The Bridgeburners discussion

I knew that if I searched hard enough, I'd find a Malazan-related group around here.

My name's Terence and I discovered the Gardens of the Moon four years ago when I took advantage of a sale at the SF Book Club. From that moment, I was lost inside Erikson's Warren and haven't found a way out (not that I'd want to).

With the advent of Dust of Dreams, I've started rereading the entire series (I just finished Deadhouse Gates), and hope to spark some discussions here about characters, themes, and anything else related to the Empire :-)

" by Terence (new)

I knew that if I searched hard enough, I'd find a Malazan-related group around here."

LOL me too!
My name is Kelly, I had Steven Erikson dropped on me by a friend. She had bought the 3rd book-Memories of Ice- and couldn't get into it. I , fortunately, did.
Now I find my self plunged into a warren- without prior knowledge of such place, and loving it. Hopefully i will exit outside a fully shelved bookstore and be able to grab the rest of the series before I re-enter forever :P

Kelly wrote: "" by Terence (new)

I knew that if I searched hard enough, I'd find a Malazan-related group around here."

LOL me too!
My name is Kelly, I had Steven Erikson dropped on me by a friend. She ..."

I just finished rereading books 1-8 and am approaching the halfway point in Dust of Dreams.

Be careful with those warrens, they've been pretty dangerous of late :-)

Terence wrote:

Be careful with those warrens, they've been pretty dangerous of late :-)


I'd say... seem a little poisoned at this time...

I discovered Erikson just last year. I read all the available books and then promptly reread them, loving every minute. I'm a member of the Malazan Empire forum - same username and avatar. I'm anxiously awaiting my copy of Dust of Dreams which should be available this week.

Like others noted, with DoD getting released in the US I am going to reread the series from GotM. Hoping to start next week.

Pete wrote: "Like others noted, with DoD getting released in the US I am going to reread the series from GotM. Hoping to start next week. "

If you're willing to pay a bit more to our cousins across The Pond and can tolerate English spelling (honour, colour, etc.), the UK edition of The Crippled God comes out in August, a year ahead of us poor Americans.

Terence wrote: "If you're willing to pay a bit more to our cousins across The Pond and can tolerate English spelling (honour, colour, etc.), the UK edition of The Crippled God comes out in August, a year ahead of us poor Americans. "

Yeah I've been a book or two behind the whole time so haven't felt the need to order in advance of US release. Depending how my current goal of reading them all back to back goes, I may opt to go that rout for TCG. (I actually first found the series on a business trip to Canada where I found GotM before it was released in US.)

Pete wrote: "Terence wrote: "If you're willing to pay a bit more to our cousins across The Pond and can tolerate English spelling (honour, colour, etc.), the UK edition of The Crippled God comes out in August, ..."

OMG!!! I have been looking for when The Crippled God was coming out!!! August you say...YES!!!!!!!!!

Hi all - Great to find this group. First time through: I'm almost done with House of Chains, after being blown away by Memories of Ice.
I've started making short notes to myself at the end of every section to remember all the detail. Otherwise, my brain hurts! Simply one of the best fantasy series I've ever read, and felt like a complete bookstore discovery, because in the US for some reason it's a secret!

Eric wrote: "Hi all - Great to find this group. First time through: I'm almost done with House of Chains, after being blown away by Memories of Ice..."

Hi Eric!! You're the first person to join since I did!! I've read all the way thru to Dust of Dreams, plus ICE's two compainion books, TWICE!! Forget the notes, you're going to have to read this series twice and even then things are not going to make since! That is SE will let us know when he is ready too!! :) You've got some series reading ahead of you, Midnight Tides and the Bonehunters being my two favorites!! Need any help, let me know! Welcome aboard!

Shelley:)

Thanks for the welcome. Actually the notes help me remember what the characters were doing previously in the SAME BOOK! Helps me anchor the events in my fading memory. So I've read rumors that the series will continue beyond Crippled God. Any truth? Would hate to see it end, but trust SE to do the right thing.

LOLLLLLLL.....I know what you mean Eric! There are times when something happens and you're left with "what the hell did I just read....no way!!!!" and you have to read it again! As to the series continueing, that's a yes and no... SE has announce that he will be working on at least 6 more books set in this world, three having to do with Rake's story line. Also there is another series he's writting about Reese and company, so there are many more books in the pipeline from SE. Also check out ICE's work, his books should be read in with SE's Malazan series!! Only bad news here is that book ten the Crippled God release date was pushed back to Jan 2011, I'm crushed!!! Shelley:)

I just wanted to say hi because this is the first group I've joined on this site. :)
I just finished reading Midnight Tides about an hour ago and loved it; it was as hilarious as it was exciting! I actually started reading Malazan almost three years ago and stopped after Memories of Ice, though I'm not sure why, as the more I read of Erikson, the more I want to KEEP reading. Either way, my friend ordered me to read House of Chains last month and now I'm hooked. I just ordered Bone Hunters online (my library is missing that volume for some reason) but I'm sure I'll fly through it.

