Deadhouse Gates [Malazan Book of the Fallen #2] - Spoiler-filled Book Discussion

[@SouravUldyssian]

This was a great deep dive into the book. Glad that you loved it. Just a few points. If you want to know more about how Kellanved and Dancer ascended, you will see that in Night of Knives, the first book in Esslemont's Novels of the Malazan Empire (not the prequel series Path to Ascendancy), which you are supposed to read in between books 5 and 6 of the main series. The origins of Soletaken and Divers is explained by Heboric when they were in the underground city. Page 454-455. Read that section once more. Regarding the Imperial warren, Kalam actually suspects that this warren is much older and more ancient and he thinks it is connected to Kallor, Caladan Brood's second in command whom you met very briefly in GOTM. Just read page 502 of DG once more when Kalam is finding these things. Baruk's minions take Duiker's body also, along with the pendant that contains his soul. Pust and by extension Shadowthrone did want Apsalar to be the Shaik, so that they can control her better against the Malazan Empire. But Apsalar basically refused, she told Fiddler and the others when they catch up to her, that she doesn't want to be possessed or controlled again, that's why it didn't go ahead further. Being Shaik basically means letting the Whirlwind goddess into you, and its doubtful how much control you will be able to retain. Waiting for your Memories of Ice read.

[@fantasybookclub]

Thanks for this comment! I appreciate the pointing out of specific pages too - as has often been the case with my Malazan journey so far I'm never sure if I missed a bit of text or it's just a secret yet to be revealed, so it's helpful to see specific passages to revisit and answer some of my questions :D

[@danielecorsi1310]

Great recap bro, love your attention to details! I would suggest you to talk more about your personal emotions and reactions to those character arcs and themes. I think it's very interesting to see how everyone has a different emotional reaction, for example, to the Chain of Dogs tragic journey/end or Icarium and Mappo relationship. Can't wait to know your thoughts on Memories of Ice, as I've just read it! I think it's going to be a great read for you🎉

[@mathewvance6882]

Ooh, I never thought about Coltaine possibly being an incarnation of a previous leader (besides his current possible reincarnation status). Considering the author’s expertise in certain areas (including his father being a professional social worker - maybe psychiatrist -), my perspective on depictions of trauma became more of an education when setting aside preconceptions. I’ve found this series to be exceptional in how it informs as well as entertains. Ps. Is your dog related to Petey from the Little Rascals? He/she’s a cutie! Great review BTW.

[@slidenaway]

Yeah I also really like that idea about Coltaine. Never heard that before, and there probably isn’t much direct textual support for it - but there’s also probably not anything that directly contradicts it Which means we can go with it! New headcanon!!!

[@slidenaway]

Welcome to Malazan fandom - having walked the Chain of Dogs, you are one of us now 😁 Great recap, glad you’re here! I see the Malazan shepherd Sourav is here and already said a lot of clarifying things I would have said, so I won’t repeat any of that 😂 About Felisin - to be clear, she’s not meant to be likable. So I would take no issue with you disliking her. However, everyone reacts to trauma differently, and her reaction is absolutely a valid one. That is not to excuse any of the shitty thing she says or does, but the goal is to have compassion for her and maybe try to empathize with why she would do the things she does. Like I said, I’m not saying you have to like her! Just giving food for thought 🙂 Overall I think you are perfect for these books, or they’re perfect for you, whatever lol. I can tell by how you talk about them that you’re gonna love the rest of the series too. Your attention to detail and how much you ENJOY all the detail - that’s good stuff. Can’t wait to hear how you like Memories of Ice!!! (Prediction - you’re gonna LOVE it)

[@fantasybookclub]

Thanks for the additional insight, I appreciate it! I do think that my opinion on Felisin is already changing, as I think about it more her journey was a trauma induced denial of reality that eventually transitioned into her being remade as Sha'ik, which does put her overall abrasiveness and poor attitude in a reasonable context. One of the things I'm loving about Malazan is how my understanding of the events changes in the days/weeks after reading about them! Also the very helpful community that's been pointing out additional details I've missed haha

[@slidenaway]

@@fantasybookclub you’re welcome!! That is indeed one of the great things about Malazan - it is thought-provoking like few other series. We end up just thinking about it… and thinking about it… forever 😂 And to be clear on the details you may have missed - you’re getting most of them, and the important ones. It’s complex enough that it’s pretty much impossible to get it all perfect the first read. My advice would be to keep doing what you’re doing and try not to stress about missing anything!