Malazan Series Review

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

The first 1000 people to use the link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership: skl.sh/danielgreene01211

[@israelgole1701]

Hey Daniel. I was wondering what fantasy series you would recommend me. I love mistborn, stormlight, kingkiller, and lotr.

[@loriannwhite8384]

I still wish you would do a book by book, reviews. Thanks 💜

[@jamesfrederick.]

Dude I’ve tried to read gardens of the moon so meany times

[@supsup335]

If I can give you a recomendation of a book to read: Jack Campbell's Lost Fleet, Dauntless. And if you like it i wouldn't mind seeing you reviewing it😉

[@gurentgc3546]

Daniel or anyone! How do you deal with booklice? I have a little infestation.

[@ladyhoratia1709]

I love this series so much. I started reading it when I was 16 years old, and the story of how I discovered is hilarious. I was in a bookstore looking for a new fantasy series to read, I had previously read Game of Thrones, and The Belgaraid, that was my only ever introduction to fantasy. I went to the bookstore and I picked up a book that seemed interesting, I look at the blarb and was confused by what it said, and so I put it down. Then I saw someone come in, he was wearing a fancy suit and tie and he walked straight to the fantasy section and immediately picked up Malazan. I asked him what it was, and that I was looking for a good fantasy series to read. He told me that Malazan was the greatest fantasy series he had ever read and that I wasn't going to regret reading it, and he said he had to stop reading it because it was detracting from his job, but now that he had time he was going to finish it. And so he handed me the first book and just left, haven't seen him since. So I decided to buy the first book. It took me a year to get through it, and when I read it I was confused, and didn't know what to think about it, because it just didn't make sense to me. I decided that I wouldn't just give up without at least reading the second book, because if I don't read the second then I have not really tried. The second book took me another year to read, but when I was done I was hooked. I burned through the books and am now on the 9th book in the series and so excited for the end. I love this series. It has inspired change in me, and it is has inspired me to write my own fantasy series. Steven Erikson and his writing has been a shinning example for me and I love his writing so much. They have taught me so much about the world, about society, about human beings and about the most important thing in the world, compassion and care for others. Thank you Daniel for this great video.

[@simonebergamo97]

This is the kind stories that are so beautiful to read. Thanks for sharing yours

[@mathisgolik3636]

Love this kind of story, do you have a link to your fantasy series? I would love to read it

[@ladyhoratia1709]

@@mathisgolik3636 I don't have a link. sorry. I wouldn't even know where to be able to share my work or how. for the moment it is all private.

[@mathisgolik3636]

@@ladyhoratia1709 personnally i just put all on Wattpad

[@ladyhoratia1709]

@@mathisgolik3636 do i have copyright on wattpad?

[@kaushikra5093]

"Malazan is a masterpiece" HE SAID IT!!! HE FINALLY SAID IT!! glad you enjoyed it!

[@jamiereid7428]

Right?!? The first time he ranked it and put it in, was it B tier? I was like fuck that, finish the series lol.

[@asnark7115]

@@jamiereid7428 It registered as top tier pulp fantasy by the end of the first chapters for me. After that, it moved into class A general lit by the time the second book got rolling. I don't understand how anyone could have moved through book 2 and not thought to themselves that it was the all-time peak of fantasy, and well-written and imaginative enough to outgrow and outlast everything else but Tolkein.

[@barriemclellan1423]

It takes time to get there. I hit a block in book 8. Maybe left it 6 months, then back on, and finished the big 10. The 6 Esselmont present times, and his 3 prequels, were easier afterwards. If you can't read quick, and retain what you read, it may not be for you, and given a book club I was in in the past that's probably most out there.

[@Zanzabar5]

I think it's weak. I quit after getting bored of Memories of Ice. The fact people thought a soap opera in military tents for 600 pages was the best book of the series I put it down and never looked back.

[@UdyKumra]

"As the kids say, Malazan hits different." Sir, you are six years older than me.

[@detectiveoftheeast8378]

12 to 18 is pretty different, so 6 years can matter

[@lbentforleather9654]

Being honest, all the talk about Malazan: Book of the Fallen being insanely hard to get through and jarring and all that, makes me want to read it more.

[@ArthurHLI]

We both, I'm inching myself in staring it!

[@jeremydanchuk1897]

Mike's book review just started a read along if you are looking for a group to help keep you motivated. He started Jan this year on Gardens of the Moon and will be doing a book every 2 months so you have lots of time to catch up.

[@Jeffpcb2008]

Well, being that basically the first 6 books are all stand alone novels and they don't really start tying together until book 7, I can see how that is.

[@yauhenipyrkh2691]

it is kinda hard at first, but once you get used to the style it pulls you in

[@halofan117halofan6]

I read it half way but then was gone for 2 weeks in a biology expidition so I had to restart and I thought I was doing well to begin with... DAMN did I actually miss a lot of details that I have picked up recently sometimes I just reread pages just to make sure I get whats going on

[@milospollonia1121]

"Figure everything out" is a nice way of saying "Cry in desperation for hours because after three thousand pages you are still not even at 50%"

[@justamanofculture12]

Now that's what we are talking about.

[@hulkamania5071]

why would you cry because you got more good book to read?

[@Swiergotka78]

@@hulkamania5071 I think he meant at 50% comprehension, not pages. It takes a few books to start grasping Malazan. It's like enrolling in a course at university only to find out it takes 10 years to finish.

[@saishjethe338]

As a wheel of time reader, not at all intimadated😅

[@doomdrake123]

@@saishjethe338 Wheel of Time is structured and linear Malazan is just confused. Not confusing, confused.

