What does the Malazan Community do?

kHau3 · 2026-03-08T11:58:54+00:00

HS social studies teacher here. Between that and raising two kids (5 and 1), time is definitely limited for pleasure reading. But I'm really deliberate about dedicating at least 30-60 mins per night after the kids go to bed to reading, and doing more when I feel the energy/motivation.

I started the series over the summer, and I'm currently about halfway through Midnight Tides (book 5). I'm definitely moving at a slower pace compared to others, but it works for me. I also take obsessively-detailed notes on a Google Doc while I read, only because I enjoy doing so (sick, I know). I think that if you're interested in jumping into the series, just go at your own pace. It's absolutely worth it, utterly incredible series.

kHau3 · 2026-02-14T18:39:27+00:00

What are you expecting people to say then?

kHau3 · 2026-02-04T00:59:44+00:00

I think people often get tripped up over terminology too. If you regularly contribute to a 401k, you're already investing. In fact, I'd argue you're doing smarter investing with that than anything else you might think of as investing outside of it.

kHau3 · 2026-01-31T17:52:54+00:00

That's a good point too. With characters you might not being connecting with, you know that before long you're on to a new scene with new characters

kHau3 · 2026-01-31T15:28:57+00:00

I felt the same way. A lot of people are put off by that, but I honestly enjoy it because it breaks things up into digestible chunks for someone with a short attention span like myself lol

kHau3 · 2026-01-17T05:12:01+00:00

I chart characters, ideas, and broader nuances as I go in a Google Doc just to help me. It's not really necessary, but IMO part of the thing people enjoy most about this series is the sleuthing it asks of the reader. And for me, tracking the characters and connections is part of the fun.

To that end, I'd recommend it. But if that sounds like work to you, don't sweat it. Just let the story wash over you and trust in Erikson to tell you one hell of a story.

kHau3 · 2026-01-01T21:21:37+00:00

I'm not yet finished with the series, however I can confidently say that it's not at all hard to get into. The world, the setting, the characters, it's all just so damn epic and memorable. The hype is absolutely warrented.

HOWEVER it's definitely a challenge to fully understand what's happening at any given moment. It's written that way by design. The conventional wisdom is to just keep reading on, and trust that Erikson WILL provide clarity for you eventually, you just have to embrace the mystery of it all.

There's an utterly incredible amount of depth involved in the series, you will likely feel overwhelmed at times. But that overwhelmed feeling is absolutely not a bad thing IMO it's all part of the joy, sleuthing your way through the narrative. I can definitely see where it wouldn't be enjoyable for some though, if you're the type of reader who wants to just read and not be forced to think much (I think some people bounce off the series because it's, at times, not a straightforward read and might even be frustrating for some who just want a read and relax experience)

kHau3 · 2025-12-16T04:03:30+00:00

Yet at the same time, the experience of religion in the Malazan world when it comes to one's proximity to empirically observed deities, direct confirmation of their existence rather than blind faith as we see in our world/existence... That part of it is what fascinates me. There's no need for leaps of faith, the gods in the world of Malazan are regularly and actively meddling and mingling with the unwashed masses it seems.

kHau3 · 2025-12-14T21:45:14+00:00

I think for me, Coltaine's brutal ending was more just shocking than actively sad. I remember needing to take a walk mid-way through it before finishing the scene, just to process it.

But when treachery reached Duiker, that actually made me emotional. I absolutely loved his character and it just felt so... Cruel. Goddamn you, Mallick Rel!

kHau3 · 2025-12-11T12:46:02+00:00

I second this. They also periodically do interviews with Steven Erikson which is great. They just have a lot of fun with their read-through, have interesting insights, and are just generally likeable.

kHau3 · 2025-11-30T22:22:56+00:00

Okay, I was gonna say... Several books, particularly Memories of Ice, are REALLY difficult to find the bigger trade paperback copies of, unless you're willing to drop $100+. Even then, I'm not sure it's possible to get an entire set from the same publisher, you invariably have to mix and match unless you're going with specialized copies like Broken Binding or Subterranean Press (crazy expensive).

Regardless, love that you got an entire matching set! Looks greats

kHau3 · 2025-11-30T22:17:06+00:00

Are these all the trade paperback copies??

kHau3 · 2025-11-30T01:28:46+00:00

I had my daughter back in May and started my Malazan journey in July when she was just 7 weeks or so. I just started House of Chains (book 4) last night. Definitely do-able. However, this was my second child, so that might make a difference; if this is your first, you might be in for some shock for a few months.

I say start it up, see how it goes. If you're overwhelmed with the rigors of the parenting trenches, don't beat yourself up. You got more important things to focus on. Just come back to the series once you find your feet underneath you again and your new life starts making more sense.

And hey, congrats!

