Steven Erikson Review: House of Chains
Published: Jan 01, 2008 - 09:21 PM :: Print this article
House of Chains is fourth book in the Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen.
House of Chains is a direct sequel to book 2, Deadhouse Gates, taking place a few months following Coltaine's Chain of Dogs and the decimation of Malazan's 7th Army in Seven Cities. Felisin Paran, aka Sha'ik Reborn, has withdrawn her substantial armies into the heart of the Whirlwind in the Holy Desert of Raraku, where she awaits the arrival of her nemesis, dear sister Tavore Paran, now both Adjunct to the Empress and High Fist of a newly recruited and untried 14th Army. Keep in mind that Felisin's true identity is known only to Heboric, her companion, advisor, and fellow escapee from the Otataral mines.
House of Chains is a direct sequel to book 2, Deadhouse Gates, taking place a few months following Coltaine's Chain of Dogs and the decimation of Malazan's 7th Army in Seven Cities. Felisin Paran, aka Sha'ik Reborn, has withdrawn her substantial armies into the heart of the Whirlwind in the Holy Desert of Raraku, where she awaits the arrival of her nemesis, dear sister Tavore Paran, now both Adjunct to the Empress and High Fist of a newly recruited and untried 14th Army. Keep in mind that Felisin's true identity is known only to Heboric, her companion, advisor, and fellow escapee from the Otataral mines.
House of Chains begins with the most extensive prologue to date, a lengthy account, beginning several years prior to present events, of the life and adventures of Karsa Orlong, a Toblakai warrior to whom we had been briefly introduced in Deadhouse Gates, as a bodyguard of prophetess Sha'ik in her first incarnation.
Karsa's tale begins in the far north of the Genabackis continent, where his people, the Teblor, have unknowingly worshipped a group of unbound (clanless) T'lan Imass for eons. Karsa seeks to reenergize his people, restore their honor and reputation, and eventually lead them to conquest and glory. He starts out on a quest to kill whoever he can, leading two friends out of the mountains and to their deaths and his own captivity.
Along the way, Karsa learns he is a descendant of the Thelomen Toblakai, one of the most ancient of sentient races. He continues to pursue his destiny while the Whirlwind Goddess awaits the coming battle with the Malazans, returning in time to conduct some personal business of his own during that confrontation.
Meanwhile, we follow Tavore Paran's attempt to gain the respect of her new army, mostly raw recruits, a small remnant of Coltaine's Wickans under Temul's leadership, and the troops who'd been stationed at Aren. Most of the action here is relayed through Fiddler's eyes, who has joined a new platoon of marines and sappers under another name.
The Empress Laseen's political machinations during this time revolve around discrediting Coltaine and his accomplishments, putting it about that he was to blame for the failure to initially contain the Seven Cities uprising and that the ensuing deaths were his fault. An anti-Wickan pogrom is encouraged on Quon Tali (the home continent of the Malazan Empire). Indeed, Laseen seems hellbent on destroying all competence and conscience within her realm. One begins to seriously wonder about her connection to the Crippled God.
The pace here is a bit slower, as Erikson has much to reveal about some of the people who will have important roles to play as the series progresses, particularly Tavore Paran, Karsa Orlong, and the marines of the 14th Army. The book culminates in a decisive battle at Raraku with Tavore's army receiving unexpected aid in their attack.
House Of Chains summary by Waverley.
Karsa's tale begins in the far north of the Genabackis continent, where his people, the Teblor, have unknowingly worshipped a group of unbound (clanless) T'lan Imass for eons. Karsa seeks to reenergize his people, restore their honor and reputation, and eventually lead them to conquest and glory. He starts out on a quest to kill whoever he can, leading two friends out of the mountains and to their deaths and his own captivity.
Along the way, Karsa learns he is a descendant of the Thelomen Toblakai, one of the most ancient of sentient races. He continues to pursue his destiny while the Whirlwind Goddess awaits the coming battle with the Malazans, returning in time to conduct some personal business of his own during that confrontation.
Meanwhile, we follow Tavore Paran's attempt to gain the respect of her new army, mostly raw recruits, a small remnant of Coltaine's Wickans under Temul's leadership, and the troops who'd been stationed at Aren. Most of the action here is relayed through Fiddler's eyes, who has joined a new platoon of marines and sappers under another name.
The Empress Laseen's political machinations during this time revolve around discrediting Coltaine and his accomplishments, putting it about that he was to blame for the failure to initially contain the Seven Cities uprising and that the ensuing deaths were his fault. An anti-Wickan pogrom is encouraged on Quon Tali (the home continent of the Malazan Empire). Indeed, Laseen seems hellbent on destroying all competence and conscience within her realm. One begins to seriously wonder about her connection to the Crippled God.
The pace here is a bit slower, as Erikson has much to reveal about some of the people who will have important roles to play as the series progresses, particularly Tavore Paran, Karsa Orlong, and the marines of the 14th Army. The book culminates in a decisive battle at Raraku with Tavore's army receiving unexpected aid in their attack.
House Of Chains summary by Waverley.
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