So this means that my Malazan journey is coming to an end - at least for now. I want to thank the Malazan community for all the helpful and supportive comments as I have tried to get myself immersed in this series. Unfortunately, it didn't work out for me, but I will never forget all the lovely comments I received from many of you! Thank you all :)

First and foremost, no one is stupid for not enjoying a book or a series. It's a big world with lots of stories to enjoy, so let's all just be kind or at least practice a minimal level of courtesy (yes, even online) by accepting that people are different and experience stories differently. I wish you much fulfillment and enjoyment with your reading, Johan!

@libraryofaviking

Жыл бұрын

I absolutely agree! It has been wonderful to see how kind and helpful Malazan readers have been as I have been trying to get myself immersed in this series. Unfortunately, it has to be a temporary DNF for now but who knows - I might give this series another try someday! Thank you for everything you've done for the Malazan community. I know it is greatly appreciated!

@Colaman112

Жыл бұрын

But how are you supposed to make yourself feel superior if you can't belittle people with different taste from yours? /s

@SJ-GodofGnomes21

Жыл бұрын

Well said

@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy

Жыл бұрын

@@SJ-GodofGnomes21 Cheers, Si!

@graphthis2249

Жыл бұрын

One thing that turned me on to start Malazan was constantly seeing how wholesome Malazan fans are on KZread.

It’s absolutely nothing to do with intelligence, it’s just taste. I read Malazan and loved it, found it way, way less difficult than others seem to have found it. No additional resource just read and enjoyed the book. I’m a huge fantasy reader but I DNF’d ASOIAF at A feast for crows, just not for me. Everyone’s different, don’t read what you don’t enjoy you will never read everything you want to in life so if it’s not for you, move on and have no guilt.

@Demyk7

Жыл бұрын

Even the author of ASOIAF DNF his series 😂

@FelixS.

Жыл бұрын

@@Demyk7 And Rothfuss didn´t even write his "series" :D

There's nothing wrong with not enjoying it. If it's not for you then it's not for you. Malazan for me helped me through the darkest time in my life, and I absolutely love the scope and storytelling of the series along with the characters.

We both wanted to be part of this fandom and join this community, but it looks like we're both tapped out! I hope you pick up some great books soon!

@libraryofaviking

Жыл бұрын

It has been fun to go through this journey simultaneously as you have been reading through Malazan. It is unfortunate it didn't end up working for both of us. I saw you DNFed Memories of Ice recently and really appreciated your review/vlog. You were able to articulate my feelings very well!

i found the series much easier to follow once i stopped worrying about missing bits of it. it shouldn't feel like studying. it can make someone feel stupid if you expect to understand everything, but if you just know you're not going to, you can go along for the ride. even if you don't understand everything the epic parts will still be epic. i find that the payoff usually starts to hit at about the 70% mark in most of the books in the series.

I take my hat off to you for being honest with this series. I agree, one shouldn't have to work too hard to enjoy a story - no matter how big. But to read ten thousand pages only to have to reread them to finally understand the what's going on is, as you say, too much like hard work. Love your channel, by the way.

@libraryofaviking

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the encouragement, Leslie! It is always nerve-wracking to post critical thoughts! I do appreciate many thousands of readers adore Eriksen prose and plot structure but unfortunately it isn't for me.

I can't describe how much I appreciate this video. I also wanted to be a part of the fandom because of how loved it is by it's fans. I made it to the end of Deadhouse Gates and stopped the series. The work versus reward just ended up being to much. Some of the scenes in both books were phenomenal but in the end not worth everything leading up to them. I commend the author, but there were just so many more books on my TBR that I couldn't dedicate any more time to Malazan. I won't say it's completely DNF, but definitely deeply shelved for now

The nicest thing in books is that everybody can have its own opinion about them. The most important thing is, not to categorize readers by things they read, and not insult each other, when the book we love, somebody hates because of something. Respect each other, that's the thing.

@libraryofaviking

Жыл бұрын

I absolutely agree 💯

Thank you for saving me the pain of ploughing though another draag of a book. Already suffering through Sanderson, and beginning to think Fantasy genre is not for me.

I HATE the advice that listening to podcasts, reading chapter summaries, or viewing powerpoints is required for enjoying the books! If readers are naturally curious and want to use those resources, more power to them! It’s wonderful that those things are available, but they are not required. There was a large Malazan fandom before those resources existed. All that said, having some knowledge that this series is doing something different than other fantasy can help readers relax into the experience. It sounds like you understood those differences and still didn’t feel a connection, which is totally okay. There is no shame or apology needed for DNFing a series that’s not for you. Happy reading!

@libraryofaviking

Жыл бұрын

I agree with you and really appreciate the help you've provided. There is no doubt that Steven Erikson is an absolute genius and has really brought something new to the genre. However, while I appreciate this work I also have to acknowledge that it isn't working for me. Thank you for the kind comment!