It's great to see a group that appreciates the breadth and intricate detail of Erikson's amazing stories.

Hi Tina - I just joined recently too. I'm a third of the way through Midnight Tides (first time) and it's great. After I got over the initial disappointment of not getting back to Genabackis and what's going on over there. Still have no idea where this is all heading, but at least now there are some very strong overall themes emerging. I'm addicted to these. Nothing's quite like them. I think it's ruined me for a lot of other fantasy series. Everything is going to seem a little too simple, easy and colorless after Malazan.

Hey Eric and Tina!!

First I think Midnight Tides is my favorite stand alone book of the series, the humor between Tehol and Bugg had me laughing the entire book. But its the background we get on Trull that hits me the most, love Trull! And yes Eric, Steven Ericson HAS RUINED me for anyone else!!! I've tried reading other books and I find myself picking it apart!! Needless to say that I can't wait until Feb 11 for The Crippled God to come out here in the US. Glad there's more and more poeple taking up SE, we'll take over the world soon!! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahaaaaa...

Shelley:)

P.S. You're going to love the Bonahunters, wait until you meet Sgt Hellian, man she rocks!!!! LOLLLLLL...

Just joined the group. I ran into GotM by accident early this year. This series is not for the weak of heart. I have always enjoyed fantasy series with a darker edge such at Martin's Fire and Ice or Donaldson's Covenant, but Erikson uses those as a jump point and takes us much deeper. It is historical fiction for a world that is not ours. There are some points such as the siege of Capustan or the Chain of Dogs that affected me on an emotional level that I was not prepared for. Also, some of the comic interplay between Tehol and Bugg made me truly laugh out loud. Simply sublime.
As the series progresses I was also unprepared for my level of involvement with some of the characters. Whiskeyjack, Fiddler, Icarium, they have more meaning for me than some friends that I have known and lost touch with. It took me a while to realize that the subtitle "Book of the Fallen" is the literal truth. It is not the "Book of the Survivors".
In order to avoid spoilers I will leave my thoughts on the later books on the appropriate pages.


marc g

Hey Marc!!! So glad you got "run" over by this series....SE is a genius! I think your description and comments completely for once describe my feelings on The Book of the Fallen series. This series has brought me to the point of complete distraction as I wait for The Crippled God to be released. And SE has ruined me for any other author, they all pale in comparison and I've tried to read other books, I CAN'T!! I MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENES....It's driving me MAD I tell ya!!!!! At least Stonewielder will be out in November, should help some!

Shelley:)

Marc,

Tehol and Bugg make a good comic duo but I think my favorite comic duo in the series is probably Telorast & Curdle. I found myself wishing they had a bit more "face" time.

@ 16 Shelley,

Actually, the Bonehunters is probably my favorite book of the series to date. I think it is because we see the from initial introduction to each other, through formation, into recognition, and finally off to save the world. In other words, we see them from infancy through to adulthood. As opposed to say the Bridgeburners, who we caught at the end or their careers. This pulled me so much deeper into the Bonehunters. I love every one of them!

Oh, that reminds me of another comic duo that I love...Captain Kindly and Lt. Pores. Now that is a pair!

Hey all, Joined the Bridgeburner's group not too long ago but had yet to introduce myself. Consider this my introduction. My name's Clay and I've been a devoted Erikson fan since I first read TOR's American publication of Gardens of the Moon. The action was gritty and fast, the sorcery was breathtakingly raw and vicious and the characters were truly unique and realistically complex.

Having just finished The Crippled God last night and, as such, the entire Malazan Book of the Fallen epic, I can firmly say it is one of the most amazing pieces of fantasy literature I have ever read. I'm happy to find a group devoted to sharing the love of Erikson's (and Esslemont's) world/worlds!

Just gotta say I'm a HUGE fan of Deadhouse Gates but loved every single one of the books in this epic. Can't wait to go back for another re-read of the whole series back to back to back to back ... so to speak.

Witness!

Clay wrote: "Hey all, Joined the Bridgeburner's group not too long ago but had yet to introduce myself. Consider this my introduction. My name's Clay and I've been a devoted Erikson fan since I first read TOR's..."

Hey Clay!!! Welcome!!! Yeah I finished The Crippled God last week and on my second read of it!! What an amazing book!!??

A BTW here, under the Fantasy Reading Group here on Goodreads, we are reading the Malazan Book of the Fallen over again, you should check it out!! We just started Deadhouse Gates two days ago!! You might find it interesting!

Shelley:)

Cool! I have SO much to read on my list that I plan to give Erikson something of a back-burner status for the time being ... but I'll definitely check out the re-read boards in the Fantasy Reading Group! Thanks so much for the heads-up!

