Return to form...

This feels like a return to form for Erikson. I loved books 1 to 6 of the Malazan Book of the Fallen but found the slow pacing of the final four books to be very off putting. I unfortunately felt that this characterised his subsequent works as well.
This book is absolutely bang on in terms of balancing philosophical musing, comic relief (I'm looking at you Stillwater!) and action.
The character development was good and, what I particularly liked, was that the characters are similar to the previous books in general tone but each had their own personality. This was most obvious with the Marines - they have the same kind of comic banter but about different topics than the MBotF and it felt different in tone.
The narration was really very very good. There was good differentiation between the voices of different characters, great emotional emphasis in keeping with the plot content. My only niggle was in her pronunciation of the word Malazan. I always said it with a short second "a" but the narrator pronounced it as "Malaazan". But that really was quite a small thing when considering the overall performance.

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4 people found this helpful

superb

I loved it. Being a huge fan of all things Malazan, especially the heavies, sappers and marines, this book was a delight. So much better than The Forge of Darkness series. The narration was amazing. She has a 1000 voices, each one distinct and brings each character to life especially Stillwater (who is my new favourite). So give it a go.

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3 people found this helpful

eardrum splitting at times

narrator was an issue for me unfortunately
had too keep turning it down and up🤦

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2 people found this helpful

Maybe better than the MBotF

As per other reviews, a return in form by Erikson. After the crippled god I lost interest in other Malazan titles but this is brilliant with plenty of good references to the original series. Narration was the best I’ve heard to the point I’ve started looking for other titles read by Emma Gregory especially for a British listener due to the accent choices for certain characters. Can’t wait for the next instalment.

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2 people found this helpful

Not for me

First and last Steven Erikson book I've tried. I tried to like it but after two hours listening to conversations and inner thoughts of weird soldiers I was wondering why I was listening to this. Second book with Emma Gregory as narrator and although she does a lot of voices, she is just too OTT for me.

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1 person found this helpful

Good start to a new series

It's a bit of a slow burner but to be expected from the first in a trilogy, looking forward to the next book.

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1 person found this helpful

Malazan is back

Steven Erikson never disappoints.
A different set of characters in a very familiar world. In typical Erikson fashion a slow bubbling build up with an explosive ending. I Will definitely keep investing in this series.

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1 person found this helpful

Erickson can’t write a bad book

It was like returning to barracks and all the old banter between the stupid genius of the Heavies, the cynical cunning of the semi psychotic Mages and the intractable tradition of the t’lan Imass. I’d give up this world like a shot for that one, black crows and all!

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Truly Outstanding.

Witness, damn you, Mr Erikson, you made me cry again with this absolute masterpiece. Another excellent tale from the Malazan world and didn't expect any less from Mr Erikson. He has delivered like he always does. Sublime plots and worldbuilding, and his writing is so specially intricately woven and crafted that it just leaves you in awe.

The God Is Not Willing is his first book in his new upcoming trilogy, Witness. Set ten years after The Crippled God. A story that is set up around the devastation and past deeds of one of my favourite characters, Karsa Orlong (The Shattered God).

The Malazan Empire is my all-time favourite series, and this book has just cemented why it is and why it always will.
The pure scope and depth of this world are truly fascinating. His characters are so compelling and loveable.

I have found my two new favourite Malazan duo, Stillwater and Anyx Fro, two female marines who would stab you just for irritating them, had me laughing out loud with their witticisms, sarcasm and their out and out craziness.

Lots and lots of new amazing characters and some very old ones are back with bang, bringing Malazan legends and lore back into the fold that will keep you turning page after page.

In this book, many years have passed since three Teblor warriors brought carnage and chaos to Silver Lake. Karsa Orlong has left behind a curse, and a son Rant, still a child and grown taller than any human, must leave because of the hatred towards him.

The XIVth Legion, 2nd Company are responding to reports of a growing unease among the tribes beyond the border, a legion of Malazan marines marches towards Silver Lake. They aren't quite sure what they're going to be facing, but, while the Malazan military has evolved and these are not the marines of old, one thing hasn't changed: they'll handle whatever comes at them. Or die trying.

In the North, a new Teblor War Lord has risen and has united all the Teblor clans. Something big is coming, and they must move south, even if it must bring war against the southlanders to escape the coming doom.

If you’re a fan of the epic Malazan Book of the Fallen, then you’ll love this. It made me laugh so loud, cry, and left me with so many euphoric moments of awe. Thank you so much, Mr Erikson, for bringing this amazing epic series to our lives. I very highly recommend...😁💀🔥🖤🗡

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More Malazan. Just not as interesting (anymore?)

It's a shame the author took a break from the more distinct and interesting Kharkanas books, to give us more standard Malazan fare. The narration is better than for previous Malazan books, and the characters/stories surrounding Rant were interesting. Otherwise it just felt familiar, not in the sense of "I know and love these characters", more like "I'm pretty sure I've already had 10 large books of this".

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