Malazan is my favorite series, and possibly my favorite story, of all time. I recognize and know its not for everyone, and I will not judge anyone for not enjoying it, or for DNFing it. You gave the first two books two solid tries, and I'd say that's enough to know whether you'll enjoy it. I've had similar experiences with several series and TV shows, including the Sopranos, widely considered one of the best television shows ever created. Its just not for me. Good luck, hope you find another series you enjoy in the very near future!!

Cheers 🤩🙏🏻🎖 to you for giving the series so many chances. I think your experience is good to share as it illustrates to others that they should read what they want for the REASONS THEY CHOOSE and not feel obligated or pressured to read something that other people rave about. Taste is subjective. As a die-hard Malazan fan, I am saddened you will not be joining our tribe, but that's OK. Who knows, maybe years down the road you'll give it another try and you might find your tastes have shifted and the series will be more "up your alley".

For Malazan, the payoffs are always worthwhile, and part of the point the series pushes is how to feel empathy for characters who are unlikeable. That said the only way to enjoy the series is to be comfortable asking questions more than getting answers. You don’t find out what the series is “about” until quite late, but you can make it to Memories of Ice you’ll see the first puzzle pieces fitting together. Still, it’s OK not to like the series.

You gave it a proper go! I was half expecting you to lob the book over your shoulder at any moment 😆Bizarrely I am rather tempted to take up the challenge, but I have SO MANY other books I want to read 🤦‍♂️

Love that you're honest with yourself, I felt that way by book 1 and knew already it wouldn't be for me. I just hate the idea of being confused by the very content of dialogues and who's talking to whom. Absolutely exhausting. I don't understand how people have the energy or will to push through that, but I clearly don't (and I do think I'm decently intelligent). An acquaintance of mine who's currently reading the books back to back (how?!) now finished Midnight Tides (book #5) and when I asked her "when did it start to click for you?" she told me it only started making more sense while reading that fifth book. What drove her to continue was her love of the characters and the fascinating world-building. Just like you, when it comes to Fantasy, if I don't connect to the characters (I don't even have to relate all that much to them, I just need them to be interesting to follow), I struggle a lot to pick up a book. I think Petrik Leo said he only started caring about the characters by book #3 and he's also a character-driven reader. Like you said, that's a lot of work, and most of these people have reread that whole series by now because they only got the big picture by book #10. That sounds frustrating to me, but to each their own. 🤷

Super good video, I think it's quite admirable that you have just come to the conclusion that this is not the series for you. And that is okay! I have a sneaking suspicion that I will have a similar experience, but I am still just going to go in with an open mind whenever I finally get the courage to pick it up, haha. Thanks for sharing your honest opinion/experience :)

Thank you for being so honest! I'm very curious to read the first book and see what my impression is 👀

@libraryofaviking

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the encouragement!Definitely let me know your thoughts if you pick it up 👀

@nazimelmardi

Жыл бұрын

Keep it up to book 3! That usually changes everything! 👏 (if you are not like me and Merphy Napier who we loved at once. He overreacted here. A lot loved it immediately and had no issues… basically do not try to understand everything just read have fun and that’s it. Do not expect a linear solution or main hero or such you will be a witness of things think like that. That’s all…

The bit with Steven Erikson and you with an open mouth was so funny for some reason. I laughed so hard, lol. Thank you. I need to make the same with my face now.

I was up to the middle of the 6th book then I put it down to go read Tolkien. By the time I came back I couldn't remember enough to jump back in so I started over with audiobooks and I'm enjoying it again, and this time it makes more sense.

A few things you mentioned, RE needing resources, re-reading pages and/or chapters: it comes down to what level you are reading it at I think. There are levels of understanding happening that allow one to read and enjoy the general story, and then further levels beyond where certain things are happening behind the scenes that don't add up. But that's life and I think that's the approach if I'm honest. Allow the general story to hold your attention but not forget the details that left you baffled, they may make sense and give you an aha moment. The re-reading gets interesting when, as you have more knowledge, and then pick up on what's actually happening. I think the hype and the talk of sources take away from an individual's own journey through this series. And that's where for me it was a life changing series. My thoughts man, good luck on your journey.

I think you’re making the right decision. I have read 8 of the books and it never seems to get any easier. I’m probably not going to finish it.

I read all 10 and still 100% agree with you. It doesn't get easier or better as you read on. Hard DNF it if you're feeling that way.

I just bought the entire series and can't wait to read it! I have heard mixed reviews but I have to read it to see for myself

@libraryofaviking

Жыл бұрын

I hope you will enjoy it! Happy reading!

