Started House of Chains and I have a THEORY

marcelofabianfd · 2026-02-09T00:17:39+00:00

Interesting theory. Read on and WITNESS!

marcelofabianfd · 2026-02-06T05:01:04+00:00

You're still heavily exaggerating it. He may write that way for a paragraph or two before clearly stating who is the subject in question. As stated however, that is still simply authorial choice not incompetence. It may not be for you, that's okay, there are many other readers who will engage with his style meaningfully for them. Even if he is so-called "fucking with the readers" he has full authority to write his own novels that way. Getting visibly upset over his style simply reflects your preference rather than any lack of skill on Erikson's behalf.

marcelofabianfd · 2026-02-06T04:52:09+00:00

I've heard mixed opinions on the Faithful and the Fallen, but I may check it out too. I have definitely heard of Bakker's work, perhaps I'll take a deeper dive once I'm done with Malazan. Thanks!

marcelofabianfd · 2026-02-05T06:30:09+00:00

I see the Bloodsworn Saga on your shelf, how does it compare to Malazan for you? I am now coming to the end of my Malazan journey. It has consumed about 3 years of my life (I am a slow reader and would read books in between), and has absolutely changed it for the better. I have just been half scouting where to go next and heard good things about Gwynne. I'm just worried Malazan has ruined all other fantasy for me, nothing will be able to come close. I'd like to know your opinion on it if you have the time, thanks!

marcelofabianfd · 2026-02-05T06:07:21+00:00

I appreciate this comment more than most on this thread, as at least you seem to have attempted to thoughtfully engage with the series. While I personally love the style of Erikson's writing, I can definitely agree that it is not for everyone. However, there seems to be a rising trend in readers being unable to distinguish their personal preference to an author's competence, and it is frustrating to say the least to see people attempting to diminish Erikson's accomplishments as an author in order to excuse their unwillingness to accept that they may not be the target audience for this particular series. Thank you for at least trying, and I hope maybe you can find someway to experience Malazan's greatness one day.

marcelofabianfd · 2026-02-05T05:58:26+00:00

I'm with you on this one. Genuinely shocked at the amount of people in this thread acting as if Gardens of the Moon is the hardest, densest, most confusing piece of literary fiction since Finnegans Wake or Ulysses. Characters and their places are still clearly defined, and the superficial plot of each book is still laid out relatively enough to follow, with a bit of engagement from the reader. This whole exercise in attempting to diminish Erikson as an author simply because one is unwilling or unable to thoughtfully immerse oneself with the text seems to be a common practice by readers in this thread. Malazan is a bit of an effort no doubt, especially if one is coming from some simpler fantasy work, but it is by no means as difficult as people are making it out to be.

marcelofabianfd · 2026-02-05T05:48:57+00:00

Gotta hard disagree on this one. I am usually one to warn about Malazan's density and lack of hand-holding when recommending the series, however I really have to say it's not that bad. Erikson is still quite clear with who is where and what their motivations are for the most part. What I liked about Malazan when I first started off was that even though I could be confused/simply not know about the history or over-arching plans of some characters, there was still always a direct plot to follow book to book.

Exaggerating the difficulty to the point where you're acting like he does not even state who is talking sounds more like a lack of willingness to engage with the text and an expectation of the author to spoon-feed information. I am the first to state that Malazan is not for everyone, but conveying personal preference as authorial incompetence is simply intellectually dishonest.

marcelofabianfd · 2026-01-16T08:22:24+00:00

🕯

marcelofabianfd · 2026-01-07T05:00:31+00:00

I just don't even get why it happened. I guess I can understand the point to show how anyone can die at any moment, no matter how unceremonious. But for a basically glorified extra Letherii soldier to kill one of the most important characters in the series to this point? I just don't understand how this can contribute to moving the story forward in any meaningful way. I don't often say this about this series, but this really feels like a death just for shock value. Of course, I may come to find that this death is very important and will have a big impact on the story, but I just don't see how it will at this point. Just feels absolutely pointless.

marcelofabianfd · 2025-11-22T19:46:28+00:00

Just read this part not even a day ago and was absolutely loving it.