[@jackygarbutt5884]

I have always replied anyone who asked, that the Malazan Book of the Fallen was a 3.3 million word essay on the nature of compassion.

[@widdershins5383]

Pretty damn close

[@justamanofculture12]

Lmao 😂

[@justamanofculture12]

This is such an original comment lol

[@frankvuletin8700]

An eloquent summation

[@andrewbeleckis8643]

Best conclusion

[@Calebgoblin]

**Christopher Lee voice** I've been looking forward to this

[@KalebChesnicFlutist]

Regarding someone just starting Malazan as a newbie to fantasy: I was in B&N the other day and overheard: “Honey, pick me a fantasy book, I like dragons.” “I pick this one, because the main character is named Whiskeyjack.” I wanted to jump over the shelves with a dramatic slow motion “NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!”

[@akrybion]

Well, it does have dragons. He will be happy.

[@Jeffpcb2008]

But it's full of dragons, in fact dragons are why everyone lives or dies

[@Isuream6331]

Also, saying that there is a main character is laughable because (SPOILERS) There isn’t even a main antagonist. You can kind of say The Crippled God is for the first 7 books, but then he becomes a damsel in distress for the last 3/2

[@NikkaPleeease]

@@akrybion Would it not be, “she”???

[@turtleanton6539]

​@@Isuream6331my god that soubds terrible

[@kevinalbora562]

No series has made me cry as much as Malazan. Erikson's themes and character work is beautiful.

[@widdershins5383]

He is/was an archeologist so his world building is ludicrously realistic

[@jeremydanchuk1897]

Beak was the guy that got me the most.

[@simohayha6031]

@@widdershins5383 ludicrous is strange choice for this context. Ridiculously fits better.

[@graemestowe3004]

I am a thirty year old man. I cried during books 3, 7, 8, 9, and 10. 5 is my favorite tho.

[@Jeffpcb2008]

@@graemestowe3004 I'm 38, I started with book 3. I have never read a series, and I've read hundreds, that made me feel such raw emotion the way that his books did.

[@itsRepe]

The main question is why can't I get those beautiful covers.

[@august4471]

Most of those covers were used in the new editions for spanish, and Im really grateful for that This is how the spines look: twitter.com/Psyklon_Z/status/1303779511666966535?s=19

[@AlessioZanella88]

Some of them are from the limited/lettered edition of subterranean press.

[@jeremystewart6880]

Those are sub press book covers. For a full numbered set you are looking at 15 to 20 thousand dollars.

[@shawngillogly6873]

@@jeremystewart6880 I saw one person on Reddit who found them for $2300 for the main 10. Still steep.

[@Pulviriza]

A few of them are the same as the copies that I have in Australia, like the 2 at 6:40 and MT at 12:05

[@aliabdaal]

Okay I’m sold, just started it on audible

[@cfosburg]

Yikes! Beware, audible will be really rough at first. I recommend you pick up at least an e-reader to follow along when you need to. Also, don’t casually listen to this, you need to be focused...or you might miss loads of text and have to rewind. Note, it may take you some time to adjust to the narrators breaks. Good luck!👍

[@astraestus8828]

Good luck. I tried it on audio but couldn't make it that far. I find it much easier to follow along on Kindle even though I don't know what tf is happening half the time(which is intentional on the authors part)

[@nojerama788]

Ali I did NOT expect to find you here xD hope you enjoy Malazan!

[@dhruveshpatel1109]

You won't be able to follow it on audiobooks

[@tilted_skirm]

Without being able to atleast jump back and forth to the Dramatis Personae lists I would never have had any chance at understanding so audio version will be very difficult to enjoy I expect

[@milospollonia1121]

Mom: Wait... Is that guy talking to a knife? Me: Yeah, and that's not even his final form. Roll with it.

[@justamanofculture12]

*stabs*

[@temperultor7602]

A sharp piece of flint?

[@nrjovanovic]

how else can you mount a mic?

[@godmodeenabled1]

Kruppe is most glad you reviewed this friend Daniel, greatest of Kruppes friends.

[@ivanjelenic5627]

*pulls out a pastry from a pocket* *om nom nom nom*

[@brettmurray2473]

The Erickson facebook rant is the reason I finally decided to pick up Gardens of the moon.... I'm happy I did

[@roshnichoudhary6314]

Can you please give the link to that page

[@brettmurray2473]

@@roshnichoudhary6314 I found it through one of Daniel's videos

[@TheBrotherGrim]

All this love for Rake, who is cool, but I feel like everyone is sleepin' on my boy Quick Ben.

[@shawngillogly6873]

Quick Ben is my choice for favorite character as well. A wizard who does wizard things AND outplays the Ascendants at their own game? What more could someone ask for in a character?

[@Earls_sweaty_shirt]

No words about Karsa Orlong, the rawest character I've ever read about, either. Also no Fiddler (who I think makes the best case to be the MC of Malazan) mention😔😔

[@shawngillogly6873]

@@Earls_sweaty_shirt I'm not a Karsa fan, as such. Fiddler, OTOH, absolutely. And of course, Ganoes Paran. "Stop playing with the mortals, or I'll make YOU pay for it, Ascendants!"

[@simohayha6031]

@@shawngillogly6873Coltaine was a fucking legend tho

[@graemestowe3004]

The Trull Sengar arc is my favorite

[@bluerectangle5794]

This man's prolific uploads still boggle my mind. Whatever time management trick you are doing, keep doing it.

[@RhinoViper]

.....it's his job.

[@jodiz5901]

Yes, full time.

