Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

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Just noticed that this thread has been created rather than the date being updated on the old thread, is everyone OK to just use this instead?

We can always go back and check out the comments on the August thread...

Of course that's fine :) Should we adjust our old schedule to the new days?

Sir Anni wrote: "Of course that's fine :) Should we adjust our old schedule to the new days?"

Yeah seems like the best plan to me. We can always adjust it if we start to fall behind. I'm not going to even pretend there is a possibility that I'll get it read faster 😂

Deadhouse Gates Schedule


Hailee's Schedule:

Chapter 2 — 20th June
Chapter 3 — 23rd June
Chapter 4 — 25th June
Chapter 5 — 27th June
Chapter 6 — 29th June
Chapter 7 — 2nd July
Chapter 8 — 5th July
Chapter 9 — 7th July
Chapter 10 — 10th July
Chapter 11 — 13th July
Chapter 12 — 16th July
Chapter 13 — 19th July


Chapter 14 — 27th July
Chapter 15 — 29th July
Chapter 16 — 1st Aug
Chapter 17 — 4th Aug
Chapter 18 — 6th Aug
Chapter 19 — 9th Aug
Chapter 20 — 12th Aug
Chapter 21 — 15th Aug
Chapter 22 — 17th Aug
Chapter 23 — 19th Aug
Chapter 24 — 21st Aug
Epilogue — 23rd Aug


Anni's Schedule:

Chapter 2 — 20th June
Chapter 3 — 23rd June
Chapter 4 — 25th June
Chapter 5 — 27th June
Chapter 6 — 29th June
Chapter 7 — 2nd July
Chapter 8 — 5th July
Chapter 9 — 7th July
Chapter 10 — 10th July
Chapter 11 — 13th July
Chapter 12 — 16th July
Chapter 13 — 19th July
Chapter 14 — 22nd July
Chapter 15 — 24th July
Chapter 16 — 27th July
Chapter 17 — 30th July


Chapter 18 — 8th Aug
Chapter 19 — 10th Aug
Chapter 20 — 12th Aug
Chapter 21 — 15th Aug
Chapter 22 — 17th Aug
Chapter 23 — 19th Aug
Chapter 24 — 21st Aug
Epilogue — 23rd Aug

On track :) through chapter one, it's February 3 here so I will be ahead.

I still don't know if I want to reread this right now or not 😅

Sorry I must have missed your note!

Margret wrote: "Sorry I must have missed your note!"

No problem Margret, it wasn't important either way we just wanted the thread we used to have the correct date to avoid confusion, thanks for setting it up.

I'm also on track so far :) I even already started Chapter 2. I'll come back for some comments later.

Not sure, but I think by now I already read the Prolog and Chapter 1 about 3 or 4 times, makes it much easier to comprehend what's going on and enjoy the way it's written

Sir Anni wrote: "I'm also on track so far :) I even already started Chapter 2. I'll come back for some comments later.

Not sure, but I think by now I already read the Prolog and Chapter 1 about 3 or 4 times, makes..."

I felt exactly the same. Since this is also the third time i've read these chapters I felt like I blasted through them in comparison :-)

Hello everyone, as per the old thread, I'll be joining you for this huge Malazan read. Now, I've reas Gardens a couple of months ago, so for now I'll be watching from afar, and join you for Deadhouse Gates ! In march, right ?
Until then, enjoy your reading !!

Anyone reading this for the first time (I am) may find this link helpful: https://www.tor.com/2010/07/07/the-ma... - it's a deep analysis that also explains the poems etc.

Eva wrote: "Anyone reading this for the first time (I am) may find this link helpful: https://www.tor.com/2010/07/07/the-ma... - it's a deep analysis that al..."

Thanks Eva. I think that will be useful. Currently on Chapter three and not a lot is making sense.

Loriidae wrote: "Currently on Chapter three and not a lot is making sense. "

Yeah to be honest you'll probably feel that way through the whole book. I know I certainly did the first time I read it. And from what other people have said things don't start to make sense until the third or fourth book so we've got quite a lot of confusion ahead of us.

I'm planning to read chapter 3 tomorrow.

Eva wrote: "Anyone reading this for the first time (I am) may find this link helpful: https://www.tor.com/2010/07/07/the-ma... - it's a deep analysis that al..."
Yes ! This is INVALUABLE as a resource for newcomers to the Malazan books. Read one chapter, then read at least the summary of said chapter on the Tor website. The opinion of Amanda and Bill can also shed some light on a few dark corners. :-)

(edit : spelling)

Juat finished chapter 4 so I'm a few chapters behind schedule. Anybody on track or are you all behind as well?🙃

I'm at the beginning of chapter 7, so not that far behind.