As a booktuber when dealing with lengthy series I think it is wise to apply the sunk cost fallacy- it is difficult to read ten books In a series if it doesn't click with you - so most people who do get all the way to the end are going to be people who like it and some of them are going to be people who didn't really like it but need to defend the time they have invested in the series. There are probably a far greater number of people who have abandoned this series than is readily apparent and one thing I like about your channel is the honesty with which you approach your reads and how it is always a matter of enjoyment first and foremost. Don't read it if it isn't clicking and consider coming back to it sometime later in life of you feel like it - or don't. Life is too short to read books you aren't enjoying and to read out of pure peer pressure

Totally understandable, it took me close to a year to finish reading the first two malazan books, and even after that I was largely went, "wtf did I just read!"... But somewhere in the 3rd book, things somehow clicked, and after finishing 4 books, I just couldn't stop reading it... I hope you pick it up in the future!

I know exactly how you feel 😢 I adore extremely long and very dense stories, and was so looking forward to reading this extremely popular book series. I struggled. Erikson has has a beautiful style, absolute wordsmith, I just didn’t care about any of the characters or anything that was going to happen to them 🥺 I tried both formats, I have read, and then I would listen to the same chapter…. I finished the first book, and I can’t make myself continue 😩 If you ever discover what is it we are missing, please share I so want to love these 🙏❤️

@nazimelmardi

Жыл бұрын

New mindset. You still too used to the same books. As simple as that. And this is intentional to be not like them. Why? Bc they use the same things over and over again. Are they bad? No. Could they better? Here is the example. For what? One : Wheel of Time - good vs evil trope. Here there is no such a thing as : clear evil/good. No main hero. No linear plot. No explanation for the magic system in full. No gender issues. No stupid characters just to bend for the story. Immortal characters here are really have dense and distinct differences from a human, you can’t just return to life without very! serious consequences. Humanity is a thing. Here it is portrayed perfectly. Compassion as well as betrayal. This book is a reflection to our life’s struggles and humanity. From a distance bc the author leaves it to you!!! to evaluate and decide the moral lessons it won’t give you what’s the answer from all the events you witnessed. You may hear what a person say yet it’s not the full picture you can take away. It’s usually one side of it. You can decide if he/she is wrong or not, is it worth it or not, and so on. It’s not putting it to your hand as usual.

Man, I can't recommend taking breaks enough. I got a ton of pushback and accusations of "why not just admit you're quitting" when I said I was taking a break over a year ago. But it's good for your sanity. Going back in August (Toll the Hounds).

Dang i day definitely give it another try later on. I juat finished book 8 and it was amazing. Just start with book 1 and go for it.

I'm currently reading it without additional material and really have to sit down and make a mind map to get everything. For me personally its really fun to dig through all the information, but it takes a lot of time. When a book isnt fun to read then you shouldnt read it. Still impressed, how long you tried. Shows, that you really wanted to like it.

@Azidust

Жыл бұрын

As I said in a previous comment I’ve jumped to Malazan without knowing what I’m up to lol ,half the book I was like there’s too much going and I have to slow my reading and concentrate more I restarted from the beginning and then it was much easier and enjoyable , tackling the second book wish me luck lol

I struggled in the first couple of books, the number of characters, and a completely foreign magic system. It was almost too much, but there was enough in it for me to stick with it. I think about the third book, I started understanding it, and I am so glad that I did

@libraryofaviking

Жыл бұрын

I am glad you found it worthwhile!

Ha my comment made your video 🎉 Can I ask, did you ever read Gene Wolf’s book of the new sun and if so what were your thoughts ?

I’m of those who thinks the series is a masterwork. I’ve only read until Book 4, thought the third to be one of the best fantasy books I’ve ever read. But I have to read chapter summaries after finishing each one and, as you say, it is so much work. Sometimes I ask myself: “Is having to do this even right?”

Sad, I started the series because of you and now I'm hooked

I was reading The Bonehunters when you uploaded your last video about Malazan. I am currently almost done with Reapers Gale. Somehow, despite the frustrations, I am able to power through it. I listen to certain repetitive ambience music to help me get through these books. There is this youtube channel called Gaming Ambience and his Dragon Age: Origins 1 Hour of Music playlist has helped me in keeping focus with these books. My favorite is Lake Calenhad Docks. Although when I first started this series back in late December of 2022, I was listening to Elder Scrolls ost as I was reading. I rarely use guides and most of the eternal guides I search for was for early in the series. I am surprised that most of the suggestions for reading Malazan is the usage of guides rather than suggestions on how to smooth out the actual reading experience.

@Wordsalad69420

10 ай бұрын

Keep powering through. It is worth it. I am on my first reread and hoo boy is it a vastly different and more enjoyable experience.