[@bluerectangle5794]

@@RhinoViper There are many other KZbinrs who make less than half the amount of quality content that this man puts out who earn just as much or even more than him.

[@Washeek]

@@bluerectangle5794 He seems to be very genuine and extremely self responsible.

[@TheMovingEye]

One of the most memorable scenes for me: A millenia old super genga genga uber powered King of Kings global player character shares a dung fire in the steppe with the remnants of a nomadic tribe who briefly tell about how their numbers have dwindled. Other authors, if you ever manage to make such a scene memorable and profound in a series where mountains fly and gods clash, you have made it.

[@diobre]

Daniel we need Malazan Spoiler talks. When you reviewed the individual books you hold out on the scenes that blew your mind, or the ones that didn't work for you. Your Goblin Horde needs to know the unfiltered truth! :D

[@robertszymanski2408]

This. It has been years since I finished the series. Finding people with a passion for this type of book is near impossible in some social circles and I would love to hear you recount your favorite parts of the story (give us spoilers ffs).

[@matthewthompson555]

Not Daniel here. But how about when Kruppe faces down Caladan Brood as he smashes his hammer down before him? My honest to God most Laugh Out Loud moment in the whole series.

[@parcaleste]

@@matthewthompson555 mine's when Smiles SMILED before the final encounter. Honest to god, I thought my mandible will detach from my skull. I was howling and crying at the same time. :'D

[@matthewjudge3763]

It's been years since I read it, but I still smile when the image randomly pops into my head of Pust and Cruppe (I think that's the right names, its been a while) meet on their... Glorious steeds

[@jameshannagan7830]

@@matthewjudge3763 That was so epic.

[@haydengittins2836]

I love Malazan, but when I recommend it to people I always add the caveat: Each book is like watching a film, but you start 30 minutes in. You are constantly trying to catch up and work out what's going on right up until the climax of the book. Be prepared to give your brain a good workout :)

[@wildfire160]

Funny you should say that as the first book was actually made from a film script and not conceived as a book ...

[@PerfidiousPuffin]

And the film lasts 50 hours, and if you blink and miss a key moment you'll never understand it. Oh and then after 4 more 50h films of the same that never revisit this films characters suddenly they reappear and you need to recall everything in detail to get what is happening now. You've been warned... 😂

[@gstokker]

Memories of Ice is one of the best fantasy novels I have ever read... there are still scenes (like Daniel says) which have been permanently etched on my brain and recalled at “will”

[@widdershins5383]

Children of Dead seed...gawddamn

[@shawngillogly6873]

IMHO, The Siege of Capastan is where Malazan went from, "This is good," to, "This is in the top rank of fantasies ever." And then the ending of the book...5 rereads, 50 yrs old. Still weep like a child.

[@GaryCrant]

It’s one of the best novels (not just fantasy) ever written.

[@Ziveron]

I always recommend a second reading of the series if one has the time. Reading it with knowledge of events to come reveals seeds as they are planted, patterns previously missed, subtle references to characters not yet introduced. And being able to interpret the Deck of Dragons using your prescient knowledge is pure joy.

[@tommyokeefedc]

Big plus one to this. I’m on my second read through now, just wrapped up book 8. I didn’t think it was possible to love the series more but I do. It’s also a far more emotional experience knowing where things are going. Rather than dulling the impact, I feel like my second read through I’m far more emotionally present because so much of the larger stuff I had questions about the first time through is no longer a distraction.

[@Nothingz3dge]

Malazan Book of the Fallen has taken me more time and energy to read than any series I've ever gotten through. Even still, I can remember specific conversations between characters from the earlier books that I read 5-6 years ago because they were so impactful for me. I picked these up when I was 18 & at a tumultuous time in my life where I was trying to figure out who I was. The way that Erikson asks you to consider ideas and themes through his writing really helped shape the way I view the world around me with more intentional compassion. They exposed me to ideas and philosophies that I otherwise hadn't considered before & I am forever grateful for that. I understand these books aren't for everyone, but they're genuinely beautiful, and are my favorite fantasy series. They're truly unlike anything else I've ever read.

[@hessanscounty3592]

“Getting thrown head-first into an alien world with no context? “ **Prepares scuba tank** “Sounds like fun!”

[@bretter247]

Sounds like someone been playing Subnautica. Anomander Rake is a Leviathan I swear

[@Ralphinsc]

Bring more than one tank. Or better yet, just grow gills, because you are not going to want to surface once it really gets into your lungs.

[@matthewalexander8618]

I've prepared my tank today to get through the following series' 1. Gentleman Bastards 2. The Stormlight Archive 3. Malazan!!

[@UdyKumra]

As someone who wants to read this series, I've been waiting so much for your review.

[@Jeffpcb2008]

Read it. The first 6 books are basically stand alone novels, but when he starts tying them together in book 7 it's a speed ball into hell and salvation that will leave you with tears in your eyes

[@waynestover1176]

I just read "Gardens of the Moon" and I loved it. I'm really looking forward to the next one!! I was enthralled with the elder races, the wonderfully cool magic system, and the Gods.

[@iergosum]

The Dark Souls of book series? Okay Im in.

[@AnthonyBrende66]

I had the exact same thought, “oh this is gonna hurt and frustrate me to no end? One ticket please!”

[@iergosum]

@@maestercraig3990 hopefully we’ll be done by Elden Ring because that’s gonna stop all my reading for a bit haha

[@IntrusiveThot420]

Another good "dark souls of books" is House of Leaves! It's pretty pretentious fancy literature but it's really fun too.

[@iergosum]

@@IntrusiveThot420 never heard of it, definitely putting it on the list. Thanks!

