It was for all the name changes. I think it's back to old school high fantasy how "names have power" so when someone changes as a person their name changes as well because a name reflects their true self blah blah balh. I look forward to your continued reviews b/c they are NOT spoiler free... I forget what details are in each book so when you include the details I can be like "Oh yea" vs googling the summery to see what happen in this book again. These are great so far, my only critique is that none of the books behind you look "read". I have no doubt you have read them all on kindle or you are one of those people who buys two copies. That's not a bad thing, just looks too perfect. Also later Karsa is my second favorite character behind Icarium Keep it up... I look forward to more
"Glee, i get to eat humans tonight.... i mean watch Britanny's thoughts on House of Chains" You are doing great. And when you have a book of this size with a big cast of characters, you are bound to forget some of them. And just to say it, i know you have other things going on, but i would have absolutely no problem with seeing you ramble about theese book for hours, it is a pleasure. About Karsa, yes he is a terribly awesome character. Now that you have read House of Chains, i would recommend that you read Erikson's essay "The problem of Karsa Orlong" About Tavore, yes she is a very passive character, but that is by choice, and i get why you might not be that hot towards her at the moment, but as the books go on, i have a sneaking suspicion that you might start to like her, but we will have to see. And without spoiling too much, i don't think she knows she killed Fellisin. It would have destroyed her, and that is why Lostara and Pearl keeps the secret from her, because she needs to be strong and lead the army. Especially considering everyone has little to no faith in her capability to do so. My girl needs to be strong and put up a brave face. Was there anything major you forgot, hmmm that depends, i think Fiddler and the Tano Spirit walkers song, and the ascension of the Bridgeburners part, is a pretty major thing and is important going foward. And poor, poor Fellisin younger, that is so heartwrenching, my poor child. And no you are not alone in liking House of Chains more than Memories of Ice, while Memories of Ice is good. The thing that does it for me with House of Chains, is that it is a pretty dark book with its substance and themes about slavery/chains and the loss and taking of control. But at the same time it is hillariously funny, the use of comedic relief is just so good. From Strings to Stormy and Gesler. The sexual tension and love/hate relationship of Lostara and Pearl. The banter between Trull and Onrack, Karsa and all his antics. Morgora and Iskarel's weird hide and seek marriage. To the random grunts and their plans to kill the company cook. And lets not forget about Joyful Union and Greyfrog. The book had so many parts that had me bursting with laughter. But i am rambling. As always a delight to hear and see your thougts, though i wish i could get more. And looking foward to see you when you've finished Midnight Tides
😂😂😂 I got to interview Erikson Friday and he explained about keeping her at a distance. It was great! So SO much to enjoy in this book. And agreed, I did forget to talk about those things 🙈
Midnight Tides was by far my favorite book, and it continues to be upon reread. The showdown in the throne room feels straight out of a Greek tragedy. It might be my favorite scene in the whole series. In my opinion books 5,6, and 7 are the best in the series, so if you've already been blown away by the previous books, just wait.
Midnight Tides is even better (in my opinion of course). I'm glad you're loving the series. Also, the absence of an epic battle at the end is done on purpose. Imagine how the army must have felt when they realized that all their long march was for nothing. It's a big catalyst going into The Bonehunters, which consists of nothing but battle after battle after battle.
Oooh, so glad you loved it so much! HoC is my least favorite of the first four, I have to admit... Don't worry about the new setting in MT, I personally found it way easier to get into, and you're already used to his style by now. Aaand you're gonna meet Tehol and Bugg and since you like humour in fantasy, I'm sure you're gonna love them! And yes, you'll get Trull's backstory eventually :) Karsa continues to be interesting and he also meets new characters he has interesting relationships with in the future books!
It great how much ground you covered in this, how many interesting plotlines are mentioned, and you didn't even get to Fiddler and the marines. There's just so much, he layers story on story and history on history. I'm on my second read through and love Karsa, but the marines are fascinating for where they are going in future books, and also thinking about how they are retracing Coltain's path from the chain of dogs. That and retracing the steps of past bridge burners through the song of the spirit walker. Anyway, great discussion for a great book, love all the stuff that was covered, too.
I LOVED this book. Even more than Memories of Ice, which made me feel kinda crazy because everyone raves about MoI and pans HoC. But whatever. Karsa's story is amazing, Felisin/Tavore broke my heart into a million pieces, Greyfrog is the best, Heboric trips balls with the jade statues, Kalam is Kalam, and Crokus made me relive all my teenage romances (k, that part wasn't great). It's the best! Also, my hot take on Memories of Ice is Whiskeyjack gets a lot of mileage out of having a cool name, not much else 😜
When I was reading DHG and the Toblakai killed a 'bear' I was pretty unimpressed. After reading HOC, having more info on how powerful a D'iver is, witnassing how powerful Karsa is, my mind could not wrap around how Steven Erikson made such a impressive feat of strength seem so unimportant in the first read through.
i want to know why Felisin didn't open her dang mouth when Tavore was coming towards her! but then Pearl just takes her 'somewhere' which sounds like she may be coming back. i know everyone doesn't come back but you just never can tell. I want to hear more about the ascension of the bridgeburners!
