Abby

https://www.goodreads.com/abbygrout

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Abby is Currently Reading

Abby is currently reading

Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1)

by Steven Erikson (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: fantasy, complete-series, highly-recommend, currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in May 2020

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Abby said: " As many people forewarn, this story starts in medias res, or in other words, in the middle of things. While other works might then go back to explain or introduce characters, this story just keeps going and expects you to just do your best to keep up As many people forewarn, this story starts in medias res, or in other words, in the middle of things. While other works might then go back to explain or introduce characters, this story just keeps going and expects you to just do your best to keep up.

Because of all that, you have to be willing to be a very patient reader: double check the glossary and list of characters, reread passages, and push steadily onward. Many readers will find this annoying and off putting, but because so many people warn of this style of writing it can be easier since you have an inkling of what your getting into.

I thought I would dislike this style more than I did. It helped that the story is very interesting and well paced, I definitely felt a draw to the story when I didn’t quite have a draw to the characters yet. The second half of the book, I definitely felt that I had a more firm footing and understanding of the characters and relationships.

The hardest things about this type of story where twofold for me. One, it’s hard to pin down the relationships between characters, which makes it hard to judge what their actions mean. Two, it takes much longer to care for the characters, and often I would read and things would easily slip out of my memory. Because there was less establishment and less understanding for me as a reader, it was harder to keep a solid memory like learning a new language and everything slips away more easily.

Definitely, definitely intrigued enough to keep reading. But was absolutely a different experience from most fiction I read.

Thoughts on characters:
Ganoes Paran - probably the first character I felt attached to since we got more of his backstory, relationships with his family, etc. His struggle around free agency vs being controlled by a god was very interesting.
Whiskeyjack- he’s got the cool guy feel, with a team who implicitly trusts him. Strong character, and I’m interested to see how he develops.
Quick Ben - He had some very exciting moments, hints at backstory, and I’m definitely left wanting to know more.
Tattersail - I very much like her. She shows strengths and weaknesses, and sometimes survives on chance. She has to figure out who to trust in a cruel cruel world. And even with her past experiences, I’d call her a good person. She was ripped out of the story a bit, so I’ll be excited to see her return.
Kruppe - I very much enjoyed the change of voice. What a funny character. I also like that his dreams pushed the story forward, very interesting. I had a guess that he was the spymaster, but a fun lay of events for sure.
Rallick and Murillo - they’re fine. They didn’t leave a super distinct impression besides one being an assassin and the other basically a dandy. Good enough distinction for side characters. And their plot to help Coll was cool. (I had to be careful to not mix up Rallick and Kalam since they felt a bit similar.)
Crokus Younghand - I liked this character, and loved that he was pretty oblivious to the coin in his possession. His awkwardness with Sorry seemed pretty realistic. Also he had to find out the hard way that rich girls are pretty full of themselves. Though a little thief, I think he sees himself as a hero in the making.
Anomander Rake - Great name, and a deeply fascinating character. I want to know so much more about him, his people, Moon Spawn. I have so many questions. His dialogue with Baruk was very interesting. Cool to see how he strategizes a bit, and that he is willing to work with humans and develop those relationships. Also interesting that they don’t have to get involved but choose to.
Dujek - Classic loyal general. Very clever and down to earth. I like him.
Tayschreen - Something very off about him. I don’t currently understand his motivations.
Sorry - Wow what a life to live. This character is probably closer to having dissociative identity disorder than any other character I’ve read. What a traumatic childhood. And now she has to deal with whatever memories are left from when she was possessed.
Toc the Younger - I think I will need to reread to track him fully. Also interested to see if he comes back into the story or not.
Caladan Brood - don’t know much about him. Interested to see more. ...more "

progress:

(page 555 of 666)
— May 07, 2020 09:15PM

Mar 21, 2023 03:18PM · see review

Abby’s Quotes

“There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still.”
― Corrie Ten Boom

533 likes

“We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.”
― Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

632 likes

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.”
― Fred Rogers

tags: communication, fear, friendship, inspirational, trauma, trust

1045 likes

“We men and women are all in the same boat, upon a stormy sea. We owe to each other a terrible and tragic loyalty.”
― G.K. Chesterton, The Collected Works of G.K. Chesterton Volume 28: The Illustrated London News, 1908-1910

tags: brotherhood-of-man, interdependence, loyalty

467 likes

“She had blue skin,
And so did he.
He kept it hid
And so did she.
They searched for blue
Their whole life through,
Then passed right by-
And never knew.”
― Shel Silverstein, Every Thing on It

tags: fear, masks

1952 likes

More of Abby’s quotes…