[@IntrusiveThot420]

@@iergosum it's horror through and through but if you can make it through it's really cool. Enjoy!

[@Fade2GrayOG]

The Malazan books are incredible. They legitimately changed me as a person. They made me rethink how I view the world.

[@Taipan19811]

I can still remember how I started „Gardens of the Moon“. I've heard a lot of good things about the books and at first I was full of expectations, quickly confused, and at some point completely frustrated. I almost wanted to quit, but I don't usually do that. In the last third of the book, however, it clicked and I practically read through the rest of the series in one go, at least those books that had already been translated into German. Because English is not my native language and the books are already a real challenge in German, I wanted to wait for the translation of the last four books (in German 8) and that has taken years. The last one will be out this summer, so I'll read the series again. I'm really looking forward to that.

[@colinrenteria3161]

This was the first fantasy series I read since the Redwall books when I was a teenager. I'm 33 now and read these over the course of 4 years. I'm a slow reader and not a fantasy expert, and I can say that it was the greatest reading experience I've ever had. Don't let people tell you that you need to be seasoned in the fantasy genre to enjoy these books. If a novice like me can read them then you can too!

[@TheHedgehogGiraffe]

As someone whose favorite things include 1)philosophy and 2)Malazan; THANK you for bringing up that beyond being truly epic fantasy, it is a deep dive into the human condition and what it means to be human. Malazan is life-affirming humanist literature and I love it all the more for it.

[@samus2205]

Been waiting so long for this! Malazan reviews are how I found this channel so been looking forward to it as it truly does Hit Different

[@Jeffpcb2008]

This is my ALL TIME FAVORITE series. I started reading it on book 3 "Memories of Ice" and I actually read that book 3 times before I started the series from the beginning. I have never read an author that could make you laugh in one chapter then feel like bawling 2 pages later. I'm currently on my second total read-through now. I love this series and recommend it to all my friends.

[@bookishlybookish]

Loving this series review. I'm halfway through Gardens and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I'm excited to dive deeper into this world.

[@joshuasmith8695]

Have fun! Many people would sell a few of their organs to be able to read it for the first time again...

[@bookishlybookish]

@@joshuasmith8695 dang thats intense lol I'll be sure to appreciate it and take my time absorbing it.

[@user-nb5sh4bl7h]

MudfossilUniversity Wiseup channel

[@Wordsalad69420]

The weird thing is you'll still be diving deeper on book 10.

[@SurferKroky]

@@joshuasmith8695 I’m under 200 pages into gotm. Also loving it !

[@theriddler2277]

Beak approves of this review, because friends are important. the most important thing in the world.

[@jakebishop7822]

I just met Beak like 150 pages ago, and if anything happens to him I will be upset

[@willybumbum5527]

@@jakebishop7822 i will pray for you

[@widdershins5383]

Bless friend beak, the natural high mage too dumb to be a high mage

[@silasclayton7777]

😭😭😭😭

[@jakebishop7822]

@@widdershins5383 Beak is Quick Ben, if you shift his IQ a decimal point

[@rl8792]

Malazan is the only series I've read as an adult that I get as emotional about as I did at Harry Potter when I was 10

[@Furniture121]

Malazan Book of the Fallen was the first "real" fantasy series I ever tried. What appealed to me the most about the books was the characters, and how they tended to be relatable in some way. I also liked that it didn't bash you over the head with overly simplistic good vs bad themes every second page. Sometimes the good guys do bad things, and sometimes the people you think are bad are really doing the best they can with the hand they are dealt.

[@r-pupz7032]

Oh man this sounds like something I need to read. I love it when authors push boundaries in service of communicating ideas/themes beyond what most stories can achieve, even if the result is inconsistent or even incomprehensible at times.. I just love that feeling of depth and scope, and how rewarding it is to figure something out on your own. One of my favourite films (Primer) takes this to the extreme, with no exposition or guidance at all and a plot that is at once simple (only a handful of characters and locations) yet also the most intricate, complicated, multiple-timeline duplicated-characters plot I've ever encountered in a film. It led to me repeatedly re-watching, making notes, drawing diagrams, scouring forums etc but the payoff was so worth it and I really love that level of engagement and trust from the author. Primer is phenomenal by the way, the plot is just the start, there are so many clues and foreshadowing to pick up but there are just as many subtle character moments or thematically significant lines that initially passed me by. I see something new every time I rewatch it. Neon Genesis Evangelion, Walkaway by Cory Doctorow, Vurt By Jeff Noon, even Neuromancer on a much smaller level all make you work hard and explore themes/ideas/characters beyond the average, but they're all sci fi so I'm excited to read a fantasy series that does something similar! Phenomenal review thank you :)

[@joshuasmith8695]

Based on this comment - and your rapport with Primer - I can almost guarantee you will enjoy Erikson's work, it's almost a perfect analogy of the way it's experienced: Story happens, is great -> story ends, everything gets recontextualised, and it's suddenly even better!

[@henrikleion9861]

Got a bookstore gift card from work for Christmas. Haven’t read much of anything for a few years, but I felt maybe a good fantasy series could sparke the joy of reading again, so I just googled “top ten fantasy series” and clicked on whatever review blog came up top. I had already read series 2-7 on that list, but I had never heard of the one up top. Already late going home, I simply ordered the first three books in that series. A few weeks later I’m halfway through Gardens of the Moon and I’m absolutely hooked. Amazing series, and as a bonus, I discovered this KZbin channel.

[@AliceSchicker]

ok i’m ready to hear what you have to say and put all of these books on my tbr and whishlist

[@visx1792]

I can't craft into words how much this resonated for me and my own experience of Malazan. After it's all over the emotional ripples just rocked me. I've never been so affected by a work of fantasy and if you can strap in and go on the ride, it is absolutely worth it.

