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| Viewing Page 1 of 1 (Total Posts: 7) |
| Author | Comment |
Mike
Jan 11, 08 - 9:21 PM |
Question for Steven Erickson Fans (or those who are not)
How long did it take you to really get into his books? I was about to give up on the series after about 120 pages into Deadhouse Gates (I have read GOTM). After reading the review from Thomas Wagner here I noticed he wrote my exact thoughts on the book and had the same reaction I did, but changed his mind after reading the other books. Maybe I am spoiled after just reading Martin's ASOIAF and the characters seem flat by comparison. |
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Thomas M. Wagner
Jan 12th, 2008 - 5:13 AM |
Re: Question for Steven Erickson Fans (or those who are not)
The impression I got was that Erickson was focused so intently on his world-building that he leapt into his first book before fully developing skills in things like characterization and cogent narrative structure. Things really do get a whole lot better in book three, though. Whereas the series was on a kind of probation with me after Deadhouse Gates, I'm now eager to continue. I've gotten book seven, Reaper's Gale, in the mail, so I hope to be fully caught up by March. |
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Mike
Jan 12th, 2008 - 10:18 AM |
Re: Question for Steven Erikson Fans (or those who are not)
Thanks. I really appreciated your review and think it was well done. Would you say it's smooth(er) sailing after book 3? I think I might stick it oout through DG. |
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Thomas M. Wagner
Jan 12th, 2008 - 10:34 AM |
Re: Question for Steven Erickson Fans (or those who are not)
Would you say it's smooth(er) sailing after book 3? I'll guess we'll both know once my reviews of those books are posted. 
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Mike
Jan 18th, 2008 - 12:34 AM |
Re: Question for Steven Erickson Fans (or those who are not)
Oh well I had to give up on this series. I tried reading another 50 pages of Deadhouse Gates and it's too awful to continue. It would take a miracle for me to care about any of the poorly described characters in the desert wasteland that is Malazan. On one page alone one of the many groups of flat characters came across a ruined temple in the desert (only the floor remained) and one of the characters by some magical means managed to release a bunch of rats, who then attacked a bundle of snakes. Then a swarm of wasps and fire ants started attacking right before a black 12 foot demon popped out and started shooting fire before engaging in battle with a white bear. This ended by one mage punching the one that started it in the jaw to end the nightmare. Ya, I'm done. |
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shadow9d9
Feb 4th, 2008 - 10:10 AM |
Re: Question for Steven Erickson Fans (or those who are not)
That is a shame.. it really is an excellent series... Deadhouse was my least favorite because of some dull areas in the middle of the book.. Memories of Ice is where he hits his stride. |
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JeffJ
Mar 20th, 2008 - 9:19 PM |
Re: Question for Steven Erickson Fans (or those who are not)
Mike, If all you got out of that scene was a bunch of critters fighting perhaps you are really missing some pretty key parts of the story. If you cannot get interested by the character you have met so far I don;t think these books are for you. Just out of curiosity, what books do you think DO offer interesting characters? JJ |
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