Sorry, that I was so quiet lately... My cat was ill, he wasn't eating at all and we have to check him into a veterinarian clinic, luckily he's better now but I was quite busy adjusting everything to his needs. Also we were hit quite hard by the storm the last week and work was horribly busy because of that as well. I'll try to do better!

Sir Anni wrote: "I'm at the beginning of chapter 7, so not that far behind.

Sorry, that I was so quiet lately... My cat was ill, he wasn't eating at all and we have to check him into a veterinarian clinic, luckily..."

No worries Anni. Sounds like you've had a stressful time as it is without worrying about this group as well. I'm glad you're cat is better now though 😻.

I'll read chapter 5 tonight and try my best to catch up.

Sir Anni wrote: "I'm at the beginning of chapter 7, so not that far behind.

Sorry, that I was so quiet lately... My cat was ill, he wasn't eating at all and we have to check him into a veterinarian clinic, luckily..."

Glad your cat is doing better, Anni! Poor thing. You must have been so worried. ❤️

I have been reading too many other books, I am hopeful of continuing soon.

Before moving onto chapter 5 I decided to read the analysis linked above for the first 4 chapters and despite having read chapter 4 three time so far, I had never picked up on the fact that (view spoiler)[the Bridgeburners theory that Shadowthrone and Cotillion are in fact Emperor Kellanved and Dancer. Now I feel a bit stupid lol. It certainly explains their determination to get revenge of Laseen though. (hide spoiler)]

These analyses really are useful. Much better that the malazan wiki chapter summarises I used before.

Sir Anni wrote: "Sorry, that I was so quiet lately... "

Tsk...o sweetheart...*hugs* and it all happened together, didn't it?
I thought of you when you went awol for abit but didn't have alerts on for this thread and so didn't see this comment...
Hope your cat recovers fully soon... ❤️

(view spoiler)[


😍Moon's Spawn (hide spoiler)]

Hi, just wanna let you know that both the Tor.com re-read and the Malazan wiki do contain some spoiler things. So, yeah. Just be aware if that I guess.

Sir Anni, I am glad you are getting back to normal with everything! I hope kitty feels better!

I've read to the end of chapter 7 which is where I got to last year so everything I'll be reading from now on will only be my second time. I'm constantly surprised how little I remember about this book. I can actually only remember one major plot point coming up and I can't remember the details of how it happened at all.

Thanks everyone, you're so kind :) I was indeed so scared for him. He's feeling much better, we have to do a blood test again in a few weeks and see if the results for his liver and kidney are better as well after changing his diet. Fingers crossed they will!

Here he is, keeping me company while reading :)

I'm a bit behind again, but not horribly. Aaand I finally managed to go through all my notes and parts of the analysis and write my thoughts down :) Lazy as I am, I just copied my comments on Chapter 2 and 4 from the last Buddy read :D


Chapter 2:
I liked that the two lines came together :) (view spoiler)[ I'm also really intrigued by the card game/ reading the future kind of thing. The card with the Assassin from the House of Shadow, those rope, it's Anmanas, right?

Also wow, they just killed Paran, I somehow expected him to play a bigger role... Oh well (hide spoiler)]


Chapter 4:
(view spoiler)[ Uh, I think I only realized it because of me reading each chapter twice, but Tattersail said that the Mason of High House Death was assumed by a man that worked with stone, but no longer. Later in the chapter Fiddler said that he and Whiskeyjack were Masons once! That's interesting :)

I was also surprised by Paran's behavior, I haven't suspected him to threaten Shadowthrone like that.
I think I also missed it, when and why did he name his sword Chance? (hide spoiler)]


Chapter 5:
I see why some people think Kruppe's chapters are annoying, but I somehow like them :) At least so far… (view spoiler)[ the last scene in his dream world, where he identified the dead body symbolizing his modesty made me laugh! (hide spoiler)]
Re. Chapter 5: Don't feel stupid Hailee, I don't think it was mentioned openly, I haven't made the connection as well. I guess it's one of the smaller spoiles hidden in the Wiki and Tor.com analysis...


Chapter 7:
(view spoiler)[Ha! I somehow knew that the assassins blood spilled on K'rul's temple, the night Crokus stole from the young Lady, would be important somehow… I'm really looking forward to learn more about the elder and new gods. I also think this:

"Every god falls at a mortal's hands. Such is the only end to immortality."

is a rather important quote!

I like how Baruk spilling red ink on his map is pictured as a premonition of things to come. Later he looks down on his hands and they are stained red, sounds also like foreshadowing… as if in the end he'll have blood on his hands (hide spoiler)]


Chapter 8:
(view spoiler)[ I wish we would know more about Whiskeyjack and his past, his conversation with the Moranth sounded interesting! (hide spoiler)]

I've reached the end of chapter 9 so I'm not to far behind either thankfully.