I just stumbled on your content yesterday, and I'm thrilled! I read through Malazan as the books were coming out, and it was awful not having anyone to talk about the series with. I kept asking myself why it wasn't more mainstream, because it also raised the bar for my expectations from fiction. I can't wait to hear your reactions to the remaining books.
I’ve just watched all your Malazan videos and for a first time reader, you’re doing a great job so far. Love your style and your enthusiasm for these books, which I would probably count as my favourite modern fantasy series. Very much looking forward to watching your next video for Midnight Tides, keep up the good work.
I started this series a few years ago. I loved it, but made the mistake of stopping for too long. Im gearing myself up to jump back in. Im enjoying your videos and they are making me excited to start once again. Just subbed. Thanks!
You definitely did a good job editing this, it appeared completely lucid somehow :P For me, my favorite Malazan book was always in the last 2 i've read while going through the series. I personally prefered MoI a litte bit more, but that will 100% change on a re-read (The Trull scenes especially after having read his backstory in Midnight Tides). Looking forward to the next book chats and I love to relive the story alongside your thoughts! And you definitely have a good taste in favorite characters
Tavore didn't know that it was Felisin, it's straight out of a Greek tragedy, so heartbreaking. I have so much respect for Steven Erikson he really is just a master of characters, depth, foreshadowing, and scale. I'm almost done book 7 and I would say that HoC is ranked 4th for me (Bonehunters is my no1 so far). Midnight Tides is very different with another new setting but it's incredible and once again if you trust Erikson it will all pay off. It's a very relevant book philosophically and has a great critique of capitalism going on. Midnight Tides happens when the reader wants it least but the series needs it most. You're absolutely going to love Tehol and Bugg. Enjoy!!
Books with Brittany I’ve read the series twice and while MT is very good, nothing touches Bonehunters for me. Can’t wait to see your reaction as you complete this journey. Really enjoying the reviews, keep up the good work!
So glad you are still enjoying this series and another awesome review! After MT you will really see how the scope and build up of this world was designed to bring everything together for the final half of the series. Also, you are way way ahead as a reader than most people are when they first pick up this series so you are doing a great job. I was 10x more confused and lost my first time. Can't wait to see how you feel about the new characters in MT!
I think this entire series is a masterpiece and I can't say enough good things about Erikson. I'm with you in that I wish more people read this series or discussed it but it seems like more and more people are discovering these books so that's great. Great video and I love how you spend so much time going over your feelings and the plot/characters. I've been gutted so many times along the way with these books and I've even cried lol. I think it's better than A Song of Ice and Fire, Wheel of Time, and even the Stormlight Archive. I love how unconventional these books and characters and world is. I think calling them fantasy books is almost misleading as it doesn't follow the "regular" format (remaking Lord of the Rings, for example). By the time the series ends, and you find out what the actual "real plot" was all along, your top will be blown for sure!
I've read this book as far as book 5 and I expect that none of the characters ever get written out of the story. Death is like a part of character development in Malazan. And I am 100% okay with that. It is a different take on death for sure, and like you said yourself a huge amount of the Malazan is carried not by singular characters but pairs of characters. It guarantees that one of a pair getting killed will change the story in a big way even though death so often just means returning as a ghost, or a zombie, or a reincarnation or a puppet.
Regarding the constant name changes, I always wondered if this sort of reduced spoilers for people, say if you googled Crokus early on but wouldn't receive the spoilers for their eventual new name. However with Malazan there's not too much you can spoil with just a sentence so this may not be the case. Just something I pondered.
Great review! I liked the book, perhaps not my favorite so far but still great. HoC solidified Fiddler, oh, sorry it is Strings, as my favorite Malazan character
What in the world? How were people reading that Tavore KNEW it was Felisin? That's absolute madness to me. I did not read it that way at all, I saw ZERO indication that she would even CONSIDER such a thing as a possibility. Genuinely curious how anyone arrived at that conclusion...
So cool to see another fellow Malazan fans on Booktube. First in, last out! When I first read House of Chains, I must say I think my opinion and feelings on it were influenced a bit too much by how much I loved Memories of Ice; I probably should've waited a bit. And I was shocked by my own review that said I disliked Tavore in House of Chains because she grew to be one of my favorite characters of the series. Anyway, I'm glad you loved this book, and I hope you'll love Midnight Tides and Bonehunters!
I’m so excited to jump into Midnight Tides! I was chatting with Erikson on Friday and he was telling me about how he kept her at a distance on purpose and she became a favorite of his to write. So I’m excited to continue. Anyways, I’ve been following your Good Reads reviews for years! Excited you have a channel now :)
@@BookswithBrittany you chatted with Erikson!? That's super cool!! 😍 I wish I had known that about Tavore when i first read House of Chains, but oh well! My reread will be awesome! Also, I didn't know that. Thank you for following my reviews, I hope it has led you to some amazing books! 😊 On the other hand, I'm still very new at this Booktube, so I'll be learning from you! 😅 Keep ul the great videos! 😄
FINALLY!! I've been waiting for this. I'm so happy. Loved the beak down and analysis. I've been struggling with Malazan fatigue halfway through MT so please do take a break before MT.