[@abhyudayk]

Omg I was just thinking about starting this series and Daniel comes with its review!

[@tuskofgothos2637]

Love your use of light music and pictures in this video

[@allthenewsordeath5772]

If I recall I was about 14 or so when I read this series, I still remember the scenes with the child and the dead baby. Mental scarring aside, I still haven’t read a series to date that captures the dualistic nature of people so well, or how easy it is for men to become monsters.

[@billyalarie929]

those covers are GORGEOUS, my GOD.

[@LamentaFortuna]

That one for Deadhouse Gates that depicted a certain scene had be tearing up just from a picture. Man this series is something special.

[@lukask7887]

Honestly, as a fan this is your best Malazan review yet. It does the series justice while also warning prospective readers of it's flaws and peculiarities.

[@GregVandenBosch]

I loved this series and its been awhile since I read it. Toll the Hounds is the epitome of this series. I remember it to be long and drawn out with nothing happening. And then wham the final 200ish pages are pure gold.

[@wolfetom10]

I got about 100 pages into book 7 before I finally threw in the towel. I just got tired of not quite getting what was happening, not being able to remember or keep track of all the characters and plot threads. But I didn't want to give up on the elements I loved about Malazan. So instead, I started over. I went back to book 1 and started over. That was a pretty big time investment, even with skimming the less crucial parts, but I 'm glad I did. Now I feel like I'm on much firmer footing. I'm almost through my re-read of book 6 and will be able to start up again on book 7 with a much stronger understanding of what's going on. I've never read anything like it before. I doubt if there is anything else like it out there. I cn se myself picking these up again in 5 years and starting over.

[@joshuakuruvilla]

This music and the slow wording is so melacholic

[@Abrabeck82]

Great job with the review! This series is definitely in my tbr, I just want to be a little more experienced in epic fantasy to go ahead and read it. I want to go through Wheel of Time and Stormlight first, at least those

[@tobyjimmy]

Daniel finally admits Rake is awesome. 💪😂 I've been waiting for this day since I watched your Geralt vs Rake video you made early in the channel. You ranked him lower but I smiled to myself saying, this Daniel boy hasn't experienced Anomader Rake yet. Good to see you have

[@M_A_X...]

No book series I have ever read has changed me more as a person than Malazan has. I think it is safe to say that I am now a genuinely different person than before reading it.

[@aaronsmith7012]

I completely fucking agree. More wisdom than any ten religious tomes stacked on each other.

[@Washeek]

Same here. Maybe not completely, but I would totally recommend it to any young adult (20s) that is struggling to find their place in a society especially if it seems to them like the worst character traits are what makes you successful and the virtuous traits only make you struggle. This series helped me open my eyes to what I've been missing.

[@nHautamaki]

It's fantasy Doestoevsky. Of course literature purists will cringe, but for myself having read both, I stand by it.

[@orkz11]

GOT GOOSEBUMPS when you said finishing malazan felt like watching a perfect symphony, DANIEL you are such a poet

[@VenusAsAFormerBoy]

I already dedicated an entire year to a massive fantasy series on your recommendation (wot) don't make me do it again 😟

[@jakebishop7822]

Do it again

[@widdershins5383]

Do it...you know you want to....and it’s worth it

[@heygus20]

*Palpatine voice* Do it

[@Fade2GrayOG]

One of us. One of us.

[@Ralphinsc]

Doooo eeeet!

[@charlesgabriel5569]

There is nothing like Malazan out there... nothing.. I know I have searched for years ...

[@charlesgabriel5569]

@SabreWulf I actually have the first book of that Trilogy in my TBR ,have to try it .Thanks for the recommendation ! And yeah stopped comparing reads to Malazan long time back , its just not fair. Even the ICE books (atleast the first four) were not upto expectations, though I do hear his 'Path to Ascendancy' is decent

[@kaizer-777]

I've heard The Black Company is very similar, but I haven't read it yet.

[@Alex-if1nf]

@SabreWulf Didn’t the author stop writing because of low sales?

[@IntrusiveThot420]

Hey! If you are ok with giving an anime a try, Legend of the Galactic Heroes has that same feeling of being a real historical place. It's 110 episodes of space politics, where the battles are less interesting than the conversations, and the climax of the series is a discussion between to people about the nature of democracy. I cannot recommend it enough and HIGHLY encourage you to check out some reviews of the series. Again, it's some of the ONLY media that has that "this feels like a real world" thing going on. It's even largely framed as being narrated by a historian, as though the viewer is watching a documentary on the history of a very interesting time period in the past.

[@charlesgabriel5569]

@SabreWulf Oh okay that's sad .I had assumed it was a completed trilogy from Turner.

[@sernoddicusthegallant6986]

You should read Esslemont's "Novels of the Malazan empire" next. It follows through with a lot of the plot points Erikson dropped. Alternatively if you want something lighter theres Eriskon's tales of Bauchelian and Korbal Borch.