And yes, The Crippled God was an awesome read!!! I was stunned at how efficiently and neatly Steve pulled all his strings together to bind that magnificent tapestry he's been weaving over the past decade!

Hell, some of the stuff he threw my way caught me COMPLETELY off guard! lol But that's what a good writer is supposed to do, right? :)

And thanks for the welcome!

Clay wrote: "Cool! I have SO much to read on my list that I plan to give Erikson something of a back-burner status for the time being ... but I'll definitely check out the re-read boards in the Fantasy Reading ..."

Just so Clay! I described it in my review as "So many 'OMG' moments, so many 'Hell Yeah' moments and so many 'Tear jerker' moments!" But he also made right a few things and in the end, (as they say) made it ALL worth it! :)

As to tying all the strings together I think he left a few dangling for future novels, taking notes in this second reread to be sure of my suspicions! Either way I can't wait to see what comes next!

Shells:)

Shelley wrote: "As to tying all the strings together I think he left a few dangling for future novels, taking notes in this second reread to be sure of my suspicions! Either way I can't wait to see what comes next! "

I know what you mean by a few "dangling" threads ... but I was extremely pleased with how well it all seemed to fit regardless.

And I have heard Steven already has plans for two additional trilogies set in the Malazan world, but am unsure, as yet, what the subject matter will be. Regardless, I'm eagerly anticipating more!

I'll have to check out your review. I love getting other's takes on the books I've enjoyed! My review was, upon re-reading it, a little glowing ... makes me wonder if I might not have something of a subconscious "man crush" on Mr. Erikson. But even if I do, I'm sure it's harmless - at least nothing a well written restraining order couldn't subdue... ;)

Oh heck yeah it was everything you needed it to be and then some!! :)

The rumors are flying about as to just what SE will be up to next, I can't wait!!

Have you checked out ICE's "Stonewielder" yet?

Shelley wrote: "Have you checked out ICE's "Stonewielder" yet? "

I have it in my Kindle. After reading Night of Knives and Return of The Crimson Guard, I made sure I picked that one up ASAP. Just haven't started it yet.

Another buddy on GR has been itching for me to read Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind, so I am starting that now. I plan to chase it with Stonewielder though.

Oh so you didn't read it before TCG, it had an impact on TCG thou, actually just like RotCG had on TtH with Travelers story line! Just a thought but I would read Stonewielder before anything else (I couldn't wait and got my copy from the UK in Jan:)!!

You know, since Return of the Crimson Guard had so much to do with the events following Bonehunters, I wondered if Stonewielder might not be a nice set up for The Crippled God...

I was just so damn eager to read the conclusion to Erikson's MBotF that I decided I didn't want to read Stonewielder first while staring at The Crippled God sitting there, unread, in my Kindle. lol

At least I have something to look forward to in Stonewielder now though!

I have been very impressed with how much time Erikson and ICE have obviously spent getting their stories straight - so to speak. The connections and continuity they've built between each other's respective series' is really spectacular. Plus, I hear ICE is contracted for, at least, two more novels in his series. So many more holes might be filled in the very near future!

When I finally do my re-read, I plan to read both Erikson's and Esslemont's stuff together, in chronological order, so that I get the maximum impact from all the different angles. TOR.com's re-read has placed them in chronological order for me. So I'll just copy their order and go from there. Looking forward to that ride!

Yeah I knew Stonewield came out in the UK last Dec but didn't ordered it until Jan, so I reread DoD, then Stonewielder and was prim for TCG!! I had a plan you see! :) LOLLLL....

I'm not sure what TOR's reading order is, but I can tell you that I'm on my third reread and I would read the SE's books 1-4, then ICE's NoK, SE's books 5-7, then ICE's RotCG, SE's TtH, then ICE's Stonewilder and then finally DoD and TCG!

Cool! I think the only difference between your reading order and TOR's is that they place ICE's NoK directly after GotM ... having not re-read either one recently, I can't say if that works well or not. It's possible there are some characters in NoK of which you're not familiar until later in Erikson's books. I'm thinking, though, that even though NoK goes back several years before GotM, they're relying on GotM to set the stage for current events and then backtracking to NoK for some backstory.

I would say that if it's your first read thru then the order is quit important. Once you've read everything and you "KNOW" then the reading order can be anyway you want it to be. Part of the beauty of reading SE is the mystery he's created, so reading ICE's NoK too soon ruins some of SE's story line.

That makes sense. I had read all of the novels up through TotH at least twice prior to reading any of ICE's stuff. And I've only read NoK and RotCG once each. So it may be that I'm judging things on what I know of the story through TotH without placing the various "reveals" in the correct places.

Shouldn't take me long to blast through Name of the Wind though. Then I'll hit Stormwielder and follow Traveler's storyline some more.

