House of Chains Part 2, my thoughts | SPOILERS | Malazan Book of the Fallen

[@raswartz]

Great comments - it's amazing how orderly your thoughts are considering how complex and messy these books can be. You're asking all the right questions, too. Erikson is a master of hiding things in plain sight. You think you don't know what's going on, but it turns out, you do know, you just need to read a little more to get more context.

[@taylor-kenny]

I appreciate that. I've been taking notes since Deadhouse Gates. It's been helping me sort out my thoughts before I make these videos.

[@raswartz]

@@taylor-kenny I took notes but I never read them!

[@feral7523]

Erko Crust is the archaeologist dude, you'll hear of the Crusts but won't see more in TBOTF but you do see in Esslemonts novels and in PtA trilogy(back story to Malazan empire beginnings) .

[@SpitfireStoryboards]

I am currently on a re read of this book. Yes, you are right, compared to MOI especially, this one is a different pacing and shape. Much smaller scale but it covers alot of different things. You won't fuly appreciate this on a first read, but believe me when I say : Erikson is giving us SO MUCH lore and setup in this book. I've been genuinely floored on a re read at how much is hidden in plain sight. In terms of the battles or lack thereof compared to MOI, it's deliberate on Erikson's behalf. He didnt want to have to keep trying to out do himself every book, so this one is reigned in. It still packs a punch, but in a different way once it resolves. Don't worry, there are PLENTY of very big events coming in the following books. Hope you continue and continue to enjoy them.

[@mjdaniel8710]

I like how Erikson throws different things at you through the whole series and then ties things together in the end, a great ride

[@taylor-kenny]

I actually just finished the series and it is absolutely incredible how he's able to tie it all together.

[@EyeKeyDoh]

On my 3rd read through of Book of the Fallen. I'm about to the same spot you are in this video. I love that you're making a few of the assumptions that the majority of readers made on read 1. When you finish the Crippled God, you'll really enjoy looking back on these early takes.

[@taylor-kenny]

haha I have a feeling it will be fun to go back and see if I was close on any of these. Trying to make sense of Malazan is part of the fun.

[@something00witty]

I'm really enjoying your videos. Your videos are good summaries of the books and it's great fun to to hear your take on what you think certain things might lead to. I'm up to book 8. I feel like this is the sort of series that really makes me want to hear what other people think of the books. They're incredibly rich, fun, and rewarding.

[@taylor-kenny]

Thanks Toby, something about these books drove me to share my thoughts and find other people to chat about them with. I've been driving my real life friends nuts talking about them so I had to go find other people who were in as deep as me.

[@francb1634]

I've found that being able to discuss or at least articulate your thoughts as you progress through the books is one of the biggest factors in being able to enjoy the journey. so you're doing great! :) re power levels: it's not like in games where a higher level means more hit points and being able to brush off attacks from lower level beings. the way I see it is.. walking around with a rocket launcher doesn't mean a punch to the face will hurt any less.

[@taylor-kenny]

Thanks! That makes sense. It feels like all of the powerful characters in Malazan are vulnerable to one another.

[@azrahnvazkor4597]

Really enjoyed your talk so keep on making them.

[@taylor-kenny]

Thank you! That's the plan :)

[@drawyrral]

I can relate to the blank stares you get when talking to your friends about this stuff.

[@snarfbomber298]

“ I wanted Karsa to be some one I could root for but I don’t know if I can do that if he’s working with the crippled god. “ 😁😁

[@taylor-kenny]

haha I'll have to wait and see how wrong or right I was.

[@noneofyourbusiness3288]

I started out really disliking Karsa, but man... he has one of the most interesting arcs in the entire series. He goes from bloodthirsty barbarian to being a warrior philosopher. Somehow Erikson sells that transformation.

[@caladanrude6395]

Jhag are half breeds. Jhagut are put blood.

[@davidmullaly1375]

Lead me warleader !!!!

[@taylor-kenny]

and lead I shall...

[@caladanrude6395]

You find out who they keeper is, eventually

[@taylor-kenny]

Ok great, I was hoping he comes back around.

[@slidenaway]

Okay second comment (spoilers for Fiddler section of video) **** Great job really grokking the bone omen with Grub, and the reclaiming of it by the army. I've seen people be confused by that, and while I personally don't find it confusing, it's still worth a callout that you did not get confused by a thing that's commonly confusing!! I think you're overall doing a great job understanding as much as you're supposed to One last pronunciation thing, SORRY, I will not keep doing this, I promise lol, I assume it's annoying. But Tiste is with a long i, so like "tight" with an S in it (but with the last T being more pronounced than in "tight" of course)

[@taylor-kenny]

Thanks Chris, yeah I thought that section with the Omen and Grub was fantastic.

[@drawyrral]

JagHUT not hute.

[@azrahnvazkor4597]

The Bonehunters are born in this book