[@HeavyTopspin]

1. Chose to read GotM (when it was brand new) because of Stephen Donaldson's comment on the front cover. 2. Was utterly blown away (in a good way) by actually being thrown into the deep end by the book. No author had ever done this to me before, and combining that with the utterly ludicrous timeframes involved with some of the background had me hooked. Although than god for the appendix!!! 3. Most of my books were coming from the library at that time, and oddly enough my library got in a foreign version of book 3 before book 2 was available in the system. Did not realize this and went straight from book 1 to 3... and although it does spoil a few things in book 2, that gave me the degree of continuity to avoid the "wait, who are these people?" disconnect a lot of people seem to have. 4. I tried to do with this series what I did with WoT - reread the entire series every time a new book came out. Bad idea for someone with a day job, and this stopped around book 6 or so. Due to this, I feel I missed a LOT of things later in the series, so I think a reread is definitely in order! 5. The really jarring thing, if you ever get around to reading them, is that Esslemont's Malazan books are as different from Erikson's as is humanly possible. Still fun reads, but almost pulpy in their presentation, particularly the Malazan Empire ones. 6. The planned sequel series will have Karsa as the primary protagonist. Geez, and we thought THIS was grimdark?

[@zahven]

HELLO DANIEL. I am seventeen years old and I started Malazan when I was sixteen as one of my first fantasy books. I'm still only on the fourth book so far but it has been amazing. I don't find it too difficult to keep up with all the plotlines because I usually have something I'm looking forward to in each one so I remember them. It truly is an amazing series. Since then I've read Dune and I'm planning on finishing the series, but I loved how similar they felt with the style of writing and the passages at the beginning of each chapter etc. Kinda worried though because now I feel like nothing I read after this will be able to live up to Malazan. I have a long list of series I want to pick up after this though so I don't think I'll get bored.

[@littleBx0x0]

Literally my favourite series ever. I've always enjoyed fantasy but I'm very much an all or nothing reader and quite quickly drop a book that doesn't interest me enough. Malazan was a total mind melt to dive into the writing style but my god, the characters were certainly interesting! You can't choose who to root for (or even understand what you are rooting for them to do!) because you see every side so vividly and get to observe the motivations of all them. I really owe my bf so much thanks for randomly gifting this book to me at Christmas one year. Coming out of Erikson's books onto something new makes it hard for me not to be disappointed in the new book for a short time till my brain settles back to a non Erikson style of writing! The only book I needed a break from midway through was midnight tides (if I'm remembering correctly, it's been a little while since I finished the series) as I struggled to get into the character of Rhulad Sengar, but the Bugg and Tehol parts quickly got me engaged again! Definitely agree it deserves high praise but would totally understand anyone who struggled to get into it.

[@randomaccessfemale]

My favorite in the series is Memories of Ice. Reading it is like a roller coaster of emotions.

[@sneezydeezymcdeluxe7015]

MOI closely followed by TTH and TCG.

[@sparkinstarfall_FD]

This makes me even more excited about The Chronicles of Amber Series Review.

[@jameshannagan7830]

Another author who does not explain every little thing and will not hold your hand I love Zelazny but a lot of people do not like him for that reason lord of Light is fantastic.

[@bchccc]

Just finished this epic... and i feel like one of the book characters: just need some rest and go fishing. What an odyssey, it took me 2 years to read all 10 novels.

[@desslockdezela5552]

The journey has just begun. This next part is the “it’s really hard to get through but it’s worth it” for noobs. You will really really like it the third time through. The small parts are the best and you rushed through them to get to the end. Now you can sit back and crack a beer and enjoy the characters and not the story.

[@rajatkulkarni1849]

Been waiting for this review for a while now. I Started Malazan on your recommendation.....been loving it so far

[@StanPav]

I ain't gonna lie, I've never in my life read something as slowly as I read Gardens of the Moon. And it was definitely overwhelming, but in the end, the story was so good that I don't even remember how I went through the second, third and so on books... It is different and heavy and gloomy, and MY GOD did I even took breaks from it with ENTIRE OTHER SERIES, but was it worth it? Hell yes!

[@riakm921]

Wonderful video, it was well worth the wait! As for continuing your journey through the Malazan world, I recommend moving on to Esslemont's _Tales/Novels of the Malazan Empire_ series. - _Night of Knives_ - _Return of the Crimson Guard_ - _Stonewielder_ - _Orb Sceptre Throne_ - _Blood and Bone_ - _Assail_ These books run concurrently to (and past) the _...Book of the Fallen,_ developing additional factions and characters. They also pick up on a couple of the "dropped" plotlines from the _...Book of the Fallen._ From there I would move to the (soon* to be completed) _Kharkanas Trilogy_ by Erikson, and then the _Path to Ascendancy_ books by Esslemont. Finally you can sprinkle in _The Tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach_ wherever you want, these are novellas that follow the misadventures of the two necromancers we met in Memories of Ice (and saw in Toll the Hounds). After all of this, Erikson's sequel series _The Witness Trilogy_ will be freshly under way.

[@michaelandrews117]

I'm just finishing up The First Law Trilogy and The Poppy War Trilogy, and then... Onto Malazan. Write me down as terrified and excited.

[@SonicBroham]

this is also my quarantine reading endeavor:) on Before they are Hanged right now, want to finish the stand-alones, and then Malazan is just too alluring not to jump into.

[@bretter247]

First Law is actually a really good transition into Malazan I think. You come in expecting darkness and grimdark and you find it. But Eriksen sneaks in compassion when you don't expect it, in a way you don't expect coming from Abercrombie

[@radecstark3191]

There's more books continuing after the 1st law trilogy

[@jameshannagan7830]

All the First Law books were great I thought Wheel of Time had some really good ideas but it was way too long and had more tedious dialog than all of my favorite fantasy series combined I thought First Law was much better have you tried any of the Robin Hobb books yet they are also well-written sorry for the WOT bashing but I never skim-read a long series that much in my life the infantile battle of the sexes nonsense drove me crazy.