What really helped for me what listening to the first 2 audiobooks.. it really helped me to sort passively through the first time. gaining some knowledge & understanding of the general plot, key players and places. Reading then allows you to go back and really fill in any holes. The Audiobooks helped give everyone a voice to. Ralph Listen did such a good job on those first 2 books.. book 3 is a little weird becuase he shifts around the voices he was using for most character in the first book. This is going to be my method going forward.. first listen and then read

My guy, I hate read this series until the last book when I finally couldn’t anymore. I never understood when people say it’s hard to understand. It was just alot of facts. I had more emotional engagement with Gloktas relationship with stairs than I had with anything in Malazan. You should probably read parts with Karsa, that’s House of Chains. Also you can read Midninght Tides which is the only book in the series that’s actually fun to read, mostly because of Tehol and Bug. Also helps it’s almost a standalone story that’s almost completely selfcontained.

I definitely understand. I read the books and loved them, but the first read was sometimes hard. What I can recommend are the audio book version. They are fantastic. I‘m listening to Midnight Tides at the moment and I love every minute. Maybe give that a try!

I am planning on reading this series, but I'm probably going to have to switch to the audiobook version for book 2.

Valid points. This is why I never bothered starting with it. Life is too short, very little time and so many other books to read. I don't want to spend my time reading something that I am told I will probably not understand and have to work hard so I can understand it. Though I am curious due to all the hype around it, I am not going to even try.

What I love about the series is all the confusion and unknowns eventually getting answers further down the line that feel like a bomb was dropped.

Hey there!! So I kinda doubt that I will be able to really convince you to dive back into it, especially if you not enjoying it right now, but I want to offer you one more opinion. I have to tell you, I suspended my need for understanding until I got partway through the third book. At that point, I realized that I was building an understanding of the world slowly by existing in it. That said, I have experienced that drag, I think I'm on book 7 right now and had to pause for a few months, but after getting through the third book I had decided it was in one of my favorite series of all time. You will always be learning new things about the world, but after book three the world starts to solidify a bit as you are starting to have a picture in your mind of the geopolitical landscape over the past like hundred thousand years on the planet(with big gaps of course), and the magic system. Just like growing to understand the world we live in, and to grow a picture in your head about what life is like, so too will you start to have a grip on the world of Malazan. I'm on tonight because after a conversation with a friend I decided to dive back in tonight and finish the series but wanted to find some recaps on the way home. If you can ever dive back in to it, just know that you will experience some of the most emotional, heartbreaking, hilarious, badass, horrifying, and triumphant moments ever to be written down on paper. It honestly is sitting in fighting range within my internal ranking from the Cosmere, And that is only because I feel this sense of hope, even when all is lost deepset into that universe, Malazan has a colder view, I can only hope myself that things will turn out okay in that series, things are on shakey ground just like real life. That truly is why I do love it to, just as with our world, it could all crumble, as many civilizations have in the past, and that past has shaped us. Similarly in Malazan, you will end up seeing the history of the world from long before humans even walked the planet. Anywho thanks for sharing your love of books with us! Seeing your leatherbounds tickles my soul, I'll throw you a sub just for that and check out some more videos sometime. xD If a small part of you ever wonders if it's worth it to get even a little farther, I hope you remember something of this message and it gives you that last kick you need to do it. I promise you, there are characters you will love

I'd love to hear your thoughts on The Dragonbone Chair. It seems to stir up some controversy, albeit for different reasons than Malazan. I'm having trouble deciding whether I should give it a shot or not.

@libraryofaviking

Жыл бұрын

It is on my tbr! I hope to get to it this year!

@snikich

Жыл бұрын

I just recently finished it, it was a challenge to begin with but when the story starts to unfold it picks up the pace. DNFd it twice before around page 150-200 due to the slow start but kept at it this time around and it was rewarding imo. Even the beginning was brilliant once used to his style of writing. 4,5/5

After gardens of the moon read Esslemont Night of knives. It made reading and understanding way easier.

You make some very good points. My biggest issue with the series is that it is definitely not sequential, at least through book 6 where I'm currently sitting. I will fall on my completionism sword to a fault so I will definitely push through, but I can't disagree with anything you said. Some books are just not for people. Some of my favorite characters aren't really in the main story until book 4 or 5. I salute you in attempting the series and being honest. Booktube should be a place with different tastes and different opinions and be celebrated for that. Can't wait to see what you're reading (or have read) next!

I just bought Deadhouse Gates. Haven’t read Gardens, but the store didn’t have it and I was just itching to jump in. So I read the prologue. Amazing. But also, a lot. I followed along and made all the connections, but all the delivery was so… oblique? I’m left wondering what I might have missed. It was cool, but I get the impression that if this is the execution, then those missing pieces will add up quickly. But I will press on.