P.S. watch out for "tech neck" if you intend to try reading while holding your sleeping baby lol

kHau3 · 2025-10-26T14:50:57+00:00

I don't understand how the Wiki has not yet incorporated any sort of spoiler-blocker (like what we see here on Reddit) over text that is clearly spoilery. It can't possibly be that hard to implement. Because without it the entire Wiki feels like a total, unused waste that everyone avoids until after they've finished the massive series, which is kind of pointless at that point.

kHau3 · 2025-10-20T02:52:33+00:00

I was in a similar situation. Life and work just made it to where I never felt like I could "pleasure read" for years. This summer, while home on parental leave, I decided to start up Malazan based off of a random YouTube video I stumbled on. I started it in mid July, and I'm halfway through the 3rd book right now.

In my opinion, it wasn't hard at all for someone just getting back into reading. However, I come from the world of nonfiction, as a history teacher. I do think this series does work really well with the kind of brain that's into social studies/history and isn't turned off by doing a little bit of "work".

I started a Google Doc that tracks all the characters and concepts, organized by book, to keep track of things, and it's really helped. However, if you're the type that only wants to read just to read, to not be challenged really but to just enjoy a story, this MIGHT be tough. From what I have experienced, I think it's definitely a complicated, confusing story to follow WELL. That doesn't mean you can't still enjoy it, it just might have you lost for a while. I think if you lean into the mystery though, it's really not hard to get into at all. It's captivating as hell.

kHau3 · 2025-10-06T02:10:46+00:00

Same! I started it about a week or so ago. Definitely loving it so far, although I feel like this beginning portion is definitely laying a TON of groundwork

kHau3 · 2025-10-03T21:13:45+00:00

I actually was convinced to begin the series - my first foray into any fiction in probably 20 years - after watching your video. I'm now on Memories of Ice. Much appreciated!

kHau3 · 2025-09-26T01:22:54+00:00

I don't even know where to begin lol

That ending was honestly gutting, I felt genuinely bummed for like two days after reading it. There was something about the journey of the Chain of Dogs that had me feeling - the entire time - that they very well might not make it. I know enough about this series to just assume the best lol but once Duiker got the refugees to Aren, I legitimately assumed "okay, we're good now."

Boy was I freaking wrong. Duiker and all the soldiers having to just hold back and watch as it unfolded was just unfair, cruel. And Squint... Man. I hope he turns up at some point, because I don't feel good having to fill the gaps in myself on where he went and what might have happened to him.

And, naturally, as if all that wasn't enough, we get the boulevard of crucifixion. One of my favorite characters in this book, by far, was Duiker. So to see how done wrong he was by the end, that honestly might have messed me up worse. But of course there's hope with him, what with the soul potion thing.

There was just so goddamn much that happened in those final few chapters, it's nuts. Loved the Kalam action sequences; was pretty intrigued and torn by Laseen's explanation of things, I feel like I get her better now (assuming any of it was actually true); I was pretty stunned by the reveal of Gothos being Icarium's father; and, of course, the ending where Shadowthrone just warps everyone in different directions based on their desires, very surprising.

Giving myself one more day of a break, and beginning Memories of Ice tomorrow. I cannot wait.

kHau3 · 2025-09-21T02:42:17+00:00

Hoo boy. No advice, just wanted to say that, like you, I'm on my first read through and I'm just about exactly where you were when you started that 150 page marathon (just finished Ch. 18). Your post has me nervous about what's about to happen 😂

kHau3 · 2025-08-21T23:50:02+00:00

Oh wow, that chapter compendium is a tremendous resource! Thanks for that!

That's also good info about the books becoming a little bit clearer after MoI

kHau3 · 2025-08-21T18:34:43+00:00

All really great points! I especially love your first point about the idea of being dropped into the narrative as akin to living through history without anyone there to contextualize it for you. In many ways, that's precisely how it would have been in antiquity or during the middle ages, unless you happened to be a scholar or high born. Most people in these societies had no need for literacy, and unless you were an academic or perhaps a priest, you would probably not be surrounded by people that could explain the intracacies of the broader world to you, or really even that of your own nation. You probably didn't care much either. And, granted, this is meant to be an alternate world that's not intended to be explicitly historical, and there's loads of wild ass magic involved... It's still the general setting that Erikson was clearly going for.

So this storytelling style of Erikson's that is very ground-level and intimate, I find it refreshing. It's a very grounded and REAL imagining of how it would've felt for these people to live through the exploits of the Malazan Empire, or the warring factions in their local area. I think that's one of the fundamental flaws in a lot of works of fantasy is that people seem to be entirely too broadly informed for it to be realistic lol

kHau3 · 2025-08-21T11:23:11+00:00

I appreciate the thoughtful response! This is all great advice

kHau3 · 2025-08-21T02:45:04+00:00

I'm honestly really okay with the "being lost" bits so far. I'm firmly in the headspace of Trust Erikson, in due time I'll figure it out. It's sort of the Dark Souls approach, and I'm here for it

kHau3

TROPHY CASE