[@Laura-qu9kz]

This review gives me chills as someone who just has been into the fantasy books world

[@BigolKitty828]

Incredible series, Dust of Dreams was painful to slog through. I almost gave up while reading it..I felt like someone trying to take just one more step in a ochre hued landscape while dying of thirst, having lost all hope.

[@nevyn_karres]

Yeah as a reader you really walked the whole way with them.

[@Olorin-gc8zo]

I am REALLY intrigued now by this series. Never come across it beyond your mentions in your videos but I think I'm going to give it a shot now. Thanks for the video Daniel.

[@IskarJarak]

Glad you finally came around... pretty scared there for a while. That MT video made me think you we’re gonna a dnf!

[@francb1634]

I was hoping this video would revisit the harsh brush-off that Daniel gave MT in his review. That book deserves a much better treatment.

[@knackis2116]

Here I am reading The Count of Monte Cristo, waiting to read Pillars of the Earth, wanting to start Hyperion--and now you serve up ANOTHER series of absolute BRICKS that I now, after this glowing review, have no choice but to add to my TBR. I don't have space for all these books, maybe it's finally time to get a kindle, PHEW.

[@VitruvianMedia]

Man Daniel is the Skill Up of book reviews, these are so good

[@Jed_Herne]

This was a beautiful video. I love this style - and now I'm finally going to start Malazan...

[@arjunmanoj2155]

The anime equivalent of Malazan is probably "Legend of the Galactic Heroes"

[@IntrusiveThot420]

Aaaagh we HAVE TO get daniel to watch it sometime

[@fenrirlives2226]

Ight I'm sold now.

[@IntrusiveThot420]

@@fenrirlives2226 cannot recommend it enough. None of the usual anime bullshit, through-and-through a solid historical presentation. There's a narrator who's framed as basically a history professor teaching class about the events in the show. It hits that "this is a real world" vibe super well. There are problems: the religious cult that appears later and some comical ineptitude among the first batch of nobles, but like with malazan, the point is the ideas and themes. The core question of the series is "is it preferable to live under a corrupt and rotting democracy, or a blooming autocracy with a benevolent bureaucracy?" Also, there are dozens of named characters that are fleshed out through "show, don't tell", and all have personality and behave like actual people. It's just, it's so good. It's my favorite scifi media of all time.

[@arjunmanoj2155]

@@IntrusiveThot420 Knowing him, he's more likely to read the books lol

[@fenrirlives2226]

@@IntrusiveThot420 lol yeah I was unclear there with my reply. I love LOGH for it's dry historical take on interstellar politics and drama (among a ton of other things), so hearing that used as a comparison erased all my fears about getting the Malazan books!

[@Carpet_Carp]

I just started out with Gardens, and I really like it. It's like a puzzle. There is no narrator who will tell you what is happening, and instead you have to piece the lore together from sub-clauses and seemingly throw-away dialogue. For me, this is fantastic and exactly what I want to read. (Can't wait to find out where it's going!) But I also understand how it might be difficult to get into for other folks, as you have to actually concentrate while reading this. Edit: Nice, lol. You said the your puzzle comment in the video right after I wrote this. Good to know I'm not alone with this outlook. :))

[@reidblanchard6453]

I love all of your boxing analogy’s

[@genghisgalahad8465]

Reid Blanchard ...use of Mike Tyson.

[@b0lkan]

I have so much to say but I'll condense it to this: Well said! I love Malazan for many of the reasons you brought up. It's one of the most amazing literary journeys I've ever been on, despite having read a lot of the most lauded classic literature throughout history.

[@bestlaidplans4511]

This series, coupled with Esselmont's additions, is life-changing. And it'll make you feel stupid. Not because the material is so dense. No. It'll make you feel stupid for doubting a series with floating mountains and blade-armed dinosaurs can't work in a serious story of love and loss.

[@joemarshall4254]

You did a really good job of giving me a strong sense of what this series is like without spoiling it at all. Thanks man

[@eliarece-5996]

Great video! I am considering a career in Malazan-ology but I am hesitant to leave my current job in a small Adamantium foundry. What kind of salary can I expect for the work I must do on this book?

[@DEVILdRuMMinG]

I'm glad to see that you put the microphone on the other end of this dagger, I've spent a lot of videos anxious that you might lose an eyeball!

[@detectiveoftheeast8378]

I guess you could say malazan is the.. dark souls of fantasy.

[@connorbrewster5782]

Very intriguing review that convinced me to start the series. You are so much more in depth then just the blurbs you can find online.

[@FairladyZ2005]

“Getting thrown head-first into an alien world with no context? “ Annnnnnd this is why I'll never read Malazan. Trying to figure out the Liaden Universe is confusing enough for me. But respect to Erikson for writing so much and to the people who do enjoy it.

[@smashOsmash]

i really love how the video is just the book covers, really immersive.

[@UdyKumra]

"Let me explain why. aFTeR a QuICk wOrD fROm oUR sPoNSoR!!!" good transition

[@Carpet_Carp]

Yeah, I personally didn't like how this was done here. A little too intrusive and made the video less enjoyable.

[@lacedmilk8586]

Wow! This is the first series review whose viewpoints I wholeheartedly agree with. Both praise as well as critiques. I realize it's subjective, but from where I sit, this is the best Malazan series review I've seen or read. Well done Mr. Greene, well done. Thank you for the time, energy, focus, and passion you bring, not only to this specific review, but to all the content you provide. Have a great day!