This makes me sad, but i can acknowledge that malazan isnt for everyone. I absolutely LOVE this series, i hope you find something that works better for you, maybe some day youll come back and try again and it will work for you, i hope so, but if not, i hope you keep finding more series thst you love

Honestly in my personal experience and opinion, the best way to read these books is to just let it all soak in without questioning anything, just pure experience in the process of being just as lost and confused as the characters themselves. Stop trying to understand til you’ve had the totality of the story left it’s impression on you. If you try to pick it apart before you reach the next chapter you more than likely will find yourself looking for a handout with solid grounding rather than your imagination to fill in the blanks and use prescience to see how events might unfold. Nothing less than pure immersion as if you were experiencing it all alongside every group is required. Bias out the window 🎉experience is the best hands on learning experience. Your approach to reading is fundamentally challenged in these books.

It's a tough one! Maybe the toughest in the business. It calls readers back ...

I'm with you on all of these points. I personally am a slower reader and I see so much praise for this series but if it takes that long to get good i.m not sure I can get through it. Plus I'm not a fan of SA in any media form. So that's kind of a nail in the coffin for me...

I'd definitely say it's just not for you. It does seem to be a series that is more popular with an older crowd, so I think it definitely has a lot to do with taste. If you *REALLY* want to love Malazan, just don't give up on it. Every few years when looking for something to read, try them again, and maybe one day it will click. I was hooked from the start, like prologue, chapter 1, chapter 2, on and on, devoured them. I did the opposite to most people though when starting. I read a chapter summary first, which really helps give you a frame of reference going in, and it kind of is a cheat code to skipping to new game+, because when I read the chapter it just let me absorb the details without trying to hard to manage names, I knew who was important, what roughly happens, and it let me relax and soak it in. I didn't have access to this powerpoint (although I would have probably used it) but I did also use the global map, you can find it online, and its even on a 3d globe. using that really helped me keep a frame of reference to whats going on, I'd look where everything was at the start of a chapter. All in all, these little things didn't take long. maybe 2 or 3 minutes to read, and 30 seconds on a map. However, I came into the series starving for something with the depth and scale of ASOIAF, with theory's and deep lore to dig in to, and an entire world to understand. And I wasn't interested in *reading* , I was interested in *Malazan* , and that changes things. I think it comes down to getting the bug for the world, getting such a craving to learn more about something in the world or you find a character really interesting, and you just want to know more. When I think of reading Malazan, it feels more like playing a game than it does just getting a nice story. Your trying to look deeper into whats happening, why, whos working for who, and how did they do it. It's very different and unique in the genre, and honestly one of the few comparisons I can think of is House of Leaves, which is a WILDLY different story, I know, but invokes a similar feeling of interacting with the story like a detective. I think that's why people recommend the podcasts so much, because it's interactive. And its fun to come together in groups and share/hear theory's, beliefs, and thoughts on the story. I will say that at the start of book 3 i stopped using summaries, and im not sure when, maybe book 6, I hardly ever looked at a map.

I hangmen a tip for you… Listen to the books instead or reading ! Audible and others have it and is sooo much enjoyable. This serie is so exhausting both mentally and emotionally… I needed months brake between each book especially the first 4 ones I was numb and hollow. I would say that Malazan is a experience worth of your time!

I personally enjoy the book by not engaging with any summaries at all and just rolling with it (not understanding every detail the first time is fine). Half the fun is rereading books a couple of times and catching new connections and bits every time. I get it is not for everyone, but I really enjoy this almost exploration-like experience. Every time you have a moment where a puzzle piece falls into place it just feels amazing. It is a very unique reading experience, but I keep coming back to it again and again. ^^

I'm pretty much in the same situation as you. I read GotM 4-5 years ago, didn't finished and started it again this January. I finished it, didn't understand some things in the ending but that's ok. Now I am around page 450 of Deadhouse Gates and while this is more clear, I still find the magic and ascendants somehow confusing. I will finish it, but I really do hope that this "ending" is as impressive as it's praised :). My 2 cents is that you shouldn't feel pressed to finish any book. This is not a competition and there are no such things as "must reads". However, if you really "want to be part of this fandom" you could try reading 10-15 pages every few days till you finish this book. Then you would have experienced this famous ending and will be able to decide if it's worth investing any more time in Malazan.

I kind of know how you feel, I really liked the first 7 books in the series, but the last 3 were definitely a struggle for me. For a lot of people books 8 and 10 were amazing, but they just weren't for me. I read and liked the first two Esslemont books!

It didn't really click for me until book 3 and I'm in book 4 now. I liked Book 1 and my reading lf book 2 was basically how you described your experience. Maybe book 3 could have gripped you but yeah that's a very time consuming "maybe."

I appreciate that you are honest about this series. It doesn’t sound like it would be good for me either. I read to enjoy myself or to learn not to work. Malazan seems like more worst than it’s worth.

@libraryofaviking

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I always try to be honest! It is an epic series but it is certainly not for everyone. It is still worth a giving a try - you might end up loving it!