(view spoiler)[I too want to learn more of Whiskeyjack's history. I also want to know more about the Toc the Younger. He really intrigues me.
(hide spoiler)]

Crone: (view spoiler)[ her revelation about having another master; who is it? Brood or someone else? And does Rake know? (hide spoiler)]

Sir Anni wrote: "Thanks everyone, you're so kind :) I was indeed so scared for him. He's feeling much better, we have to do a blood test again in a few weeks and see if the results for his liver and kidney are bett..."

That is such a great photo! He's an adorable little reading buddy! ❤️

Sir Anni wrote: "Thanks everyone, you're so kind :) I was indeed so scared for him. He's feeling much better, we have to do a blood test again in a few weeks and see if the results for his liver and kidney are bett..."

OMG he's adorable. I want to smoosh his cute face!!!

Read chapter 10

(view spoiler)[
So Brood is Crone's other master and is working against Rake.

I wonder if Tattersail's death was supposed to be the one that Oppon mentioned when they spared Paran? (hide spoiler)]

Re: Chapter 9 and 10 (view spoiler)[
I like Toc the younger as well, I hope we'll see more of him! He's not only smart and sympathetic, I'm also very curious to learn more if his backstory!

I had the same thought and were wondering if they saw Tattersail's death coming/maybe even had a hand in it…

I understand Lorn's frustration with Tool, he's so cryptic, I want to know mooore :D

And I'm not sure about Crone's master, maybe she's playing with both and have her own motives.

Kallor warning Caladan and his words about this being his last warning and Caladan will regret it, should he continue as before sounds really important. I wonder if Kallor is much more important than he seems to be. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[ Uuh, so Tattersail is back? That's cool! Kruppe seems to be even more powerful than I thought, that he and his 'dream-world' is save from the younger gods really is interesting. (hide spoiler)]

As a general thought, I like how the different story lines interweave here, they meet and split apart again. It's not always easy to follow what's going on, but I really enjoy the book so far :)

Chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ Haha, Kruppe complaining about complicated phrasing of others made me laugh!

I liked the szene with Quick Ben and Shadowthrone, Quick Ben is a really intriguing character as well :) I guess we should remember the name Delat. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13: Phew, that was a long one and I had to read passages a few times to understand what's going on and who's who 😅


I finished chapter 19 this morning and will write more about the other chapters tonight when I'm home :)
Scratch that... I'm way to tired, I'll come back tomorrow!

I'm a bit behind schedule since I'm about to read chapter 15... oops lol. Still on track to finish by the end of March though so that's the main thing.

I've put my notes from chapters 12 and 13 below and we had the same thought's about some things 😉

Chapter 12

(view spoiler)[ Had to laugh at Kruppe's annoyance at the long winded text when he is so longwinded himself lol.

The sentence about Rallick Nom "yet is it blood running through his veins? One must wonder at times." Is that some kind of clue?

Kruppe's thoughts about Sorry visit to Phoenix Inn shows just how observant he really is. Nothing gets past him.

Quick Ben is a complete mystery. Who the hell is Delat?!! (hide spoiler)]


Chapter 13

(view spoiler)[
Interesting to see the inner thoughts of Sorry/Cotillion. There is a silent war between everyone stuffed inside her head. It'll be interesting to see who eventually comes out on top (hide spoiler)]

Rallick: What kimd of clue do you think it could be?

Kruppe:(view spoiler)[ Indeed he is, I was wondering if he even could be the eel 🤔 I think he have enough power and brain to pull it off secretly, on the other hand I'm really not sure if he would bother... (hide spoiler)]

Quick Ben (view spoiler)[ I guess it's just his true name? He told Shadowthrone about his past (not enough of course!) Makes sense that he changed his name, after being hunted by all the followers of Shadowthrone... (hide spoiler)]

Sir Anni wrote: "Rallick: What kimd of clue do you think it could be?"

No idea... that is the thing about this book/series. You never know what is more than it appears or even if you are reading more into things than needed 😅

Sir Anni wrote: "Kruppe:[spoilers removed]"

I actually thought the exact same thing. I think that is the theory I'm sticking to until I'm proved wrong.

Sir Anni wrote: "Quick Ben [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah I think I realised that in chapter 14, although whether that is his true, true name or another alias who knows. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15

(view spoiler)[
Glad that Hairlock is now dead. He was seriously unstable and no use to anyone really.

Hmm so are Shadowthrone and Cotillion out of the game now then? And what will become of Sorry? Can't remember... (hide spoiler)]


Chapter 16

(view spoiler)[
Glad Paran now knows that Tattersail is alive. I think it'll give him the hope he needed.

I was wondering about the old woman with "Tattersail". Do you think it might be the woman who gave birth to her and Tattersail is leaching her accelerated age from the woman?

