Steven Eriksons Malazan series

[jhallum]

Answers.

Spoiler

1) DG mentions that Ammanas and Cotillion are Kellanved and Dancer Ascended. GotM and DG both mention that Quick Ben was once a High Priest of Shadow. However, if I have my facts straight, Quick Ben joined the Bridgeburners during Kellanved's reign, so how could he have been a High Priest of Shadow if Ammanas didn't exist back then? Unless he became a High Priest of Shadow after he joined the Bridgeburners, which then kills my whole point. So, did I spot an inconsistency or will this be addressed later on?

2) What exactly do the T'lan Imass look like? The descriptions are vague, but I've got this wacky idea that they vaguely resemble humans in form.

Yeah, it is kind of ranty, but I'm overall pleased with the book. I started Memories of Ice last night and I'm looking forward to it. I hope the hype on MoI doesn't get to me like it did with DG.

Spoiler

1)I think this is something that will be addressed later on. It is an inconsistency, but it is also possible that they killed an earlier pair of ascendants and stole their identities. It has not been addressed through book 5.

2)The Imass are described in detail in a later book. They are humanoids, yes. More Neanderthal in appearance, than human, but more human-like than any of the other races.

I won't ruin your enjoyment of Memories of Ice with any cheers or jeers for it, then, let it stand on its own merits.

-jeremy

 

[jhallum]

That being said, I did buy Gardens of the Moon in HC (despite the horrific cover-art) and will continue to buy the rest in HC as well (because I'm a HC junkie).

But the cover-art really might be hurting sales. I personally can't stand it. But I generally find that I like the UK cover art much more than the US anyways. Much less cartoony and Darrell Sweet-ish. I tend to appreciate the more understated look on my books. Like the recent Bakker hit (thank God Tor didn't pick him up and screw up the Canadian cover-art) The Darkness that Comes Before. Overlook did a good job of keeping that nice art when they published in America. I wonder why Tor couldn't do that as well.

Agreed. I imported all of the books from England, but I have the first two in paperback, and the last three in the big trade paperback. I will probably buy the hardcover version, and read them, since the paperbacks are fragile.

 

[Dakkareth]

Another Erikson thread. Nice The Malazan Book of the Fallen is about the best series I've ever read, so keep that in mind, when considering my words

Comparing Erikson's writing to other authors' I'd say, it's like G.R.R. Martin grown up in many aspects of that term. (Deleted long and inadequate try to explain this in detail. Maybe I'll try again later.)

I've seen the covers of the American releases and I concede, that it's singularily ugly. The UK covers (which incidentally are used on the German translations as well) of GotM, DHG and HoC are simply great and those for MoI and MT are at least not bad. I wonder, why they couldn't simply keep them ...

And while it would probably be cool to play Anomander Rake in an RPG, it's one of the most important points in the series, that in the end the mortals have grown up enough to beat ascendants, gods and dragons at their own game, that it is the mortals, who in their unfathomability (if that's a word) can throw a wrench into the machinations of the gods and who are usually responsible for great decisions - great powers balance each other out while the mortal factor is deciding. If the DM could live up to these principles, I wouldn't mind playing Fiddler when the others at the table play frighteningly Epic characters like Icarium, Mappo or Iscaral Pust. There's a special appeal to being overly aware of one's own limitedness and mortality and still being able to surprise (that at least) the others.

Yes, it would be great to see such a product -- I would definitely buy it. But from the interview on Tor's web site it seems the warrens-driven magic system was purposely created to be vague and not easily translatable into an RPG.

I probably wouldn't be here on this board, if I wasn't someone to think of gaming system equivalents Of course translating the entire system would be a major task, but combining as power point system with a sphere system like divine spells in 2e or even better Mage with restrictions on availability and caster level boni/mali would go a long way into the right direction

I might actually try something like this in a PbB some day. Some day.

