Curved_Sw0rd
Just Like That Bluebird
A thread for sharing, discussing, and recommending Sci Fi and Fantasy books.
Alright, gonna start this off with a Rec I can really get behind. Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series is probably my favorite piece of literature, or most certainly one of. It boasts a massive scale, rich and in-depth worldbuilding, memorable characters, and compelling stories in perhaps each installment. It deals with themes of love, betrayal, action, adventure, the horrors of war, and the Human Condition, most notably the suffering they all tend to endure.
The majority, though not all, of the installments follow the rank and file of the Malazan Empire as the Empire grinds its way through the world, particularly the Bridgeburners, who's motto is "First in, Last out" which should tell you all you need to know about them.
Gardens of the Moon is the starting point of the series and it plunges you right into the world of Malaz, few holds barred. This type of opening isn't for everyone, though I didn't have much trouble following along myself. It introduces the Bridgeburners and other key players, though there's the promise of more to come, which is fulfilled as the series continues.
Aside from the main line there are the ICE novels, written by Erikson's friend and co-creator of the setting, Ian C. Esslemont, hence the name. These start out pretty slow, but Ian's writing ability seems to get better with each installation. There's also the Bauchelain and Korbal Broach novellas by Erikson, which are written more humorously and follow two Necromancers getting into adventures separate from the main cast, though they show up in the main line and the ICE novels now and again.
The Kharkanas Trilogy is 2/3rds of the way done, and is Erikson's work detailing the plight of the Elder Races of the setting long, long before the main line and ice novels begin. It centers around the Tiste people primarily, who are themselves similar to DnD's elves, but not quite. ICE also has his own sort of prequel trilogy, the Path to Ascendancy series following the origins of the Malazan Empire where it all began.
I've read pretty much everything the series has to offer, and I can safely say I enjoyed the whole ride all the way through. Though be warned, it's a long one.
More to come, stay posted.
Alright, gonna start this off with a Rec I can really get behind. Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series is probably my favorite piece of literature, or most certainly one of. It boasts a massive scale, rich and in-depth worldbuilding, memorable characters, and compelling stories in perhaps each installment. It deals with themes of love, betrayal, action, adventure, the horrors of war, and the Human Condition, most notably the suffering they all tend to endure.
The majority, though not all, of the installments follow the rank and file of the Malazan Empire as the Empire grinds its way through the world, particularly the Bridgeburners, who's motto is "First in, Last out" which should tell you all you need to know about them.
Gardens of the Moon is the starting point of the series and it plunges you right into the world of Malaz, few holds barred. This type of opening isn't for everyone, though I didn't have much trouble following along myself. It introduces the Bridgeburners and other key players, though there's the promise of more to come, which is fulfilled as the series continues.
Aside from the main line there are the ICE novels, written by Erikson's friend and co-creator of the setting, Ian C. Esslemont, hence the name. These start out pretty slow, but Ian's writing ability seems to get better with each installation. There's also the Bauchelain and Korbal Broach novellas by Erikson, which are written more humorously and follow two Necromancers getting into adventures separate from the main cast, though they show up in the main line and the ICE novels now and again.
The Kharkanas Trilogy is 2/3rds of the way done, and is Erikson's work detailing the plight of the Elder Races of the setting long, long before the main line and ice novels begin. It centers around the Tiste people primarily, who are themselves similar to DnD's elves, but not quite. ICE also has his own sort of prequel trilogy, the Path to Ascendancy series following the origins of the Malazan Empire where it all began.
I've read pretty much everything the series has to offer, and I can safely say I enjoyed the whole ride all the way through. Though be warned, it's a long one.
More to come, stay posted.