I just finished my re-read of HoC. Out of the first 4 books I like MoI best then DG, HoC, and GotM. No surprise since for me the battle scenes are my favorite part. I was let down that there wasn't an epic, cliche end battle between Tavore and Leoman. On this read I empathized with Cutter. Poor guy totally changes himself because it seems like the natural way to make things work with Apsalar. Then she leaves him without a word because she doesn't want him to be a killer. It's already said and done lady... his name is now Cutter for F sake! I can unfortunately relate. I enjoyed how Erikson leaves it open to interpretation whether Tavore realizes Shaik is Felisin or not. Felisin is such an underrated character. This time through I realized the Whirlwind Goddess was Onrac's mate before Kilava. I totally missed that on my first read. Erikson certainly loves a good tragedy.
I actually quit the series in the middle of this book and put it down for a year. IDK why but I powered through the first three then this was just wasn't doing it for me. Then, a year later, I went back and read the first three and picked up House of Chains again and couldn't put it down the second time and now it's one of my favorites. Just want my warleader to lead me.
Glad to see someone who loves HoC like I do. I Loved exploring the narrative/emotional/thematic aftermath of DG and MoI, as well as the expanding story and world filled with new mystery and intrigue. Tavore and Felisin WRECKED me.
Yeah, House of Chains has some of my favourite characters/arcs like Karsa, Heboric and Felisin. It introduced really interesting characters, and for me the world felt more cohesive, "building" from the previous books.
Ahh Midnight Tides coming up. While it's hard for me to choose a definite favourite from the series, Midnight Tides is definitely up there among my top 3.
Just finished house of chains I really enjoyed it except for the tavore arc in the book will be reading midnight tides in September I do feel sorry for felisin I would had love to see more of her
Karsa growth was amazing this savage to really understanding and growing up, plus the god he worshiped was t a miss, the choosing of a horse was also great and the making of his weapon
Whenever Kalam and quick Ben are in the story your always in for a good time, I feel for cutter like dam that got to hurt to love someone but over time feel they are slipping away from you more and more, the adjunct to give your sister the death sentence again man this book hit, orlong was my dude he mad gangsta
Karsa got so many slaps in the face during House of Chains, but you got it wrong at the end with Siballe. He tells her that he had learned that glory is nothing, and not much else except one more thing, that the same CANNOT be said for mercy. So he gives Siballe the mercy of oblivion. And yes, the seven gods of the Teblor were actually T'lan Imass and not gods at all. They were conspiring with the Crippled God so they can be free of their barrow/prison. On a sidenote Tavore is meant to be unlikable, unreachable, unfathomable, distant, emotionless, etc, we see her as her soldiers see her. And we don't get any insights into her motivations just like we didn't get with Coltaine, we saw Coltaine through the eyes of Duiker and the rest of the 7th army. But just stick to her she is one of the best characters for me and I think one of the few truly good persons in the entire series. Shame you didn't talk much about Fiddler and the Bonehunters, those are the parts I enjoyed the most in this book. I laughed so hard when Fiddler and Cuttle blew up some munitions to get the legion in order at the first assembly. And Cuttle holding up a cusser and threatening everyone like a madman that people will die if they dont do this right. Great review btw
Karsa is the most interesting character to me because: there is no reason at all to like him. He’s a major league S.O.B. He is the opposite of a Tool or Trull. Yet I love reading him.
Malazan is so fckin good lol. But yeah I agree that A) MoI was not my fav like every1 else and B) Tavore is the only character that feels just OK (but I'm only a little further on ahead. Maybe it changes)
Unpopular Opinion: If Pearl and Lostara hadn't paused to, you know, bang, who knows if Tavore would have discovered on time that Sha'ik was her sister.
Yeah, the ending is intentionally anticlimactic and it's perfect IMO. It truly shows how terrible a motive revenge is to base your life around and how in the end it doesn't make an ounce of difference for said character that she'd been building her whole existence around it. And to answer, after rereading it over Tavorre doesn't ever find out ultimately as the two investigating decide not to tell her the truth as it didn't make a difference at that point they'd come too late.
So tell us how you really feel? Erickson does include a lot of violence in his books but I don't see them as overdone like goreporn. He makes you feel uncomfortable but not turned off. I think people like MoI so much because of the ending. You know, that character you didn't even mention in your review. But for character development, you get such a range from just evil to comic relief. You have Karsa and Bidithal but also Kruppe and Pust. Just wait for Tehol and Bugg.
@@kennethadderley6897 its namesake comes from Malaz City. it has nothing to do with pronouncing it like "malady" or any word starting with "mal" in that same way.