This is fair. I would say this. I think people saying you have to be smart to "get" malazan are not really correct. I will say that the series is for people who dont mind re-reading or flipping back. Some of the lore comes through that digging and you get out of it what you give it. Now, if every series i read was done in that style, i wouldnt read many books. I would burn out. It is a style i have adored the experience with, but it is not always what i want to get out of books. I generally want to kick back and enjoy, something that took a while for me to really end up doing with the series. I dont go to summaries or the powerpoints and feel ok, but for the first 2 books i definately did a fair bit of that and it did take away from some of my enjoyment. But now it is full throttle. Thanks for giving the books a go. You may find an itch sometime in the future to give it a go, at whick i would say just try book 3, as that is the one where people usually click.

I really like the feeling of just general confusion, as I think it's pretty much the feeling all the (fun) characters have (for me it's the malazan soldiers) as they also never have any clue as to what's happening and why or by whom. So I think it's mostly about a certain mindset of just laughing and seeing where you will end up.

Well, as someone that just finished the 5th book of the series, i can somewhat relate with the confusion part. The books, no doubt about it, have a very convoluted sequence and timeline but i'm still likeing them as a all. I would say that you Sr. just got caught by the hype and got betraid by it. i just read the books for what they were and the stories that they presented, and after some time i just undestood that this books are just about connecting the dots and trying to construct the fantasy world piece by piece, detail after detail and time to time try to figure out where this story relates to the others that i read before or if theres any connections. To be fair i dont really get the part where you mention that this series is too much work or requirering extra work to read. For me its just about being ok not undestanding everything that happens immediately. I'm just trusting that in the end everything will make more or less sense and stuff will be explained. Being in the middle of the books, i'm more and more incline to believe that Malazan Book of the Fallen is not a book series, but like the name says, a single BOOK with 10 chapters that for being too big each chapter was separeted in its own book. Excited to see where this leads. Hope the spark to read this book again comes to you and i hope that you end up enjoying.

I like when books start small and slowly builds the world. When you throw me in the middle and send me haphazardly every which way I lose interest it makes the book a chore to read. Add to that the fact that most storylines have no follow through in the next book makes this series unenjoyable for most.

Thank you for this video! I'm having basically the same experience as you, though you're farther along than I am. Normally, when I read on my days off, I can't help but to burn through hundreds of pages; however, with Malazan, I have to force myself to read even ten pages. It's such a chore. I don't need things to be spoonfed to me, but Erikson doesn't seem to respect his reader's time. By most accounts, he puts in great effort creating his world, but he seems so lazy in actually presenting the story.

I have never read a book as complicated as that, so for me, I really can't understand what reading it could be like. Makes me want to pick it up and see what reading it is actually like.

Sorry to hear that, I love DG, the characters and the story and worldbuilding, sad to hear that it isn't working for you and that it became chore to read. I hope you pick up a book you enjoy next!

I haven't started Malazan yet but I am excited to begin sometime next year. But I do understand the frustration that comes from an underwhelming fantasy series. I had to DNF Mistborn after the second book and I have no inclination to jump into the Stormlight Archive as the entire time it felt I was reading an RPG adventure for middle grade audience with cardboard characters (except perhaps OreSeur) and total checkpoint based plot. Such a disappointment.🙄

Not sure if anyone has suggested it or if you care for them, but the audio books are great. I've never read the books, just listened to the audio twice over.

Ive read the first 4 MBotF books and enjoy them a lot, altho not as much as everyone else seems to (they are a lot of work). I definitely understand how you feel If you're not enjoying it even after the halfway point, you probably wont find the ending all that amazing because you likely wouldn't have connected to any of the characters or the story. Dont push yourself to read something you're not enjoying, too many other books out there to be spending so much time on one youre not enjoying Happy reading!

I tried reading the first book twice, got through about half of it both times, and gave up. A friend of mine, who loves the series, told me that everything ties together well and it all makes sense when you finish book 10. That's when I realized that it wasn't for me.

Honestly i dont see a lot of comments suggesting trying Esselmont works, starting with Night of Knives That was a starting point for me, i started with Night of Knives, and then continued with the main series, idk if it helps, but you should try to consider Esselmont's works Sorry for my bad English :)

@libraryofaviking

Жыл бұрын

Oh first time I've heard that suggestion!

I 100% agree

I jumped to Malazan without knowing anything about it I was totally lost I was telling my self to just wait and everything will come together , half the book and still lost I stopped ,started from the beginning and reading had been easy throughout all the book , but then second book it’s like a new one lol

Sounds like it just didn't click with you, but as someone who loves characters (Robin Hobb and GRRM are favs) I also am like 7 books into Malazan and while I'm not sure I "enjoy" it the same way, I respect it quite a bit. I do think (for me) I had to approach it in a totally different way than I read books. I also bounced off book 1 the first time I read it as I had no idea what was going on. But I think what carried me through the second time was a different attitude. I had to just kind of accept that I wasn't going to get everything, and that's ok. I moved from trying to "follow" it, to more of like... a sense of wonder and mystery, embracing that this is a weird world I don't understand, and the joy comes in the spectacle, of slowly unfolding the layers of the onion, of learning about this world with like a 10,000 year old history and how everything works. It's like watching Lost or one of those TV shows where everything is a mystery. Eventually you might get your answer (or you might not), but just sinking into the world that kept throwing new stuff and layers at me over and over was what kept me going. It's complex, but that's not bad. Coffee and fine wines don't taste good at first, whereas wine coolers do, but they are acquired tastes for a reason, and people who enjoy them learn to appreciate the complexity, even if it's not as immediately approachable. But it's also totally fine to taste one of those and just be like, "This is too sour for me, no thanks!".

