Steven Erikson Review: Memories of Ice
Published: Jan 01, 2008 - 09:18 PM :: Print this article
Memories of Ice is a third book in the Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen.
Memories of Ice returns us to the continent of Genabackis a few months after the ending of Book 1, Gardens of the Moon. The events take place concurrently with the stories in Book 2, Deadhouse Gates.
Memories of Ice returns us to the continent of Genabackis a few months after the ending of Book 1, Gardens of the Moon. The events take place concurrently with the stories in Book 2, Deadhouse Gates.
Dujek Onearm, High Fist of the Empire's Army on Genabackis, has repudiated the Empress. After the events in Darujhistan, he and his entire army have gone rogue and are now free to roam about the continent. No longer at odds with Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, Caladan Brood, and Prince K'azz D'Avore with his Crimson Guard, they seek to forge an alliance amongst all the forces of northern Genabackis to battle a greater threat. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
In the South, a new religion/empire has arisen, under the direction of the Pannion Seer, an evil sorcerer and stooge of the Crippled God. Called the Pannion Domin, these hellbent hordes are recruiting/subdueing vast numbers of starving, mindless fanatics who engage in cannabilism and other atrocities. Marching north, they leave a huge swath of destruction and lifelessness in their wake. The alliance of the free peoples of Genabackis, along with Onearm's Host, are tasked with their defeat.
There are multiple story lines advanced as we learn much more about the Deck of Dragons, representing the pantheon and its primary servants; the sentient races, most particularly the T'lan Imass, undead warriors relentlessly stalking their enemy for 300,000 years; and the stirrings of the Crippled God.
The Crippled God, chained for eons, has become unbound. Inklings of his arousal and activities are rumored and surmised as he begins recruiting for his cause. His cause, the destruction of the world, is the armegeddon towards which all the novels in the series inexorably march. We begin to get a clearer understanding of who is who, who is nice and who is naughty. Who will we root for, and who will cause us great gnashing of teeth.
Characters we had thought lost, including Toc the Younger, snatched into oblivion before the very eyes of Ganoes Paran in book 1, reappear and undergo marvelous transformations. Characters whom we have come to know and love meet their end, or, for some at least, their corporeal end. Others are elevated into surprising new roles. New characters are introduced, as well as new gods and ascendants.
There are two main story lines. First, the alliance moves south to meet the oncoming horde of the Pannion Domin and there are battles and momentous confrontations. The second primary plot line is about an honorable mercenary company, called the Grey Swords, who had accepted the job of providing security to the southern city of Capustan. They hadn't bargained on defending the city from an onslaught of fanatic religious zealots determine to obliterate the city and all its inhabitants. Surrounded by the hordes of the Pannion Domin, they fight to hold the city until Onearm and his allies can relieve them. An impossible task, taken on with resolve and fierce determination. The Grey Swords' stand in Capustan is the most clearly demonstrated example of gallantry and honor in fantasy fiction.
One of the best books in the series, Memories of Ice will grip your heart and your imagination. If you are not solidly hooked on the series by now, you never will be.
Review by Waverley
In the South, a new religion/empire has arisen, under the direction of the Pannion Seer, an evil sorcerer and stooge of the Crippled God. Called the Pannion Domin, these hellbent hordes are recruiting/subdueing vast numbers of starving, mindless fanatics who engage in cannabilism and other atrocities. Marching north, they leave a huge swath of destruction and lifelessness in their wake. The alliance of the free peoples of Genabackis, along with Onearm's Host, are tasked with their defeat.
There are multiple story lines advanced as we learn much more about the Deck of Dragons, representing the pantheon and its primary servants; the sentient races, most particularly the T'lan Imass, undead warriors relentlessly stalking their enemy for 300,000 years; and the stirrings of the Crippled God.
The Crippled God, chained for eons, has become unbound. Inklings of his arousal and activities are rumored and surmised as he begins recruiting for his cause. His cause, the destruction of the world, is the armegeddon towards which all the novels in the series inexorably march. We begin to get a clearer understanding of who is who, who is nice and who is naughty. Who will we root for, and who will cause us great gnashing of teeth.
Characters we had thought lost, including Toc the Younger, snatched into oblivion before the very eyes of Ganoes Paran in book 1, reappear and undergo marvelous transformations. Characters whom we have come to know and love meet their end, or, for some at least, their corporeal end. Others are elevated into surprising new roles. New characters are introduced, as well as new gods and ascendants.
There are two main story lines. First, the alliance moves south to meet the oncoming horde of the Pannion Domin and there are battles and momentous confrontations. The second primary plot line is about an honorable mercenary company, called the Grey Swords, who had accepted the job of providing security to the southern city of Capustan. They hadn't bargained on defending the city from an onslaught of fanatic religious zealots determine to obliterate the city and all its inhabitants. Surrounded by the hordes of the Pannion Domin, they fight to hold the city until Onearm and his allies can relieve them. An impossible task, taken on with resolve and fierce determination. The Grey Swords' stand in Capustan is the most clearly demonstrated example of gallantry and honor in fantasy fiction.
One of the best books in the series, Memories of Ice will grip your heart and your imagination. If you are not solidly hooked on the series by now, you never will be.
Review by Waverley
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