[@Severian1]

Malazan is like Dark Souls. You don't see the hand holding but it's there. You don't see the connected threads of the story but it's there. You piece things together as you go. You realise that the Hero's Journey with this series is that of the reader. This series made me a better person. It changed my life. The bold writing, the thematic exploration, the humor, the world, and yes the characters all come together to create an experience like no other. Malazan has Grimdark elements most definitely but I'll always hesitate in using the word for it. Grimdark has this nihilistic streak that degenerates into hopelessness too easily. Erikson stears clear of that. He shows you the horrors of life so that you can hopefully choose the other sides of life, to choose compassion, hope, and to strive for better. The criticisms are fair though. There's no countering that. I remember being frustrated by Dust of Dreams where the pacing dragged heavily. But it rewards you for everything. On a reread, DOD becomes a far better experience. I love this series so much! For your next Malazan read I'd suggest Ian Esslemont's stuff. It's less dense, but no less enjoyable, than the Book of the Fallen. "Night of Knives" begins a series that explores more of the Empire.

[@JazzInATinCan]

Don't think I've ever been looking so much forward to a series as I do to Malazan. Manb. Great review.

[@Insanalyst]

I finished these books years ago and I still think about Fiddler.

[@Jeffpcb2008]

His last scene in crippled God almost made me cry the first time I read it. Brought tears the second time

[@ΒασίληςΤσώνης-υ9φ]

Came back to leave another comment. The day you dropped this video I ordered gardens of the moon. Now I finished the series and gotta say, probably the best books I've ever read, definitely on par with wot. Had some big breaks but I managed it. Thank you Daniel, on to Stormlight Archive next. P.S. Tehol and Bugg are the best

[@johanflock_art]

Petition for Goblin man to watch Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex (aka where Cyberpunk 2077 got half of their asthetics from, not to mention it's one of the most influential franchises in anime of all time, and for good reasons.)

[@mathieutaillefer8418]

I've read a lot of books in my life, of various genres.. I wouldnt say im a huge, avid reader.. But i certainly read more than the average person.. Ya know, the basics.. Harry Potter when i was younger, ASoIF (Game of Thrones), Dune, etc. Malazan however, changed the bar when it comes to books. This series is a whole other experience and has completely changed how i look at reading, storytelling and honestly life in general. The themes here are so deep, so emotional, so intelligent, so visceral... Like you said, it has inspired change in me. It has given me a more mature, deeper and balanced outlook on life. The way Erikson explores the themes of death and immortality truly make you appreciate life and the finite time we have on this world more. The storys and character are incredible. Yes, Erikson forces the reader to THINK, but is that a bad thing? Yes, it can be confusing at times, but read on... Another thing Erikson does that grabs me is his just utterly beautiful writing style and use of words.. Even during the very few boring parts of the series, I was able to be entertaining simply by how well crafted and how vivid the writing was. Epic would be the word. I sincerely hope we get another masterpiece like the Malazan series in our lifetime, but I really wouldnt be surprised if we didn't. I think it'll be looked at as a revolutionary series in the next 30 years or so. Just ahead of its time.

[@andrju3916]

Finally, it's here! I'd highly recommend the Path of Ascendancy trilogy before getting into the rest of Esslemont's books because they're very quick, enjoyable reads and expand on Dancer and Kellanved greatly.

[@widdershins5383]

All the Esselmont books are small tie-ins vaguely related to the main story, I have them all and keep them in chronological order...not publishing chronology, book world chronology lol the Esselmont books are mixed in to keep the proper timeline

[@zacharysammartino8037]

Great Video! I spend 2020 reading Malazan and although I was confused, frustrated, and overwhelmed at times the overall themes stuck with me and kept me thinking over it for months to come. It was different than anything else that I have read in that character actions are mostly left open for the reader's thought and interpretation. I really enjoyed how Steven Erikson was able to create a world where every character had a motive for their actions and could reflect on them to some degree. No one felt two-dimensional but in doing so the story became immensely complex, not unlike our own world. I'm glad Erikson was able to create a world where each character had an ability to intelligently reflect on their surroundings that wasn't limited to their education, social status, etc. I really enjoyed gaining the perspective of numerous characters and learning their background, not just for the sake of learning it but instead, to understand their perspective of the world and events unfolding around them. The idea that everyone, regardless of their background, has something to contribute is thought-provoking. Include that with the overall theme of compassion and you have a story that can speak on different levels for years to come. I'm looking forward to my re-read of the series and further exploration of the Malazan world sometime in the future.

[@BxLxOxO]

Alright Daniel, you've convinced me to finally give Malazan a fair chance.

[@widdershins5383]

I must warn you, the first book starts at the very end of a military campaign and it doesn’t really give you much background. But it’s amazing

[@leonardofornaro733]

I felt overwhelmed at first, but still completely fascinated. And kept going till I finished it, closing the Crippled God few hours before the end of 2020. It was a marvelous journey and one I'm happy I took.

[@zachariahjudge3297]

Light spoiler Warning ⚠️ ! Yeah images that will last forever are for me exemplified by Beak’s big moment in Reapers Gale. I straight up wept from the loss of such a pure soul amongst such a dark setting.

[@widdershins5383]

I did shed a tear or two, same with cuttle talking about last stand as children when wounds just needed a quick brush and a kiss from your parents before going back out.

[@fisherkeltath]

Glad you got something out of the series! The next best place to go is IEC's Malazan Empire series - Night of Knives, Return of the Crimson Guard, Stonewielder, etc. It fills some gaps between the later Books of the Fallen, takes up characters and storylines which might seem like they were left hanging in the Fallen series, and go into the history and the conclusion of the Malazan Empire and the Crimson Guard. They also introduce some new characters, but not dozens and dozens of them. And you get to meet some legendary characters which are only named in the Fallen books but never actually show up in those.

[@NineSixRane]

Malazan do be hitting differently...