Deadhouse Gates (Book 2 of The Malazan Book of the Fallen)

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One of the main reasons behind this is that Deadhouse Gates is considered one of the strongest installment within the series by the fans after Memories of Ice and The Bonehunters. Unprecedented in size and savagery, this maelstrom of fanaticism and bloodlust will embroil the Malazan Empire in one of the bloodiest conflicts it has ever known, shaping destinies and giving birth to legends.

This is not the classic medieval fantasy world, but it appears to be a blend of the Roman Empire and Henry V (you have crossbows and explosives and heavy cavalry, but Roman organization), and it “feels” middle eastern. Thanks also to Stephen and Ross Donaldson for their kind words, James Barclay, Sean Russell, and Ariel.

Despite how much I loved this installment, I’m actually slightly disappointed with how it turns out; more detail on this further down below.

Overall, though, despite my rant on some of the fanatics of the series, I do have to give the benefit of the doubt to Steven Erikson because even though my reading experience was downgraded due to spoilers, the content of the book was hauntingly vivid, brutal, and memorable. Baudin and Heboric arrange, with Duiker's help, to escape from the mines during a slave mutiny and give Felisin the chance to go with them, and she agrees.Kalam, a native, makes contact with the local rebels and agrees to deliver Dryjhna's Holy Book to Sha'ik in Raraku, which will unleash the rebellion's Apocalypse, further undermining Laseen's power. The main action of Memories of Ice, the third novel in the series, partially overlaps that of Deadhouse Gates.

There is very little light to balance the grim reality of Erikson’s fantasy, and that appears to be the trend in fantasy today. Dear reader, let it be known that Toblakai does not appreciate confectionary-themed jokes, nor does he tolerate too much talking. That may well have something to do with the fact that he doesn’t take shit from anyone – including his superiors – and that he’s never afraid to share his opinion.

His warlocks Nil and Nether at one point open a tunnel into a raider encampment to destroy it, incidentally revealing water underground, and learn that a Semk tribesman has a piece of the destroyed Semk god sewn into him.