It's cool to have others to chat with about this stuff! I only have one other friend in my non-online circle who's read any Erikson - and he's still on his first read through of the series - and only on The Bonehunters so far (he hasn't even touched any of ICE's stuff yet). So it's not like I can discuss it with him right now... lol

I know the feeling, so no worries!! :) Oh and Stonewielder does not have Traveler (we don't see him again after TtH) in it, but Graymane, Kyle and Relish all come back from RotCG!

Damn ... I was hoping to follow Traveler some more.

Oh well, future ICE novels will hopefully follow him further.

But I know I'll love it regardless. Both SE and ICE write excellent novels!

Hey all. Ive joined the Bridgeburners.
Ive matured from fantasy, and now I mainly read philosophy, but the Malazan will always stick with me. If Im not reading Erikson's masterpiece for the intricate, intelligently written plot, Im reading it for his magnificent prose and poetic value. Not many fiction writers write quite like Erikson does. He is amazing, and I love the themes he explores throughout, although Ive hardly explored the series as a whole - I just dont have enough time with school.
Im happy to be in this internet community, for no one in reality is intelligent enough to appreciate Erikson's work. Several of my friends have tried their hardest to read Gardens, but they give up at least 100 pages in...
Im a reader of history and philosophy, but I hold The Book of the Fallen in high esteem. Its different to every other petty fantasy series out there.
I shake my head in disdain whenever I see someone who feels so intimidated and overwhelmed by Erikson's work that they think they are justified to slander it. Erikson has proven to me that there is indeed a god. Erikson is god... After Nietzsche of course... :)

Hiya Bo! Welcome to the Bridgeburners! :) You should really check out the Fantasy Reading Group, we are doing a complete reading of The Malazan Book of the Fallen, we're only into Deadhouse Gates, but I've enjoyed the reading groups' perspective greatly!

Shells:)

Kewlies :) I will has a looksie.

Shelley wrote: "Hiya Bo! Welcome to the Bridgeburners! :) You should really check out the Fantasy Reading Group, we are doing a complete reading of The Malazan Book of the Fallen, we're only into Deadhouse Gates,..."

I should also mention that that group has managed to rope SE himself into a Q&A thread where he's posted his first reply.

Terence wrote: "Shelley wrote: "Hiya Bo! Welcome to the Bridgeburners! :) You should really check out the Fantasy Reading Group, we are doing a complete reading of The Malazan Book of the Fallen, we're only into ..."

Wasn't that awesome!! I felt like a little kid when I saw that he had responded to our questions! :)

Shelley wrote: "Terence wrote: "Shelley wrote: "Hiya Bo! Welcome to the Bridgeburners! :) You should really check out the Fantasy Reading Group, we are doing a complete reading of The Malazan Book of the Fallen, ..."

Speaking of which, I've got a couple more questions I want to ask him :-)

Terence wrote: "Shelley wrote: "Terence wrote: "Shelley wrote: "Hiya Bo! Welcome to the Bridgeburners! :) You should really check out the Fantasy Reading Group, we are doing a complete reading of The Malazan Book..."

Me too!!!!!!!! :) Just posted mine and I saw your q's...very good q's Terence!! :)

Shelley wrote: "Terence wrote: "Shelley wrote: "Terence wrote: "Shelley wrote: "Hiya Bo! Welcome to the Bridgeburners! :) You should really check out the Fantasy Reading Group, we are doing a complete reading of ..."

Yeah, and now we gotta wait :-(

What? Where, oh god tell me! Gods walk among us it seems!

Bo wrote: "What? Where, oh god tell me! Gods walk among us it seems!"

It's the Fantasy Book Club Series group: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/3...

Some are reading the entire MBotF; they're up to Deadhouse Gates.

Thank you, very much :)

Hi I am new to this site and definitely new to this group. I am so glad there is a group like this on here. The malazan series are my favorite books and have been reading them since midnight tides came out. Looking forward to some good discussions

Welcome :)

Hi I'm new to this site and this group. I only found Gardens of the Moon towards the end of last year and have recently finished both Deadhouse Gates and A Night of Knives.

So far I am loving the Malazan books but am trying to keep my pace slow so I can savour the series.

Geoffrey wrote: "Hi I'm new to this site and this group. I only found Gardens of the Moon towards the end of last year and have recently finished both Deadhouse Gates and A Night of Knives.

So far I am loving the..."

Welcome welcome Geoffrey!! :) Can't blame you for taking your time reading these books, but I couldn't do it!! I read, slept, and ate SE for about six months straight! Once I finished I turned right around and read them ALL again (along with ICE's three) and am currently re-reading them for a third time with the Goodreads' Fantasy reading group!! :) Love the world of Malaza!! :) Again welcome and make sure to check out our discussion boards!
Shells:)