More awesomeness

[glenatron]

I have just finished book six of the Steven Erikson Malazan series and it is completely up to standard. As far as I'm concerned they're my favourite big-screen fantasy books by a long march - they may not quite match up to GRRR Martin in terms of in-depth characterisation, but they make up for it with an brilliantly deep and diverse world full of mysterious races (not a cliched elf, orc or dwarf in sight), conniving gods and intriguing cultures mixed up with a fair dash of humour which not only makes for lighter reading but makes the tragedy much more powerful when it strikes. I've said it before and I'll probably say it again; these are the books that David Eddings thinks he is writing.

Heroic, original, devious, brutal, complex and endlessly entertaining, I recommend them unreservedly.

The series starts with Gardens Of The Moon (don't be put off by the Amazon review comparing him to Feist, he's nothing like) - the story sort of drops in right in the middle of events, but don't be afraid if you don't know what is going on at first- it all becomes clearer as the books progress.

If you haven't read them yet I genuinely envy you the awesomeness you will discover within.

Comments

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

To correct myself slightly, I think the main characters completely match up to Martin's, he just has a lot of extras and some of the supporting cast can be a bit identikit. They are, perhaps, equal powers. Currently Erikson is winning in terms of sheer ability to turn around books in less than five year intervals...

[clawbeast.livejournal.com]

hmmm will have to have a look at these, will finish earth air fire and custard and the life of Genghis Khan then check them out.

[shiva-matimbres.livejournal.com]

considering your ID, you should definitely read them

[shiva-matimbres.livejournal.com]

i'm half way through the second. I find him harder work than GRRM, but it is worth the effort to remember ALL the characters