I went so mad I haven’t read fantasy since then, almost a year by now… I need a recovery book

I think it's just not for everyone. Clearly there are books/authors I don't get and that's okay. I am on book four. I haven't used many other resources since reading GotM, where I did read some chapter summaries. I have noticed that the further into the series I get, the more earlier events become clearer to me as they are referenced. Also the way a lot of things are not overtly explained, but in conversations between characters or just events in the plot things start to click...that is really appealing to me. I like how it seems almost like a big mystery that slowly reveals itself. But I can definitely see how that could be annoying for others.

I read through main series and I'm now onto the Kharkanas Trilogy. Halfway through Deadhouse gates I realized that I needed to not look things up. Throughout the 10,000 pages in this series the little bread crumbs add up. As you read just accept that there is so much you don't know and enjoy the little morsels of details. Accept that you have been thrown off into the deepend and that as you follow the main story you will get little insights into the greater world. Many of which will show up multiple books later. I can't say this enough. Don't read chapter summaries or try peeking in. There is too much depth. Accept the current and just watch the world slowly crawl by.

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who couldn't get through this series. I DNFed in the middle of Book 3.

Wonder if it would be better understood through an audible narration and maybe more enjoyable.

I'm at the same point as you. Read Gardens of the moon last year, I had no idea what was going on. Now I started Deadhouse Gates and it's no better. I will plunder through at least to the book 3, but seriously I'm doubting all the praise about Malazan. If anything, it proves Fantasy reader are the most tolerant and patient readers out there.

@nazimelmardi

Жыл бұрын

If you do, and read book 3 you will change your opinion.

@alexvaldiers9788

Жыл бұрын

@@nazimelmardi That's all I'm hoping for. I really want to like Malazan, but so far I don't get what is going on.

Same thing happening to me now,im reading WoT..First book was ok ,second i was feeling pain reading it,took me like 2 months ( i just can't stand JOrdans prose),third was disaster aswel, im at book 4 (at half) and nothing fck happening for like 300 pages and prose is painful,characthers are anoying litle todlers that cry every 2 pages i cant stand them im cheering for bad guy to kil lthem all tbh...im in constant battle with me should i quit series or not.only reason im trying to like series bcz we got republished Jordans books after like 10 years again,so im able to buy whole series,and hardcovers looks amazing,but other then that i rly not have any motivation to continue...

If you ever happen to wanna try again, you could skip Deadhouse for the moment and go straight to Memories of Ice. Follows more of the cast from Gardens, felt like an easier and more enjoyable read ro me, and has minimal spoilers for DG (maybe skip the epilogue). But as always, no pressure on ever returning to Malazan. Your patience in getting as far as you did is still amazing and commendable, and there's too many books out there to not read what you enjoy.

Man I’m going to regret saying this. But I felt a similar way about Lord of the Rings. I was bored by the sheer amount of environmental explanation. I felt like I really needed illustrations or something to immerse myself because it was so much. It also felt like a huge drag in the plot. But I wanted to love the series as much as everyone else does, so I pushed through. I actually did enjoy RotK quite a bit at least. Ultimately, I understand where you’re coming from. Reading should never be a chore.

Malazan is an acquired taste. I am currently on book 3, Memories of Ice, and I agree with many other readers that it is one of the best series I have ever read. It is also not for everyone.

Lol I tried Malazan and even started a readalong for it! It just was NOT for me unfortunately 😅 I will try later in life when I have the time to spend on it … maybe…😂.

Not every series is for everyone as some said in those comments you read. Malazan is one of the most epic stories ever written and has the best world building in the genre. But it can definitely be a chore to read. It took me over 8 months to get through the main 10 books. I almost gave up a few times myself, lol. I feel like you have to be in the right mindset for something as huge and complicated as Malazan is; maybe later in life it will appeal to you more.

It took me until part way into book 8 before I realized I was only really enjoying the discussions on booktube but wasn’t really enjoying the books themselves. I genuinely enjoyed books 1-3 and 5 but it was way too much work trying to keep all of the information clear. Personally, I don’t think these books needed to be so obfuscated to be dense and rewarding. So I’m done too. Too much else to enjoy and do.

