TS’s Comments (group member since Feb 27, 2015)

TS’s comments from the SFF Readalongs led by Kitty G group.

The one thing that jumped out at me in Part II when the fighting starts for John was regarding the Consu and the song they sang before the battle begins. It does seem strange and as John suspected, almost like a baptism/consecration. This is definitely coming back to bite..

This is short, fun and a breeze to read. The first half of the book had me laughing till my sides hurt. But it got more serious when the real fighting begins and questions of morality/humanity surfaces. It gave me some Ender's Game vibes by then.

While not being a stand-alone, the ending was still somewhat anticlimactic for me. I will probably continue with the series later on. Gave it 4-stars.

My goodness - this book had so far been hilarious!!

It's such a joy and breeze to read and I loved how they built up the anticipation of what the 'physical overhaul' entails.

Also some of the sciences seem quite relevant especially when Harry was describing how the beanstalk seemed to defy the basic physics.

Can't say I feel any investment to a particular character yet aside from our main POV.

I think I might skip the Esslemont books for now actually, and wait for March to start the beginning of the end of The Malazan Book of the Fallen.

Peggy wrote: "As I continue reading, I'm thinking they are not poisoned, just lead to believe they are, but I could be wrong"

I had the same speculation too!

I usually don't like seafaring bits in my reads but this had been really fun so far. Plus the educative bits really helped this landlubber too.

I am only going to leave thoughts about characters and storylines that really affected me..

Saving the best for last, let's start with Murillo. His death and the scene at Phoenix Inn were very well done. While I was sad when he died at the mines, it wasn't till Chap 19 when the full weight of what had passed hit me after seeing the reactions of Cutter, Rallick, Coll, Meese, Irilta and Kruppe.

And can't speak of Murillo without mentioning Harllo. Such a tragic storyline here. Bainisk's death was truly heartbreaking.

The Bridgeburners - seems that the resolution behind the assassinations are not going to be dealt with in this book. Again, the impact of the death of Mallet and Bluepearl on the Bridgeburners are handled with such emotional adroitness that it leaves the readers feeling the loss like its their own.

And FINALLY, Anomander Rake!

The ending of Chapter 21 was mind-blowing to say the least, when Rake decapitated Hood. Rake really knows how to make an entrance and this time I had the foreboding that it's going to his last. And I was right! *WAILS!*

Rake was such an enigma throughout this series and even though we never really got close to the character, he just rose to the top of my list of favourite Malazan characters. And this ending solidifies his status right at the very top. It does rip my heart to see how much pain the death of Rake at his hands had on Dassem. Rake definitely intended to die here.. by his own sword... so he can enter Dragnipur, dissolve into the Gate of Darkness and save Darkness from Chaos. Spinnock Durav holding Kallor back from dusk to dawn. Endest Silann enduring the onslaught of sorcery from the Dying God and just holding on. Mother Dark's acceptance and Rake's reunion with his mother.

Excuse me, while my mind-blown self continues to weep.

Firstly - Anomander Rake. At the end of Book 3, I just have this foreboding at the ENDING that everyone was talking about in their reviews had to be something Rake is going to do. My speculation even before I got to this part was that it is something to do with Dragnipur (since we've been seeing scenes here) and getting Mother Dark to once again accept her children. As long as I took to get to the halfway mark of this book - there is no stopping the pages from turning now.

Secondly, the army of the dead! Whiskeyjack, Toc and Brukhalian - I have no words to describe how I felt.

I've FINALLY finished Book 2. Wow this had been really slow progress for me.

The whole plotline on kelyk and the Dying God is really confusing me. Even after Aranatha's declaration, I am still not sure who the Dying God is. And how did the child even become a god??

On the other hand, the meeting of Karsa and the Traveller was pretty cool.

I only finished the first chap in Book 2 - man the ending is so sad!!! Poor Harllo :(

While I do like the characters in the book - mainly because we are seeing a lot of old names - there seems to be a lot of indulgent internal musings going on. Sigh...

SOOOOOOO GOOD!! I had to upgrade the rating to 5-stars!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Michael *Windrunner* wrote: "TS wrote: "I'm keen to try Traitor's Blade"

I'll second Traitor's Blade
*high fives TS*"

*high fives back* :)

I'm keen to try Traitor's Blade

Kaitlin wrote: "I'm currently at the start of Chap 5 - Have to say loving seeing all the people and creatures we've met before coming back. Apsalar, Cutter, Kellenved, Anomander, Torvald Nom, Kruppe...

Just a lo..."

I just reached the start of Chap 5 as well.

Gosh, I wonder what the consequence of Anomander Rake and the Tiste Andii being forsaken by Mother Dark is going to be.. :(

Kaitlin wrote: "Just to let you know I have extended the reading time for this one to end of December as I will never finish this before the end of this month with over 1,000pgs to go :) Hopefully it'll give us a ..."

Oh not at all. I definitely need more time for this one as well. Thanks for extending!

Kaitlin wrote: "I've extended it to the end of December so don't worry as I'm not going to finish this in time either!!"

Great, thank you!! Will really need it as it is not a novel one breezes through cos there's so much to keep tabs on.

I don't think I can finish this anytime before mid-Dec. :(

The way these books are bound in a 2-book volume is strangely and wonderfully apt, right down to the omnibus titles!

This reread so far has been absolutely wonderful! Uncovering all the little easter eggs on the way, enjoying Tim Gerard Reynold's narration which actually feels almost 'comforting' (especially with such well-loved characters).

Adam wrote: "I think Avempartha is the better of the two books, but they are both still very good."

Avempartha really cranked it up in terms of the scope of the plot. And yes the 'monster at the top of the tower' concept was fairy tale like but yet dealt with in an almost contemporary adult manner. I absolutely loved the Hadrian's revelation which was done subtly.

Oh you will LOVE how the story of Thrace pans out as the series progresses. As well as Arista :)

I've finished up to Chapter 2. Yes being back in Darujhistan with Kruppe and the old Bridgeburner crew felt really good.

The next chapter is in Black Coral - finally we get back to the Tiste Andii (after having enough of the Edur for now, with the exception of Trull :'( )

Kaitlin wrote: "Michael wrote: "@Michael - thanks! It certainly helps when you write all the books before publishing any. I continued that tradition with The First Empire series. I hope to do similarly with any ot..."

Ditto!!