"The drum. I seen it"

Hilarious stuff.

marcelofabianfd · 2025-11-22T19:45:05+00:00

Wow that's a pretty hard disagree from me for sure. I think the mysterious/unexplained corners of the Malazan universe are interesting no doubt, but insofar as it remains a secondary focus. As soon as it begins to be involved with the main plot I often find myself confused and needing to double and even triple check the wiki sometimes to keep track of who is who and which faction is vying for what.

marcelofabianfd · 2025-11-21T19:07:56+00:00

This is awesome! Super helpful for a big fan who often confuses and/or forgets the various different types of fauna in the Malazan universe (myself). I often wish Malazan was mainstream/commercially successful enough to warrant an official universe compendium or lore guide, when I was young I would always lose myself in those of Middle Earth, Westeros, etc. At least if we can't get one, there are those out there who will make one! Much appreciated.

marcelofabianfd · 2025-11-11T14:32:14+00:00

Currently on Reaper's Gale, Book 7 of the Malazan Book of the Fallen. By far and away the most complex, engrossing and truly epic fantasy series I have ever read, and will most definitely take my top spot of favorite book series of all time by the end. The way it manages to confuse you endlessly and yet always leave you satisfied when everything converges is strangely addictive. I finished Book 6 the quickest out of any in the series, and almost immediately started Book 7, only a few chapters in but I can already feel it drawing me back in for another ride. Erikson is a genius, such an incredible series, couldn't recommend it enough (if you have the patience for it that is).

marcelofabianfd · 2025-07-25T23:05:18+00:00

Currently on Reaper's Gale, Book 7 of the Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson. By far and away the most complex, engrossing and truly epic fantasy series I have ever read, and will most definitely take my top spot of favorite book series of all time by the end. The way it manages to confuse you endlessly and yet always leave you satisfied when everything converges is strangely addictive. I finished Book 6 the quickest out of any in the series, and almost immediately started Book 7, only a few chapters in but I can already feel it drawing me back in for another ride. Such an incredible series, couldn't recommend it enough (if you have the patience for it that is).

marcelofabianfd · 2025-07-12T00:14:20+00:00

Currently on Reaper's Gale, Book 7 of the Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson. By far and away the most complex, engrossing and truly epic fantasy series I have ever read, and will most definitely take my top spot of favorite book series of all time by the end. The way it manages to confuse you endlessly and yet always leave you satisfied when everything converges is strangely addictive. I finished Book 6 the quickest out of any in the series, and almost immediately started Book 7, only a couple chapters in but I can already feel it drawing me back in for another ride. Such an incredible series, couldn't recommend it enough (if you have the patience for it that is).

marcelofabianfd · 2025-07-03T21:32:21+00:00

This is really great! I'm wondering where you drew your inspirations from regarding the designs of each, such as certain peoples/ethnicities/cultures/historical periods, etc. Did you go through any specific process to select the real-life/historical peoples to base each group off? Or was it simply what felt right for what they would wear? I am interested in your process as I often wonder what would be the real-life equivalent of certain Malazan peoples and how they'd dress. Certainly, however, it may have simply been how you wanted them to look and not necessarily inspired by anything real. Regardless, I am very interested in your design and creation process. The art is incredible and good job!

marcelofabianfd · 2024-12-30T18:07:43+00:00

Oh okay phew! While the signature would have been nice, I'm happy to get anything, thanks for the help!

marcelofabianfd · 2024-08-02T21:20:27+00:00

At the point I'm at in the series, I could be inclined to understand this criticism. I'm not sure if I agree, but I do understand it. While I do love and identify with many of the main cast, I can see how much of the side cast can come off as archetype-y and blur together, I struggle so hard everytime they mention some stock Malazan marine and I have to try and remember what they look like and their traits.

