1. A “Toblakai” trilogy
2. A “Kharkanas” trilogy, which follows the Andii’s expulsion from Mother Dark.

So there’s plenty more awesome to come!

Rahul

I knew it! thanks for blogging this factiod.

joe

You’ll have more insight into Anomander Rake later on in the series. Yes, he’s one of my favorites too

There are indeed a few tomes that can be read in a different order (House of Chains and Midnight Tides, for example) but mostly they should be read in order.

I do not agree that Erikson is a superior writer to Martin – in fact in my opinion it’s the opposite. Erikson displays a wonderful imagination, and ideas that are unique in the fantasy literature world, but in terms of literary skill and attention to detail, Martin is absolutely fantastic.

I do however agree that it’s the characters that give this story a special flavor. The huge amount and variety of them, and the struggles between them (that become more visible from the Memories of Ice onwards).

Thanks for dropping by, I intend to review the 2nd book this weekend!

I agree, though, Anomandaris is a very interesting character. Erikson is actually going to be writing a trilogy featuring him and Lady Envy, after finishing the Malazan Book of the Fallen, if I’m not mistaken. I’m really looking forward to it, really. A good deal about his character was revealed in Memories of Ice, but since then, it’s mostly been snippets here and there. I’m currently on Reaper’s Gale, and while a few past events have been revealed involving his character… not much has been developed. Interesting to see a similar arrogance in Clip, though. Well chosen indeed XD

I’m not a big fan of most reviews I’ve read, though. People seem to focus too much on the events that occur, and in general, the big picture. But it’s the character development that’s really gotten me hooked on the series. ASOIAF too, for the same reason, though Erikson is a superior writer to R.R. Martin, in my opinion – nothing against his writing, it’s just very… how do I explain it… Erikson just has a way with language, I suppose.

But I digress. The point is, it’s the minor details, those that cannot be explained in a review (for they require knowledge of the events that occurred each step of the way), that make the Malazan Book of the Fallen series *more* than a bunch of fantasy novels. To really start understanding the characters, to witness their emotions and relationships, to see their confusion and their struggles. To look on as an outsider, and be witness to injustice, and what is deemed justice, an answer, to the offenses by the victims or those who would defend them. To see the joy and sadness in our own world paralleled, the very same archetypes we know appearing in this different yet similar universe.

I could go on for hours. It’s an amazing series, and I have yet to see a review do it justice. I doubt I ever will. Read the series, it’s the only way to take it all in.

Chris, the RPG was something they made up and played when they were younger – it was never published. They just transformed their RPG system into a book later on – Ian C. E. writes novellas in the same world, often filling the gaps left by Steven.