I really liked the meeting and sharing of backstories between Coll and Paran. I think they could actually be good friends if given the chance. I wonder if Paran will now meet Crokus... that would be interesting. I should actually know the answer to this considering I've already read it but nothing about this chapter feels very familiar at all.
(hide spoiler)]


Chapter 18

(view spoiler)[
Things are hotting up now. So Dujek is planning to revolt. Good on him.

The Pannion Seer sounds like someone we should take note of for the future.

I'm glad Mallet was able to save Coll. I think Rallick and Marillio's plans to restore him to his rightful place will be interesting. (hide spoiler)]

I finally picked this up again. I was encouraged by Hailee only being at chapter 15, and decided that I would try again and catchup to some extent. It has picked up and become more interesting through chapters 3 and 4.

I am at the beginning of chapter 7. I made myself keep reading at the end of book one (chapter 4), as I always have the inclination to leave a book when suddenly an entire company of new characters is introduced. It is usually several days before I start reading again. Something about having finally worked out what is happening, to leave that and venture into new territory puts me off.

Anyway, the most interesting character in this new section is Crone, or maybe the thief.

I like Crone◉‿◉

Before my update never comes, I'll post smaller updates when I have bits of time 😅

Chapter 15 So much happened! (view spoiler)[ I hope Toc will be alright, I really liked him! Do we know in which Warren he was thrown?

I'm also glad Hairlock is finally gone, he was unpredictable and crazy as hell.

The fight between Lorn and the group was a bit strange, especially as in the end they decide that there's no need to fight. Hope Coll will recover.

Speaking of strange, Paran entering the warren of Dragnipur was strange. Did he open that warren by touching the hounds blood, does that mean that Paran is able to influence warrens or is it because Dragnipur is special? I also wonder who the old man was… Do you think we know him. I thought he might be the Emperor, but there was another mention that he was somehow connected to Shadowthrone and I don't think Rake was involved in his disappearance.

Even if Shadowthrone and Cotillion had to let Sorry go, I don't think they are out of the game yet (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16 (view spoiler)[ Agreed! I'm also glad he knows, also I'm really looking forward to see Tattersails story continue.
Good catch about the old woman, it doesn't came to my mind, but I think you might be right.

I liked the scene with Coll and Paran as well, it was nice to have such a quiet moment with nice conversations in between. I was also wondering if we knew the old Coll or his wife 🤔 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 17 (view spoiler)[

Baruk "Be careful with this powerful, magical powder and under no circumstances let it touch your skin"

Rallick *rubs it all over his face* 😂 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18 I agree on your comment, I'm looking forward to seebin what direction things are going!

Chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ I'm wondering who prevented Serrat from attacking Crokus? And it seems like Rallik was right smearing that powder all over his face... Powerful stuff!

I haven't expected that the Jaghut will emerge so soon... I'm also not sure why Tool is waiting there... What will he do?

Also Sorry talking about the Moon and its Lord and the underwater gardens there sounds interesting, I hope we'll hear that legend again, seems like it gave the book its title (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20 (view spoiler)[ Wohooo, we were right and Kruppe is the Eel!

I'm really intrigued by Fiddlers card game. I think I said it before, but I really like the cards as kind of a magic system, and Fiddlers way of using them os interesting.
He ends the game with Orb, standing for true sight and judgment, maybe it has something to do with Whiskyjack, appearing in that instand and somehow ending the game as well?

Seriously, who's that invisible guy stopping Serrat's attacks? I thought of Quick Ben, but somehow I think it's a bigger fish...

Haven't expwcted to see the Tyrant's POV, also DRAGONS! :) Not completely sure which side they are on, tho... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21 (view spoiler)[ The Tyrant is approaching, I wonder if his arrival sill mark the books climax and ending. I hope there won't be a cliffhanger, as we only come back to these characters in book 3 or later 😅

The fight against Orr and his death was quiet quick. Do I get it right, that they left a dagger for the lady so that she could kill herself?
Also, the first thing I wondered if Coll wouldn't mind Murillio sleeping with his estranged wife, even if it was for a "good cause" (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20

(view spoiler)[
Well that explains why Kruppe is so good at keeping his identity a secret if Kruppe can make people forget that easily.

It appears Mammot isn't as oblivious as he seems.

Hmm Circle Breaker's name is being kept under wraps. Does that mean the reader would recognize it?

Are we supposed to know who is protecting Crokus from Serrat? (I wrote this note as I read and now that I've seen your comment Anni I know you don't know either. But I think you're right that person has series power. All we know for sure is that Serrat definitely seemed to recognise them).

I'm also pleased that the dragons finally made an appearance. (hide spoiler)]

Sir Anni wrote: "Before my update never comes, I'll post smaller updates when I have bits of time 😅

Chapter 15 So much happened!.."

(view spoiler)[ I'm not sure what warren Toc was thrown into for sure but since Hairlock gad most power over the Warren of Choas maybe that one. Which will be serious bad news for him ☹ (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter nine so making progress.