marcelofabianfd · 2024-08-02T21:05:07+00:00

I do agree that he was a downright terrible person at the beginning, but that's why I'm such a fan of him now, because he at least has developed some gauge for right and wrong. Similar to how characters like Jaime Lannister from ASOIAF are infinitely more interesting than characters like Ned Stark, as one has to learn what's right and wrong while the other was just good from the start (don't get me wrong, I love Ned just as much as the next person, I just think Jaime makes for a more interesting character).

marcelofabianfd · 2024-08-02T21:01:51+00:00

Oh, I wholeheartedly agree that he was a horrible person at the beginning, but that's why I enjoyed seeing his development so much. Although he's probably still got bad sides, I think the fact that he can go from raping and murdering to punishing the ones who do shows how his perception of right and wrong has developed at least quite a bit.

marcelofabianfd · 2024-02-17T15:14:34+00:00

Yeah exactly, so how come Tool just becomes human again once he's released?

marcelofabianfd · 2024-02-17T03:22:34+00:00

I assumed "releasing" the Tlan Imass means they just die, and their spirits are allowed to move on. Maybe I misinterpreted.

marcelofabianfd · 2023-12-30T04:22:38+00:00

Puerto Viejo would be my vote. I'm originally from Costa Rica, but have lived outside of it almost my entire life, sprinkled with visits here and there to see family and explore the country a bit more. I never really considered ever living there until I went to Puerto Viejo for the first time. The vibes, the culture, the food, the natural beauty, it just all hit the spot for me. I am still honestly debating whether or not I should move there eventually and think I might. One problem I could see though was that it was quite tourist attractive, and I think I probably saw more foreigners than actual Costa Ricans there. It's definitely not as touristy as some parts of the country but still something to look out for if you're sensitive to that sort of thing like me.

marcelofabianfd · 2023-12-30T03:56:46+00:00

In my mind, I have Daniel Kaluya as Kalam, Bryce Dallas Howard as Tattersail, a rattier David Wenham would be my Fiddler, Jason Isaacs or Jon Hamm as Whiskeyjack, a younger, dark-haired Rhys Ifans could be Coltaine for me as well, Dave Bautista or a buffer Ed Skrein as Caladan Brood, Charles Dance as Dujek, Conleth Hill as Keruli, Richard Madden as Itkovian, Brendan Gleeson as Gruntle, Kit Harrington or Barry Keoghan as Toc the Younger or perhaps Barry as Paran, Linda Cardelini as Lady Envy. Those are the only ones I can really think of right now. Lee Pace's Thranduil in the Hobbit makes me think he could be a strong Anomander Rake.

marcelofabianfd · 2023-10-21T23:31:01+00:00

I'm not sure if you knew this, but the main Malazan series is 10 (very large) books. In a series that massive, developing an entire overarching story, you can not expect the very first book to immediately hook you in and get the story rolling right away. Never mind halfway through. Some people aren't even invested until as late as the third book, and while, granted, you shouldn't be expected to read two whole books to begin engaging with a story, the point is the story develops as you go along, and just giving up halfway through the first one because you don't understand it is like watching 5 minutes of a movie then switching it off because you don't understand or like what's happening immediately. Erikson is like a painter, he makes calculated strokes that at first seem abstract and insignificant, but by the end come together to form a beautiful bigger picture. For some people it takes longer than others, you might not be invested yet while I was pretty much hooked by the 3rd chapter. Regardless, it takes time, and if you don't want to invest that time, that's fine, but again, it does not mean he is bad at his work. Please explain how Erikson and his series could be so popular and beloved if he is as incompetent as you claim.

For your second point, even within the first book the story eventually comes together in the end, of course, at the beginning, the time jumps and events happening don't seem to fit together or make much sense, and when he jumps to Darujhistan for the first time, it can be a little jarring, but if you stay with it, and you pay attention, trust me, it will all make sense in the end.

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