If you do feel the itch to try it again, skip the first 2 books and jump into Memories of Ice. It is a more engaging book for most people. Thats where most people seen to really begin to get the Malazan hooks. That being said, sometimes tastes just don't align. In many ways, I relate with not loving the characters. Until the ending of Deadhouse, they were still quite bland to me as well. But that is when it all changed. Thats why we tell people to get to the end. Now it is my favorite, though only being halfway.

It's a bit of a shame to get so far through and not enjoy the juicy payoff, but if it's not for you it's not for you.

I've never read Malazan but borrowing an idea I've seen elsewhere, what if you read a book you live for a chapter, then read a Malazan chapter, and then read a chapter from another book you love. I believe it's a similar concept as what Charles Duhigg mentioned in The Power of Habit. He said radio stations played Outkast's song Hey Ya but it was unpopular until they played the song after playing other songs that listeners were familiar with. The idea is that Hey Ya was a unique song and when it was played first it was too jarring for the audience but playing it after several other popular songs helped it better connect to its audience.

@HopeThisIsntSOPARela

Жыл бұрын

A book you love*

It's comforting to know that at least somewhere, in someone's head, he's still alive.

Good choice. Why push yourself to read a series you don't enjoy only to be rewarded with the last book.

I remember when I first started reading the Malazan, I was told you either get used to his style of writing early or you never do

Lemme start by saying Malazan may not be for you. It’s not for everyone and that’s okay. That said, I do think that waiting a year in between books 1 and 2, and then the fits and starts that you did with DG… that’s only going to have a negative effect. Again, of course, if you aren’t enjoying it, yeah don’t read it. Don’t!!! I just want to point out that if one of your main issues is finding things confusing, I do think that would very likely be MOSTLY alleviated if you were able to just read one whole book in, let’s say, a couple weeks to a month. Just wanted to point this out, and if you ever try again, I would strongly suggest starting with Gardens and, as long as you’re enjoying it ENOUGH, don’t take breaks within a book. Just a thought but in the end you gotta follow your heart

All art is subjective, if a creator 's work does not connect with you don't force it. The role of the audience or reader in this case is sacred. Your enjoyment is your soul telling you what art to follow.

i wouldnt agree with malazan fans saying you need to read 3 books before you truly DNF malazan because its about the journey not the destination and if the journey wasnt good then the destination at the end of the 3rd book wont be appealing to you.

If The Black Company isn't your cup of tea then Malazan won't do it for you. If you can't get into multiple characters with multiple storylines Malazan won't do it for you. I read fast, but not like a speed reader, I read the entire text. A normal sized novel is more like a short story or novella at best to me. I read trilogies or better and especially like them finished. I got burned by Wheel of Time and even more so by A Song of Ice and Fire. A good proportion of my reading now are large series of various genres and Japanese light novels - which I feel are better written than most Western titles these days. For an idea, it took me perhaps a month to read the ten books of Malazan the first time. And reading is scarcely my only activity. But I like complex stories of that sort. Great world building and character development.

Hello 👋 you are not going to luv all fantasy books which is popular… Malazan is complicated book for me too, but which Is why I like to read it and eventually things will get clear for me. Thank you for being honest reading is about enjoyment not following other people trend because reading is personal to you … happy reading to you!! 📚🎥

If it makes you feel better, I have the same problem with the First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. I wanted to love it so bad, and I took the advice of people who said it gets better as it goes… I ended up rage quitting in the middle of book three because I hated it so much. 😅 I could not connect with the characters at all. The entire plot was completely pointless. It was super pessimistic and depressing. 😤 Okay, I better stop before I get too ranty. The point is, you aren’t stupid, or uncultured. There is nothing wrong with you. Hopefully you are able to find a different series that works for you soon. Happy reading!

If you aren't feeling it then don't proceed. What is the point of reading when you are not having fun. It is one of those series where you really need to be at a certain mindset for you to get through it. I do not regret powering through the series without a guide of any sort. Overthinking about having to totally understand every aspect of it would ruin your enjoyment. I just powered through the book and me getting all the main plots of the story was enough and it sinks in the more you proceed. You will suddenly realise that person x, y , and z were actually people you already knew from the previous books and now you are seeing how their stories progress and tie together in the future books and that is when you truly appreciate how good Erikson is with his writing.

I loved Memories of Ice and I still quit after that book! It was far too much work. I simply wasnt having fun. If you are really enjoying a series you will naturally inquisitive and want to look things up but like you it just felt like work. I couldnt get into the characters. I think swapping out so many of the characters in each of the three books really affected my ability to care and like them. The ending of Deadhouse Gates is awesome but it likely will not make a difference for you. It didnt for me.

To add to your point, its not just that the first three Malazan books are 3,000 pages- its 905,235 words long! Thats A LOT to read, especially if you dislike it.