For now I'm hoping, the release for Bonehunters given on Amazon is a good one and that the novellas will be released in greater numbers soon

 

[Anomander Rake]

Erikson

I believe the sales of Gardens of the Moon will pick up in the US. I think in the UK, Erikson started off slowly, and about 2 years after Gardens was published, he started to become much better know, and now 5 years on, he's well known in the UK and Canada with a growing fan base.

As Neg said, once the Mass Market Paperbacks are out, more people will be willing to try him out as they're much cheaper (to say he's a unknown author over there, and therefore are less likely to buy a Hard Cover), and until then, fans of his series need to continue spreading the word.

I'm glad Tor have been listening to the comments about the Book Cover, and that they are taking that into consideration for future marketing.

 

[Pants]

Spoiler

1)I think this is something that will be addressed later on. It is an inconsistency, but it is also possible that they killed an earlier pair of ascendants and stole their identities. It has not been addressed through book 5.

Spoiler

That can't be it, as someone (Fiddler I think) mentions that High House Shadow appeared for the first time after Kellanved and Dancer's supposed assassinations.

Oh well, not a big deal anyways. I just noticed it was odd.

 

[Dakkareth]

Spoiler

1) DG mentions that Ammanas and Cotillion are Kellanved and Dancer Ascended. GotM and DG both mention that Quick Ben was once a High Priest of Shadow. However, if I have my facts straight, Quick Ben joined the Bridgeburners during Kellanved's reign, so how could he have been a High Priest of Shadow if Ammanas didn't exist back then? Unless he became a High Priest of Shadow after he joined the Bridgeburners, which then kills my whole point. So, did I spot an inconsistency or will this be addressed later on?

Not really a spoiler, but still:

Spoiler

Before Kellanved and Dancer ascended, the realm of Shadow was empty. Priests of Shadow worshipped the empty throne and weren't pleased, when two newcomers spoiled their fun by seating themselves on the throne. (more details in HoC)

 

[neg]

I'm glad Tor have been listening to the comments about the Book Cover, and that they are taking that into consideration for future marketing.

And after having lunch with the director of marketing for Tor, I am EXTREMELY happy to report that Deadhouse Gates, US edition, will be using the UK cover art.

I can't take credit for the change, but I am happy to report it. We did have a conversation about why the first book didn't take off in the marketplace. I mentioned the cover art on the first book didn't seem to connect with fans, and expressed concerns about the cover of Deadhouse Gates. She told me they were going to use the UK cover art for book two, which was news to me.

I have to praise Tor for doing everything right in trying to get Erikson to a wider audience with Book Two. Trade paper original and UK cover art!

-neg

 

[Pants]

And after having lunch with the director of marketing for Tor, I am EXTREMELY happy to report that Deadhouse Gates, US edition, will be using the UK cover art.

I can't take credit for the change, but I am happy to report it. We did have a conversation about why the first book didn't take off in the marketplace. I mentioned the cover art on the first book didn't seem to connect with fans, and expressed concerns about the cover of Deadhouse Gates. She told me they were going to use the UK cover art for book two, which was news to me.

I have to praise Tor for doing everything right in trying to get Erikson to a wider audience with Book Two. Trade paper original and UK cover art!

-neg

Wow, that's awesome!
Unfortunately, that means I'll have to resist buying DG in HC for its gloriously awesome cover.

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

And after having lunch with the director of marketing for Tor, I am EXTREMELY happy to report that Deadhouse Gates, US edition, will be using the UK cover art.

I can't take credit for the change, but I am happy to report it. We did have a conversation about why the first book didn't take off in the marketplace. I mentioned the cover art on the first book didn't seem to connect with fans, and expressed concerns about the cover of Deadhouse Gates. She told me they were going to use the UK cover art for book two, which was news to me.

I have to praise Tor for doing everything right in trying to get Erikson to a wider audience with Book Two. Trade paper original and UK cover art!

Great! Thanks for the update!

 

[Liminal Syzygy]

I'll be buying a copy as well in that case.