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Online StoreDeadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson
Deadhouse Gates continues the Malazan Book of the Fallen, a story begun in the wonderful Gardens of the Moon.
There are characters that are familiar to us from the first book of this series, Garden of the Moon. Kalam, Fiddler, Apsalar and Crokus have their stories further explored here and we are also introduced to new characters such as the excellent Mappo Runt and Icarium. These two newcomers must be arguably the best characters so far, and that against very stiff competition from Whiskeyjack and Quick Ben.
The House Paran plays a large part in this book again but this time it is in the form of the two sister Felisin and Tavore. Ganoes Paran was a main character in the first book but in Deadhouse Gates it is the two sisters, different in every conceivable way that burst into the narrative. Tavore is the new adjunct to the Empress, one of the most powerful positions in the Empire whereas Felisin has been exiled along with others of noble blood and sent to work in mines in a god forsaken place miles from her home. The plight of Felisin make up a substantial part of the tale and is very well written.
The quality of the writing in Deadhouse Gates is once again excellent and I guess one way to explain it would be to ask the reader to take the best parts of Robin Hobb and Stephen Donaldson and put them together and you would be left with Steven Erikson.
Deadhouse Gates: Prologue
The new characters are again well formed and easily identifiable, the older characters are further fleshed out and the Malazan Empire is further explored. The separate storylines are all interesting and converge as we near the end of the book.
This book is very, very good. Maybe not as good as it's predecessor due mainly to the overlong battle descriptions than can become rather laborious to read. That minor complaint aside, this is another fantastic book by Steven Erikson that further immerses us within the Fall of the Malazan Empire.
Deadhouse Gates: Prologue
'Complex, challenging ... Erikson's strengths are his grown-up characters and his ability to create a world every bit as intricate and messy as our own'
J.V. Jones, SFX
'Absorbing on a human level and full of magical sublimity ... fiendishly readable'
Adam Roberts, Amazon.co.uk
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Shyam from Rugby
A complex story, the dedication of Erikson is evident in his attention to detail, the history that he has built to accompany the Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen is as good as Tolkien's and more enjoyable to read.
The book attempts to reach new highs all the time and this can sometimes make it hard to follow but if you take the time and effort and fully give yourself to the story then you will be richly rewarded.
Alfie from Edinburgh
Stunning, as good as the first book, possibly even better. It's a shame that some of the Bridgeburners are missing from the first book but I'm promised that they will reappear in Memories of Ice. Steven Erikson is my favourite fantasy author and this could turn out to be the best fantasy series that I have ever read.
Matt from San Jose
I cannot recommend Erikson for many reasons. His biggest problem is his total lack of character development. His world is mainly a boring desert with a cast of thousands who I cared little (or nothing) about. I gave Gardens of the Moon a try first and found it mediocre at best. Deadhouse Gates proves to me Erikson hasn't learned how to give the reader enough to care about to want to keep reading. Try George R.R. Martin for some great fantasy with lifelike and interesting characters.
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